By William Lutz on
2/25/2011 5:49 PM
Lone Star Report Managing Editor William Lutz will be making an appearance on WFAA's Inside Texas Politics this Sunday morning. Lutz will state his opinion that the sky is not falling in regards to the state budget and that the budget presents an opportunity to cut spending and operate government more efficiently. Inside Texas Politics airs every Sunday at 9 am on WFAA Channel 8 in North Texas.
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By William Lutz on
2/25/2011 5:42 PM
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By William Lutz on
2/24/2011 7:59 PM
Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson called on lawmakers to remember the needs of children in the juvenile justice system and suggested non-partisan local judge ballots in an address to a joint session of the Texas Legislature. Jefferson delivered the State of the Judiciary address Feb. 23.
Key points in Jefferson’s speech include:
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By William Lutz on
2/20/2011 12:36 PM
DALLAS -- As I usually do in the springtime, I attended the annual Young Conservatives of Texas state convention, which was held in Dallas this year. I’m usually invited to speak on higher education issues, but I always learn at least as much at these conventions as I impart.
At this year’s convention, we heard from several legislators on policy at the Capitol and also several prospective candidates for the open US Senate seats stopped by. I’ll write a separate blog post on the Senate candidates when I return to Austin this evening, because there’s plenty to write about from the other speakers.
The banquet speaker, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) said that Americans are prepared for bold leadership from fiscal conservatives, even on so-called “third rail” issues of defense spending and entitlements. Paul is an alumnus of the organization.
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By William Lutz on
2/19/2011 10:53 PM
In another sign that the U.S. House of Representatives is under new management, the House voted today to repeal U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett's (D-Austin) restriction on funding Texas schools. The Doggett amendment prevents the U.S. Department of Education from awarding $800 million in education stimulus money to Texas unless Gov. Rick Perry makes promises about future education funding that Perry has said would violate the Texas constitution. Perry praised the House vote.
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By William Lutz on
2/18/2011 11:07 AM
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By William Lutz on
2/13/2011 11:44 PM
UPDATE: (10:15 a.m. 2/14/11): An earlier verison of this post had an incorrect link. We have since placed the correct link to the Master's Report in this blog post.)
On Friday, Rep. Will Hartnett (R-Dallas) issued his Master's Report recommending that the Texas House of Representatives declare Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin) re-elected by four votes over Republican Dan Neil. The report will be reviewed by the select committee previously appointed by Speaker Joe Straus, and that committee's conclusions may be reviewed by the whole House.
Per the Texas Constitution, the House's decision on its own election is final. Hartnett's report provides a detailed description of the legal controversies surrounding this election result as well as detailed legal justification for his conclusion that Howard won the race.
Click here to read the report.
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By William Lutz on
2/11/2011 6:30 PM
Rep. Will Hartnett (R-Dallas) served as master of discovery for the election contest between Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin) and Republican Dan Neil. Hartnett ruled Howard won the election by 4 votes. Hartnett issued the following statement to the press: "After a thorough review of the numerous challenged ballots, I have concluded that Donna Howard won the election by 4 votes and therefore should continue to serve in the House of Representatives. Voters who moved out of Travis County, but voted at their former address subtracted a net amount of votes from Ms. Howard's margin of victory. The report will be released later this evening."
Joe Nixon, attorney for Neil, issued the following statement:
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By William Lutz on
2/11/2011 6:22 PM
Former Texas Supreme Court Justice Joe Greenhill died today. Greenhill served as chief justice 1972-1982. He was 96. “Not only this Court, but the people of Texas have lost a great treasure,” said current Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson. Click here to read the Supreme Court press office's tribute to Greenhill.
Gov. Rick Perry has ordered flags at half-staff until Tuesday and issued the following statement:
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By William Lutz on
2/10/2011 1:26 PM
During the past few months, LSR has reported on how the plaintiff’s bar – and several plaintiff lawyer front groups have been attacking Rep. Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood). Taylor launched an inquiry into how much in legal fees the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association paid out in a recent settlement over Hurricane Ike claims and that has really ruffled some feathers of attorneys in this case. The TWIA settlement impacts Texans statewide because when TWIA runs out of state money, it can charge every homeowners insurance company in the state to bail it out, and then those homeowners carriers get a tax credit to make up for the lost revenue.
Recently, these groups were able to convince a Houston television station to do a story on these attacks. Taylor has produced a youtube video explaining the controversy and telling his side of the story. Click below to view Larry Taylor’s response:
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