DALLAS -- Broadcasting a gubernatorial debate on television in the age of the Internet can do alot to raise curiosity of candidacies to those not well-informed on state politics -- even if the remarks often make for better cannon fodder than brain food.

I had planned on driving to Dallas to cover some DFW-area House races for LSR and was pleased to be given a  pass to "The Belo Debates," which featured the Republican candidates for Governor of Texas. So I left a day or so early to attend, though I'll admit that my attendance was mostly due to my own sense of curiosity.

This year it was Gov. Rick Perry aside GOP rivals U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Wharton County Republican organizer Debra Medina. I never did see the three candidates together on stage ... or anywhere. And my view was nearly as good as anyone else's.

A former U.S. Secretary of Commerce and an architect of the modern Republican Party of Texas died Sunday.

Bob Mosbacher, who became Commerce Secretary during the Geroge H.W. Bush Administration and recently a key player with the John McCain Presidential Campaign, died of pancreatic cancer at age 82. Mosbacher, a native of New York who later moved to Texas and established a lucrative oil exploration and production business, also led a colorful political career, in addition to several championships as an amateur sailor.

"I'm always up for looking at new ways to protect our citizens, but the last thing I want is the Texas Captiol returning to DFW Airport," Perry said, during a press conference today, referencing Thursday's apprehension of a shooter on the capitol grounds, and discussion of installing metal detectors at the doors.

Perry spoke to the press at Texas State Rifle Association (TSRA) headquarters in Austin to accept the endorsement of the group's political action committee. Though the TSRA, the state chapter of the National Rifle Association, gave Perry's chief rival Kay Bailey Hutchison an A+ rating recently, it is the policy of the group to endorse gun rights-friendly incumbents. Susan Howard, board member of the NRA, said if the situations were reversed, and Perry was running for the U.S. Senate seat, the NRA would endorse Hutchison.

George H.W. Bush endorsed Kay Bailey Hutchison in her bid for Texas Governor today -- an unusual step for the former President to take in a Republican primary cycle.

Bush, according to the Associated Press, said he has nothing against incumbent Gov. Rick Perry, but feels closer to Hutchison.

The Texas Capitol is in lockdown mode after shots were fired about half an hour ago, several sources are reporting, including the Austin American-Statesman.

From Sen. Dan Patrick's (R-Houston) Twitter feed, from shortly before 1 p.m.:

"An individual came into my Austin Senate office today acting strangely,staff called security, moments later shots fired on Capitol steps"

"Capitol in lock down, no identity on stranger at this point, I was not in the office, no report of anyone injured DPS arrested suspect"

Legendary Texas Ranger Nolan Ryan threw out a pitch for Kay Bailey Hutchison in the candidate's newest ad. Below is the script of the ad, which features Ryan -- who pitched a record seven no-hitter games and is currently president of the Rangers -- as the narrator:

"If you want to protect your property, start with a good fence.

“But there’s something else you might want to do.  ...

It was the letter we all knew was coming.

On Jan. 15, Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, and Speaker Joe Straus sent out a letter directing state agencies to find ways to save money in their current budget -- a common practice since 2003. The letter directs each state agency "to submit a plan to identify savings in priority increments totaling 5 percent of the general revenue and general revenue-dedicated appropriations for the 2010-2011 biennium."

The letter may be viewed here.

Bill White, former Mayor of Houston and a Democratic gubenatorial candidate, complimented the campaign strategy of Republican challenger Kay Bailey Hutchison in a recent campaign e-mail, while lambasting Gov. Rick Perry.

White's statement is below.

... I agree with Senator Hutchison that Texas future is at risk because we are failing to educate so many Texans.

A few items of business that didn't get as much of the spotlight at last week's State Board of Education meeting pertained to high school graduation requirements.

The Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) met Jan. 12-15, where textbook curriculum standards took centerstage. The SBOE ended up postponing the second reading on the curricula until its March meeting -- thus moving a final vote until April.

But the board approved a second reading on the state's requirement that students take four science credits and four math credits before graduating -- the "four by four" plan.

The Texas State Board of Education met through 10:40 p.m. last night, accepting and striking amendments to proposed social studies curriculum from kingergarten through eighth grade. Conservative members had the votes to see through items which require students to recognize additional founding figures in the development of Texas and the U.S., and multicultural watchdogs had little troubles getting more names of notable Hispanics and blacks onto the TEKS (the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) -- though there was enough debate to go around on each suggested change.

The SBOE reconvened this morning and is hearing amendments to proposed high school TEKS requirements.