Daily Archives: January 4, 2009

Thus endeth the Tom Craddick era

I still can’t believe it’s happened. Rep. Joe Straus trotted out more than enough names of supporters Sunday night to virtually guarantee that lawmakers would elect the San Antonio Republican speaker of the Texas House next week — assuming they … Continue reading Continue reading

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The Straus list

Rep. Joe Straus has released a list of 85 supporters – 15 Republicans and 70 Democrats – which would seem to put Team Craddick in a pretty tight spot. You can see the list here (Word doc) sorted by name, … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in That's our Lege | 2 Comments

Is this really the end for Craddick?

It is, according to Rep. Pena on Twitter: The Speaker’s race is over. Straus will be the Speaker for 81st Legislative Session. And now according to the Statesman as well: Rep. Sid Miller, R-Stephenville, confirmed that Speaker Tom Craddick is … Continue reading Continue reading

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Weekend link dump for January 4

Have we forgot auld acquaintance yet? The twelve days of HMNS. And may I be the first to wish y’all a happy hundredth birthday. Sixteen more days. Why, Australia, why? Is there any problem for which Republicans do not prescribe … Continue reading Continue reading

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Straus says he has the votes

I certainly hope so. Republican lawmaker Joe Straus said he collected enough pledges from House colleagues Saturday to knock out incumbent House Speaker Tom Craddick. “We’re at 76, and we’re adding them up,” Straus said of the threshold number needed … Continue reading Continue reading

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Third Court absolves itself again

I imagine that if the Austin-based Third Court of Appeals had a Christmas party this year, it was an awkward affair. The 3rd Court of Appeals in Austin, split along partisan lines, has ruled that Republican Justice Alan Waldrop did … Continue reading Continue reading

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Study claims smoking ban leads to fewer heart attack deaths

Consider this to be a data point in the ongoing debate over a potential statewide smoking ban in bars, restaurants, and other indoor workplaces. A smoking ban in one Colorado city led to a dramatic drop in heart attack hospitalizations … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Technology, science, and math | 1 Comment

The gas tax

I was listening to the podcast version of Car Talk the other day, and towards the end of the show Ray went off on a rant about how we should implement a 50-cent-per-gallon gas tax. You can read what he … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 3 Comments