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.