September 2004	August 2004	July 2004	June 2004
May 2004	April 2004	March 2004	February 2004
January 2004	December 2003	November 2003	October 2003
September 2003	August 2003	July 2003	June 2003
May 2003	April 2003	March 2003	February 2003
January 2003	December 2002	November 2002	October 2002
September 2002	August 2002	July 2002	June 2002
May 2002	April 2002	March 2002	February 2002
January 2002	December 2001	November 2001	October 2001
September 2001	August 2001	July 2001	June 2001
May 2001	April 2001	March 2001	February 2001

August 25, 2004 Wednesday 10:13:22 P.M. CST Karl Rove Speaks:  Is Something Wrong?

The art of a political campaign is the ability to control perception. Karl Rove, President Bush's chief political strategist, is a master of political spin.  He knows how to control a political message.  However, unlike other political operatives, Rove prefers to work in the shadows than in public.  He rarely gives interviews unless something has gone awry. Earlier today, Rove spoke to Brit Hume, the Washington Managing Editor of Fox News, about the Vietnam ad controversy and the campaign.  Coincidentally, Ben Ginsberg, legal counsel to the Bush-Cheney Campaign, abruptly resigned today for providing legal advice to The Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, the 527 group that has been highly critical of John Kerry's Vietnam war record.  Ginsberg's resignation follows an earlier resignation by a Vietnam Veteran who volunteered for the Bush-Cheney Campaign and appeared in the first Vietnam ad. Ginsberg's resignation also occurred on the same day that former Georgia Senator Max Cleland tried to deliver a letter to President Bush at his Crawford Ranch asking him to condemn the ads.  Surprisingly, Cleland was greeted by Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson at the entrance pf the ranch and provided a letter drafted by the Bush-Cheney campaign.  The "Letter Showdown" was political theater that could give new life to the controversy. John Kerry has accused President Bush of coordinating a "smear" and "fear" campaign with the Swift Boat Veterans.  If true, such an act is illegal.  No direct evidence has been presented to suggest that the law was violated.  President Bush has condemned all 527 ads. However, the perception that a direct link exists between President Bush and the controversial swift boat group raises doubts that may affect the President's political message of being a uniter and not a divider.   Rove told Hume that there is no coordination between the Swift Boat Veterans or Bob Perry, the top Republican donor who provided seed money for the group.  The denial was not new.  What was new was that Karl Rove said it and not some other political surrogate.  Rove only speaks when it is absolutely necessary to clear the air or when the campaign's internal polls show that the Vietnam Vet ads are hurting the President. With the advent of the Republican National Convention, Rove may be trying to put a controversy to rest in order to assure that President Bush's message for the next four years doesn't become a political footnote. Stay tuned.

August 18, 2004 Wednesday 7:33:44 P.M. CST GOP Lawmaker:  Iraq War Was Mistake

The right hand man of Porter Goss, President Bush's nominee to lead the CIA and former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, stunned the political community today by calling the Iraq war a tragic mistake. Republican Congressman Doug Bereuter of Nebraska, Vice-Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, was very critical of the White House in a letter sent to constituents who inquired about the war.   In 2002, Congressman Bereuter supported the House resolution authorizing the President to go to war. "I've reached the conclusion, retrospectively, now that the inadequate intelligence and faulty conclusions are being revealed, that all things being considered, it was a mistake to launch that military action." Bereuter said. "From the beginning of the conflict, it was doubtful that we for long would be seen as liberators, but instead increasingly as an occupying force," he said. "Now we are immersed in a dangerous, costly mess, and there is no easy and quick way to end our responsibilities in Iraq without creating bigger future problems in the region and, in general, in the Muslim world." Sounding a lot like Democratic nominee John Kerry, Bereuter said as a result of the war, "our country's reputation around the world has never been lower and our alliances are weakened." Congressman Bereuter will be stepping down from his position on September 1. He will become the president of the Asia Foundation.

August 18, 2004 Wednesday 7:26:56 P.M. CST What Was That?
To find the latest "plain spoken" remarks by President Bush, click here.

August 18, 2004 Wednesday 7:24:35 P.M. CST Keeping Time With Bush and Kerry
If you are a political aficionado who wishes to spend a lot time with the presidential candidates, click here.

July 25, 2004 Sunday 8:15:11 P.M. CST New Feature Launched:  WhiteHouseInsider.com

On the eve of the 2004 Democratic National Convention, MyCapitol.com is pleased to announce the unveiling of WhiteHouseInsider.com.   The new feature is designed for individuals who want to stay informed about the upcoming political conventions, the race for the White House, political commentary, and political polls.  The website will be updated regularly.   WhiteHouseInsider.com can be accessed via the homepage of MyCapitol.com or at http://www.whitehouseinsider.com. Enjoy!

July 11, 2004 Sunday 11:03:22 A.M. CST Capitol Insider:  Can John John Pull It Off?
To read the most recent article in the Capitol Insider, click here.

June 17, 2004 Thursday 12:01:22 A.M. CST Snitching on Tom Delay

According to the July issue of Vanity Fair, some Republicans have broken Ronald Reagan's Eleventh Commandment:  Never bad-mouth a fellow Republican, especially to a prosecutor. Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle is currently investigating the fundraising activities of  Majority Leader Tom Delay and House Speaker Tom Craddick on the alleged use of corporate contributions to help Republicans win a majority in the Texas House of Representatives. The new majority was instrumental in helping Tom Delay re-redistrict the congressional seats in Texas, which would increase the number of Republicans in the Texas Congressional Delegation. Even though Earle and the Public Integrity Unit have been under the political radar, the author of the article quotes an unnamed prosecutor as saying that witnesses are coming forward, including several Republicans who are appearing incognito for fear of retaliation from Majority Leader Delay.  Somebody's talking and it may be favorable to the prosecution. Earle has not subpoenaed Tom Delay.  However, power transfer arrangements have been discussed on Capitol Hill in case a grand jury indicts him. If Earle decides to use his legal hammer to go after "The Hammer," the fall political season may get very interesting.

June 14, 2004 Monday 9:40:34 P.M. CST Ronald Reagan at the Democratic National Convention?

Now that the Great Communicator belongs to the ages, the political truce between presumptive Democratic nominee John Kerry and President George W. Bush is over.  Campaign consultants are undoubtedly scratching their heads on how to politically benefit from the death of the man who valued optimism and bipartisanship. The Republican National Convention will definitely highlight the man who rescued conservatism.  A tribute to President Ronald Reagan will remind voters of what the GOP has to offer.   However, Democrats may be able to upstage the Republicans and minimize the posthumous effect Ronald Reagan may have on the November 2004 election.   Since the Democratic National Convention will be held in July, one month before the Republican National Convention, Democrats may honor President Ronald Reagan first and characterize The Gipper as an "American President", not just a Republican President.  A tribute to Reagan by former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton may convince the Reagan Democrats in the key battleground states to give John Kerry a second look. Stay tuned.

June 5, 2004 Saturday 4:07:12 P.M. CST Former President Ronald Reagan Dies
Former President Ronald Reagan died today at 4:09 EST in California. President Reagan had been out of public view for almost a decade because of his battle with Alzheimer's disease. MyCapitol.com expresses its deepest sympathies to the Reagan Family.

May 14, 2004 Friday 7:30:47 P.M. CST Robin Hood Dodges Political Arrows--Again

The legislative sheriffs of Texas' Nottingham took their best shot and missed --again. "Robin Hood," the name coined to describe the politically unpopular but constitutional system of public school finance in Texas, survived another elimination attempt after the Texas Senate failed to reach a consensus earlier today.  Several revenue options were considered to offset the loss resulting from a cut  in property taxes, but none came to fruition. The Fourth Called Special Session officially ends on Wednesday, May 19.  However, as a practical matter, there will not be enough time to pass a bill this session, which could be aptly described as the "Special Session of Perception."   Even though there was no solution, Texas lawmakers can take credit for trying to change the complicated system. "Folks, I'd like to tell you we could get a bill out,"  Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst said during a press conference. "But we can't do it."  Dewhurst said more time is needed to address the difficult issue. Last week, the Texas House of Representatives sent the Texas Senate a "shell" bill that some House members described as "disastrous," but necessary to move the legislative process forward.  Some Texas Senators were highly critical of the vacuous bill and the political risks associated with voting for higher taxes without the assurance that the bill would become law.    Texas Governor Rick Perry promised to call lawmakers  back into session to address the issue, but did not specify any dates.  After today's developments, Governor Perry issued the following statement: “Funding our public schools is likely the most complex and important issue that state leaders face, as evidenced by the fact that no legislature has ever solved the matter in 30 days. From the outset I have said that I am committed to spending whatever time it takes to address the issue. Our children and taxpayers deserve no less than our full commitment. “Over the past few weeks, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Speaker Tom Craddick, the Senate and the House have made significant progress toward addressing the issues of improving education, funding our schools and providing taxpayers much needed property tax relief. Lt. Gov. Dewhurst has said the Senate needs additional time to pass a plan that does right by taxpayers, teachers and school children. . “I am confident that with the kind of disciplined and focused leadership that Speaker Craddick and Lt. Gov. Dewhurst have exhibited, we can and will succeed. “I look forward to continuing our work in the coming days until we have developed a plan that achieves our goals of ensuring educational excellence, eliminating Robin Hood, cutting and controlling property, and preserving our state’s strong job creation climate.” House Speaker Tom Craddick echoed the difficulty in finding a consensus on such a politically charged issue. "Believe me, I understand the Senate's problem in reaching a consensus. The House has nearly five times as many members, said Craddick. "We too are disappointed that the many moving parts couldn't come together, but we will continue to work toward finding a solution."

May 2, 2004 Sunday 10:01:43 P.M. CST Texas House to Consider Public School Finance Legislation

With a 21-7 vote, the House Select Committee on Public School Finance sent the Calendars Committee a 372 page bill (C.S.H.B.1 and outline) and constitutional amendment (C.S.H.J.R. 1 and outline) to reform the public school system. The vote was largely on partisan lines, with the exception of Representative Ron Wilson (D-Houston).  Wilson, a loyalist of Speaker Tom Craddick and former chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, was recently "purged" in the Democratic Primary and will not be returning in January 2005. The bill and the constitutional amendment face a bleak future in the Texas House of Representatives.  First, several hundred floor amendments will likely be proposed to modify the proposed legislation.  Second, the bill and constitutional amendment contain gambling provisions that some Republicans have said are "dead on arrival".  Third, there may not be 76 votes to approve the proposed legislation.  More importantly, the constitutional amendment does not have the necessary 100 votes to pass the Texas House.  Thus, the key revenue generating provisions will never see the light of day. If public school finance is as important as congressional redistricting, the Texas Governor Rick Perry will call at least three special sessions before calling it quits. Stay tuned the for the votes this week.

April 27, 2004 Tuesday 9:21:33 P.M. CST Lawmakers Consider Revenue Options for School Finance
Texas lawmakers are considering various revenue proposals to offset the cut in property taxes which could result upon the death of the "Robin Hood" public school finance system. To read some of the proposals under consideration, click here.

April 21, 2004 Wednesday 6:41:33 P.M. CST Perry and Strayhorn Accuse Each Other of "Fuzzy Math"

The Battle of the Numbers between Texas Governor Rick Perry and Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn continued on the second day of the Fourth Called Special Session on school finance. At issue are the benefits and savings the Governor's school finance plan is suppose to produce. Governor Perry believes his plan will reduce individual property taxes and increase per student funding.  Strayhorn staunchly disagrees.  Yesterday, she presented printouts to show that the Governor's plan will only benefit the superwealthy districts. Strayhorn also estimated that the Governor's plan would produce a $10 billion deficit. "The only thing that is fatally flawed here is the Governor's plan. The numbers I released today show too many of our public school districts get too little money. In most cases, districts receive absolutely no more money to educate our kiddos," said Strayhorn. Governor Perry was highly critical of Strayhorn's assessment of his plan. "The comptroller's analysis of my plan is based on several false assumptions and, I might add, eye-popping miscalculations," Perry said.   Perry also noted that it is an "astonishing fact that the top number-cruncher in this state could be so wrong on the numbers." Strayhorn, who is highly regarded for having one of the best revenue projection models in the country, was forthright in her response to the Governor's comments. "How dare the governor question the integrity of this agency. How dare he. I am telling the truth, and I will keep telling the truth," said Strayhorn. Stopping short of calling Strayhorn a WMD, Perry said that she was adamant on "blowing up" the special session.

April 21, 2004 Wednesday 6:28:12 P.M. CST Strayhorn:  Alcohol, Sex, and Public Education Don't Mix

In a public rebuke to Governor Rick Perry's proposal to fund public education by assessing a $5 adult access to sexually oriented nightclubs, Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn today proposed banning alcohol at sex clubs. "I don't want my five granddaughters growing up in a state where the Governor says partnering with sexually oriented nightclubs is an acceptable way to finance their education," Strayhorn said. "Texas is great, but we can do better than this." The adult access fee, or what Strayhorn calls a "sleaze tax," is part of the Governor's multi-million dollar "sin tax" proposal to increase revenue for public education. "The state of Texas does not need to be partnering with these clubs that are degrading, particularly to women, and are havens for drug use and abuse. We need to be shutting them down," said Strayhorn. Strayhorn also expressed concerns about the primal behavior that alcohol tends to produce. "Alcohol can make the meek violent, the quiet loud, and the passive aggressive. People can and do get hurt in these clubs."  "If these clubs can stay in business selling lemonade and iced tea, at least I will feel better about the safety of the dancers," Strayhorn added.

April 21, 2004 Wednesday 6:10:45 P.M. CST Perry:  Texas Needs Vouchers

Calling it a "public school choice" pilot program, Governor Perry today expressed his support for a voucher program. "I'm for a public school choice pilot program, always have been," Perry said. "I'd like to have seen it four sessions ago. I don't have a problem with that, never have." No specific vouchers bills have been filed, but the proclamation issued by the Governor includes broad language which could allow a voucher bill or an amendment to be considered by the Texas Legislature and avoid a procedural death sentence, i.e. point of order. In setting the parameters of the "call" of the session, Governor Perry listed the following: "To consider legislation on education reforms and property tax reduction proposals that benefit the school children and property taxpayers of Texas."  The words "education reforms" could be construed as allowing the consideration of vouchers. The Coalition to Invest in Public Schools, an organization dedicated to informing the public about developments in public school finance, is opposed to vouchers.  The Texas Association of School Administrators and the Texas Association of School Boards comprise the Coalition. Dawson Orr, President of the Texas Association of School Administrators and a spokesperson for the Coalition said earlier today, “We owe our children the best education we can provide them. A voucher program simply does not guarantee a quality education and takes needed money away from public schools.”

April 19, 2004 Monday 11:51:11 P.M. CST Can't We Just Get Along?

On the eve of a historic special session on school finance, the war of words between Texas Governor Rick Perry and Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn has set a tone in the Texas Legislature that could be indicative of what is yet to come during the next 30 days. Earlier today, Comptroller Strayhorn, who considers herself to be Texas' Toughest Grandma, sent Governor Perry, Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst, and House Speaker Tom Craddick a letter that was highly critical of the Governor's school finance plan.  According to Strayhorn, the Governor's plan would result in a $10 billion deficit!  The Governor's office disputes Strayhorn's conclusions, but the Comptroller's statements will certainly cause all interested parties to take a second look at the Governor's plan. Stay tuned. Thirty days is a long time in the Texas Legislature.

April 19, 2004 Monday 11:27:11 P.M. CST Craddick Issues Statement on Special Session
To read the statement, click here.

April 19, 2004 Monday 11:17:11 P.M. CST 21 and 100:  Bet on Those Numbers

There's an old saying in the Texas Capitol:  "What the Governor proposes, the Texas Legislature disposes."    Based on recent reactions from key players, interest groups, and lobbyists, the Governor's school finance plan may soon experience an extreme makeover that could determine its success or failure.  However, any school finance plan that passes out of the Joint Committee on Public School Finance still faces a major hurdle - two-thirds approval of the constitutional amendments in the Texas Senate and Texas House. While a regular House and Senate bill can be approved by a simple majority (16 in the Texas Senate and 76 in the Texas House), constitutional amendments require two-thirds approval in each house (21 in the Texas Senate and 100 in the Texas House).  Some school finance proposals, including the Governor's school finance plan, require adopting constitutional amendments to reform public school finance. Even if lawmakers vote along party lines (Texas Senate: 19 Republicans, 12 Democrats and Texas House: 88 Republicans, 62 Democrats), the constitutional amendments will fail.  Thus, bipartisanship will be key to the success of any school finance legislation.   Start counting votes.

April 10, 2004 Saturday 7:47:11 P.M. CST Capitol Insider:  "Bin Ladin Determined to Strike in US" Memo Declassified
To read the declassified memo, click here.

March 31, 2004 Wednesday 9:09:22 P.M. CST Strayhorn Questions Perry's Leadership

Calling on Texas Governor Rick Perry to act immediately, Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn today told the Texas Association of Counties that Gov. Rick Perry is failing the state by throwing thousands more children off their health insurance plan, refusing to deal honestly with the school funding crisis, and by stripping local control away from local governments. "It's time for the hemorrhaging to stop. It's time to put the children first. It's time to act," Strayhorn said. Strayhorn challenged Perry to immediately call upon legislative leaders to release $583 million the Governor is "sitting on" to fund needed health care. "I'm calling on him to use his powers of persuasion and his bully pulpit to get the Legislative leadership together and free these funds before one more child is hurt, before one more family has to make a heart-wrenching choice between keeping their insurance and setting just a little bit aside for education and before one more emergency room doctor has to tell a patient to 'get on down the road,'" Strayhorn said. She also said Perry should order the health and human services commission to back off new asset tests that will throw thousands more children off the Children's Health Insurance Program. Since September, 119,000 children have lost their insurance, and Texas is already dead last in percent of children with health insurance in the United States. "With one simple phone call, the Governor can stop this atrocity," Strayhorn said. "He can order his health and human services chief to back off the new guidelines and allow Texas families to retain their dignity, their independence and their children's health insurance." On the education front, Strayhorn lambasted the Governor for letting months of inactivity pass while the school system suffers. "During the last regular session, the Governor told us he could not address the school funding crisis immediately because fellow lawmakers did not have the adequate experience in office," Strayhorn said. "This year he tells us a special session is coming when there is a consensus on a fix, and still no date has been set. "I say his learning curve should now be complete, and if not, we need new leadership willing not to delay, not to cajole, not to offer patchwork proposals packaged in lofty titles." Strayhorn told the association she shares their concern that continued unfunded mandates from the state coupled with Perry's plan to eliminate local control are threatening vital local government services. "I am a staunch believer in local control," Strayhorn said. "The parts of the Governor's plan to fix school finance that we have seen are really no fix at all. In fact, all they really do is offer relatively paltry payoffs to schools that do better in exchange for taking local control away from local governments. "I am a fiscal conservative and I can tell you there is a difference between being a fiscal conservative and having a callous disregard for our fellow Texans."

March 31, 2004 Monday 9:07:11 P.M. CST Texas Attorney General Praises Arrests of Child Predators
To read the attorney general's statement, click here.

March 29, 2004 Monday 8:43:56 P.M. CST Perry Invests $40 Million in Research Center

Texas Governor Rick Perry today announced a $40 million grant from the Texas Enterprise Fund to help launch the Advanced Materials Research Center (AMRC) in conjunction with semiconductor technology leader Sematech. "This Texas Enterprise Fund grant will be used to establish and operate the Advanced Materials Research Center, a new advanced research and development effort that is critical for the acceleration of promising new semiconductor and emerging technologies," Perry said. "Keeping Sematech in Texas means keeping Texas on the leading edge of innovation in rapidly advancing fields like nanotechnology, biotechnology, micro-electro-mechanical systems, and other critical future technologies." The mission of the AMRC will be to accelerate the development of critical technology research that economists believe will generate the industries, careers, and tax revenue of the future. The AMRC will focus on leading-edge materials and capabilities for next-generation semiconductors, as well as cutting-edge research in nanotechnology, biotechnology, and other related advanced high-tech areas. Sematech estimates that this effort is expected to generate more than 4,000 high-tech jobs in Texas over the next 10 years. "Working with Texas universities, the AMRC will help bring innovations in the lab all the way to the marketplace by helping turn intellectual capital into commercial innovation," Perry said. "With this agreement, companies and entrepreneurs will continue to be drawn to the Lone Star State to reap the benefits of our research capabilities and ultimately will bring more high-paying jobs, more opportunities in related technology fields, and more wealth to our state." In addition to the $40 million TEF grant, Perry said the state will work to help Sematech secure another $160 million in funding from federal, state and local sources over the next five years. "As governor, preserving and creating jobs, and building a better economic climate, are among my chief aims," Perry added. "Texans can know that their state remains as committed as ever to being a strong player in the technology revolution because it will mean greater opportunity and prosperity for our entire state." Perry successfully urged the Texas Legislature in 2003 to appropriate $295 million to the Texas Enterprise Fund to help Texas create new jobs and grow its economy. This is the forth project funded with Enterprise Fund money. In June, the state committed $50 million to enhance engineering and computer science programs at the University of Texas at Dallas. The investment played a key role in Texas Instruments' decision to build a new $3 billion research and manufacturing plant in Richardson. The state also committed $1.5 million to Maxim for a new semiconductor facility in San Antonio that will likely create 600 new jobs over the next three to four years. In February, Perry announced a $35 million grant for Vought Aircraft to expand and bring 3000 jobs to Texas. Sematech is a global semiconductor technology development consortium that has effectively represented the semiconductor manufacturing industry on innovation issues since 1988. Sematech conducts state-of-the-art research and is a highly-regarded technology partner whose goal is to refine the tools and technology necessary to produce future generations of chips.

March 29, 2004 Monday 8:29:17 P.M. CST The Politics of Ketchup
Ketchup in the race for the White House?  Last week, Heinz issued a statement officially declaring that its company and products are non-partisan.  Heinz disawowed any connection to Teresa Heinz Kerry, the heiress to the $500 million fortune and wife of U.S. Senator John Kerry. To read the company's statement, click here.

March 28, 2004 Sunday 8:23:37 P.M. CST President Bush Praises Richard Clarke

The White House spinmeisters might be scratching their heads after Richard Clarke's appearance on NBC's Meet the Press with Tim Russert earlier today.   According to a copy of the transcript of the interview obtained by MyCapitol.com, Clarke showed Russert his version of the "get out of jail" card.  For several days, the Bush White House, campaign surrogates, and Republican leaders on Capitol Hill have aggressively attacked Clarke's credibility.  To prove that Clarke was supportive of the President's leadership on terrorism, the White House released a copy of Clarke's resignation letter. In the letter, Clarke says the following: "It's been an enormous privilege to serve you these past 24 months. I will always remember the courage, determination, calm leadership you demonstrated on September 11. I thank you again for the opportunity to serve you." Clarke now says that he wrote those words because he was being polite.  He also noted that the letter also said, "I will always have fond memories of our briefings for you on cybersecurity."   According to Clarke, this part of the letter is important because he is now alleging that he was not allowed to brief the President on terrorism. To prove that the President trusted his advice and leadership, Clarke produced the original, handwritten letter from President Bush praising his public service after he resigned. The President wrote, " Dear Dick, you will be missed. You served our nation with distinction and honor. You have left a positive mark on our government." Was the President being sincere or just polite?

March 28, 2004 Sunday 7:58:45 P.M. CST Karen Hughes To Promote New Book, Join Bush/Cheney Campaign

Karen Hughes, one of the most trusted advisers of President Bush, will be promoting her new book, Ten Minutes from Normal, beginning tomorrow.  The autobiography chronicles her experiences in the 2000 Presidential Election Campaign. The New York Times also reported today that Hughes will be joining the Bush/Cheney campaign in August. To learn more about Karen Hughes, go to http://www.karenhughes.com.

March 28, 2004 Sunday 7:53:15 P.M. CST Who Do Your Neighbors Support?
To find out, click here.

March 28, 2004 Sunday 9:23:15 A.M. CST Clarke Pops Bush/Cheney Anti-Terror Balloon
To read the story, click here.

March 27, 2004 Saturday 12:34:16 P.M. CST Special Session of Perception

Last week, Texas Governor Rick Perry indicated that he will announce on April Fool's Day whether a special session will be held to replace the infamous Robin Hood school finance plan. Thus far, progress towards a replacement funding scheme has been reported by Republican lawmakers. However, no consensus has been reached, which is what Governor Perry wanted before he decides to tackle such a political sensitive issue. In a copyrighted story in its Saturday morning edition, the Austin American-Statesman reported that a special session is imminent, even if there is no consensus. "Yes, we will have a special session," said State Representative Talmadge Heflin (R-Houston), Chair of the House Appropriations Committee.  No date was specified by Heflin or Governor Perry.  Heflin did note, however, that any substantive changes may take years, instead of 30 days, which is the length of a special session. "We will take stab, but I think it will take us about three years, probably through 2007, to get a long-term solution in place," said Heflin. While the leadership in the Texas House of Representatives is inclined to take incremental steps to replace the tax system to provide equitable funding to public schools, the leadership in the Texas Senate is planning on recommending radical changes to the tax system. Texas Senator Steve Ogden (R-Bryan), Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, is advocating the "big gulp" approach.  This approach is contrary to Heflin's "sip" approach, which is likely to limit the political fallout from any proposals that are offered. Replacing Robin Hood will not be an easy task.  The Texas Association of Business and other influential lobby groups have not fully endorsed any proposals that have been publicly discussed.  Without the support of the Texas lobby, any proposal that seeks to increase taxes or shift the burden will be addressed with extreme prejudice.  In addition, the votes to replace the current system may not be available because several Republican lawmakers in the Texas House and Senate have mixed districts, which include property rich and poor school districts.  Even if there is a special session with no concrete solutions, the Texas Legislature can at the very least claim credit for conveying the perception that they are working hard to provide property tax relief and an equitable public school system.

March 5, 2004 Friday 10:00:56 P.M. CST Perry Denies Rumors About Marriage, Infidelity

It took almost two months, but Texas Governor Rick Perry finally addressed the salacious rumors that quickly mutated into a damaging political virus.  MyCapitol.com had been aware of the rumors for several weeks.  However, as a general policy, MyCapitol.com does not engage in rumormongering.  If a story cannot be substantiated, it will not be published.  However, now that the rumors are part of the mainstream media, the story is newsworthy. In an exclusive interview with the Austin American-Statesman, Perry said that the rumors about his marriage and alleged infidelity with a man or woman had reached a "critical mass" that they warranted a response.  Interestingly, the rumors developed a bipartisan nature - both Republicans and Democrats spread them. At a minimum, the rumors appeared on an alleged Christian website and the Austin Chronicle, a liberal, alternative newspaper, which found no evidence to substantiate the rumor.  The matter had reached a level of absurdity that bumper stickers became part of the rumor mill campaign.      Perry called the rumors an orchestrated smear campaign by his political enemies.  The culprit(s) has not been identified.  However, some capitol insiders believe that the original rumormongers may exist within his own party. Conspicuously absent from the front page photo and the Statesman article was Anita Perry, the First Lady of Texas.  Given the severity of the rumors, it would have been politically prudent to publish a front page photo of the First Family together and to issue a joint statement denouncing the rumors.  Instead, Perry appears by himself.  To be fair, a photo of the First Couple looking in two different directions appears later in the article, just above a photo of protesters holding signs that read, "It's okay to be gay, guv." Whether the absence of Anita Perry in the article was intentional or a public relations snafu is not known. However, Mrs. Perry did eventually comment on the matter. In a short statement issued after the Statesman article was published, Mrs. Perry said, "It's very sad that some people believe that spreading false, vicious and hurtful rumors is acceptable behavior. Rick and I are both outraged that people would drag our family into such ugly, politically motivated nonsense." Perry criticized Charles Soechting, the chair of the Texas Democratic Party, for spreading the baseless rumors.  In a written statement, Soechting vehemently denied Perry's accusations. "For more than two months now, rumors about Rick Perry's personal life have run rampant in the political community from Washington to Austin. The Democratic Party didn't start them, nor did we coordinate any personal attack on Rick Perry," said Soechting. "In fact, the rumors have been passed around by lobbyists, Republicans, and Democrats - as the Governor knows full well. This is not the first time in the Governor's long political career that personal rumors have surfaced. The Governor's attack on Democrats and his plea for sympathy is nothing more than a political tactic - designed to obscure the bankrupt policies and corrupt practices that have marked his administration." Perry's denials of the rumors should end the speculation.  However, in an election year, anything is possible. Stay tuned for more developments, if any.

March 1, 2004 Monday 9:43:45 A.M. CST Super Tuesday Without the Surprise

March 2 is Texas Independence Day.  However, Texans will not be voting on Super Tuesday to decide who will be the Democratic nominee in the race for the White House.  The Texas Legislature changed the primary date to March 9 to accommodate changes to the new congressional districts.  If the opinion polls are correct, the nomination will be sealed tomorrow night.   The Bush/Cheney reelection campaign train is finally picking up steam.  This upcoming Thursday the campaign will be launching an aggressive media blitz in key electoral states.  Money is no factor.  The campaign has more than $140 million to spend and the ad campaign is expected to cost a mere $4.4. million. Instead of attacking the presumptive Democratic nominee, the campaign will be focusing on President Bush's steady leadership in a time of change.  The goal is to shore up the President's image and credibility to assure voters that he should be reelected.  With the economy improving, the President will likely be highlighting the positive effects of his tax cuts.   Analysts predict that only 18 states will really matter in deciding who will win the White House.  Most of those "battleground states" are in the Midwest. Ohio and Missouri are two bellwether states that will decide who will be the next president.  Expect the President and John Kerry, the presumptive Democratic nominee, to be visiting those two states a lot in the upcoming months.      For more analysis on Super Tuesday, click here. Stay tuned for the results.

February 29, 2004 Sunday 8:23:15 P.M. CST "The Rumor" Exposed
It's been on the internet, the halls of the Texas Capitol, and now in the Austin Chronicle. To read the story, click here.

February 21, 2004 Saturday 9:59:45 A.M. CST Subpoena Storm About to Hit Texas Capitol
The Austin American-Statesman reported this morning that Travis County's Public Integrity Unit is planning to issue 70 to 80 new subpoenas next week as part of its investigation of Texans for a Republican Majority.   The Statesman and the Houston Chronicle are also reporting that Mike Toomey, Governor Perry's Chief of Staff, may also be implicated in the investigation. Developing...

February 19, 2004 Thursday 9:00:34 P.M. CST MyCapitol.com Turns 3

The "net baby" is smiling today :) Three years ago, MyCapitol.com was born in cyberspace.  Since then, the site has experienced tremendous success.  With thousands of visitors worldwide and a growing subscription list, MyCapitol.com has quickly matured into a credible and reliable website on Texas and U.S. politics.  With "word of mouth" advertising and no private funding, MyCapitol.com has and continues to exceed expectations. The future is bright for MyCapitol.com.  MyCapitol.com has new "brothers" and "sisters" and additional services are planned, including providing "subscriber only" access to premium intelligence and analysis.   Thank you for helping make MyCapitol.com a big success!

February 19, 2004 Thursday 8:59:12 P.M. CST Texas House Speaker Target of Criminal Investigation

The criminal investigation into alleged illegal corporate contributions by Texans for a Republican Majority took an interesting twist today.  Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle subpoenaed Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick to provide all records, including pledge cards, relating to the 2002 Speaker's race.  House Public Education Chairman Kent Grusendorf (R-Arlington) and former lawmaker and current congressional candidate Arlene Wohlgemuth were also subpoenaed. The subpoena was issued to Craddick after he refused to make any documents public in response to requests from two public interest groups.  The state's major newspapers, including the Dallas Morning News and the Austin American-Statesman, recently ran front page articles raising questions about alleged corporate contributions Craddick made to Republican candidates who later supported him in the Speaker's race.  The race for Speaker of the House has its own rules and corporate contributions are prohibited. Speaker Craddick denied any wrongdoing.  After receiving the subpoena, Speaker Craddick issued the following statement: “The Travis County District Attorney’s office issued a summons today seeking documents from the 2002 Speaker’s race. We intend to fully comply with the summons and cooperate with the DA’s office. “I am satisfied that I, and all other candidates for Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 78th Legislature, conducted our races appropriately, and I am happy to have helped elect a Republican majority -- as I have tried to do since I was first elected to the House in 1968.” Craddick has retained the services of high-powered Travis County criminal defense attorney Roy Minton.  The Texas Ethics Commission allows state officials to use their campaign/officeholder accounts to pay for legal services used to defend actions taken in their official capacity. Interestingly, on November 4, 2003 and after Earle began investigating Texans for a Republican Majority, Speaker Craddick issued an interim charge to the House Redistricting Committee.  The Committee was assigned the task to "consider modifications to the districts of county and district attorneys." In light of Earle's recent activities, the Texas Legislature may redistrict him out of a job or eliminate the Public Integrity Unit during the next regular session in 2005 or in a special session. Stay tuned for more details.

February 19, 2004 Thursday 8:58:43 P.M. CST Perry Announces Health Grant Awards

Good news for the health community in Texas! Texas Governor Rick Perry today announced more than $1.3 million in state incubator grants to assist communities in developing and expanding health care services to low-income and uninsured Texans. The funds, awarded through the Texas Department of Health (TDH), are part of Senate Bill 610, a component of Perry’s health care plan for the state. The legislation established an incubator program in an effort to draw additional federal funds to increase the number of federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in Texas. Last October, $3.6 million in assistance was announced in the first round of grants. “This continued investment allows our state to attract additional federal funds for centers that will provide high-quality, cost-effective and comprehensive primary and preventive care,” Perry said. “By increasing the number of federally qualified health centers in Texas, we increase access to health care throughout the state.” TDH was responsible for reviewing grant applications and determining award amounts. The incubator grants will help a community assess its needs, develop a health care delivery model, assist in the federal grant application process or in acquiring additional equipment to establish a FQHC. FQHCs are designed to provide health care to people in medically underserved areas, including many without health insurance. Texas has 181 FQHCs in 58 counties providing health care to 483,452 patients. More than 59 percent of those patients were uninsured. Governor Perry announced more than $3.6 million in state incubator grants for FQHCs last October. “These organizations are to be commended for acting to expand health care availability in their communities and for contributing to our overall efforts to ensure that more Texans have access to the health-enhancing advantages of primary and preventive care,” said Texas Commissioner of Health Eduardo Sanchez. The state incubator grants awarded include: $50,000 to Alvin Community Health Endeavor $38,830 to the Asian American Health Coalition of Greater Houston $5,000 to Central Counties Center for MHMR in Temple $3,000 to Community Health Service Agency, Inc. in McKinney $5,000 to El Buen Samaritano Episcopal Mission in Austin $192,250 to El Centro Del Barrio in San Antonio $35,000 to El Paso County Hospital District in El Paso $55,000 to Fort Worth Northside Community Health Center $105,000 to Gateway Community Health Center, Inc. in Laredo $5,000 to Live Oak County Community Development Corporation in George West $10,000 to Longview Wellness Center $5,000 to Matagorda Episcopal Health Outreach Program in Bay City $240,000 to Midland Community Healthcare Services $154,500 to Mt. Enterprise Community Health Clinics $ 5,000 to Nueces County Medical Education Foundation $175,000 to Pasadena Health Center $15,307 to Presidio County in Marfa $20,000 to South Plains Rural Health Services, Inc. in Levelland $239,730 to Spring Branch Community Health Center in Houston $3,000 to Tapestry Healthcare in McKinney $5000 to United Friends of Fisher County, Inc. in Roby Increasing the number of federally qualified health centers in Texas is a key component of the governor’s health care plan.

February 15, 2004 Sunday 11:15:07 A.M. CST Capitol Insider:  Bush v. Kerry: Battle of the Bones
To view the most recent article in the Capitol Insider, click here.

January 31, 2004 Saturday 4:09:13 P.M. CST Message from MyCapitol.com
A technical glitch temporarily disabled MyCapitol.com's free update service.  The problem has now been corrected. Readers who wish to receive "Lege Alerts" and other announcements from MyCapitol.com can now submit their e-mail addresses. Thank you for your patience and interest.

January 24, 2004 Saturday 4:29:27 P.M. CST Capitol Spin:  Bush Poll Numbers Disappointing
To view the most recent article in the Capitol Spin, click here.

January 22, 2004 Thursday 8:35:37 P.M. CST Perry:  University Regents Need to Be Accountable

Texas Governor Rick Perry today directed university regents to begin setting accountability standards to ensure tax dollars colleges and universities receive are being efficiently spent and college students are receiving a quality education. Perry issued the directive in an executive order. “Our institutions of higher education should be held accountable to taxpayers for the billions of dollars in state funding they receive each year,” Perry said. “It also is essential students and parents know they are getting a quality education for their tuition dollars.” In his executive order, the governor directed that the boards of regents for each public institution and university system work with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in developing the accountability measures. That system, the governor said, should “provide Texans with the information necessary to determine the effectiveness and quality of student education at individual institutions, and the basis upon which to evaluate the institutions’ need for additional state resources.” “Whether in tough economic times or economic boom times, our colleges and universities must clearly define their need for additional state funding,” Perry added. “They must make the case to justify the public’s continued investment of resources.” Perry noted public schools that educate students in kindergarten through grade 12 have been held to accountability standards for more than 10 years. “The public has the right to demand complete accountability for its investment in institutions of education,” Perry said in his executive order. “Systems and institutions of higher education must be able to clearly define the need for additional state funding in a manner which will justify the public’s continued investment of resources.” Perry set a deadline of December 17 for receipt of the accountability system proposals.

January 22, 2004 Thursday 8:28:10 P.M. CST Legislative Redistricting Board to Convene

The redistricting saga continues in Texas.  But now the focus will be on judicial redistricting. The Legislative Redistricting Board is scheduled to convene on January 26, 2004. The official press release says the following: "Article Five, Section 7a of the Texas Constitution provides that when the Judicial Districts Board fails to reapportion judicial districts as is constitutionally required, the Legislative Redistricting Board (LRB) shall make a statewide reapportionment of judicial districts. Because this task was not completed, the LRB, which is comprised of the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Attorney General, the Comptroller of Public Accounts, and the Commissioner of the General Land Office, will meet on January 26, 2004, to fulfill its constitutional duty. This reapportionment process will address only the 420 district courts of Texas, and not the 14 state appellate courts. In its deliberations, the LRB will consider whether it is necessary to make any changes in the current designation of a county or counties within specific judicial districts or whether the existing allocation of courts among counties is appropriate, recognizing that consideration is already given to this issue during each session of the Texas Legislature through the creation of new courts. The LRB's deliberations will not address issues outside the specific issue of the reapportionment of judicial districts, such as the method of selecting and electing judges in Texas or other issues related to administration of the courts in Texas." Stay tuned for more lawsuits.

January 9, 2004 Friday 12:44:14 P.M. CST Texas A&M Ends Controversial Legacy Admissions Program

After Texas lawmakers criticized legacy admissions and some civil rights groups threatened to file lawsuits, Texas A&M University President Robert Gates announced today the end of the controversial preference program, which awarded points to sons and daughters of alumni.  Lawmakers and civil rights groups had complained that the preference largely benefitted white students whose relatives attended Texas A&M at a time when minorities were excluded from attending the flagship university. President Gates issued the following statement on legacy admissions: On December 3, 2003, when I announced the comprehensive plan to recruit and enroll more minorities at Texas A&M University, I stated that all students would be admitted based on individual merit and potential contribution to the University community. Further, I stated at that time and in subsequent meetings with legislators and internal and external groups that all admissions factors—including legacy—were under review to ensure that we have a fair and equitable process. This was due in part to our understanding that there was an inconsistency in the continued use of legacy in a merit-based process. We believe, as virtually every university in the country does, that students whose family members have attended its university add value to what makes those institutions unique. This is especially true at Texas A&M. At the same time, the solidity of the Aggie family and the strength of the Aggie culture are not the result of four out of 100 points on an admissions evaluation. For the three-fourths of our freshmen who were enrolled in the fall of 2003 under the top ten percent law and automatic academic admission, legacy was irrelevant. Indeed, not one student of the more than 10,000 who were admitted was admitted solely on the basis of legacy. In fact, legacy has been a formal part of A&M’s admissions process only since 1989 and has played far less of a role in admissions than either Aggies or others probably believe. In an admissions process based on individual merit and potential contribution to the university community, prior affiliation with Texas A&M should not be a criterion. We intend to continue to urge students from Aggie families to apply to A&M and, if accepted, to enroll here. But, after consultation with each of the Texas A&M University System Regents, I have decided that, effective immediately, Texas A&M will no longer award points for legacy in the admissions review process. I had intended that legacy be addressed in an ongoing review of our admissions procedures. However, public perceptions of the fairness and equity of our process clearly are important and require prompt action to deal with an obvious inconsistency in an admissions strategy based on individual merit. Indeed, in retrospect, this decision regarding legacy should have been part of my December 3rd announcement and because it was not, Texas A&M has suffered unfortunate negative publicity. I take full responsibility for that. Today’s announcement brings greater consistency and equity to our admissions decision making process. We will continue our review.

January 8, 2004 Thursday 9:04:34 A.M. CST Secretary of State Issues Guidelines for Texas Congressional Races

In light of the recent decision by the three-judge panel in Walter Session, et al. v. Rick Perry, et al., Secretary of State Geoff O'Connor issued the following guidelines to state and county chairs.  The memo is reprinted in its entirety as a courtesy to readers of The Lege.   To:          State and County Chairs From:     Geoff Connor Date:       January 7, 2004 Re:         Congressional Filing Guidance Resulting from the Decision of the Three-Judge Federal panel,                dated January 6, 2004                  As a result of the decision of the federal Three-Judge Panel in Session v. Perry, et al, Civil Action No. 2:03-CV-354, my office is providing guidance on the issues concerning filings for congressional offices. Consistent with the January 6, 2004 decision of the Panel and the Panel's November 12, 2003 interim order, I hereby advise you of the following: A. Candidate Filing Period A supplemental filing period of January 11 - January 16, 2004 has previously been established for congressional candidates. All prospective candidates that have not yet filed for Congress are required to file for their desired seat under Plan 1374C with the appropriate filing office during the period set forth above. In addition, candidates who filed for Congress under the old lines set forth in Plan 1151C during the regular filing period of December 3, 2003 - January 2, 2004 who wish to run under the new lines must file again under Plan 1374C with the appropriate filing office during the same supplemental period. B. Candidate Filing Fees Candidates for Congress that have previously filed under the old lines and paid the associated filing fee are hereby deemed "ineligible" for the congressional seat under the old lines in accordance with Section 141.038 of the Texas Election Code ("Code"). Consistent with this provision of the Code, each such candidate is entitled to a prompt refund of this filing fee. Thereafter, and at the election of each prospective congressional candidate, refunds of filing fees may be applied to any new filing fee under Plan 1374C required to be paid during the supplemental filing period of January 11 - January 16, 2004.

January 6, 2004 Monday 10:24:16 P.M. CST Three Judge Panel:  New Congressional Map is Legal

In a 127 page opinion, a three judge panel ruled earlier today that the new congressional map complies with all federal and constitutional law requirements. Circuit Judge Higginbotham and District Judge Rosenthal, both nominated to the bench by Republican presidents, specifically held that the map does not discriminate against minority voters, the map is not an unfair partisan gerrymander, and mid-decade redistricting is not prohibited.  The new map is expected to be implemented for the March 2004 primary and November General Election.  It is expected to give Republicans a 22-10 political advantage in the Texas congressional delegation.    District Judge John Ward, an appointee of former President Clinton, concurred in part of the opinion, but also dissented with regards to District 23, a seat currently held by Hispanic Republican Henry Bonilla.  Ward said that the new District 23 is illegal because it "trade offs" the minority votes in that district for those in the new and adjoining District 25.  According to Ward, such a trade off  is permitted under Section 5 (retrogression), but not Section 2 (minority vote dilution) of the Voting Rights Act, which was the only portion of the Act addressed by the three judge panel.   Various political leaders had mixed reactions to today's ruling. The Democratic plaintiffs and minority rights organizations have already vowed to directly appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.  The U.S. Supreme Court is currently considering a case regarding partisan gerrymandering that could have a direct impact on the Texas case.    A detailed analysis of the lengthy opinion is forthcoming.

January 6, 2004 Monday 7:57:16 A.M. CST WWJD?

No one has started selling bracelets with these initials at the Texas Capitol yet, but they represent the question that redistricting aficionados want answered:  "What Will the Judges Do?" After almost a two week trial, the three judge panel appointed to hear voting rights challenges to the new congressional plan passed by the Texas Legislature has yet to rule on the merits of the claims raised in Walter Session, et al. v. Rick Perry, et al.   At the conclusion of the trial U.S. Fifth Circuit Judge Patrick Higginbotham hinted that an opinion would be issued by January 2nd at the earliest.  When that date passed, capitol insiders began speculating as to the fate of the new plan. On the one hand, some speculate that the delay was deliberate in order to allow the judges to write a thorough and cogent opinion upholding the map.  On the other hand, opponents of the new map see the delay as an indication that the three-judge panel will find that the new plan violates the Voting Rights Act and needs to be modified. There are at least four possible scenarios that could unfold later this week.   First, the panel could issue an opinion rejecting all challenges to the new map and order the new map to be implemented for the March 2004 primary and November 2004 General Election. Second, the panel could find that the certain districts in the new map violate Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and thus discriminate against minority voters.  If the court strikes down a portion of the map, the panel could defer to the Texas Legislature to make any modifications to correct the violations.  Under this scenario, Texas Governor Rick Perry would have to call another special session to correct the deficiencies.  Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst has already indicated that he would not agree to another special session on redistricting. Third, the panel could issue an opinion identifying certain districts that violate the Voting Rights Act and on its own make non-partisan and non-racial modifications to the new map.  The panel could preserve the new map as much as possible and correct the problem districts using the original court drawn plan as a model.  However, a court drawn makeover could produce unintended political consequences because of the ripple effect that could ensue.  Congressional districts must have equal population.  Any change to one district will affect several adjoining districts. Fourth, the panel could find that the new map contains Voting Rights Act violations and order that the current plan be used for the March and November elections. Late last year, the panel issued an order advising the Secretary of State to prepare for the possibility of administering elections under the current court drawn plan or the new map.  The Secretary of State has already advised counties.  Interestingly, the panel has not issued an order regarding the possibility of administering elections under a new, modified, court drawn plan.  However, that could come when they issue their opinion this week Whatever the result, an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court is expected. For more information, go to TexasRedistricting.com. Stay tuned.