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The Texas Blue
Advancing Progressive Ideas

The Texas Blue: News

Friday Bonus Roundup: John Edwards' Locker + Democratic Debate Liveblog #2

I have been remiss — this story came out a few days ago and I have neglected to write about it, but here it is: John Edwards has a stake in pirate booty found on a sunken ship.

Homeland Security Oversight Needs... Oversight?

Filed in the you've-got-to-be-kidding-me department: Republicans are saying that Democratic Congressional oversight on and investigations of the Department of Homeland Security are overly burdensome and creating problems. Their solution? They're launching an investigation and engaging in a little oversight.

Friday Roundup: Chairman Richie Stomps The Yard

Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie earns a gold star for his raucous zinger at a rally yesterday.

On The Record: Ella Tyler

For this episode of On the Record, we speak with Ella Tyler, Committeewoman for Senate District 17.

Eating Your Own? Shoring Up Sides In The Primaries

With a large slate of contenders on both the Republican and Democratic sides, the primary picture is shaping up. And with polling data and debates in full swing, the candidates have begun the tried and true tactic of eating their own. Destroying an opponent's facts, character, and bad hairpiece has always been a tactic in Presidential races. And when candidates aren't doing it, their supporters are. But is it a good thing?

Thursday Roundup: More Ex-Allies For Craddick

The 2009 speaker's race is getting more interesting by the day. The newest legislator to declare that he will run against Craddick for the speaker's seat is none other than his Speaker pro tempore, Sylvester Turner.

We Have A Candidate: Mikal Watts

The news broke a few days ago that Congressman Nick Lampson would not be running for Senate, and would instead run for re-election in Texas' 22nd Congressional District. On the heels of that came confirmation of what has been widely speculated for the last several weeks: Mikal Watts is forming an exploratory committee and will run for US Senate.

Reforming CPS Should Be Child's Play

Child Protective Services is currently still pursuing state custody of Ana Marie Maudlin, a 2-month-old girl who was placed in a microwave oven in a Galveston hotel room by her parents, a young Arkansas couple whose exact motive for performing their abuse changes with the tide. Hearing about these events, our public gut instinct naturally encourages immediate and permanent state custody until a suitable foster home is located.

Wednesday Roundup: Around The Dome In 140 Days

If you find yourself looking for a catch-all rundown of what the Lege did and did not do this session, you will find plenty of stories carrying that sort of cargo over the next few days. I'm sure the bigger papers will have more exhaustive lists in their weekend editions and editorials on Sunday, but AP has you covered right now.

Bill Tracker: A Very Special SB 482

Sure, the session's over. But that doesn't mean there won't be a special one. Today I look at one bill that might bring the Lege back to stomp the yard, as the kids might say: SB 482.