State Board of Education member Ken Mercer (R-San Antonio) produced a YouTube video responding to the persistent misstatements of fact propagated by the board's left-wing critics. In particular, Mercer notes that the new social studies standards adopted by the conservative State Board of Educaiton include more Hispanics than ever before. But Mercer notes that the board took care to include Hispanics who served in the Military, conservative judges like former Texas Supreme Court Justice Raul Gonzalez, and Hispanic heros of the Texas Revolution. Those Hispanics don't necesarily suit the agenda of the far left, because they weren't union rabble-rousers and they supported Texas independence, rather than Texas becoming part of Mexico again.

Today Green Party attorney David Rogers filed a request for a writ of mandamus with the Texas Supreme Court, asking the court to overturn a district court ruling and restore the Green Party to the ballot. Rogers argues that the Texas Election Code allows minor parties to spend corporate funds for the purpose of qualifying for the ballot, and even if it does not, the Green Party itself did not spend corporate funds and should not be punished for the alleged misdeeds of others. Travis County District Judge John Dietz enjoined placing the Green Party on the ballot.

CORPUS CHRISTI – Former Houston Mayor and Democratic Gubernatorial nominee Bill White kicked off the Democratic State Convention today by blasting his opponent Gov. Rick Perry. The main theme of White’s speech is that “Rick Perry is in it for himself” but that White is in it for Texas.
 
Texans for Rick Perry spokesman Mark Miner called the speech "one of the most negative speeches by a nominee for Texas governor in modern history" and accused White of runing "a campaign of no substance"
 
White was introduced to “Start Me Up” by the Rolling Stones. Formal introductions came from Sens. Leticia Van de Putte (D-San Antonio) and Royce West (D-Dallas) and his daughter.
 
White started out by emphasizing his support for diversity and stating that Rick Perry is all about promoting his own self-interest. A key theme Democrats are making in speeches today is that they are problem-solvers, and they are characterizing Republicans as those seeking to divide.

State Board of Education member Geraldine "Tincy" Miller stopped by the RightOnline Booth at the Republican State Convention, cosponsored by Americans for Prosperity and the Lone Star Foundation. Miller discussed the recent controversy over the State Board of Education's social studies standards, and the role the State Board of Education plays in providing a quality education for all students. This interview is in three parts, and we post below:

Part One:

At the RightOnLine booth during the Republican State Convention June 10-12, LSR interviewed Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson. He called on Republicans to oppose political correctness and discussed the Land Office, Texas Energy Policy, and the British Petroleum oil spill. The interview is posted to youtube, and we post both parts of the interview below.

Part one of Patterson Interview:

The Lone Star Report's Managing Editor William Lutz appeared on Inside Texas Politics with Brad Watson June 13. Lutz argues there's no such thing as a free lunch -- low taxes and a strong business climate require spending restraint, not expanded gambling. Inside Texas Politics airs every Sunday at 9 am on WFAA Channel 8 in North Texas. We post a copy of the video below. Lutz's commentary begins with 8 minutes to go in the program, right after the interview with Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst (which lasts about 9 minutes). Click here to view the June 13 Inside Texas Politics:

LSR Managing Editor William Lutz interviews Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams at the Right OnLine Booth, co-sponsored by The Lone Star Report and Americans for Prosperity. Williams discussed the state of America's energy industry and the role natural gas can play in serving our energy needs. The interview is in two parts. Click below to see part one: