November 1, 2009

Editorial

Getting another Texas university to Tier One status will be good for all Texans, but the advance is not going to come fast or cheap.

Speaking to an audience at Republican Rep. Diane Patrick’s third annual education summit last week in Arlington, Higher Education Commissioner Raymund Paredes cautioned that it could take 20 to 30 year for Texas to gain a third public top research university.

Approval of Proposition 4 on Tuesday’s ballot will help provide some of the necessary funding needed, but there is still much work ahead if any of the seven designated emerging universities are going to reach their goals.

Posted on November 2, 2009

Opinion/Editorials

Every couple of years, the Texas Legislature goes messing with the state constitution, passing proposed amendments that they want voters to approve.

A few are worthwhile or even necessary. Many get added to the constitution simply because a minuscule number of voters take the time and trouble to get informed and cast a ballot.

This year, lawmakers have presented 11 proposed amendments, and the last chance for voters to have their say is Tuesday.

November 2, 2009

Ross Ramsey

Cruz Control

Rep. Dan Branch of Dallas is dropping out of the race for attorney general. Texas Supreme Court Justice Dale Wainwright, who's been looking at the job, doesn't have time to raise the money to outrun former Solicitor General Ted Cruz. The GOP primary for that job is lining up.

It's not clear yet that AG Greg Abbott is stepping aside next year, but if he does, Cruz appears to have the advantage in next year's contest.

Branch dropped out Thursday. But Cruz has been busy raising money and locking up support that would otherwise go to another Republican. Wainwright, who'd have to leave the Texas Supreme Court to run for the AG job, would have about four months left to raise the money and

November 2, 2009

Gromer Jeffers, Jr.

Now that Rep. Dan Branch is running for re-election to his District 108 House seat, candidates with hopes of replacing him have suspended their campaigns.

Branch, R-Dallas, had considered a run for attorney general but was forced to shift gears when it became apparent that Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison would not resign her post in time to create the once-expected domino effect.

Dallas ranch broker Bryan Pickens and businesswoman Lisa Luby Ryan were among the candidates looking to run in the GOP primary, if Branch had opted to campaign for attorney general. Both have now thanked their supporters and bowed out.

November 2, 2009

Press Release

Texas House Speaker Joe Straus and other legislators today will discuss the need for additional Tier One universities in Texas and support for Proposition 4 on Tuesday's ballot. The proposed constitutional amendment would establish a national research university fund to enable emerging research universities to achieve national prominence. For more elections coverage, go to dallasnews.com

November 02, 2009

Opinion/Editorials

Well, predictably, Central Texans flocked to the polls in early voting for Tuesday's election like it was the swine flu festival.

Tomorrow is Election Day. Really. One year after high turnout in an historic presidential election we are back to the grunt work of democracy — a ballot of constitutional amendments for your approval.

Please be respectful of your neighbors when holding your raucous election night parties. And, as always, no electioneering at the polls.

It's your civic duty to cast a ballot. Very few of you will, which, mathematically, means the ballots of those who do will have proportionately

November 2, 2009

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Supporters of a proposition to help fund potential Tier One research universities are making their final plea for passage before voters go to the polls Tuesday.

Proposition 4 backers say the proposed constitutional amendment would create a national research university fund out of $500 million in existing state money. They say more top-level universities would be good for the economy and for students.

Posted on November 2, 2009

Dave Montgomery

AUSTIN - Mindful of potential low turnout in tomorrow's constitutional amendments election, House Speaker Joe Straus and other lawmakers today appealed to voters to support a proposed amendment to create a network of top-tier universities in Texas.

Proposition Four would transfer more than $500 million from a dormant education fund into a new fund to transform at least seven universities into top research universities. Three North Texas universities would be among those on track for tier one status - the University

November 2, 2009

Kelley Shannon

Supporters of 11 propositions on the Texas ballot — including one to fund more top-tier research universities — made their final plea Monday for voter passage in what's shaping up as a low-turnout election.

Proposition 4 would create a national research university fund out of $500 million in existing state money if Texans approve it Tuesday. The proposed constitutional amendment, plus those limiting eminent domain powers, guaranteeing public access to beaches and helping to build more veterans hospitals, are getting the most attention.

11/02/2009

While 2009 does not mark a major election year, those who do vote Tuesday will make some important changes to the Texas Constitution.

Supporters of the 11 amendments to the Texas Constitution on the Nov. 3 ballot were doing whatever they could Monday to get some last minute attention.

"We want to make sure public access to beaches is enshrined in the constitution," Alejandro Savransky, field organizer for Environment Texas, said.

To illustrate his support for Proposition 9, which protects the right of the public to access and use the public beaches bordering the seaward shore of the Gulf of Mexico, Savransky put on his swimsuit and grabbed a beach ball.