News

I was unable to make it to the WCDP Executive meeting tonight and thought I would post some of the latest news.

Goodbye Gonzalo, Barrientos leaving Texas Senate:

State Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos on Wednesday bowed out of seeking re-election next year, insisting that a possible challenge in the March Democratic primary from former Austin Mayor Kirk Watson did not drive his decision.

He did many great things over the years but I think it's time for him to move on. Thank you Senator Barrientos for your many years of service.

Let's see Jr. as state Rep and Sr. as County Judge, Nepotism anyone. The Hill Country News shills for Republicans again, Start the how many Gattis' does it take... jokes.

The next round of the Perry vs. Strayhorn battle:

(via Texas Weekly) The State Auditor's Office didn't officially release its audit of the comptroller's tax settlements until 3 p.m. on Thursday, September 8. That was roughly nine hours after newspapers bearing the details of the audit started hitting driveways in Dallas and Houston. And it was almost 24 hours after the reporters who wrote those stories started working the phones to put the details together.

For Whom The Bell Tolls, Grand jury indicts TAB and TRMPAC from Off The Kuff. If you can't beat them steal it, that's what Republicans say (my words):

Today, the Texas Association of Business (TAB) and Texans for a Republican Majority PAC (TRMPAC) were indicted for 130 charges of criminal campaign activities stemming from conduct during the 2002 general election.

Chairman Soechting's response:

“Today’s indictments show how a handful of operatives working for Texas Republicans orchestrated a scheme to launder illegal corporate contributions to help Republican candidates in the 2002 elections,” said Texas Democratic Party Chairman Charles Soechting.

Don't forget to check out the flow chart.

Poll shows good news for Democrats or anyone not a Republican:

Carole Keeton Strayhorn, the state comptroller who wants to be governor, has some work to do to if she wants to beat Gov. Rick Perry in next year's Republican primary, according to the Scripps Howard Texas Poll.

The Poll also showed a growing dissatisfaction with President Bush, statewide leaders and the Texas Legislature.

Or what goes up must come down:

Texans have grown increasingly disenchanted with their government leaders, with politicians from the president on down suffering some of their lowest approval ratings ever, according to a new poll.

Our conservative governor has run out of compassion. Does this mean he won't pay until his buddy George pays up?:

Mr. Perry protested Wednesday what his office called "early indications" that federal officials would ask Texas to pay the usual state match of 39 cents of every dollar spent on Medicaid services for the evacuees who have found temporary shelter in Texas.