August 6, 2009

Bob Dunn

Warning to motorists: Talking on your cell phone while driving in a school crossing zone could cost you up to $200 in Fort Bend County - or elsewhere throughout the state.

Beginning Sept. 1, regulations contained in Texas House Bill 55 take effect, and they include fines for using wireless devices such as cell phones in a school crossing zone.

There are some exceptions - you can use your phone if your vehicle is stopped, you're using a hands-free device or you're making an emergency call to police, fire departments or an ambulance service.

August 11, 2009

By Mike Hailey

Capitol Inside Editor

There's speculation that Texas Supreme Court Dale Wainwright might consider a race for attorney general in a move that could prompt the Republican powers that be to attempt to persuade former Solicitor General Ted Cruz to switch from the AG's race to the battle for another high court seat that would be open in 2010.

The potential shuffle involving Wainwright and Cruz would hinge on a decision by Attorney General Greg Abbott to get in the race for lieutenant governor instead of seeking a third-term to the position that he won initially in 2002. Wainwright and Abbott are Republicans as well.

August 11, 2009

Scrambling for a possible open seat now held by Dan Branch plus a couple of incumbents to face challenges

--- The word out of the Metroplex is that a couple of GOP heavy-hitters are poised to jump into the HD 108 race should Dallas Republican Dan Branch choose to run for AG instead of re-election. Orthopedic doctor John Gill and former Dallas County Judge Margaret Keliher are said to be considering a run.

Gill is a well-known Republican donor, having given money in the past to David Dewhurst, Rick Perry, Joe Nixon and other friends of tort reform efforts. He also testified this past session in front of the Legislature and has co-written an op-ed with Newt Gingrich that appeared in the Wall Street Journal.

August 12, 2009

Elizabeth Souder

UPDATE: Margaret Keliher said in an email that the report is true, she is considering running for state representative.

Texas Business for Clean Air might have to scout for a new leader.

According to the Quorum Report, TBCA executive director Margaret Keliher is considering running for the Legislature. She's also a former Dallas County judge, and she is passionate about clean air issues.

According to the Report's website:

August 12, 2009

Ben Wear

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

A new state law intended to restrict use of cell phones in school zones statewide might instead give local governments license to ignore it.

Many cities and counties, strapped for cash, could choose to refrain from installing signs in school zones notifying drivers of a prohibition against using all but a hands-free cell phone while driving through a school zone, officials said.

The City of Austin, however, will spend as much as $80,000 over the next two years installing hundreds of signs warning of a $200 fine for

August 12, 2009

A proposed tax rate of 74.25 cents per $100 valuation was approved by the Teague City Council while meeting in regular session on Monday evening, August 10th.

The proposed tax rate is one cent higher than the 73.25 cents per $100 valuation that the city has levied for the past three years. With the one cent increase and a rise in property valuation of some $3.2 million this year, the penny increase in the tax rate will bring in an additional $34,347 during the next fiscal year.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

By Natalie Solis

DALLAS - A new Texas law restricts the use of cell phones in all school zones across the state. But with school starting soon, many cities and school districts have questions about the enforcement of the law.

According to the state, cities must pay for and post signs advertising that texting and talking on cell phones without a hands-free device is illegal.

Some cities are having a problem finding money in their tight budgets for those signs.

August 13, 2009

Editorial

A new state law restricting cell phone use in school zones is giving teeth to what many local districts are already doing.

The law going into effect Sept. 1 makes it illegal for any driver to use a wireless communication device in a school zone unless the vehicle is stopped or a hands-free device is used, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The law does allow hands-on phone use only if used for an emergency call.

The problem is that House Bill 55 leaves too much wiggle room for cities and counties suffering tight budgets to choose not to install warning signs in school zones — making the law unenforceable.

August 16, 2009

Laura B. Martinez

Driving while talking on your cell phone in a school zone without a hands-free device will soon be against the law.

Taking effect Sept. 1 is a new law that prohibits talking on cell phones while driving in a school zone, unless you're using a hands-free device or there is an emergency.

Brownsville mother Yvonne Garcia thinks the law is a good idea. She's seen plenty of motorists driving in school zones while talking on cell phones.

Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2009

Editorials

Fort Worth will enforce the new state law that, starting Sept. 1, will slap a fine of up to $200 on drivers caught using hand-held cellphones in school zones.

Arlington is not sure yet. The law doesn't force cities to get on the bandwagon. But if they plan to enforce it, cities have to put up signs at the entrances to school zones so drivers will know what the rules are.