Investment firm, SBOE member disagree on donations

State Board of Education member Rick Agosto has accused an investment company of incorrectly reporting that it gave him more than $1,000 in gifts before it sought a lucrative contract with the board. But the company has insisted that its disclosures are generally correct and said in letters to the Texas Education Agency that the disagreement may partially result from differences in accounting.

Agosto, a San Antonio Democrat, denied that he accepted golf, football tickets, dinners and entertainment from AEW Capital Management, a real estate investment firm.

"Mr. Agosto disputes all of the items on the AEW report," said Julie Crothers, Agosto's public relations representative.

Hidalgo County Commissioner's criminal woes worsen

Hidalgo County Commissioner Sylvia Handy is expected to return to court Monday to face new charges in connection with an ongoing tax fraud and illegal hiring case.

A superseding indictment handed down against her last week alleges the elected official paid a third illegal immigrant woman with taxpayer money to perform housekeeping and babysitting services in her home.

The new allegations come seven months after federal prosecutors first accused her of a similar scheme involving two other women and nearly double the total she purportedly stole from county coffers to almost $220,000.

Former La Joya principal charged in theft

Former Juarez-Lincoln High School principal Jimmy Gonzalez has been arrested on felony theft charges in connection with a school district police investigation.

La Joya school district police arrested Gonzalez last week after investigators found he allegedly asked employees to file fraudulent time sheets and asked them to give him the money, Police Chief Raul Gonzalez said. The former principal also allegedly sold a computer owned by the district to a former school employee.

What a guy. Did he actually think his plan would work?

Brownsville City Commissioners under fire for meeting

Three Brownsville city commissioners who attended an early November meeting not opened to the public maintain that they did not violate the Texas Open Meetings Act.

The Nov. 5 meeting was called to discuss the implementation of the city’s master plan called Imagine Brownsville. The commissioners asserted that no decisions were made and that the City Commission would have the final word on the plan’s implementation.

Bendover. Allstate is raising rates.

Home insurance rates will jump an average 9.8 percent next month for thousands of Allstate customers.

The increase will start Dec. 17 as policies come up for renewal and affect 143,000 customers of Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance. It's the Allstate unit's second increase this year.

Greed is revered in Texas.

Why was juvie detention center metal detector off for 3 years?

The metal detector at the Harris County Juvenile Detention Center used to screen juveniles who have been arrested has not been used since the division moved to its current facility at 1200 Congress three years ago, three Juvenile Probation Department employees told the Houston Chronicle.

The revelations came amid an investigation into the circumstances that enabled a 16-year-old boy to allegedly smuggle a handgun into his cell at the downtown juvenile detention center earlier this month.

Headline is like question ' Are you still beating your wife?'

'Committee says U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes not being investigated'

The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Standards of Official Conduct has notified U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, that the committee is not investigating him.

Last year, the Friends of the Border Patrol submitted a complaint to the committee, which looks into allegations of ethics violations, asking for an investigation into the role Reyes' office had in requesting help from Immigration and Customs Enforcement to obtain the release of his wife's kidnapped relative in Juárez last year.

Some think the House Ethics Panel is a joke.

The ethics committee is notorious for its bipartisan ability to dodge and defer investigations that might cast House members in a bad light.

The ethics panel unanimously cleared Rep. Sam Graves, R-Mo, of any wrongdoing for having a friend testify before the Small Business Committee — of which he is the ranking member — at a hearing on renewable fuels without disclosing that the friend and his wife are business associates in renewable fuels plants.

El Paso judges indicted

A state grand jury indicted two El Paso judges on Thursday, alleging they violated nepotism laws by hiring each other's relatives.

Suspended state district court judge Manuel Barraza and District Court Judge Regina Arditti are charged with one count each of "prohibition applicable to trading," or nepotism. Arditti and Barraza were elected to $140,000-a-year judgeships in November 2008.

Barraza has more woes.

FBI agents arrested [Manuel] Barraza, 54, that day and a federal grand jury indicted him on suspicion of trading judicial favors for money and sex. Charged with three counts of mail fraud, deprivation of honest services and making a false statement to federal agents, he is scheduled to stand trial Nov. 2 in U.S. District Court.

Perry's primary is more important than a man's life

Seems that way to me.

"Rick Perry continues to play politics with the death penalty. He should have accepted the recommendation of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to commute the death sentence of Robert Thompson. It would not surprise me if Rick Perry one day replaces the members of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles who voted in favor of clemency for Thompson, just like he replaced his own appointees on the Texas Forensic Science Commission in the midst of their investigation into the Todd Willingham case. Rick Perry is using the death penalty issue to endear himself to right-wing voters in the upcoming Republican primary, but his actions do not reflect the priorities of mainstream Texans who are increasingly concerned about the fairness of the Texas death penalty system", said Scott Cobb of Texas Moratorium Network.

BISD athletic director gets pissy with trustee

After arguments in the state’s 444th District Court, Judge David Sanchez granted [BISD Athletic Director Joe] Rodriguez’s attorneys authority to take [BISD trustee Catalina] Presas-Garcia’s deposition concerning documents she provided to Cameron County District Attorney Armando Villalobos on Oct. 15. Attorneys scheduled the deposition for Dec. 7.

"It’s a shame," Presas-Garcia said after the hearing. "They have the documents at the DA’s office and the Rodriguezes know what’s in the documents. This is not new for them."

The order also directs Presas-Garcia to produce at the deposition any documents she provided to Carlos Quintanilla of the Hispanic action group Accion America and "any documents in her custody or control that were ever removed or taken from (Rodriguez’s) office or files without his consent; and, any documents relating to (Rodriguez) obtained from the Brownsville Independent School District."

Rodriguez sounds like a first class bully. Villalobos sounds like a sports fan.

ICE audits instead of raiding 161 Texas businesses

Raids rough up people. Audits rough up businesses. Hmmm.

Federal officials are auditing 161 Texas companies suspected of employing illegal immigrants, including 60 in the South Texas area, the government announced Friday.

More here.

The Obama administration has said it wants to crack down on employers who ignore immigration laws to obtain cheap labor, a seeming departure from the much-criticized workplace raids that focused on workers and tore apart communities.

CPS still having trouble vetting employees

CPS officials admit that the case of a North Texas supervisor, who didn't disclose her arrests on charges of drunken driving and assaulting her husband with a lamp, gives them pause.

"Yes we are, obviously" concerned, CPS spokesman Patrick Crimmins said Wednesday. "All employees are required to report these incidents – required to. It is not a suggestion."

Who would think that a violent person might lie?

No dumping of treated sewage into popular Texas lakes

Why was there even a question about that?

Senator Hutchison explains it all to you

Why did she keep her senate seat after saying she was resigning? That's so easy. No need for her to explain. KBH thought she would just waltz into the governor's mansion. Now the polls indicate she's likely to lose her primary fight. What else is there to say?

U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison is using robo calls and radio commercials to make sure her supporters know she's still in the governor's race, and that she decided to stay in the Senate “at risk to my political future.”

Whaa? Risk to her political future?

Here's a headline I never expected to see in Texas

'Parole board urges Perry to spare Houston killer'

Was this a Texas parole board?

Texas' Board of Pardons and Paroles on Wednesday recommended that Gov. Rick Perry spare the life of Houston killer Robert Lee Thompson, who is scheduled to be executed tonight in Huntsville.

A Perry spokeswoman did not indicate when the governor, who has voluntarily commuted only one death sentence in his tenure as chief executive, might rule in the case.

More woe for Galveston if census shows low population

Of particular concern was that the numbers within that range are all below 50,000, a benchmark for federal housing and transportation funds. That’s about $4 million a year.

Galveston’s leaders conceded that the city would not have 50,000 people when the census is taken in April. However, they wanted to get as close to that number as possible, hoping that federal agencies would give the city another 10 years to recover its population — and its eligibility for federal funds.

One might say that it's better for people to live out of harm's way.

Republicans wish Hispanics would disappear

At least the Republicans on the State Board of Education do. When Republicans wish, they make it 'real' by wholesale denial. Why not make Hispanics in textbooks disappear? Wave a wand, click your heals and make it so.

State Rep. Norma Chavez told Texas education officials Wednesday that Hispanics deserve a more prominent role in the state’s social studies curriculum.

And, she said, members of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus will be watching as the State Board of Education continues to define the curriculum standards that will determine what will be taught in history classes over the next 10 years.

A vote on new curriculum standards is not expected until March.

Revisions to the state's social studies curriculum came under scrutiny several months ago when a pair of expert reviewers suggested that Cesar Chavez, a prominent labor leader, and Thurgood Marshall, the country's first black Supreme Court justice, did not merit the attention they received in history books.

Our kids deserve to know about all role models. While we're at it, science knowledge is required, too. How else can our children make our country a better place to live?

More here.

Guess what a Houston homophobe is doing for the Mayor's race?

[Dave] Wilson also said he is concerned that [Annise] Parker, if elected, would become a gay and lesbian cultural icon and an inspiration to others to enter politics.

Hide the babies, the State Board of Education is meeting

Topics to be discussed for social studies range from which historical figures should be covered in classes to what role Christianity and the Bible played in the founding of the nation. Three board members aligned with social conservative groups have already called for more coverage of religion in U.S. government and history classes.

In addition, Hispanic leaders are expected to urge the board today to include more coverage of Hispanics in the social studies standards.

Board member Mary Helen Berlanga, D-Corpus Christi, said there are many examples of “stereotypical Tejano omission or lack of historical fact within the proposed social studies curriculum.”

They don't believe in separation of church and state.

Texas Medical Board slaps doctors' wrists

'Texas Medical Board disciplines 75 doctors'. Big whoop.

Glenn Hegar gets up is down award

Texans for Lawsuit Reform will honor State Sen. Glenn Hegar (R-Katy) with its Civil Justice Award tomorrow morning during a special breakfast at The Falcon Club in Katy.

Hegar is being honored for his work in supporting tort reform in Texas

The people against justice in the courts gave Hegar a Civil Justice Award?

El Paso Times online poll says bah to Cheney's endorsement of KBH

It's been my experience that responses to the Times poll tend conservative. Right now 53% of 296 votes are saying Cheney's endorsement will hurt Kay Bailey. I voted for 'Yes, the former vice president remains relevant to some GOP voters.' Amusing when Republican icons are viewed as the monsters they are.

Looks like Brownsville ISD already has a new superintendent

By a unanimous vote, the Brownsville Independent School District Board of Trustees late Tuesday named Brett Springston the lone finalist for Superintendent of Schools.

Springston, 49, has been BISD’s interim superintendent since being appointed to the post in January.

San Antonio has poor record on addressing violence against women

Maybe things are getting better.

The San Antonio Police Department announced Monday it will begin sifting through nearly 150 of about 5,200 rape kits that were never tested over the past two decades, reversing a long-held policy not to analyze kits if the assailant was unknown and the victim didn't want to pursue prosecution.

Police Chief William McManus acknowledged that DNA information from such cases could still be important. Results from the tests will be sent to the Combined DNA Index System, a national database used by law enforcement agencies.

Well, duh.

Guess who's running for County Judge?

It's Eloy Pulido in Hidalgo.

Former Hidalgo County Judge Eloy Pulido wants his old job back.

“I can confirm I am running for Hidalgo County judge in 2010,” Pulido said, in an exclusive interview with the Guardian. “I believe I can offer the vision, the energy and the drive this fast-growing county needs. The feedback we are getting is very positive. I am excited about this race.”

And, John F. Gonzales, Jr. in Willacy County.

Banking executive John F. Gonzales, Jr., says he will work as a fulltime county judge if the voters of Willacy County elect him to the position next year.

He said his experience as a federal and state licensed financial advisor and businessman can only help the cash-strapped rural county.

Immigration reform is coming

La Unión del Pueblo Entero is to host “listening parties” at its offices in Alton, Las Milpas, Mercedes and San Juan on Wednesday evening to hear U.S. Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez discuss immigration reform.

The Illinois Democrat is preparing to introduce comprehensive immigration reform legislation in Congress. He has said the bill will help keep families together, protect the rights of immigrant and non-immigrant workers and strengthen the U.S. economy.

HUD says Texas' Ike recovery plan sucks

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development rejected the state’s plan to allocate the second round of $1.7 billion in federal disaster recovery funding, sending Texas officials back to the drawing board.

El Paso has a new county attorney

A divided Commissioners Court appointed [Jo Anne] Bernal to the job on a 3-2 vote Monday. She succeeds José Rodríguez, who is resigning to run for the state Senate.

The appointment gives Bernal, 48, a springboard to launch her campaign to complete Rodríguez's unfinished term. If she wins election next year, she would stay in office at least through December 2012.

El Paso County Ethics Commission loses another member in a snit

The El Paso County Ethics Commission has suffered another loss with the resignation of Luis Garcia, who in a letter to the county judge said he could no longer serve on the panel because its objectivity has been tainted.

He served on the panel for about two weeks before he wrote to County Judge Anthony Cobos that "personal political biases have already raised their ugly head."

This does not bode well for justice and the American way.

El Paso teachers union wants the new grading policy passed by legislature

A local teachers' union might consider moving forward with a grievance it filed in October if it does not soon see changes to a grading policy in the El Paso Independent School District.

Lucy Clarke, the president of the El Paso Federation of Teachers and Support Personnel, said the district has not shown the union a final draft of a revised grading policy that would bring the district in line with a new state law.

Judge cuts 25 defendants from former Corpus Christi Chamber CEO's suit

Former Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce CEO Terry Carter’s lawsuit can continue but without more than two dozen of the defendants and without two of his planned expert witnesses, a judge ruled on Monday.

State District Judge Jose Longoria granted motions for summary judgment for 25 defendants, all of whom are current or former chamber board members.

That didn't go well.

Texas dings State Farm for overcharging

Did somebody forget to pay a political bill or is this election season?

Texas' insurance commissioner is ordering State Farm Lloyds to pay home insurance policyholders $310 million in refunds and interest for overcharges going back as far as 2003.

Here's a headline you don't want to see

'Agent pleads guilty to bribery'

A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer remains in federal custody after pleading guilty on Monday to charges of bribery, cocaine trafficking and smuggling undocumented immigrants.

If you're against Christmas, it should be a hate crime?

Really?

"Because of what Christmas represents, celebrating the birth of Christ. Anyone who is against Christmas is against Christ. It should be a hate crime," [Jay Lewis, a career law enforcement officer and Christmas in the Park volunteer,] said.

Clearly, Lewis does not have a clue.

According to the U.S. Dept. of Justice, "Hate crime is the violence of intolerance and bigotry, intended to hurt and intimidate someone because of their race, ethnicity, national origin, religious, sexual orientation, or disability."

Hate crimes are acts meant to intimidate entire groups of people. Vandalism is reprehensible, but I doubt a bunch of teenagers meant to intimidate all the Christians in Victoria.

More John Wayne and Jesus

Canyon Clowdus thinks Americans “have less freedom and pay more taxes than ever.”

“We need more John Wayne and Jesus in Washington,” the Marble Falls rancher and businessman declares.

Does Clowdus know that John Wayne was an actor who only pretended to be a hero? Jesus loved the poor, he didn't try to enslave them with poor working conditions, no health care and low wages.

Clowdus is running against Rep. Mike Conaway of Midland.

Challengers want to seal El Paso District Clerk's defeat

Six people have already announced that they want Gilbert Sanchez's district clerk seat, an elected position he has held since 2003.

The abundance of challengers is a direct result of the controversy that has followed Sanchez for the past year. He was arrested in June by the FBI and charged with five federal counts of fraud, conspiracy and bribery. He pleaded not guilty, and three of the charges, including bribery, have been dismissed.

Sanchez was thrust back into the news this week when two of his former employees filed separate civil lawsuits against him, one alleging wrongful termination, the other sexual harassment. Those lawsuits are pending and the county attorney's office will defend Sanchez because he was sued in his official capacity, not as a private citizen.

Why won't he resign? El Paso can do better.

It's Monday roundup time!

The Texas Progressive Alliance is starting to feel an odd craving for can-shaped servings of cranberry sauce as it brings you this week's highlights from the blogs.

TXsharon continues to follow the abuses of Aruba Petroleum in a Barnett Shale backyard and Wednesday the Wise County Messenger picked up the story. It's all on Bluedaze: DRILLING REFORM FOR TEXAS.

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme is really p*ssed that some South Texas Democrats voted against women's health care.

WhosPlayin posted an interview with Neil Durrance, the Democratic candidate seeking to unseat Michael Burgess in Congressional District 26.

A guest post from the ReEnergize Texas blog is the pick of the week over at Texas Vox, where we were quite disappointed that Georgetown City Council Snubbed Students over Nuclear Power.

WCNews at Eye On Williamson posts on some of the talk this past week about raising the statewide gas tax. All that being said there are only two options to pay for transportation in Texas, which will we choose Taxes or tolls?.

McBlogger takes a look at Sen. Hutchison's decision not to resign from her Senate seat.

Off the Kuff looks at a threatened outbreak of homophobic behavior in the Houston Mayor's race.

The War on Christmas starts early at The Texas Cloverleaf, complete with a beach landing at WalMart.

Sue Schechter announced for Harris County Clerk last week and PDiddie at Brains and Eggs caught the press release.

With Thanksgiving almost here, Neil at Texas Liberal ran a picture of a sultry pilgrim holding a turkey, and included in this post information about the status of women in Colonial New England.

Civil rights fight for LGBT community on going in Fort Worth

The City Council voted just before midnight to include transgender people in the nondiscrimination ordinance, but the fight is far from over.

Now the debate goes behind closed doors as city staffers consider how to implement the rest of the proposals drawn up in the wake of the Rainbow Lounge incident.

Among the proposals still to come before the council are extending health, pension and family-leave benefits to same-sex domestic partners and revising the city health insurance plan to cover gender reassignment procedures.

Texas Latino caucus holds no Republicans

Hispanic lawmakers are automatically eligible to join. Non-Hispanic House members are eligible for membership if Hispanics make up at least 50 percent of the voting-age population in their district but must serve one term to compile a voting record and are admitted to the caucus after a vote by MALC members.

It's a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization — although currently there are no Hispanic Republicans in the 150-member House and 31-member Senate.

The makeup and workings of the caucus prompt other considerations of political identity besides party affiliation. Martinez Fischer says the caucus forces the Legislature to consider the diversity of Texas' people. Some outside observers say Texas Hispanics today are also diverse and finding “the Latino perspective” can be tricky.

Not diverse enough to include the increasingly racist Republicans.

Hidalgo Sheriff's deputies suspended

Two sheriff’s deputies remain suspended with pay pending further findings of a probe led by the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Lupe Treviño said the employees, who work under the department’s robbery unit, were pulled from their jobs due to “suspicious activity,” though he declined to elaborate.

Who or why is a mystery.

Republican governors like to travel the world

Texans pay tens of thousands for security. Who picks up the rest of the travel tab? I'll bet it isn't any of the governors.

Perry isn't alone among big-state governors in his far-flung travel. Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger frequently jet around the country and the world. And, Perry has traveled plenty before this year, having taken assorted national and international trips since becoming governor in December 2000. Former Texas governors George W. Bush and Ann Richards also earned their share of frequent flier miles.

Will Las Brisas get a permit?

If all government entities were acting in good faith, no. But, Republicans don't act in good faith. And by 'good faith' I mean 'promote the general welfare'. Republicans are interested in their own power, cronies and harmful ideology. Solving real problems with actual solutions is not on any Republican's to do list.

Texas Appleseed asked for police handbooks from 24 Texas school districts

An Austin-based advocacy group has filed a lawsuit against the San Antonio Independent School District, arguing that its policy handbook for school police officers should be public record.

Texas Appleseed, which rallied against the Texas Youth Commission's pepper spray-usage policy two years ago, is now looking into pepper spray and Taser usage in public schools.

Former Donna superintendent gets $1.2M

Plaintiff’s attorneys described it as a chance to send a message to school districts across the state: Political influence has no place in educational hiring decisions.

On Friday, a federal jury agreed, awarding former Donna schools Superintendent Andres Martinez $1.2 million in damages in what his lawyers described as one of the largest penalties assessed against a school system in a case of its kind.

Houston homophobes come out

A cluster of socially conservative Houstonians is planning a campaign to discourage voters from choosing City Controller Annise Parker in the December mayoral runoff because she is a lesbian, according to multiple ministers and conservatives involved in the effort.

The group is motivated by concerns about a “gay takeover” of City Hall, given that two other candidates in the five remaining City Council races are also openly gay, as well as national interest driven by the possibility that Houston could become the first major U.S. city to elect an openly gay woman.

Oooo, a gay takeover?

Republican women meet in Galveston

So, why is the photo centered on Rick Perry arm wresting while several women look up at him? Poor imagery.

[Kay Bailey Hutchison] is expected to announce that she won't resign her Senate seat until after the 2010 March primaries and that she will resign regardless of whether she or Perry wins the primary race, The Associated Press reported.

I don't think Kay Bailey would be in the crowd looking admiringly up at Perry.

What about those running for her seat in 2010?

Hutchison had teased the Texas political community since late 2008 by saying first that she would not seek re-election in 2012 and would resign to run against Perry. Then later she said she would resign in October or November for the contest

.

Already Sotomayor outshines the rest

Autograph-seekers, picture-takers and well-wishers hound her wherever she goes, months after her confirmation hearing, swearing-in and first appearance in the courtroom.

Recently, the new justice was swarmed by people with cameras the minute she appeared in the Grand Foyer of the White House during a celebration of Latino music.

The throng around her didn't part until the hundreds of concert guests were ushered to their seats in agiant tent on the South Lawn, and it quickly regrouped once the concert ended. Some of those lucky enough to get photos with the justice squealed and proudly displayed their happy-snaps for others in the crowd.

Take that, you racist blowhards.

Napolitano brings up immigration reform

I can hardly wait for the batsh*t crazy crowd to go all racist again. They're already starting.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano on Friday reaffirmed President Obama's determination to pass comprehensive immigration reform that includes the touchy issue of legalizing 12 million undocumented immigrants.

"While it's important to emphasize the need for immigration reform from an enforcement perspective, the need for reform stretches far beyond those reasons," Napolitano said in a news release.

More here and here.

As for the border, the Texas Border Coalition is emphasizing land port infrastructure. Silvestre Reyes and John Cornyn (who voted for rapists) weighed in.

Brownsville ISD official accused of offering 15 year old money for sex

An assistant principal at Porter High School is accused of offering money to a 15-year-old student in return for sex, Brownsville police said.

James Camden, McKinney, 48, was arrested Thursday at approximately 3 p.m., according to a municipal court jail log. He has been charged with online solicitation of a minor with the intent to arouse and gratify, records show. He’s accused of making solicitations through cellular phone text messages.