Gary Mauro, What Are You Smoking?

Now, I’ve got to admit, I’m a fan of former Texas Land Commissioner Gary Mauro. But, when I clicked on his op-ed in the Austin American-Statesman yesterday, I had to ask myself, “whatcha smokin’, Gary??” Here’s why:

The Trans Texas Corridor is a prime example of an innovative solution and deserves very serious consideration.
[...]

Addressing the challenges of population growth is important, and it is refreshing to see Texas Department of Transportation officials thinking creatively about possible solutions such as the Trans Texas Corridor. It could pave the way to Texas’ future.

After I picked myself off the floor, treated the head wound I got when my head smacked into my desk when I fell out of my chair, and drank half a glass of Dr. Pepper to calm my nerves, I realized that Mauro’s piece is part of a much larger picture of debate on the Trans Texas Corridor—one I or other bloggers do not address much because, quite frankly, it’s much easier to tell you what a disaster the corridor will be.

After all, talking aboud family farms being destroyed is much more interesting than the other minutia.

So, here’s an attempt to distill (or at least broaden) the debate a bit, with some help from Gary Mauro’s op-ed.

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This Is Another Reason I Hate Bees!

I’m allergic to bees, wasps, yellowjackets, hornets and red wasps. And, I’ve been to the emergency room several times as a result of stings.

And, thanks to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, I am now afraid to go outside:

A South Texas man died after being swarmed by bees when he was mowing a lawn, officials said.

Reymundo Ramirez died Saturday after bumping a lawn mower into a storage shed near Alice, according to the Jim Wells County Sheriff’s Office.

Ramirez, whose age was not available, ran to the side of the house but collapsed covered in bees, sheriff’s officials said.

Manuel Gonzalez, a county animal control officer, said the nest probably contained Africanized bees, also known as killer bees.

Ok. Forget school finance, ethics, taxes and all that. I want a governor who can get rid of the Africanized Killer Bees.

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What Happened To The Commenters?

For the past few weeks, we’ve had a number of old and new folks commenting. This week and late last week, though (even though traffic continues to go up), people have stopped commenting.

Have I pissed everyone off? Are you just tired? You don’t like what I’m writing??? What??? I’m getting a complex here!

Anyway, to all of you readers, consider this an invitation to de-lurk. Post a comment! Tell us more of what you’d like to see on CapitolAnnex.

Rick Perry: He’ll Do Most Anything For Money

This latest Capitol Annex blogomercial was inspired by a comment I heard in the NPR story I mentioned here earlier. It’s directed mainly at the coal power plant controversy. Hope you like it.

And, in case you missed previous Annex Blogomercials, here they are:

Rick Perry: Insensitive
Rick Perry: Separating Wants From Needs

Gene Seaman & The Blame Game

By now, you’ve no doubt heard about the Texas Ethics Commission complaint filed against Gene Seaman over “Condogate” by one of his constituants.

The Corpus Christi Caller-Times has some great coverage of the complaint if you’re not familiar with it.

What I’d like to highlight, however, is how Gene Seaman tipifies  traditional Republican tactics in his campaign’s response to the allegations.

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Carole Strayhorn: A Border Policy She’ll Pay For With Democrats’ Ideas

Carole Keeton Strayhorn has a border policy. Basically it consists of making Texas Rangers a Texas equivelant of the U.S. Border Patrol.

What’s entertaining to me, however, is how Strayhorn plans to pay for the idea:

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E-Interview: Valinda Bolton

[Fifth in a continuing series of Capitol Annex E-Interviews with Democratic candidates for Texas House and Senate in contested races this fall.]

Previously, we’ve published E-Interviews with Sherrie Matula (HD 134), Kathi Thomas (SD 25), Jim Stauber (HD 20) and Karen Felthauser (HD 52). Today, it’s Valinda Bolton’s turn.

Valinda Bolton [website•e-mailing list•$$$] is running in HD 47, currently an open seat, against Republican Bill Welch. The district covers a portion of Travis County.

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Coal Power Plant Opponents Gain More Steam

Opponents of the 17 new coal power plants TXU wants to build in Texas (with Rick Perry’s help) got a major boost with some excellent coverage from NPR this week.

In the article, there were some great quotes from Dallas Mayor Laura Miller, a Democrat, about what these power plants will do to Texas:

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Strayhorn Campaign Commercial Parody

You all knew it was just a matter of time before I decided to do a parody of Carole Keeton Strayhorn’s campaign commercial “Shake Austin Up.” So, here it is. It’s not the best of parodies since it uses the voiceover from the original commercial, but I find it amusing. Hopefully, you will, too.

Chris Bell On The Governor’s Race

Here’s a new short video in which Chris Bell is interviewed about the Texas Governor’s race. It’s on YouTube now.

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