Continuing to follow Perry taking money from unemployment insurance and giving it to A&M:
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/region/legislature/stories/03/31/0331grant.html
With the headline "How biotech plan turned into political storm."
Jason Embry reports of the $50 million transfer by Gov. 39% "that quiet transaction has spurred an onslaught of questions about the Emerging Technology Fund, one of Gov. Rick Perry's signature programs."
A major critic of Perry's funds transfer is Chairman of House Appropriations Committee Jim Pitts. The Committee is placing riders in legislation to prevent such a unilateral move in the future.
Perry had not planned on announcing the funding yet; investigation by legislators made the transfer public. Pitts is also questioning why the A&M center seems to be working with financially strapped pharmaceutical firms on the project.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Perry routes funds from Unemployment Insurance to alma mater
The Quorum Report covers what happened yesterday afternoon in the dust-up between Gov. 39% and House Appropriations Chair Pitts over Perry's possibly improper allocation of $50 million to A&M.
http://www.quorumreport.com/
It appears that not only were the funds sent to A&M outside of the usual process, but also the money came at least indirectly from the Unemployment Insurance Fund. Pitts expressed concern about the way the money was acquired and routed and proposed "riders that will rein in
Governor's discretion to transfer monies between trustee programs."
In the introduction to their special report (the entire report is available to their subscribers only), Quorum traces the route the money took: " The connection is indirect but at the same time fairly evident. Statute requires the Texas Workforce Commission to transfer $120 million from the unemployment insurance fund to the Employment and Training Investment Assessment fund. The money is then divvied between a skills development program and the Texas Enterprise Fund. As has been reported, $50 million was transferred from the enterprise fund to the Emerging Technology Fund, which awarded the money to A&M."
As this story continues to unfold--and as reporters continue to cover it--it means negative publicity for Perry continues.
http://www.quorumreport.com/
It appears that not only were the funds sent to A&M outside of the usual process, but also the money came at least indirectly from the Unemployment Insurance Fund. Pitts expressed concern about the way the money was acquired and routed and proposed "riders that will rein in
Governor's discretion to transfer monies between trustee programs."
In the introduction to their special report (the entire report is available to their subscribers only), Quorum traces the route the money took: " The connection is indirect but at the same time fairly evident. Statute requires the Texas Workforce Commission to transfer $120 million from the unemployment insurance fund to the Employment and Training Investment Assessment fund. The money is then divvied between a skills development program and the Texas Enterprise Fund. As has been reported, $50 million was transferred from the enterprise fund to the Emerging Technology Fund, which awarded the money to A&M."
As this story continues to unfold--and as reporters continue to cover it--it means negative publicity for Perry continues.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Perry funnels money outside of proper channels
This morning's Statesman legislative blog reports that the back and forth about the Perry's unorthodox funneling of funds to A&M is not cooling off. In fact, the headline is Battle Between Perry and Pitts Heats Up. Jim Pitts is chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, and over the last few days, he has been questioning Perry's action.
http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/firstreading/entries/2009/03/27/battle_between_perry_and_pitts.html
The Statesman says, "fireworks could come in the afternoon."
Below is a brief recap of the brouhaha. Follow the link "revelations" to read more background.
"Committee Chairman Jim Pitts wants to ask more questions about a $50 million Emerging Technology Fund grant to the Texas A&M University System, particularly in light of revelations Thursday that the fund’s 17-member panel did not review the grant, as is its custom. Pitts said he had been led to believe by the governor’s office that the panel did review it.
"The governor’s press shop used the panel’s approval earlier in the week to shield Perry from criticism about the grant. Spokeswoman Allison Castle, who volunteered Thursday that the panel had in fact not reviewed the grant, said she got bad information from someone else in the governor’s office."
If Pitts's pummeling continues, could this bad publicity through the legislative session weaken Gov. 39% further, working to benefit KBH? Perry had hoped that his being on-site, hands-on during the high-profile session while KBH necessarily was mainly in DC would help him, but it won't if he further angers legislators, resulting in continuing negative coverage.
http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/firstreading/entries/2009/03/27/battle_between_perry_and_pitts.html
The Statesman says, "fireworks could come in the afternoon."
Below is a brief recap of the brouhaha. Follow the link "revelations" to read more background.
"Committee Chairman Jim Pitts wants to ask more questions about a $50 million Emerging Technology Fund grant to the Texas A&M University System, particularly in light of revelations Thursday that the fund’s 17-member panel did not review the grant, as is its custom. Pitts said he had been led to believe by the governor’s office that the panel did review it.
"The governor’s press shop used the panel’s approval earlier in the week to shield Perry from criticism about the grant. Spokeswoman Allison Castle, who volunteered Thursday that the panel had in fact not reviewed the grant, said she got bad information from someone else in the governor’s office."
If Pitts's pummeling continues, could this bad publicity through the legislative session weaken Gov. 39% further, working to benefit KBH? Perry had hoped that his being on-site, hands-on during the high-profile session while KBH necessarily was mainly in DC would help him, but it won't if he further angers legislators, resulting in continuing negative coverage.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
$1.8 billion for Wilco transportation--related to Sen. Carona's new taxing entities?
Eye on Williamson links together important transportation news today.
http://eyeonwilliamson.org/?p=4343
As we reported earlier, Williamson County will hold open houses to present their 25-year transportation plan.
Information on the plan will be available on the county’s website starting March 20 at www.wilco.org. Comments can be sent to roads@wilco.org or call 943-1195.
Precinct 1 - Monday, March 30, at the Rattan Creek Community Center, 7617 Elkhorn Mountain Trail, in Austin.
Precinct 4 - Tuesday, March 31, in the Taylor Public Library Meeting Room, 801 Vance Street, in Taylor.
Precinct 2 - Monday, April 6, at Pat Bryson Hall, 201 N. Brushy Street, in Leander.
Precinct 3 - Tuesday, April 7, at the Central Maintenance Facility, 3151 S. E. Inner Loop, in Georgetown.
County-wide open house - Thursday, April 16, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., in the Commissioners Courtroom in the Williamson County Courthouse, 710 S. Main Street, in Georgetown.
This transportation plan is covered in the Taylor Daily Press article by Philip Jankowski, "Report: $1.8 billion for transportation by 2035."
http://taylordailypress.net/articles/2009/03/25/news/news01.txt
EOW comments, "The sky is falling, the sky is falling. Please, please commissioners, act quick, on this 25-year plan and save us. . . .Is it just me, or does it seem ludicrous to anyone else that the WCCC wants to decide on the fate of transportation in Williamson County over the next 25 years in a little over two months? You may also be wondering how they plan on getting that $1.8 billion."
EOW continutes, "Of course no one’s seen the plan yet, and we will likely get to see very little of it, and even less influence over it, before its approval in early May. I would advise everyone, but especially those who own land in Williamson County, to show up at least one of these meetings and seriously scrutinize what your elected officials, and those who fund their campaigns, are proposing to do in your county over the next 25 years."
At least part of the answer to EOW's question of how they plan on getting that $1.8 billion is in a second Taylor Press article "County backs car fee," also by Philip Jankowski.
http://taylordailypress.net/articles/2009/03/25/news/news02.txt
The Williamson County commissioners have asked to join the Central Texas transportation taxing authority that would be authorized by Senate Bill 855 by Sen. Carona. This bill has just been approved by the Transportation & Homeland Security Committee and is headed for the full Senate. The county could pay for new transportation projects by additional taxes on gas or auto registration fees.
"Here’s EOW’s take on the Carona’s plan, Enough of the half-measures and tinkering. In essence what the WCCC is doing is allowing a consultant to come up with this grandiose 25 year plan for transportation, and attempting to use fear and scare tactics, to trick county residents into voting for tax and fee, same as taxes, increases to pay for it."
There still seems to be a contradiction that will have to be worked out. At the same time that the wilco commissioners have voted to join the new taxing entity, the district's own Sen. Ogden has placed language in Sen. Carona's bill that exludes Williamson Co. from such a taxing entity. We'll follow this as it develops.
http://eyeonwilliamson.org/?p=4343
As we reported earlier, Williamson County will hold open houses to present their 25-year transportation plan.
Information on the plan will be available on the county’s website starting March 20 at www.wilco.org. Comments can be sent to roads@wilco.org or call 943-1195.
Precinct 1 - Monday, March 30, at the Rattan Creek Community Center, 7617 Elkhorn Mountain Trail, in Austin.
Precinct 4 - Tuesday, March 31, in the Taylor Public Library Meeting Room, 801 Vance Street, in Taylor.
Precinct 2 - Monday, April 6, at Pat Bryson Hall, 201 N. Brushy Street, in Leander.
Precinct 3 - Tuesday, April 7, at the Central Maintenance Facility, 3151 S. E. Inner Loop, in Georgetown.
County-wide open house - Thursday, April 16, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., in the Commissioners Courtroom in the Williamson County Courthouse, 710 S. Main Street, in Georgetown.
This transportation plan is covered in the Taylor Daily Press article by Philip Jankowski, "Report: $1.8 billion for transportation by 2035."
http://taylordailypress.net/articles/2009/03/25/news/news01.txt
EOW comments, "The sky is falling, the sky is falling. Please, please commissioners, act quick, on this 25-year plan and save us. . . .Is it just me, or does it seem ludicrous to anyone else that the WCCC wants to decide on the fate of transportation in Williamson County over the next 25 years in a little over two months? You may also be wondering how they plan on getting that $1.8 billion."
EOW continutes, "Of course no one’s seen the plan yet, and we will likely get to see very little of it, and even less influence over it, before its approval in early May. I would advise everyone, but especially those who own land in Williamson County, to show up at least one of these meetings and seriously scrutinize what your elected officials, and those who fund their campaigns, are proposing to do in your county over the next 25 years."
At least part of the answer to EOW's question of how they plan on getting that $1.8 billion is in a second Taylor Press article "County backs car fee," also by Philip Jankowski.
http://taylordailypress.net/articles/2009/03/25/news/news02.txt
The Williamson County commissioners have asked to join the Central Texas transportation taxing authority that would be authorized by Senate Bill 855 by Sen. Carona. This bill has just been approved by the Transportation & Homeland Security Committee and is headed for the full Senate. The county could pay for new transportation projects by additional taxes on gas or auto registration fees.
"Here’s EOW’s take on the Carona’s plan, Enough of the half-measures and tinkering. In essence what the WCCC is doing is allowing a consultant to come up with this grandiose 25 year plan for transportation, and attempting to use fear and scare tactics, to trick county residents into voting for tax and fee, same as taxes, increases to pay for it."
There still seems to be a contradiction that will have to be worked out. At the same time that the wilco commissioners have voted to join the new taxing entity, the district's own Sen. Ogden has placed language in Sen. Carona's bill that exludes Williamson Co. from such a taxing entity. We'll follow this as it develops.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Eminent domain events--House hearing and Institute for Justice press conference
Two upcoming eminent domain events.
Tomorrow the House Land & Resource Management Committee will take up several bills to give property owners more protection against eminent domain. Some of them are similar to each other--don't know how this will shake out. The hearing is tomorrow, 8 a.m., in the Capitol Extension hearing room E2.012
Among the bills on the agenda are these two comprehensive bills:
HB 4
Orr et al.
Relating to eminent domain, including certain limitations, procedures, and standards relating to the use of eminent domain.
HB 1483
Pitts et al.
Relating to the use of eminent domain authority.
The Pitts bill is the one being supported by the Texas Farm Bureau. However, the Orr bill is said to be identical, or very similar. Pitts's HB 1483 is said to include the provisions in HB 2006 that was passed by both houses in 2007, but was vetoed by Gov. 39%.
You can follow this hearing online by going to
http://www.house.state.tx.us/media/welcome.php
This hearing is scheduled to be on Livestream 3.
Institute for Justice press conference March 31
The IJ, the group that acted on behalf of Susette Kelo in her eminent domain case before the Supreme Court, will hold a press conference on the south steps of the Capitol on March 31 to release a report on the proposals to reform the eminent domain laws.
The IJ says, "Texas still has a ways to go until all of your homes, businesses, churches and farms are protected from eminent domain for private gain. IJ staff will be joined by affected property owners from Freeport, El Paso, San Antonio and Houston. We hope you will be able to join us, too! This is our opportunity to show the legislature that Texans still care about eminent domain abuse."
Press Conference on Eminent Domain Abuse in Texas Tuesday, March 31 @ 12pm South steps of the State Capitol 1100 Congress Avenue, Austin
"We encourage you to contact your representatives and tell them that you support strong eminent domain reform that earns Texas the A+ it deserves,"
(see: http://www.castlecoalition.org/pdf/publications/report_card/states/texas.pdf)
You can find out who represents you here: http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/.
Tomorrow the House Land & Resource Management Committee will take up several bills to give property owners more protection against eminent domain. Some of them are similar to each other--don't know how this will shake out. The hearing is tomorrow, 8 a.m., in the Capitol Extension hearing room E2.012
Among the bills on the agenda are these two comprehensive bills:
HB 4
Orr et al.
Relating to eminent domain, including certain limitations, procedures, and standards relating to the use of eminent domain.
HB 1483
Pitts et al.
Relating to the use of eminent domain authority.
The Pitts bill is the one being supported by the Texas Farm Bureau. However, the Orr bill is said to be identical, or very similar. Pitts's HB 1483 is said to include the provisions in HB 2006 that was passed by both houses in 2007, but was vetoed by Gov. 39%.
You can follow this hearing online by going to
http://www.house.state.tx.us/media/welcome.php
This hearing is scheduled to be on Livestream 3.
Institute for Justice press conference March 31
The IJ, the group that acted on behalf of Susette Kelo in her eminent domain case before the Supreme Court, will hold a press conference on the south steps of the Capitol on March 31 to release a report on the proposals to reform the eminent domain laws.
The IJ says, "Texas still has a ways to go until all of your homes, businesses, churches and farms are protected from eminent domain for private gain. IJ staff will be joined by affected property owners from Freeport, El Paso, San Antonio and Houston. We hope you will be able to join us, too! This is our opportunity to show the legislature that Texans still care about eminent domain abuse."
Press Conference on Eminent Domain Abuse in Texas Tuesday, March 31 @ 12pm South steps of the State Capitol 1100 Congress Avenue, Austin
"We encourage you to contact your representatives and tell them that you support strong eminent domain reform that earns Texas the A+ it deserves,"
(see: http://www.castlecoalition.org/pdf/publications/report_card/states/texas.pdf)
You can find out who represents you here: http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/.
UT KBH/Gov. 39% poll--redux redux
For those who are keeping score, Burka has responded to the UT internet poll response to his second response to his first response, etc. Comments include more responses by the poll's authors.
http://www.texasmonthly.com/blogs/burkablog/
As I said previously, this could go on for a long time--apparently forever. But with some interesting explanations and insights, for those of us following this "mother of all gubernatorial races" in its nascent stages.
http://www.texasmonthly.com/blogs/burkablog/
As I said previously, this could go on for a long time--apparently forever. But with some interesting explanations and insights, for those of us following this "mother of all gubernatorial races" in its nascent stages.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Authors of latest gubernatorial poll respond to Burka
Yet another interesting update on the recent KBH/Gov. 39% poll analyzed by Paul Burka.
http://www.texasmonthly.com/blogs/burkablog/
On March 21, Burka was re-thinking his first response to the UT poll in this post.
Perry camp touts UT poll results to national GOP activists, media–but is the methodology accurate?
Now a response from the pollsters, posted by Eileen Smith on the burkablog.
Texas Politics Project Responds
The blog includes a detailed explanation by Jim Henson and Daron Shaw of UT, plus some more interesting comments by readers, giving a lot of back and forth on desirable polling procedures and what the results may show. This could go on for a long time with little agreement in views on polling. Suffice it to say that all this polling in the gubernatorial race has started early, and we will be following it with great interest up to the 2010 primary.
http://www.texasmonthly.com/blogs/burkablog/
On March 21, Burka was re-thinking his first response to the UT poll in this post.
Perry camp touts UT poll results to national GOP activists, media–but is the methodology accurate?
Now a response from the pollsters, posted by Eileen Smith on the burkablog.
Texas Politics Project Responds
The blog includes a detailed explanation by Jim Henson and Daron Shaw of UT, plus some more interesting comments by readers, giving a lot of back and forth on desirable polling procedures and what the results may show. This could go on for a long time with little agreement in views on polling. Suffice it to say that all this polling in the gubernatorial race has started early, and we will be following it with great interest up to the 2010 primary.
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