By Andy Hogue on
1/30/2010 4:08 PM
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.
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By William Lutz on
1/29/2010 9:05 PM
Andy Hogue on our staff was present in Dallas for The Belo Debate between the Republican candidates for governor, and I'll let him comment later on the merits of the debate. But there are some factual issues that deserve clarification on the topic of in-state tuition for illegal immigration.
At tonight's debate, KHOU's Len Cannon asked Gov. Rick Perry an excellent question. Noting that U.S. Citizens from other states cannot get in-state tuition at Texas universities, Cannon asked whether it is fair that Texas grants in-state tuition to illegal immigrants. (A law signed by Gov. Rick Perry in 2001 granted illegal immigrant graduates of Texas high schools in-state tuition at state universities and colleges.)
First, many categories of LEGAL immigrants are ineligible for in-state tuition, including student visas. That's right -- foreign students who obey the law pay more than illegal immigrants whose parents broke the law.
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By William Lutz on
1/29/2010 5:28 PM
Gov. Rick Perry has unveiled a new television ad entitled "Border." Click here to view the governor's ad.
We post the script and U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's campaign response below:
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By William Lutz on
1/29/2010 1:52 AM
The Texas Association of Business’s BACPAC announced its first slate of endorsements for the 2010 primaries. The group backed Gov. Rick Perry for re-election (no surprise there). “The business community has a true champion in Gov. Rick Perry,” said TAB President and BACPAC spokesman Bill Hammond. “Texas is fortunate to have the most pro-business governor in the nation. Gov. Perry has helped lead our state to being home to the most robust business climate in America. Gov. Perry's unparalleled record of accomplishment on business issues made the decision an easy one.”
For a business PAC, BACPAC often pushes the envelope a bit in House races, making endorsements in some open seats that some industry PACs avoid.
BACPAC endorsed Darren Yancy for the Kip Averitt open senate seat. The group endorsed Milton Rister for the Dan Gattis open seat. In House District 52 (incumbent Rep. Diana Maldonado [D-Round Rock]), the group backed Larry Gonzales. Mabrie Jackson got the nod for the Brian McCall open seat, and John Frullo scored an endorsement for the Carl Isett open seat. The group also said yes to Victor Leal for the David Swinford open seat.
BACPAC endorsed against incumbent Rep. Delwin Jones (R-Lubbock), preferring Zach Brady. It also endorsed Republican Dee Margo (incumbent Rep. Joe Moody [D-El Paso]). In House District 101 (incumbent Rep. Robert Miklos [D-Mesquite]), the group supported Greg Noschese.
We reprint the entire list below:
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By William Lutz on
1/29/2010 1:37 AM
The Texas Association of Realtors PAC announced its first round of primary endorsements Jan. 28. “Texas has been fortunate to weather the recent economic storm better than other parts of the country, thanks in large part to our healthy real estate market,” said the organization’s president Bill Jones. “If we hope to continue, however, it’s critical that Texas lawmakers keep the interests of homeowners foremost. When they return to work in 2011, they’ll face tough budget decisions, but we cannot further increase the financial burden of property owners in Texas. The candidates Texas Realtors endorse today understand that, which is why we’ve pledged our full support.”
The Realtors endorsed Gov. Rick Perry for re-election. Most of the endorsements are for friendly incumbents or people very likely to win. But there are a few interesting judgment calls worth noting. The group endorsed Mabrie Jackson for the Brian McCall open seat. Mark Griffin got the nod for the Carl Isett open seat, and the Realtors endorsed Addie Wiseman for the Joe Crabb open seat.
We reprint the entire list below:
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By William Lutz on
1/27/2010 12:35 PM
Yesterday, Debra Medina -- Republican candidate for governor -- stopped by our office to discuss her candidacy. We sat down with Medina and conducted a 17-minute interview. In the interview, Medina discusses her views, whether she can win, her relations with the other campaigns, and the emerging nullification movement within Texas.
"The other two candidates have lost sight of what the proper role of government is, and I'm in here fighting to resurrect that, and I believe that we've headed down the wrong path, particularly as conservatives," Medina said. "... [I'm] pro-life, pro-property, pro-sovereignty, pro-Texas."
On why people are backing her campaign, Medina said: "I wish I could say they love the policy things, and I think they do love the policy things, but the comment we're hearing most often is 'you would answer the question'. And I thought what a shame that that's where we find ourself in political debate. The best we can hope for from the leader of our state is someone who will answer the question. That really is a sad testiment to where we are, but an accurate one. We all lived with a political royality that thinks that it doesn't have to be accountable to people"
Click here to listen to the full interview (8 MB download, Windows Media file).
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By William Lutz on
1/27/2010 11:29 AM
The Young Conservatives of Texas announced its choices for the 2010 primary cycle. Like some other organizations, there are a few YCT endorsements still pending.
"These candidates were selected after extensive research, including personal interviews, research into their past legislative ratings and detailed questionnaires," said Tony McDonald, Vice Chairman of Legislative Affairs.
Click here to view the initial list of YCT endorsements. We comment on some noteworthy endorsements and post the full list below:
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By William Lutz on
1/27/2010 10:35 AM
The Texas Public Policy Foundation has released a report on electric utility deregulation. The report is -- in part -- a response to federal government data comparing electric rates between the states.
“Most competitive prices are considerably lower than what is reported in the federal government’s data,” said Bill Peacock, Director of the Foundation’s Center for Economic Freedom. “In fact, the average competitive price is below the national average, and consumers who exercise their choice can easily find rates that are lower than in our neighboring states.”
You can read the Texas Public Policy Foundation's full report by clicking here.
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By William Lutz on
1/27/2010 9:41 AM
This week, Texans for Fiscal Responsiblity (commonly known by its url www.empowertexans.com) release its first batch of primary endorsements for the upcoming cycle. The group endorsed any incumbent rating above 80 on its Fiscal Responsibility Index. Click here for a full list of TFR endorsements. TFN President Michael Quinn Sullivan noted that this is the first batch of TFN endorsements and further endorsements could be forthcoming later in the primary cycle.
We list below the endorsements where TFR endorsed against an incumbent or endorsed in an open seat race:
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By Andy Hogue on
1/25/2010 5:02 PM
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.
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