By BJ Austin, KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX – Gov. Rick Perry has put congressional redistricting on the agenda for the special session.
In a proclamation released Tuesday evening, Perry said lawmakers need to pass a new map that will add four seats to the Texas delegation in Washington.
Republicans released a proposed map earlier Tuesday that would maintain the Republican majority among Texas congressmen. Democrats decried the map as marginalizing minority voters.
The Senate will hold a public hearing on redistricting on Friday.
Dallas Mayoral Candidate In Hotdog "Tips" Dispute
The company that sells hot dogs and beer at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington and Yankee Stadium in New York is being sued in a dispute over "tips".
Legends Hospitality is owned by the Cowboys, the Yankees and Goldman Sachs. Its CEO is Dallas Mayoral candidate Mike Rawlings.
The lawsuit, filed in New York on behalf of stadium workers, claims that Legends tacks a 20% service fee onto sales that appears to be a tip, or gratuity. But the servers say it goes into the company's pocket.
The lawsuit says the small print invites purchasers to add an "additional gratuity" if they so choose. The servers, who bring the snacks and beer to fans in the stands, are asking that the suit be made a "class action". That could involve dozens of workers, and hundreds-of-thousands of dollars.
The Rawlings campaign promises a statement soon.
Perry, Huntsman meeting in Austin
Gov. Rick Perry is hosting a special dinner guest in Austin.
Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman is a probable contender for the GOP presidential nomination. He was in the Texas capital for a Tuesday night dinner with Perry and his wife, Anita. Huntsman's wife, Mary Kaye, also was expected to attend.
The two men could soon be opponents should Perry jump into the Republican presidential race. Perry has said he'll consider seeking the nomination after the Legislature finishes its work.
Perry spokesman Mark Miner described the meeting as "a private dinner," adding that "they served together as governors and have become friends over the years."
Sheriff says deputy's killer looked for lawmen
A Texas sheriff says the killer of one of his deputies apparently was looking for a law enforcement officer to kill.
Bexar County Sheriff Amadeo Ortiz says it appears someone simply killed a police officer on "the spur of the moment."
He also said every theory was being considered in the killing of 48-year-old sheriff's Sgt. Kenneth Vann at a San Antonio intersection early Saturday. A sheriff's department statement Tuesday says a royal blue 2009 model or later crew-cab Fort F-150 is sought in the killing.
Meanwhile, the reward fund has swelled to $127,000 for information leading to those responsible for Vann's death. Ortiz says the fund got a boost from donations of $50,000 by the FBI and $25,000 by San Antonio lawyer Wayne Wright.
Dallas nightclub patron sues comedian Andy Dick
A Texas man is suing comedian Andy Dick over his December performance at a Dallas nightclub.
Robert Tucker claims he suffered emotional distress and defamation as a result of an alleged incident in which Dick exposed his genitals while walking through the audience.
The suit filed May 10 also names a talent agency that represents the comedian and the club where he performed. It says they should have known Dick's "long history of assaulting patrons."
The lawsuit cites Dick's January 2010 arrest on felony sexual abuse charges, after allegations he groped a bouncer and patron at a Huntington, W. Va., bar, as well as other incidents.
Court documents don't list an attorney for Dick. His attorney in the West Virginia case didn't immediately return a call from The Associated Press.