August 3, 2012    

Robert T. Garrett    

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst plunged again into state business on Friday, telling reporters, "I'm back."

Dewhurst, still smarting from his defeat by Ted Cruz in Tuesday's GOP U.S. Senate runoff, hinted he may have another political race in his future — though he turns 67 later this month.

"If I had a chance to do it over again, I would do it differently," he said. "And if I run another race, I'll do it differently."

Dewhurst appeared at the Texas Capitol to help preside over a meeting of the Legislative Budget Board, which he co-chairs. During the meeting, he peppered state fiscal experts with about a half dozen questions.

Asked afterward about his plans for 2014 — when he could seek re-election or perhaps even run for governor — Dewhurst ducked.

August 27, 2012    

Photo By: Joy Lewis, Abilene Reporter News    

Texas state Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, addresses students and faculty during the opening chapel service Monday at Abilene Christian University.

August 27, 2012

John Lowman

LAKE JACKSON— Austin colleagues hailed State Rep. Dennis Bonnen as a tenacious, caring, hard worker who gets things done. But they don't always expect him to be punctual and wouldn't want to ride in a car with him. Then there's that temper. And that's just what his friends say about him.

The Angleton Republican and District 25 representative was subject of a good-natured "roast and toast" fundraiser Saturday night. Part of Bonnen's 40th birthday celebration, the event at Brazosport College Dow Academic Center raised $300,000 toward scholarships through the Brazosport College Foundation.

Rep. Dan Branch (R-Dallas) introduced former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jimmy Johnson and "The Voice of the Cowboys" Brad Sham at the August installment of the PwC SMU Athletic Forum. Rep. Branch also invited the senior members of the Woodrow Wilson High School Wildcats football team to join as his guests at the luncheon.

August 27, 2012 Carl Kieke  A college education isn't just about academics. Character development is another major part, Texas state Rep. Dan Branch told Abilene Christian University students and faculty during the opening chapel service Monday.

A reflection of that character took place earlier in the proceedings when two ACU alumni were introduced to the crowd: Dr. Billy Curl and Larry Bonner. In August 1962, they were the first African-American students to enroll in the university. Both graduated and continue to be active supporters of the university. They were greeted with a standing ovation when they and their wives were introduced.

August 27, 2012    

Kolten Parker    

A center at Texas State focusing on water research, sustainability and drought management received a million-dollar boost and a new name Aug. 24.

The Meadows Foundation of Dallas, which has donated more than $3 million to Texas State since 1991, pledged an initial gift of one million dollars to kickstart the center. The group has also agreed to make subsequent donations over the next few years, totaling $5 million, to permanently endow the $10 million project, officials said.

Texas State's Board of Regents

08/24/2012 - Representative Branch was one of the key speakers at the announcement ceremony where Texas State University received a $1m gift from the Meadows Foundations. Below is an article from the Austin American Statesman detailing the plans for these funds to build a new $10m research center.

Texas State planning $10 million water-research center

By Ralph K.M. Haurwitz from the Austin American Statesman 08/24/12

Texas State University will expand its research and teaching related to drought, rivers, springs and other water matters under a $10 million plan to be announced today.

The San Marcos campus, which includes the second-largest spring in the American Southwest, is already a center for studying the interplay between water and environmental quality. The university's River Systems Institute will get a new name, the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, in recognition of a $1 million donation from the Dallas-based Meadows Foundation, also being announced today.

Chairman Branch visits Texas A&M International University in Laredo to speak at Fall Faculty Assembly.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Candice Woodruff, 512-463-0367

August 17, 2012

REP. DAN BRANCH ALERTS DALLAS COUNTY RESIDENTS OF CONTINUED AERIAL SPRAYING TO COMBAT SPREAD OF WEST NILE VIRUS

(Dallas)- Aerial spraying commenced across Dallas County last night to combat the continued spread of the West Nile Virus.

Spraying took place in a 50,000 acre area that included Highland Park, University Park, parts of North and East Dallas, Richardson, Garland and parts of Mesquite. For more information on aerial spraying locations, follow the link below:

http://www.dallascityhall.com/westNile_aerial-spraying.html

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Candice Woodruff, 512-463-0367

August 17, 2012

REP. DAN BRANCH ALERTS DALLAS COUNTY RESIDENTS OF CONTINUED AERIAL SPRAYING TO COMBAT SPREAD OF WEST NILE VIRUS

(Dallas)- Aerial spraying commenced across Dallas County last night to combat the continued spread of the West Nile Virus.

Spraying took place in a 50,000 acre area that included Highland Park, University Park, parts of North and East Dallas, Richardson, Garland and parts of Mesquite. For more information on aerial spraying locations, follow the link below:

http://www.dallascityhall.com/westNile_aerial-spraying.html