The Texas Blue: News
Smoking Ban Readies For Round Two
Tue, 01/13/2009 - 8:00am
Last week, Representative Myra Crownover (R-Denton) and Senator Rodney Ellis (D-Houston) filed legislation in both the House and the Senate to institute a statewide smoking ban in the workplace. That means everyone's workplace, including bars, pool halls and restaurants.
Smithee, Gattis Withdraw
Mon, 01/05/2009 - 8:52pm
Earlier today Georgetown Republican Dan Gattis and Amarillo Republican John Smithee both withdrew from consideration for Speaker of the 81st Legislature. Unless conservative grassroots pressure rallies the G.O.P. troops behind another candidate who can pull off a political Hail Mary of the highest order, in eight days San Antonio Republican Joe Straus will be the next Speaker of the Texas House.
Straus vs. Smithee
Mon, 01/05/2009 - 3:03pm
Since incumbent Speaker Tom Craddick's (R-Midland) decision to not seek the office of Speaker of the Texas House was announced yesterday, battle lines have been drawn in the Speaker's race. On one side is Representative Joe Straus (R-San Antonio) and on the other side is Representative John Smithee (R-Amarillo).
Craddick Drops Speaker Bid
Sun, 01/04/2009 - 6:38pm
The Austin American-Statesman's Postcards from the Lege blog is reporting that Representative Sid Miller (R-Stephenville) has confirmed that Representative Tom Craddick (R-Midland) has dropped his bid to be re-elected as Speaker of the House for the 81st Legislature.
John Sharp Files Paperwork To Run For U.S. Senate
Thu, 01/01/2009 - 2:41pm
The Dallas Morning News reports this morning that former Comptroller John Sharp has filed paperwork to run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison in the 2010 cycle or in a special election after the 2010 cycle or when her term is up in 2012. Are those enough possibilities for you, dear readers?
Republicans Complain About Lack of Southerners In Obama's Cabinet
Mon, 12/22/2008 - 7:17pm
The GOP is complaining that President-Elect Barack Obama has not appointed any Southerners to his cabinet.
Bill White Announces His Candidacy For Senate
Wed, 12/17/2008 - 3:37pm
Bill White formally announced yesterday that he will seek Kay Bailey Hutchison's Senate seat.
Rick Perry Has Lunch Pales In His Sites
Thu, 12/11/2008 - 4:48pm
The Dallas Morning News' Trailblazers blog has the content of the latest fundraising appeal from Governor Rick Perry. Perry is under an interesting deadline; as Governor, he can't raise money during the legislative session nor during the 30 days prior to the start of the session, while Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison is free to continue raising money. This means that Governor Perry has an unofficial deadline of this Saturday to raise money before the next legislative session begins.
The Perry fundraising appeal contains this not-so-subtle — and grammatically questionable — barb directed at Senator Hutchison:
Romney's PAC Gives Less Than 12% Of Monies To Candidates
Wed, 12/10/2008 - 12:00pm
The Boston Globe reports that Mitt Romney's PAC has spent only 12% of the money they've raised on supporting candidates.
John Sharp To Run For Senate
Wed, 12/10/2008 - 11:20am
The Austin American Statesman reports that former Comptroller John Sharp will run for Sen. Hutchison's seat.