From The Blogs, March 23, 2006

Starting off today’s From The Blogs, here are your must reads:

Today’s Must Reads:

A Capitol Blog: Juvenile Detention and Our Road to Jericho. State Rep. Aaron Pena masterfully writes about his visit to the Evins Juvenile Detention Center, one which has been brought to his attention by various complaints. A beautifully written, substantive post.

Burnt Orange Report: An Open Letter to Comptroller Strayhorn. Phillip Martin has an open letter criticizing Carole Keeton Strayhorn for failing to take action earlier concerning the lobbyist payments she stopped yesterday, and chastising her for continuing payments to another lobbyist.

Blogging Journalist reports that the FEC is about to determine on its own if political bloggers will be forced to register with the agency.

Blue Texas has more on the Vice President’s upcoming visit for congressional candidate Van Taylor in HD 17.

Brains and Eggs brings us the Top 10 Reasons Dick Cheney will never resign.

Ballot issues and recounts across the state are covered in two excellent posts at Burnt Orange Report. This post covers voter turnout (including very high numbers in Duval County) while this post covers recounts going on across the state.

Rep. John Conyers Blog tells us more on the cost of the Iraq war.

Dallas Blog points us to Kay Bailey Hutchison talking to the New York Times about the Wright Amendment.
Pink Dome has more on Comptroller/Candidate Strayhorn’s decision to stop payments to the state’s D.C. lobby firm, as do Eye on Williamson County and Off The Kuff, while Just Another Blog has the TDP’s official statement on Strayhorn’s actions.
The Red State has the latest on Strayhorn’s petition drive: she’s doing it by mail and sending petitions to businesses.

Right of Texas has a map up of Chris Bell’s results in the Democratic Primary.

Eye on Williamson County has a piece on the coming Special Session, as does RGV Politics.

Greg has thoughts on Pete Laney’s Texas Monthly interview.

Grits for Breakfast has a piece on advocates pushing for stronger probation laws.

And, here are some Capitol Annex posts you may have missed:

Strayhorn Suspends Payments To Lobby Firm
3rd Court of Appeals Hears Arguments in DeLay Case
SOS Stops Tom Green County Recount
Overshadowed: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s Visit to the U.S.

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