By KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX –
Gov. Rick Perry is denouncing President Barack Obama's plan to let local school districts directly compete for federal education grant dollars that Texas has already rejected.
Perry said Tuesday in San Antonio that a proposed $1.35 billion expansion of the federal "Race to the Top" fund shows the Obama administration's "clear disdain for our rights" and called the plan more government overreach.
Obama singled out Texas in outlining his proposal on Tuesday. He said local school districts "stymied by state-decision makers" would have a chance to pursue the money on its own.
Perry said last week that Texas wouldn't compete for up to $700 million available in the "Race to the Top" fund because the state would lose autonomy in educating children.
Former Secretary of State Baker backs Hutchison
U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison has picked up the endorsement of former Secretary of State James Baker in her bid to unseat incumbent Gov. Rick Perry.
Baker, speaking to a Houston Republican club Tuesday, says he's supported Perry in the past but thinks the governor's nine years in office is enough. He also says he believes Hutchison has the best chance of keeping the Texas governor's job in the GOP's hands in a race this November against former Houston Mayor Bill White.
Baker, prominent in the Reagan and Bush administrations, says he expects White to emerge as the Democratic nominee for governor and be a formidable challenger.
Perry campaign spokesman Mark Miner said Perry "is pleased with support he's received from hundreds of individuals, trade associations and conservative groups."
French braid brings end to Texas follicle fight
A 4-year-old Dallas-area boy disciplined for having long hair has returned to his class with a brand new 'do. Pre-kindergartner Taylor Pugh rejoined his classmates at his suburban elementary school Tuesday.
Elizabeth Taylor says her son's hair is just as long as ever, but now she's styled it in a double French braid pinned up at the base of his neck. The school principal approved the style.
The boy, who prefers the nickname "Tater Tot," typically wears his hair long and had been sequestered from classmates at Floyd Elementary School in Balch Springs since late November.
The long hair violates the Mesquite school district dress code, which says boys' hair must be kept out of the eyes and cannot extend below the bottom of earlobes or over the collar of a dress shirt.