A story in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram this morning notes that Texas isn’t yet feeling the full brunt of the economic slowdown seen so many places in America. Of course, you could have fooled us, but the story points out several things of interest:
Texas, meanwhile, keeps purring along. The economy is slowing, to be sure, [...]

Popularity: 18% [?]

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 [...]

Popularity: 16% [?]

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 [...]

Popularity: 16% [?]

It should surprise no one that the Texas House’s own Axis of IDiocy–Reps. Betty Brown (R-Terrell), Leo Berman (R-Tyler), Dwayne Bohac (R-Houston) and Debbie Riddle (R-Tomball) are praising the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the Crawford case, upholding Indiana’s voter ID law.
From the Axis of IDiocy’s joint press release:
State Representatives Betty Brown, Leo Berman, Dwayne [...]

Popularity: 32% [?]

The issue of whether or not Texas high schools must offer an elective bible class if 15 students make such a request has been handed off from the Texas Education Commission to the Attorney General’s Office:
Of course, there is debate among legislators who fought over the bill over whether or not the 15-student rule is [...]

Popularity: 42% [?]

From the office of State Rep. Mike Villarreal (D-San Antonio):
Representative Mike Villarreal is scheduled to testify before the Texas House Economic Development Committee on Thursday, March 13 about the importance of including support for small business entrepreneurs in the state’s economic development strategy.
Rep. Villarreal will be joined by Ted Terrazas, a San Antonio business owner [...]

Popularity: 25% [?]

It should come as no surprise to anyone that Texas school districts are abandoning the GOP-pushed program of “merit-based pay” for teachers like rats abandoning a sinking ship:
Popularity: 26% [?]

Popularity: 26% [?]

We’ll file this under “Waiting with bated breath for it to happen:”
House Elections Chairman Leo Berman, R-Tyler said he plans to ask Attorney General Greg Abbott to respond to allegations of partisan favoritism presented to his committee by Gerald Hebert, head of litigation at the Campaign Legal Center.
Gerry Hebert gave great testimony before the House [...]

Popularity: 24% [?]

Dr. Jon Taylor of the University of St. Thomas, who also happens to be one of the powers behind Professors R Squared, will be offering testimony before the House Elections Committee on Friday. Of course, he’s doing it in his academic capacity and not as a blogger, but we at Capitol Annex wonder, just the [...]

Popularity: 30% [?]

Here is the list of witnesses for Friday’s hearing, which we told you about earlier:
Witness List
STATE OFFICES
Office of the Attorney General for the State of Texas
Eric Nichols, Deputy Attorney General for Criminal Justice
The State Auditors Office for the State of Texas
Kels Farmer, CISA (Project Manager)
Office of the Secretary of State for the State of Texas
Ann [...]

Popularity: 31% [?]