By William Lutz on
10/26/2010 10:21 AM
Just when you thought it was safe to watch prime-time television again, more ads in the governor's race appear. And this time -- as Emeril Lagasse would say -- they're kicked up a notch.
Gov. Rick Perry often closes his campaigns by trying to connect the opponent with slain law enforcement officers (like the infamous "suitcases" ad on Tony Sanchez in 2002 which tried to connect unproven allegations of money laudering in Sanchez's bank with the death of federal agents inside Mexico). This time, Perry is closing out the campiagn talking about Houston's so-called sanctuary city policy. His ad features the widow of a fallen Houston Police Officer saying she trusts Rick Perry and criticizing White's policies as mayor.
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By William Lutz on
10/25/2010 5:17 PM
Gov. Rick Perry and Democratic challenger Bill White have both issued press releases announcing their 8-day fund-raising totals. Perry announced $8.4 million raised Sept. 24- Oct. 23, with $2 million on hand. The White campaign said it raised $3.6 million during the same period. The ethics reports are not yet posted to the Texas Ethics Commission website.
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By William Lutz on
10/25/2010 5:08 PM
Today, Rep. Larry Taylor filed another writ of mandamus application, this time with the Houston Courts of Appeal. Taylor is co-chairman of a legislative committee examining the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) and is seeking information about the financial aspects of a recent TWIA lawsuit settlement. A Galveston District Judge issued a temporary injunction blocking TWIA from complying with Taylor’s request.
Last week, Taylor filed a similar motion before the state district court in Austin. But this new filing asks the appellate court to issue a temporary stay of the Galveston court’s order, so that TWIA can begin processing Taylor’s request immediately.
Here’s why this matters and why we’re spilling a lot of ink about this: One of the most important issues in the health of the Texas insurance market is the financing of TWIA, an insurance pool created by state law to which insurance carriers must contribute. Taylor wants to know the aggregate amount of the settlement in TWIA’s lawsuit with Galveston County policy holders whose dwellings were leveled by Hurricane Ike. He also wants to know how much of TWIA’s limited resources were paid out in attorneys’ fees.
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By William Lutz on
10/25/2010 4:50 PM
Yes, it does happen occasionally. The Texas Supreme Court ruled against a corporation and for a lawsuit plaintiff, voiding a portion of the Legislature’s 2003 tort reform law as retroactive in violation of the state constitution.
No, the Legislature didn’t touch the $250,000 on non-economic damages in medical malpractice lawsuits. Nor did it void any of the major, signature features of HB 4. But it did knock out a provision designed to address a particular pending lawsuit. Crown Cork& Seal Inc. acquired a manufacturer of insulation that included asbestos and held it for a mere 90 days but that was sufficient under New York and Pennsylvania law to acquire its asbestos liability.
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By William Lutz on
10/22/2010 4:12 PM
Many of us in the Capitol Community walk by the many, myriad monuments on the Capitol grounds without ever stopping to notice to whom that monument exists. We know the monuments are there but go on our way without noticing.
Recently, one of the monuments on the Capitol grounds turned 100, and spectators came from throughout the state to make sure the soldiers it honors are never forgotten.
Jerry Patterson, commissioner of the General Land Office, rededicated the monument to Hood’s Texas Brigade Oct. 15. Hood’s Texas Brigade fought for the Confederate States of America at many of the civil war’s most important battles. (For more information on Hood’s Texas Brigade, click here for the Handbook of Texas Entry.)
The dedication featured flags, a color guard on horseback, a salute with rifles, and civil war re-enactors. The ceremony was organized by Hood’s Texas Brigade Association, Reactivated and included participation from the Texas Division and the Albert Sidney Johnston Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy; the Order of the Confederate Rose; and the Sons of Confederate Veterans. In his speech, Patterson blasted political correctness and called on Texans to honor all of our history. “There was no greater, more noble man in American history than General Robert E. Lee,” said Patterson, noting that Lee personally opposed slavery but was loyal to Virginia.
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By William Lutz on
10/19/2010 6:13 PM
Today, Democratic Gubernatorial nominee Bill White blasted Gov. Rick Perry over the management of the Teacher Retirement System. He distributed to reporters internal memos from staff at the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) that allege staff were encouraged to support giving contracts to preferred vendors.
The timing of the event is obviously political, but TRS received more than the usual amount of legislative attention in 2009, and the publicity accorded to this event makes it likely it will receive continued scrutiny in 2011.
Specifically, White said that several of the TRS Board members are part of Perry’s campaign finance committee and questioned whether principals in investment firms with TRS contracts should be allowed to contribute to the governor’s campaign. "Perry and his people have milked our teachers' retirement for campaign cash,” said White.
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By William Lutz on
10/18/2010 12:33 PM
TEXPAC -- the political action committee of the Texas Medical Association -- announced its endorsements for the 2010 General Elections. For Congress, the PAC endorsed incumbents Chet Edwards (D-Waco), Michael McCaul (R-Austin), and Michael Burgess MD (R-Lewisville). For state legislators, TEXPAC's endorsements consist largely of incumbents or, for open seats, the party nominee of the party that is heavily favored in a given district (this is the friendly-incumbent rule commonly followed by industry PACs). In other words, few surprises on this endorsement list. Click here to download the TEXPAC endorsement list.
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By William Lutz on
10/18/2010 12:24 PM
WFAA's Inside Texas Politics this week featured an exchange between U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards (D-Waco) and challenger Bill Flores. Edwards explains his votes for the federal bailouts and stimulus packages, while Flores answers tough questions about his business record and federal entitlements. Inside Texas Politics airs every Sunday at 9 on WFAA, Channel 8 in North Texas.
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By William Lutz on
10/15/2010 4:15 PM
Rep. Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) asked a Travis County District Court Oct. 10 to issue a writ of mandamus ordering the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) to release documents he requested under the Texas Public Information Act. Taylor is seeking information about how much a recent lawsuit settlement cost and what the attorneys fees were for each attorney. A Galveston District Judge ordered TWIA not to release the document. Taylor's motion argued that the Galveston Judge's order violates the act. Click here to read Taylor's motion. Plaintiff's attorneys have argued the information is proprietary.
Taylor is co-chairman of a legislative committee that oversees TWIA -- a state-created insurance company financed in part by mandatory assessments to Texas private insurance companies. The Attorney General has deemed TWIA subject to the Public Information Act. Taylor's committee has to send a report to the Legislature on TWIA by Nov. 15.
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By William Lutz on
10/15/2010 10:25 AM
Last Sunday, LSR Managing Editor William Lutz appeared on Inside Texas Politics. He notes that Hope and Change have not ended the current recession, and that this year, policy makers should grow the economy instead of growing government. Inside Texas Politics airs every Sunday morning at 9 am on WFAA, Channel 8 in North Texas. We embed last week's show below. Lutz's commentary starts with about 9 minutes to go in the program (about 12 minutes in). Immediately preceding Lutz's commentary is a lively debate between former Democratic Congressman Martin Frost and Texas GOP Chairman Steve Munisteri. Munisteri bets a steak dinner that Republicans will gain at least five seats.
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