On the heels of an announcement by Travis County DA Ronnie Earle that he intends to open a criminal investigation into possible TYC sex abuse coverups, Governor Rick Perry has appointed a special master to conduct another investigation. The state legislature is conducting an investigation. Statesman puts the total number of investigations at seven.

I just acquired this press release from Rep. Dunnam's office calling for a conservatorship of the Texas Youth Commission.

Whenever an editorial titled "The Smell Test" shows up in the paper that has your name in the first sentence, you probably aren't going to be happy about the contents. I imagine state Senator Jane Nelson isn't crazy about the media she's gotten lately on the subject of paying rent on a house to your spouse with campaign dollars, and state Senator Kim Brimer probably wishes people would stop talking about it.

Robocalls have become an integral part of GOTV efforts for both parties. They are becoming an increasingly popular and effective way to accomplish two distinct objectives. First, they are helpful in getting your base to the polls. Second and more controversial, nefarious "push poll" calls successfully repress voter turnout. Several companies advertise that they can set up and make millions of calls for campaigns.