February 2009

"Texans for Ted Cruz" is among the latest filings at the Texas Ethics Commission.

The state's former solicitor general (under Attorney General Greg Abbott) wants to run for attorney general in 2010, assuming his former boss isn't running for reelection. He did a "soft" announcement, letting the story break in Texas Lawyer and then giving details to anyone who asked. Former Texas Secretary of State George Strake Jr. signed on as his campaign manager.

February 2009

What has $138,921,797 and 2,407 different agendas?

A clue: The year-end cash-on-hand reports for the state's candidates and political committees are now online.

The Texas Ethics Commission compiles reports from candidates and PACs that file semi-annual reports, and also from PACs that, under different laws, file monthly. We've mashed the reports together to see where the money was at the end of 2008.

BRANCH TAPPED TO CHAIR HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Dallas Member Also Gains Appointment to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee

AUSTIN, Texas—Texas House Speaker Joe Straus (R-San Antonio) has named Rep. Dan Branch (R- Dallas) Chairman of the House Higher Education Committee.

Branch's priorities for Higher Education include developing more first tier universities in Texas, addressing college affordability challenges by improving the state's financial aid and tuition policies and reforming the state's top 10% admissions rule.  In addition, Branch is the author of legislation to establish The University of North Texas School of Law in downtown Dallas.

Rep. Branch led a bipartisan group of North Texas Legislators in supporting the Texas Local Option Transportation Act at a DFW International Airport.  During his remarks, Branch noted the importance of addressing Texas' transportation infrastructure challenges.  The legislation was recently filed in the Senate by Sen John Carona (R-Dallas) and in the House by Rep. Vicki Truitt (R-Southlake).

Representative Branch was interviewed on Channel 8–ABC/WFAA on Sunday, February 1st by Gromer Jeffers, Jr. and Brad Watson. Recently voted by his peers to serve as co-chair of the Dallas House Legislative Delegation, Branch spoke about key legislative priorities for the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

Civic leaders from across the Metroplex traveled to Austin to dialogue with state legislators at the State Capitol. To conlcude their trip, Mayor Tom Leppert and several City of Dallas council members held an evening reception for the Dallas legislative delegation at the Austin Club.

After being named Chairman of the House Higher Education committee by Speaker Joe Straus, Rep. Branch traveled to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in North Austin. While touring the various departments, Chairman Branch gained a greater understanding of the agency's daily operations.