The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has frequently made itself a national laughing-stock with some of its absurd opinions. Now, via the Austin American-Statesman, we learn about an attempt to get the state’s highest criminal court to reverse itself on one of its dumber decisions.
Back in 2002, the court ruled that a lawyer’s competence cannot [...]

Popularity: 42% [?]

We broke the story the other day about the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals denying the Travis County DA’s motion for a rehearing in the case against Tom DeLay related to money laundering and conspiracy stemming from the 2002 election cycle.
Now, it is being reported that Travis County DA Ronnie Earle is ready to take [...]

Popularity: 38% [?]

It’s always amusing to hear things like this from TxDOT:
State transportation officials announced today that rising costs, dwindling federal funds, and lawmakers’ opposition to private-sector investment in toll projects have combined to force it to sharply scale back construction plans.
“The people of Texas need to understand that within a very short period of time, there [...]

Popularity: 36% [?]

[Now is a great time to help the Texas Netroots in our final push toward the end of the quarter fund-raising total for Rick Noriega. Donate today!]
VoteVets.org, the leading political organization for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, today endorsed the U.S. Senate candidacy of Rick Noriega in his effort to unseat incumbent Republican John Cornyn.
Founded in [...]

Popularity: 28% [?]

Eddie Saenz, who recently announced he was mounting a challenge to State Rep. Aaron Pena (D-Edinburg) in House District 40 has been charged with Driving While Intoxicated. He was arrested over the weekend and arraigned today. Video from Action 4 news:

What is especially interesting is that Saenz was allowed to go free after being initially [...]

Popularity: 28% [?]

It should come as no surprise that the Republicans in Texas’ congressional delegation still haven’t grasped that the CHIP/SCHIP program is a hot-button issue for Texas voters of all social classes and across party lines.
Evidently, they also haven’t noticed that their colleagues at the state level like Talmadge Heflin, Martha Wong, and a [...]

Popularity: 33% [?]

Most of us are actually glad to see the Texas Governor’s Mansion getting a face lift. But, that doesn’t mean a few questions aren’t in order.
While it’s understandable that temporary housing for the governor and his family won’t be cheap, it is odd (or, perhaps, par for the course) that the state’s rent money will [...]

Popularity: 30% [?]

The news yesterday that Texas Governor Rick Perry has ordered the Employees Retirement System of Texas and the Texas Teacher Retirement System to divest from companies doing business in Iran is interesting for several reasons.
First and foremost, when you consider the Sudan divestment situation, the Legislature actually voted to enact a law requiring such divestment; [...]

Popularity: 34% [?]

The Texas League of Conservation Voters yesterday released its report card on environmental records of members of the 80th Texas Legislature.
TLCV reviewed 27 votes to come up with their scorecard.
Popularity: 33% [?]

Popularity: 33% [?]

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has denied the Travis County District Attorney’s motion for a re-hearing in Tom DeLay’s case.
Travis County DA Ronnie Earle asked for the rehearing after the CCA declined to reinstate a conspiracy charge against Delay which had been previously tossed out by a trial court.
More as it develops.
Popularity: 32% [?]

Popularity: 32% [?]