A Few More Items

It looks like the reason for Strayhorn aide Mark Sanders' call to Allison Bell has more to do with finding someone to run against Susan Combs for Comptroller than to get Bell to drop out of the governor's race specifically, Larson says Strayhorn aide pitched idea to him, too:

"This guy calls and says he's Mark Sanders and that he works closely with Carole Strayhorn," (Bexar County Commissioner Lyle) Larson recalled. "He tells me there's a large group of people who would like to find someone else to run for comptroller against Susan Combs."

As an enticement, Larson said, Sanders claimed the group could raise $3.5 million for his campaign and facilitate a meeting with a top staffer in the comptroller's office to give Larson a crash course in the ins and outs of the statewide post.

There's more on it here from the Star-Telegram, Democrat sticks to gubernatorial bid. And a really good post on Strayhorn from Common Sense, Grandma got run over by a reindeer.

State Rep. Mike Villarreal, D-San Antonio, District 123 has an editorial in the Express-News today, Mike Villarreal: Raise revenue by closing business tax loophole.

Lt. Gov. Dewhurst appointed a Senate panel to address school finance. Roll Call is:

Florence Shapiro, R-Plano
Kip Averitt, R-McGregor
Kim Brimer, R-Fort Worth
Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock
Juan Hinojosa, D-McAllen
Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville
Steve Ogden, R-Bryan
Royce West, D-Dallas
Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands

And the House?

There will be little input from House leaders, however, as Speaker Tom Craddick canceled an agreement with Mr. Dewhurst to create a House-Senate committee. Mr. Craddick said he decided to defer to a tax commission appointed by Gov. Rick Perry.

I guess Dewhurst has to show that he's doing something?