It could be a long summer at the Capitol for Texas legislators (at least for some). Gov. Rick Perry commented Wednesday that if the Legislature could not reach an agreement on reforming the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association ("TWIA"), he would call a second 30-day special session. more ›

Since a large portion of Texas is still being hit by wildfires, our governor decided that a call for federal disaster declaration may not be enough. Today, Perry proclaimed that this holy weekend (Friday through Sunday) will now be Days of Prayer for Rain in the State of Texas. more ›

In response to the wildfires that have ravaged over 700,000 acres of Texas Governor Rick Perry sent a 10-page letter to President Obama on Saturday, requesting that the state be issued a "major disaster declaration." more ›

• Russian Premier, er, we mean President Putin using Soviet-style measures to suppress political opposition? The evidence just keeps on rolling in...
• Yesterday, British forces formally handed the province of Basra to the Iraqi government. This is the ninth province transferred to Iraqi control by American-led forces since July 2006.
• The week-long U.N. climate-change conference, held in Bali, ended last Friday. A ranking has been released showing which countries have the most proactive greenhouse gas emissions policies in the works. Mexico was ranked fourth. The U.S. came in second to last, beating out only Saudi Arabia.

Governor Rick Perry today announced his official support of Republican presidential candidate and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, whose pro-abortion stance has enraged many conservatives. Perry, in today's declaration, admitted that reconciling the hot-button issue was the biggest obstacle in his endorsement. Giuliani, in turn, pledged to nominate hard-line "strict constructionist" judges to the Supreme Court. Perry replied that he was "comfortable" with this answer. "For the last six months, I have cogitated,"... more ›

After Alicia Silverstone's spicy commercial for PETA—where the Clueless star delivers a PSA in the nude, save for some strategically positioned limbs—was deemed unsuitable for broadcast in Houston, PETA took matters into its own hands. Their newest video takes the viral route, and features a so-called "lone Lettuce Lady" delivering a rather innuendo-heavy message directed to Governor Rick Perry: Luckily for the Lone Star State, the sexy Lettuce Lady created an easy plan to help... more ›

Yesterday, Governor Rick Perry announced that the Texas A&M University System will receive a $5 million grant from the state's Emerging Technology Fund. The stated purpose of the grant is to support research into the development of "next-generation biofuels" and other renewable energy sources. Specifically, the $5 million in taxpayer funds will go to the Texas A&M Agriculture and Engineering Bioenergy Alliance. This alliance is essentially a collaboration between the Agricultural and Engineering Departments at... more ›

Last Friday, Governor Rick Perry's office made it public that our Governor has vetoed -- among many other laws that have come to his desk from the Legislature this year -- House Bill 3457, a simple bill that sought to grant the State of Texas the power to prohibit the drivers of diesel school buses from allowing the engine to idle while the bus is parked "at a school or school event." The bill was... more ›

Today, Governor Rick Perry officially recognized that when it comes to filmmaking, cash does indeed rule everything around us. After months of determined effort from the Texas Motion Picture Alliance, the Texas Film Commission, Rep. Dawnna Dukes and Sen. Bob Duell, Perry signed the dotted line on House Bill 1634, freeing up some $20 million in incentives to lure production crews--and the myriad jobs they generate--to the Lone Star State. The gaming industry also scores... more ›

The current battle over the Trans Texas Corridor (“TTC”) – essentially a fight between rural Texas, Governor Rick Perry’s office and the urban developers that Perry is backing – appears to be approaching its endgame this week. Certainly this story has all the obvious implications for the State’s infrastructure, but it could also have other consequences that may be less obvious: It could change how millions of Texans vote. more ›

Hot on the heels of the Austin City Council rolling out the incentive red carpet to keep Friday Night Lights turned on, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 1634 this weekend, also known as the Texas Film Incentive Program. The bill, authored by Rep. Dawnna Dukes (Austin, represent!) and spearheaded by Sen. Bob Deuell (R-Greenville) along side our very own Governor Rick Perry, will set aside $20 million worth of incentives to entice future productions... more ›

Governor Rick Perry's much-harangued executive order of mandatory HPV vaccines for Texas schoolgirls has drawn the ire of Attorney General Greg Abbott, who yesterday declared that the order was merely "advisory" in nature, and devoid of legal substance. more ›

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... more ›

Ever wonder where all of that campaign money comes form each year? Who’s really running this state/country/etc? Well, to find out who’s got some of those most pull among politicians, you have to look no further than Texas’ own Bob Perry. The Houston homebuilder gave more money to candidates in the last election cycle than any other individual, according to a report issued by Texans for Public Justice. The non-profit group, which believes campaign... more ›

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... more ›

What do you do if you have a shit ton of money and all of your taste is in your mouth? Well, if you're Governor Rick Perry, the answer is rip-off one of the most asinine advertising campaigns in recent memory to produce a xenophobic and homophobic slander of your opponent Chris Bell. Using voiceover and music approximating the horribly obnoxious Bud Lite Real Men of Genius ads, Perry and his band of communications fools... more ›

The current political buzz is that Democratic candidate Nick Lampson will officially call for DeLay's immediate resignation. If DeLay resigns, Governor Rick Perry will have to call a special election to replace him, which would be held on May 13. However, if DeLay stays in office through June like he wants to, the election to replace him will be held November 7. more ›

A piece of birdshot in Harry Whittington's heart caused a mild heart attack yesterday; he's in stable condition. The Austin Lawyer was shot in a hunting accident this weekend by his friend Dick Cheney. The Texas Longhorns were honored at the White House yesterday. Governor Rick Perry is posing a fitness challenge to Texans; the Texas Round-Up is a program being implemented to help Texans make healthier lifestyle choices. More locally, Mayor Will Wynn... more ›

• The Houston Texans exercised their buy-back option on David Carr's contract- implying a pass on Vince Young.
• We're raking in the celebrities here in Travis County, into our civil courts sytem, including that super-hunk Jason Patric.
• The gambling industry is vying for some action in Texas (but who isn't?).
• LaMarcus Aldridge consistently impresses coaches, peers and NBA scouts; he has very real possibilty of being an NBA overall draft pick.
• What has been coined as "Operation Rio Grande", Governor Rick Perry plans to increase patrols at the Texas-Mexico border in an effort to minimize drug trafficking through the state.
• A proposed law could allow restaurant patrons to bring their dogs to dine with them on outdoor patios. We always knew that Austin was a dog-friendly city.
• The Texas State History Museum is currently hosting a gloomy exhibit that details an era in African American History called "A Slave Ship Speaks: Wreck of the Henrietta Marie." more ›

• Winning the Natioional Championship creates an even stronger demand on the UT Board of Regents to approve budgeting for the Royal Memorial Stadium expansion.
• Yesterday, many environmental groups met in Austin to launch a campaign for cleaner air in Texas. Governor Rick Perry intends to expedite the permitting process for several new coal-fueled power plants in the state.
• A local teacher reveals too much information on myspace.com.
• Speculation rises: could the fire that destroyed the KOOP Studios, Taste, Sweatbox Studios and the old Coppertank building have been caused by code allowances?
• Over 200 local hotel rooms are still being occupied by Katrina evacuees, but they're about to get evicted.

In The News Today: Leisure Tax? Governor Rick Perry has announced his idea of how to resolve the school finance problem that brought Texas legislators back for a special session. His idea: raise sales tax from 6.25% to nearly 7%, tax cigarettes ($1 extra a pack), cosmetic surgery (huh?), car maintenance and repairs (who told him that was fun??), and porn (just kidding). The plan would also lower property tax. Dems are skeptical and... more ›