January 4, 2010

Brandon Formby

Voters in a handful of North Texas suburbs can expect some hotly contested Texas House races in the March primaries.

In Dallas County, Democratic state Reps. Carol Kent and Robert Miklos and Republican state Rep. Linda Harper-Brown drew no opposition from within their own parties as the filing deadline passed Monday, but each drew multiple opponents from across the aisle.

January 4, 2010

Robert T. Garrett


Talk about your down-to-the-wire struggle. Until the fililng deadline this afternoon, ground-level operatives in both parties recruited candidates for state representative, searching for potentially decisive advantage in the now 8-year effort by Democrats to tip the Texas House back their way.

January 13, 2010

Mike George


AUSTIN- Texas Leaders and the Federal Government don't always see eye to eye. The last year has seen conflict on several issues.

Texas House Speaker Joe Straus (R-San Antonio) announced Wednesday the formation of the House Select Committee on Federal Legislation.

January 14, 2010

Gary Kent


A new law written by State Sen. Judith Zaffirini last year which took effect on Jan. 1 should enhance economic development efforts in Bee County.

Senate Bill 2244 gives the governor the power to offer in-state tuition to immediate family members of employers and employees of new businesses in the state as an incentive for relocating or expanding their operations in Texas.

“The waiver program has great potential for helping families and businesses that relocate to Texas,” the Laredo Democrat said last week.

January 18, 2010

Brian Thevenot


Even with the next legislative session a year away, state Rep. Dan Branch, chair of the Higher Education Committee, has been visiting college presidents, delivering a frank warning: Texas families can’t take any more big tuition hikes, and neither can the cash-strapped state bail out bulging college budgets.

Since 2003, when the Legislature deregulated tuition by allowing individual boards of regents to set prices for each school, tuition and fees at

Thirty-Three House Candidates Join $100,000 Club as Several Hopefuls Tap Personal Funds for Cash

January 18, 2009

By Mike Hailey

Capitol Inside Editor


A Capitol Inside analysis of reports filed late last week with the Texas Ethics Commission shows that 33 state House candidates with major party opposition - including a dozen who are taking aim at incumbents or running for open seats - amassed six-figure war chests during the past year while generating a combined $6 million for their campaigns.

January 18, 2009

By Mike Hailey

Capitol Inside Editor

January 26, 2010


UTEP’s new Student Health Center is another progressive move toward a healthier lifestyle and academic success among University students, UTEP President Diana Natalicio said during the center’s ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday morning, Jan. 25.

About 150 people, including elected state officials and University staff, students, faculty and administrators, attended the event inside Union Building East that included tours of the facility and healthy refreshments.

The grand opening of the Student Health Center Jan. 25, was used as a platform to promote the university’s need to reach tier-one status.

UTEP President Diana Natalicio and State Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, were the keynote speakers. Branch discussed the impact UTEP has as a border university and the importance of becoming a tier-one school.“

January 31, 2010

Elizabeth Young

Commentary

The ongoing economic crisis and recent scandals in business and politics, from Fannie Mae and Enron to Bernie Madoff and William Jefferson, highlight the need for a greater emphasis on the fundamental values and principles of our country.

College coursework focusing on Western civilization and American traditions would teach students critical thinking and reasoning skills and provide a solid grounding in civic responsibility and ethical character – improving society in the wake of moral muddiness.