Franchise Tax Misses The Target
June 26, 2008 by Vince Leibowitz · Leave a Comment
A leading economists says that the new franchise tax, enacted by the Texas Legislature in Special Session in 2006, is not going to meet its target of $5.9 billion in collections. Via the Chron:
Though Part Of TTC 69 Stalled, The Rest Steamrollers On To Connect With John Cornyn’s Mexican Superhighway
June 26, 2008 by Vince Leibowitz · 1 Comment
Although part of the controversial TTC 69 route of the Trans-Texas Corridor has been (or will be) altered, it’s full steam(roller) ahead on the southern aspect of the superhighway:
The second half of the massive Trans Texas Corridor will take a large step toward reality today, when state transportation officials award a $5 million design contract to a team of private toll road operators. The operators will develop a master plan for the portion of the project that will run from Northeast Texas to Houston and then to Mexico – about 650 miles.
Presumably, this will connect with John Cornyn’s Mexican Superhighway, the south-of-the-border version of the TTC that Cornyn proposes building with American tax dollars.
More on the contract itself:
Texas Republicans Are Funding McCain
June 26, 2008 by Vince Leibowitz · Leave a Comment
Remember, earlier this year, when we had all hoped that wealthy Texas Republicans would get pissed off about John McCain not being “conservative enough” and just sit on their wallets this election cycle?
Fired Pension Review Board Chair Claims It Was Because Of His Warnings About Troubled Pensions
June 26, 2008 by Vince Leibowitz · 1 Comment
I’m not sure how, but most blogs I regularly read missed the fact that Rick Perry has removed Frederick “Shad” Rowe, the chair of the Texas Pension Review Board. The Board oversees nearly 400 public pension systems in Texas that contain an astonishing $200 billion in assets.
Why did Perry fire Rowe? Perry’s answer, via a spokesperson, is that the chair of the board should pursue the best interests of Texans and not their own “personal agendas.” No elaboration from Team Perry, of course.
Rowe, however, offers a different story for why he was removed:
Another New College Station Blog
June 25, 2008 by Vince Leibowitz · Leave a Comment
We’ve noted yet another new blog from the College Station area, Stifled Mind. Check it out.
Update: Add Lost In College Station to the list.
We Have Upgraded To A New Version Of WordPress
June 25, 2008 by Vince Leibowitz · Leave a Comment
Readers of Capitol Annex probably will not notice much difference on the “front end” of the website, but we at Capitol Annex have now upgraded to WordPress 2.5.1. It is a major upgrade of WordPress. If you notice any problems, please leave them in the comments.
Jessica’s Law Author Debbie Riddle Issues Statement On Supreme Court Decision Making Execution For Child Rape Unconstitutional
June 25, 2008 by Vince Leibowitz · 1 Comment
State Rep. Debbie Riddle (R-Tomball), has issued a statement on the U.S. Supreme Court decision today that struck down the portion of HB 8 giving that allowed the death penalty as a punishment for child rape:
“When I made the decision to author House Bill 8, also known as Jessica’s Law, I did so with the single purpose of making Texas safer for our children, and more dangerous for their predators. While the majority of the provisions of House Bill 8 will not be affected by today’s ruling, I believe that the Supreme Court has somewhat diluted our effort as a state to provide our children with the strongest possible protection by providing the strongest possible punishment to those who would do them harm.
That’s rather interesting. I don’t think the Court diluted the state’s efforts at all. I think the Legislature should have had the wisdom not to understand that the death penalty wasn’t an appropriate punishment for this offense, as bad as the offense is.
Culberson Obstructs Bill That Will Save Taxpayers Money
June 25, 2008 by Vince Leibowitz · Leave a Comment
A press release from the Skelly campaign which is worth noting in its entirety:
On Tuesday morning, Congressman John Culberson (TX-07) used classic obstructionist tactics to try to thwart debate on H.R. 6331, a bipartisan bill that would decrease
the deficit and save taxpayers’ money by focusing on preventative health care.More On Renewable Infrastructure For Power Transmission
June 25, 2008 by Vince Leibowitz · Leave a Comment
Graham over at Impolite Company takes a more in-depth look at renewable infrastructure for power transmission, which we skimmed the surface of yesterday. Be sure to check it out–good stuff!
Hochberg, West, Van De Pute Tell TEA That Vouchers Aren’t Part Of HB 2237
June 25, 2008 by Vince Leibowitz · Leave a Comment
With TEA set to hear testimony today on Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott’s proposed rule concerning dropout recovery pilot programs under House Bill 2237 passed by the 80th Legislature, three legislators involved in HB 2237 are letting him know–in no uncertain terms–that vouchers were never imagined as part of what the bill authorizes.
Senator Royce West (D-Dallas), Senator Leticia Van de Putte (D-San Antonio), and Representative Scott Hochberg (D-Houston) issued the following joint statement today, urging Commissioner Scott to drop dropout vouchers from the proposed rule:
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