By Robb Orr, GalleryWatch.com
Austin, TX –
Smile for the cameras? In the flurry of activity leading up to next week's hearing in Congressman Tom DeLay's (R-Sugarland) criminal trial, Court TV on Wednesday submitted a letter to Judge Pat Priest requesting camera access to the proceedings since DeLay's trial is "of unquestionable public interest." No news yet if Priest is warm to the idea of the basic cable network providing viewers with its "window into the American system of justice."
Recent developments in the DeLay case include a slew of motions filed by defense attorneys, which range from suggestions of prosecutorial misconduct to claims that indictments against the former U.S. House Majority Leader fail to state an offense under Texas Law. Waiting until the flow of motions slowed from defense attorneys, Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle filed the state's responses, all of which, not surprisingly, sought to dismiss each one. Earle later issued subpoenas for Richard McDonald, Custodian of Records for Sun Trust Bank; Lisa Noblin, Supervisor of Public Records at the Texas Ethics Commission; and Barbara Bonfiglio, Treasurer for Americans for a Republican Majority. DeLay's attorneys followed with subpoenas for all members of the 390th Grand Jury, which returned a no-bill against DeLay on Sept. 30.
Meanwhile, government watchdog groups had something to cheer about this week when Travis County Attorney David Escamilla signed a deferred prosecution agreement with the Republican Party of Texas (RPT) following investigations into the organization's finances during the 2002 elections. In the agreement laid out this week, RPT agreed to refrain from using corporate dollars for its get-out-the-vote efforts, television ads and political consultants between now and March 31, 2007. Otherwise, the group will face criminal prosecution.
Travis County Democrats on Wednesday joined forces to respond to former Rep. Todd Baxter's (R-Austin) announcement of his new line of work, a transition that Texans for Public Justice describes as "a revolving door of hired guns." Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos (D-Austin) and Travis County Democratic Party Chair Chris Elliott held a press conference to question Baxter's abrupt resignation from the House just two weeks before accepting a cable industry lobbying position. Elliott said Baxter's resignation would cost Travis County taxpayers a minimum of $250,000 for a special election to fill his seat and another $125,000 for a runoff election, which he said will most likely happen.
Speaking of former Texas House members, former House Appropriations Committee chair Talmadge Heflin this week accepted a state budget analyst position with the Texas Public Policy Foundation. The House Republican also threw his hat into the ring for the open executive director position at the Texas Lottery Commission, but he may be reconsidering that application after witnessing the four hours of intense scrutiny lottery executives faced on Monday from the House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee. Chair Rep. Kino Flores (D-Mission) called the hearing to address allegations that the commission's $1.3 million emergency center has never been operational. Committee members bombarded lottery executives with questions and criticisms regarding the mysterious lack of information regarding the functionality of the disaster recovery center and the "culture of fear" driving the agency, as described by recently fired network specialist Shelton Charles.
The most colorful remark of the hearing had to have been when Charles described his boss' reaction to Charles telling him about problems with the disaster recovery center: "I'll fire every one of you sons of bitches as soon as you walk out the door." This reflects "the tone of the Lottery," said Charles. "This is what we live under." His former boss, Administration Director Mike Fernandez, denied making the comment.
New reports released this week include the Comptroller's 2005 Texas Annual Cash Report, which presents the state's financial position and details revenues and expenditures on a cash basis. In the report, Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn highlights that the state's General Revenue Fund ended the year with a $4.8 billion cash balance, which is up from $2 billion at the end of FY 04. Gov. Rick Perry on Thursday also delivered good news regarding the state's financial status: SBC is investing an additional $800 million in Texas' economy. The governor touted news of SBC's investment in video and high-speed Internet technology as being a direct result of telecommunications reforms passed by the legislature this year.
In the days leading up to next week's first meeting of the Texas Tax Reform Commission, the newly established panel charged with reforming the state's tax structure, Rep. Garnet Coleman (D-Houston) delivered a letter to Chairman John Sharp urging the committee's commitment to a comprehensive school finance solution. Responding to Sharp's stated goal for the committee - to produce "a tax system that is the envy of the other 49 states" - Coleman called on panel members to keep education reform in mind and gave examples of why Texas' public education system "is not the envy" of other states. These include Texas ranking 32nd in classroom expenditures per student and 34th in average teacher salary.
Afterthought: Never mind changing your name after saying your "I do's," what about changing your name for free cable? The idea appealed to the residents of Clark, a Fort Worth suburb, which recently changed its name to DISH in exchange for 10 years of free satellite television service.
All 125 residents of the town formerly known as Clark will get basic service and a free digital video recorder satellite TV receiver, according to AFP. Despite jokes that the town will become a community of couch potatoes, Mayor Bill Merritt said the switch was an incredibly popular decision. As reported by AFP, the mayor emphasized the importance of the name-change in marketing the town as a place for people to move and "get something out of it." The savings per household? $50 per month. The cost of a budget-neutral giveaway to lure new residents? Priceless.