The Texas Blue: News
Franken By 27?
Mon, 11/24/2008 - 9:02am
Who does regression analysis on a recount, for goodness' sake?
The Permanent School Fund Takes A $300 Million Hit
Mon, 11/24/2008 - 8:34am
As hardworking Americans of every collar continue to experience shock and awe when opening the latest statements from their retirement programs and investment advisors, the Austin American-Statesman reports that the market downturn has shaved $300 million off the estimated $1.4 billion dollar contribution from the Permanent School Fund to the next state budget.
More worrying is the overall devaluation of the PSF, which, according to this article, has fallen from $25.1 billion last fall to $17.5 billion this fall, erasing most of the Fund's gains in value accrued over the last decade.
Joe The Plumber Accuses McCain of Throwing Palin Under the Bus
Fri, 11/21/2008 - 4:28pm
Joe The Plumber's fifteen minutes of fame seem to be dwindling. He's gone from major interviews all over the media to being interviewed by college papers. In an interview with Tufts Daily, he offers up the notion that Sen. McCain is doing an insufficient job of defending the reputation of his erstwhile running mate, Gov.Sarah Palin:
Pete Sessions To Head NRCC, Democrats Rejoice
Fri, 11/21/2008 - 10:14am
Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX) has been elected to head the NRCC. The NRCC is the Republican committee charged with electing members to the House of Representatives. The NRCC chairman is responsible for targeting races, recruiting candidates, raising money and supporting candidates in their races. Democratic strategists are hopeful, as Sessions has never had any history of large-scale strategic thinking and success.
Former AG Jim Mattox Dies, 65
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 5:27pm
Former congressman and Texas attorney general Jim Mattox passed away last night, the Chronicle reports.
Bill White Appoints Task Force to Overhaul Electricity Grid
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 10:00am
The Chronicle is reporting that Houston Mayor Bill White has commissioned a task force to overhaul the long-suffering electricity grid in Houston.
Legendary GOP Hitman Regrets His Role in Getting Bush Into Office
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 9:00am
Benjamin Sarlin reports that legendary GOP hitman Roger Stone regrets his role in getting President Bush into office.
A New Entry Into The Speaker's Race: Burt Solomons
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 8:57am
Representative Burt Solomons, Carrollton Republican, has filed to run for Speaker of the House. There's some interesting rhetoric in Representative Solomons' filing via the Dallas Morning News:
DeLay's Chickens Come Home to Roost
Wed, 11/19/2008 - 3:54pm
The Politico rightly notes that that not only is this the first time in almost seventy years that Texas' congressional delegation doesn't have lots of seniority and plum committee assignments, but that this is largely due to Tom DeLays's machinations to redistrict the state. Had DeLay not been greedy and gerrymandered the state, we would have three more great Democrats, like Martin Frost, as committee chairs. It will most likely take decades to rebuild that kind of accumulated seniority.
TPA Roundup, Week of 11/9/08
Wed, 11/19/2008 - 11:38am
Once again, we feature the best of Texas blogs from the last week, as selected by the blogs themselves.