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June 2009
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Political Blogroll
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Recently in State Agency CategoryFor anyone who peaced out early on Sine Die, the Senate adjourned without clearing safety net legislation to continue five state agencies because Republicans were upset $2 billion in transportation road bonds went unapproved by the House. A special session could be necessary to keep the agencies alive, but some lawmakers say Governor Rick Perry could just as well issue an executive order to keep TXDOT, the Texas Racing Commission and Texas Dept of Insurance alive. But what of the $2 billion beef? Many questions in the air this morning. "Tonight's developments in the Texas House and Senate were dis... Texas House lawmakers adjourned on the eve of Sine Die after failing to pass the sunset safety net bill, HB 1959, which would keep half a dozen state agencies going until next session, when lawmakers will try once again to overhaul them. As state Rep. Carl Isett, R-Lubbock, was rushing his questioners on the floor in order to take a vote on the sunset safety net bill, state Rep. David Leibowitz, D-San Antonio, began questioning him and after the clock struck midnight, called a point of order for going past the deadline. Straus s... Controversial State Board of Education Chairman Don McLeroy will return to the board, but not as its chair. The Texas Senate failed to confirm him in a 19-11 vote this afternoon. A two-thirds majority was required to return McLeroy to his post, so he needed the support of 21 senators. The R to D split in the Senate is 19-12. All 19 Republicans voted yes for McLeroy, all Democrats voted no, except for state Senator Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville, who abstained. During a sprawling speech which included scientific formulas and criticism of the fallacy of McLeroy's foes, state Sen. Steve Ogden, R-Bryan, co... State Sen. Mike Jackson introduced the nomination of controversial SBOE Chair Don McLeroy on the Senate floor by giving an extensive background on the Bryan, Texas denist, including teaching 4th grade Sunday school class every weekend. Jackson moved to confirm the chairman, but the vote won't happen without some senate speechifying, first. "My opposition has nothing to do with this man of faith," said state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, who rose in opposition. "My opposition has to do with his management and his leadership style." "We've all been amazed at the divisiveness and dysfuncti...
State Board of Education Chairman Don McLeroy's re-nomination is expected to come up in the Texas Senate sometime this afternoon. Whether he can garner two-thirds approval from senators is an open question. Earlier in the session, many lawmakers believed his nomination wasn't even going to get out of committee. Because McLeroy's been a stalwart social-conservative voice, the right-leaning Texans for Better Science Education is sending "URGENT" messages to its members, asking they call their senators to support McLeroy. The group's argument? "...He is being attacked NOT for anything done wrong durin... The familiar last-minute ethics complaint is rearing its head in the final days of the race for Austin mayor. Mayoral candidate Lee Leffingwelllodged a complaint in municipal court Monday, alleging his opponent, Brewster McCracken, took illegal campaign contributions.
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