May 12, 2010

By Mike Hailey

Capitol Inside Editor

The late train is scheduled to make a stop in Dallas this month when several wealthy investors, a famous former football star and other Republican luminaries seek political absolution at a fundraiser for Governor Rick Perry after supporting U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison in her unsuccessful bid to unseat him in the GOP primary this year.

The Perry fundraiser will be held May 26 at the Highland Park home of Dallas real estate development magnate Harlan Crow, a major Hutchison donor who's chairing the reception just three months after he sponsored a similar event for the state's senior U.S. Senate member when she was challenging the incumbent in one of the most bitter primary feuds that's ever unfolded in Texas.

May 24, 2010

Jeannie Kever

Associated Press


It has been the dirty little secret of higher education for decades: Tens of thousands of college students can't do the work.

Developmental education — reteaching basic skills in reading, writing and math — is a $200 million-a-year problem in Texas, funded by taxpayers, colleges and the students themselves. Private groups also spend millions of dollars on the issue.

But relatively few students who need the classes go on to earn a degree, raising questions about whether money spent on developmental education is a wise investment.

Key House Republican Suggests that Democrats' Caucus Chief Couldn't Have Role on Tort Reform Issues if Taylor Conflict Theory Applied to Him

May 25, 2010

By Mike Hailey

Capitol Inside Editor

A powerful Republican lawmaker who's one of Speaker Joe Straus' top lieutenants said Tuesday that criticism from Democrats about the GOP's domination on the Sunset Advisory Committee was misguided in light of the political complexion of the panel when the chamber had a Democratic majority.

State Rep. Dan Branch - a Dallas Republican who chairs the House Higher Education Committee - defended Straus' decision to name State Rep. Larry Taylor to the sunset panel as a logical choice that conformed to a pattern of appointments that Democrat Pete Laney had established when he led the lower chamber as speaker during a 10-year stint that ended in 2003.

May 29, 2010

Elliot Blackburn

Texas Tech left open the possibility of layoffs for the first time in months of bad budget news as Texas’s top elected officials told state agencies and universities Friday to keep cutting.

Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Joe Straus requested agencies submit plans for up to 15 percent cuts to their budgets.

An administrator at Texas Tech, the city’s largest state employer, said future tuition hikes were possible and would no longer rule out layoffs after months of adamant opposition. The university still described the option as a last resort and discussion of the possibility “premature.” 

But a top education legislator said the university may be the best positioned of any in the state to weather the storm. 

Rep. Branch welcomed constituents from East Dallas to the Taco Joint as he kicked of his 2010 Listening Tour. Community leaders and neighbors were updated on Branch's activities in the legislature, and then visited with the Representative on numerous issues.

Rep. Branch welcomed constituents from East Dallas to the Taco Joint as he kicked of his 2010 Listening Tour. Community leaders and neighbors were updated on Branch's activities in the legislature, and then visited with the Representative on numerous issues.

Rep. Dan Branch honored the leaders of the Swiss Avenue Historic District with a flag flown over the Texas Capitol and a resolution from the Texas House of Representatives. Later, Branch visited with neighbors enjoying the tour.

Rep. Dan Branch welcomed leaders from around the globe to Dallas for the first ever East West Institute Worldwide Cybersecurity Conference. Branch presented EWI leaders with a proclamation from the Texas House of Representatives and spoke on the importance of cybersecurity to Texas and the U.S.

Rep. Dan Branch and his wife Stacey Branch were honored with the Divine Servant Award at the 2010 Arms of Hope Dinner. In addition, Rep. Branch was commissioned as an Admiral in the Texas Navy. Later in the evening, SMU Head Football Coach June Jones delivered the keynote address.

Chairman Branch traveled to Corpus Christi, Texas to visit Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Welcomed by President Flavius Killebrew, Branch toured the campus and met with students, faculty & administrators.