Last week, Senate Bill 1317 passed the Senate in a highly partisan vote thanks in large part to lobbying efforts by Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst. The bill itself, if made law, would limit the scope of a city's jurisdiction by making it illegal for any city to regulate air pollution (or, presumably, anything else) beyond its borders. However, despite what many Senators who voted for this bill will tell you, this bill isn't about municipal......

We'll update this post as things develop. 11am - Tuesday, January 16th Governor Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst are sworn in indoors, under the inaugural theme, "Texas: Imagine the Possibilities." The requisite downtown parade has been canceled because, well, there's no one there. Firewood vendors are making a killing CapMetro: UT Shuttles, AISD Magnet Routes, 'Dillo routes are closed The Travis County Commissioners Court meeting has been postponed As of 9:30am, approximately 570......

The Grand Old Party nearly swept the statewide race yesterday, led by Governor Rick Perry, who after beating Democratic nominee Chris Bell and independent candidates Kinky Friedman and Carole Keeton Strayhorn may very well become the longest-serving Governor in Texas. In a press conference this morning, Perry was vague when addressing rumors of a possible vice presidential bid, merely saying it was "up to the good Lord." Bell, who posted yesterday in his blog......

It could be argued that money led DeLay to the top of the republican heap, but it seems that money, or the lack thereof, will bring him down in end. DeLay's leadership PAC, Americans for a Republican Political Majority, is in debt. His legal fund is also in trouble with less-than-sufficient amounts to cover the legal expenses that continue to mount. We're also happy to report that he is not favored to win his......

Our good friends over at Pink Dome alerted us late last night to some troubling goings-on on the Hill that have us, well...troubled. Apparently a Republican operative has been appointed to lead the Legislative Council for Texas. Ho hum, right? Another legislative appointee. Not so fast. The Legislative Council Director controls everything on the Hill - the emails, the network, the drafting of bills, the handling of those bills being drafted and all of......

Where in the world is Carmen San Diego Rick Perry? Well, apparently the governor, in the midst of his television ad barrage extolling the virtues of the great state of Texas, has gone on a covert mission overseas in support of the troops. Along with Perry is possible presidential hopeful Governor Mike Huckabee of Arkansas as well as Govs. Dave Freudenthal (WY) and Jim Doyle (WI), both Democrats. The governors will visit Kuwait, Tikrit......

Texas - A lobbyist hired by the Texas Office of State-Federal Relations once worked closely with DeLay cohort Jack Abramoff. The lobbyist, Todd Boulanger, was a member of what was known as "Team Abramoff" (lawyers are so creative) while they were working at a law firm together. We won't bore you with all the details, but essentially Todd worked with Abramoff as registered lobbyist for Indian tribes who were coerced into "donating" money in......