The new Texas State Highway 130 toll road extension is now open and charging motorists to enjoy it’s privatized asphalt while pushing their speedometers to 85 mph. It’s the fastest stretch of legal driving in the nation.
Also known as the Pickle Parkway, it’s the first public-private partnership highway in Texas, but according to opponents the partnership allows the private company to shoulder very little risk, and instead puts taxpayers on the line to pay for such risks as uncollected tolls.
The Daughters of the Republic of Texas are responding to the bizarre incident that called San Antonio Police to the shrine Thursday morning. DRT President Karen Thompson said there will be a full investigation; the Texas Declaration of Independence is apparently missing from the Alamo.
Following a report that artifacts were missing, Thompson assured people there would be a formal inquiry and the DRT would fully cooperate with law enforcement officials.
Hundreds of new bills were proposed in the Texas Legislature this week, one being the requirement to drug test individuals applying for TANF or unemployment benefits.
Texas Republicans propose a bill to drug test welfare recipients - should we drug test politicians as well? Laws legalizing the possession and use of marijuana passed in Colorado and Washington, is this the beginning of a new era in American drug policy? Mexico has a new president and many are hoping this will mark the beginning of a real solution to the war against the drug cartels. Finally, we just can't let this week go without continuing the discussion on Texas secession.
DNA testing that death row inmate Hank Skinner said would prove he is not a triple murderer is doing just the opposite. On Wednesday, the Texas Attorney General’s Office filed papers that say the DNA incriminates Skinner.
Skinner was convicted of killing his live-in girlfriend and her two adult children on New Year’s Eve in 1993.
But Skinner has insisted he’s innocent and the DNA would clear him of the crimes. The DNA was not tested during his murder trial and Skinner has been fighting in the courts to get access to the evidence for testing.
When word came last week that George P. Bush had filed paperwork with the Texas Ethics Commission to begin raising money for a political campaign, folks wondered if Bush – part of the Presidential Bush family – would go straight to the top and run for Governor in 2014.
A report in the Tampa Bay Times settled those speculation by confirming that former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush,sent out a fundraising appeal to donors this week asking them to support his son's potential run for Texas land commissioner.
As we head toward the next legislative session, one bill on the agenda might look very familiar. It's the texting while driving law that was passed, but then vetoed by Governor Rick Perry last session. However the law has been implemented on the local level in certain cities and with mixed results.
“I only know of about four cases that we’ve had since its implementation.”
It may seem like a joke or political sour grapes, but a petition calling for Texas to secede from the union has gathered enough signatures for the White House to review and respond.
The petition calls for the federal government to allow Texas to peacefully secede and create a new government. It was posted on Friday on the White House website on a page called “We the People.” By Monday there were over 25,000 signers – that’s the trigger for the White House to review and respond to the demand.
After the Republican losses on Election Day it has been noticed that the GOP has a critical problem winning Latino votes. Some are wondering if George Bush might fix that problem – that’s George P. Bush.
George P. Bush is the nephew of former President George W. Bush and son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. His mother is a Mexican immigrant and he is fluent in Spanish.
Congressman Charlie Gonzalez (right), who is retiring at the end of this term, shares a moment of elation with the new representative of Congressional District 23
In what was one of the wildest rides in the Texas - Congressional District 23 - Democrat Pete Gallego beat incumbent Francisco Canseco in a race the GOP candidate finally conceded today (Friday). Republicans still control the Texas House, but Democrats gained seven seats to eliminate the Republican super-majority. The influential Latino vote is a hot topic, and both Castro brothers were on news networks this week to talk about the future. Sylvia Manzano from Latino Decisions talks about her thoughts going forward. Finally, Harvey Kronberg joins us to size up the Texas results.
Most of the U.S House and Senate candidates who lined up with the Tea Party did not win their races last night. Two notable exceptions were Michele Bachmann in Minnesota — and Ted Cruz here in Texas. So what does Cruz's victory means for the state, the Senate, and for the Tea Party.
