December 31, 2008 - The Dallas Morning News
Jail standing in way of Trinity River entertainment plans
Emily Ramshaw

December 30, 2008 - Houston Chronicle
Education issues will be key
Ericka Mellon

December 28, 2008 - Austin American-Statesman
Bush presidency gave few favors to Texas, just as advertised
Jason Embry

Rep. Branch chatted with the members of the American Subcontractors Association of North Texas at the Association dinner, held at the Frontiers of Flight Museum at Dallas Love Field Airport.

Rep. Branch tours REEL FX Creative Studios, located in Deep Ellum with Arts Commissioner Cobie Russell.  The studio provides core services, such as visual effects, animation design and creative editorial.  Their work includes recent commercials for Gatorade and Nike, as well as films such asOpen Season 2, and The Wild.

Rep. Branch visited J.W. Ray Elementary to help lead the morning announcements, the pledges of allegiance and the minute of silence. Afterwards, Branch toured several classrooms, visiting with some of the top teachers and students with Principal Bernette Austin. Branch has toured many of the schools in District 108 during the past few months.

Representative Branch led a panel of experts during the final session of the Texas Public Policy Foundation's 6th Annual Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature to discuss the intricacies of the revised franchise tax. The legislation was introduced after the 80th session, and reduces school property taxes by one third.

Chairman Branch spoke to the state's largest school superintendents organization about the ongoing work of the House Select Committee on Higher & Public Ed. Finance. Branch discussed the challenges of producing the educated workforce we need to stay competitive in a knowledge-based economy, and how both a significant investment and efficient use of Texas tax dollars are critical to education funding decisions.

Representative Branch served as the keynote speaker at the mid-winter meeting of the Texas School Coalition, an organization representing property wealthy school districts that submit local property tax revenue for redistribution to other areas of the state under the Robin Hood school funding system. Branch was introduced by TX School Coalition President, Dr. Doug Otto, Superintendnet of Plano ISD.  The 2006 school finance reforms resulted in a reduction of $730 million in recapture payments from local school districts to the state. Rep. Branch, Eanes ISD (Austin, TX) Superintendent, Dr. Nola Wellman, and Dr. Cathy Bryce, of Highland Park ISD, discussed how to futher reduce recapture payments by local districts. As a result of 2006 Special Session, Dallas ISD avoided Chapter 41 status and Highland Park ISD recapture was reduced by over $23 million.