Political observers eagerly awaiting a Democratic face-off between Texas liberal lion Lloyd Doggett and his challenger State Rep. Joaquin Castro can put their popcorn down. more ›

On Tuesday, a three judge panel of the Federal Court in Washington ruled that Texas Republican lawmakers used an "improper standard" in determining how the electoral map in Texas will be drawn for the 2012 election cycle. more ›

The race in new Congressional District 35 is heating up. Legendary Texas liberal Lloyd Doggett continues to run against Governor Rick Perry, while his challenger, up-and-comer Joaquin Castro, recently hinted that Doggett has become "irrelevant" in Congress. more ›

One of the side effects of the Census is that states get to rearrange current congressional (and state House/Senate) districts based on population changes. The Texas House has given initial approval (92-52) to State Rep. Burt Solomons' plan for House redistricting (with some changes), but it seems to be assumed that whatever plan is finally chosen will lead to eventual court battles. more ›

Not only is the EPA cracking down on the TCEQ, but Congressman Lloyd Doggett is spearheading more restrictions on Texas use of federal education and stimulus funds. Doggett, a lifelong Austinite who represents Texas's 25th District, inserted an amendment into a supplemental appropriations bill in early July that would effectively exclude Texas officials from deciding how to spend federal aid for education. more ›

Oh my gosh, y’all! Have you seen the news? All these Tea Party people are, like, storming Town Hall meetings hosted by Democrat representatives, and getting all up in their grills, and screaming at them that health care reform is turning us into Russia. Clearly these protestors have not had the pleasure of a bottle of Stoli and a night with Natasha—as have I—hence their poor view of our Soviet comrades. But before you go getting all pissed off at them, let’s just stop for a minute and hear them out. I think maybe they have some valid points, which is, no doubt, why they are making these points so LOUDLY. So we can hear them! Now, you might say, Spike! Are you off your nut? To which I respond, Not at all. See, I have spent the better part of the week in Midland, TX, hometown of George and Laura Bush. And, as a temp resident of the La Quinta Inn out on I-20 in Midland, not only have I been drinking the agua, I’ve had the benefit of complimentary morning lobby waffles in the shape of the Lone Star State and the pleasure of Fox News being blasted from the TV as I waffle-munch. And you know, from what I’m hearing from the Foxy anchors, sounds like this Obama fella is trying to pass some sort of sinister program that is going to, among other things, insist that we euthanize the aging baby boomers asap. more ›

Since his first town-hall meeting didn't go so well, Congressman Lloyd Doggett appeared at the CommUnity Care healthy kids fair in Northeast Austin this weekend to further discuss the health care reform bills now being discussed in Washington. As before, impassioned citizens—both for and against the proposed reform plan—came out in droves, though this one seemed to encourage less of the disruptive vitriol that spewed forth from angry "Tea Party Patriots" last week. more ›

Rep. Doggett broke his leg in a cycling accident over the weekend. City to provide shower and locker facilities for people who bike to work downtown? UT Center for American History awarded grant from National Park Service to go towards restoration of Stephen F. Austin documents. more ›

Before we let Texas fade off the political radar for a while, let's take a look at the Texas Democratic elite who will likely have the final say in who their nominee for president will be. more ›

Lloyd Doggett endorses Obama. Kirk Watson has posted a response to his appearance on MSNBC last night. More news on tomorrow's debate: Texas Dems were able to get 100 more seats, Clinton and Obama will appear at the TDP watch party afterward. Tomorrow's debate will affect bus routes. Voting early? You aren't the only one. more ›

The "ponytail bandit" has been identified as Morgan Michelle Hoke and is married to another bank robber; both have fled to Asia after a string of local bank robberies. Local robber targeting the homes of Austin Hispanics, police say. Dell to buy locally-based MessageOne Inc. for $155 million. Rep. Lloyd Doggett has yet to endorse Obama or Clinton. But former mayor (and current State Senator) Kirk Watson endorses Obama. more ›

Providing incentives for hybrids and investing in renewable technology are just a few of the environmental issues highlighted by U.S House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who spoke at City Hall yesterday. Speaking of her "New Direction Congress", she stood with U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett, city council members, and Austin Energy head Roger Duncan to highlight Austin's leadership in finding alternative energy sources and reducing energy consumptions. According to the Statesman: "The boast of a clean energy... more ›

"UT spied on its non comformists and dissident students"Your every move is being watched. Scary thought, right? A thought we like to associate with Orwellian sci-fi or Alex Jones, but in recent years we've seen this idea become a reality. Little black boxes with blinking red lights are at traffic spots, street corners or up in trees making sure you're not up to any funny business. Now, in a democracy sans Habeas Corpus, we... more ›

TxDOT has decided to eliminate funding for trail, beautification and tourist projects, including federal funds distributed by the department. These projects only constituted approximately 2% of the TxDOT budget, but they have now been removed completely, despite the fact that they are mandated by the Transportation Enhancement Program, established by Congress in 1991. TxDOT will spend its entire budget on highway repair and expansion (including ad campaigns). Local projects that will not be receiving... more ›

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FRIDAY [21] [music] Sons of Hercules and The Bad Rackets at Woody's South (link) [music] Those Peabodys, Grand Champeen, Birds of Avalon (ex-Cherry Valence), Man Eaters of Tsavo at Emo's (link) [music] The Radiators at The Parish (link) [music] Blue October w/ People In Planes and Bril at Stubb's (link) [music] The Shells CD Release at End of an Ear (Free, 6pm) (link) [lecture] The Texas Observer presents David Sirota, author of Hostile Takeover: How... more ›

The Republicans aren't the only lying liars in town. And while that is not news to us, we were still a little shocked to hear the news about longtime Democratic political aide Kristi Willis and her "liberation" of $166,000 from Congressman Lloyd Doggett's coffers, along with more than $25,000 from other Democratic candidates and causes. more ›

Reader Erin writes: more ›