Texas Insider

Published: 07-31-08

Bipartisan legislation co-sponsored by Cornyn awaits Senate passage

WASHINGTON— U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, today voiced his support for House passage of a companion measure to legislation he introduced in the Senate, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, S. 625. The Senate version, which Sen. Cornyn introduced along with Sen. Ted Kennedy in February 2007, awaits full consideration by the Senate.

The legislation would give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority to prevent tobacco manufacturers from targeting young people to smoke and reduce overall tobacco use.

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By JIM RUTENBERG
Published: 07-31-08

WASHINGTON — The number of times Senator John McCain’s new advertisement attacking Senator Barack Obama for canceling a visit with wounded troops in Germany last week has been shown fully or partly on local, national and cable newscasts: well into the hundreds.

The number of times that spot actually, truly ran as a paid commercial: roughly a dozen.

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Dallas Business Journal
Published: 07-31-08

The Dallas-Fort Worth area is considered less-tax friendly to companies when compared with other major cities like Atlanta and Baltimore, according to a study from tax advisory firm KPMG LLP.

In its latest research report, New York-based KPMG set out to determine what cities have the most favorable tax structures in terms of benefiting and attracting businesses. According to the survey, San Juan, Puerto Rico ranks first, followed by Baltimore and Atlanta.

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Michael Ramirez
Published: 07-31-08

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By Randel K. Johnson – U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Published: 07-31-08

Immmigration is an emotionally charged topic that has created deep rifts in our nation. It is essential that our next president work with Congress to address the many difficult issues associated with immigration reform. Our current immigration system is clearly broken and is only getting worse. States have been passing a patchwork of laws and regulations, causing confusion among employers and employees alike.

The current work visa programs for both high-skilled and low-skilled workers are unable to meet the demands of our economy. The status quo, with at least 12 million undocumented immigrants in the country (at least 5 percent of our workforce), is simply not acceptable. Increased efficiency and streamlining of current visa programs is necessary to respond to the realities of a fast-paced, global economy.

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“I do not understand how in good conscience Congress could leave town for a month without having acted on the number one issue facing Americans today.  Sky-high gas prices are crippling the budget of millions of families and small businesses.  The American people, including my constituents in Texas, are looking to Congress and demanding answers.”

–U.S. Senator John Cornyn

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Published: 07-30-08

Says Texans, and all Americans, Deserve and Demand Action from Congress

WASHINGTON—With the Senate scheduled to adjourn this Friday for a month-long recess, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, Vice-Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, said today that the Senate should not leave Washington without addressing the number one economic issue facing our country: high gas prices. 

“I do not understand how in good conscience Congress could leave town for a month without having acted on the number one issue facing Americans today.  Sky-high gas prices are crippling the budget of millions of families and small businesses.  The American people, including my constituents in Texas, are looking to Congress and demanding answers.

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By Mike Allen
Published: 07-30-08

With none of the fanfare that usually attends a landmark bill becoming law, President Bush signed the huge housing rescue bill just after 7 a.m. Wednesday, shortly after he arrived in the Oval Office.

Only a few aides and administration officials were present, including Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Steve Preston and James B. Lockhart III, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

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Published: 07-30-08

Job Creation and Economic Growth a Top Priority

Austin – With thousands of Texas businesses filing the new business tax for the first time, Representative Larry Taylor and the Texas Conservative Coalition, the conservative caucus of the Texas Legislature, announced the formation of a Business Tax Study Group to examine possible alternatives to the tax and necessary reforms to the new business tax.

State Representative Wayne Christian (R-Center), President of the Texas Conservative Coalition, noted: “With their backs against a wall two years ago, legislators met the Court’s school finance challenge by passing the largest property tax rate cut in this state’s history.” Christian added: “However, the Gross Margins Tax, which was one tool to pay for property tax rate relief, poses new challenges that we must now address.” 

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By Robert Knight, Culture & Media Institute
Published: 07-30-08

A Washington Post columnist claims a supporter of the ban on gays in the military exhibited “rage” in Congressional testimony — but The Hill reveals that the rage was on the other side.
 
Elaine Donnelly reported for duty Wednesday. She went to a battlefield where most men who agree with her were AWOL.
 
Like her mentor, Phyllis Schlafly, she did not let others’ cowardice or indifference interfere with what she needed to do. Mrs. Donnelly, President of the Center for Military Readiness, told the truth at risk of ridicule or worse, keeping the faith that telling the truth matters no matter what.

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