Texas Insider

Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), who also chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), hosted a blogger conference call this morning. Texas Insider sat in on the call to hear the Senator’s thoughts on new media technology, the stimulus bill, and Republican strategy going into 2010.

“The world has changed a lot when it comes to communicating,” said Cornyn. “One of the things we hope to do is hire a chief technology officer to navigate this brave new world we find ourselves in.” Cornyn made it clear that new media integration will play a key part in NRSC strategy this time around.

Cornyn also commented on the recent $825 billion stimulus bill passed by the House yesterday afternoon. It’s a “case of Democrats acting like Democrats again and spending more of your money,“ said Cornyn as he added that he hoped the stimulus bill works but there is no proof it will work. Cornyn also voiced concern at some specific points in the bill, for instance, that the tax relief was mainly in the form of refundable tax credits that actually push money away from people who pay taxes to people who pay little or no taxes.

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“We have a duty to protect these troops serving in harm’s way, and preventable hazards such as electrocution must be eliminated. This legislation will help increase the safety of our troops abroad by ensuring higher safety regulations are established and enforced.”

–U.S. Senator John Cornyn

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Published: 01-30-09

Leads bipartisan effort to eliminate preventable hazards that have killed U.S. troops overseas

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, today introduced legislation to protect U.S. military service members by strengthening safety standards for overseas military facilities, infrastructure and equipment.

The Ensuring Safe Facilities and Equipment for American Troops Overseas Act would help eliminate preventable hazards posed to our troops by requiring the Pentagon to establish and enforce tougher safety standards on these overseas military compounds. Sen. Cornyn was joined by his colleagues – Sens. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., Mark Pryor, D-Ark., and Claire McCaskill, D-Mo. – in introducing this bipartisan legislation.

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Published: 01-30-09

Nominations Crucial to critiquing of proposed Classroom Textbooks

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is accepting nominations for appointments to the Proclamation 2010 state review panels.

The state review panel members will evaluate instructional materials submitted for adoption under Proclamation 2010. The deadline for submission of completed nomination forms has been extended to February 13, 2009.

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By State Representative Phil King
Published: 01-30-09

On Tuesday, January 13, the Texas Legislature kicked off the 81st Legislative Session. Over the course of the next five months, I look forward to serving Parker and Wise counties in my sixth term in office, continuing to provide leadership on key public policy issues while upholding conservative fiscal and social principles.

The upcoming fiscal cycle marks a difficult time for Texas. Despite our ability to sidestep much of the country’s economic downturn, Texas, according to the State Comptroller, faces a $9.1 billion shortage to work with for the upcoming two-year budget cycle.

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Published: 01-30-09

Convention Weekend in Fort Worth, March 20-22

Fort Worth, Texas-The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) is gearing up to host the largest cattle industry show in the state, and we would like you, members of the media, to join in the festivities. 

Over 2,000 ranchers, landowners and members will gather in Fort Worth, March 20-22, for a weekend of outstanding programs, educational sessions, a trade show with more than 200 companies, networking and fellowship with fellow cattle raisers.

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Gary Varvel
Published: 01-30-09

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By U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady
Published: 01-30-09

President Obama met with House Republicans today. We urged him to seriously rethink the bloated $816 billion economic stimulus bill that is being rushed through the House this week as lobbyists swarm the Capitol to secure their piece of the ever-growing stimulus pie.
 
As much as we hope a stimulus bill will work, the economic reality is that they rarely do. Since World War II, Congress has enacted at least eight economic stimulus measures. The economic impact, what little could be directly attributed to them, typically came well after the recessions were effectively over.

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By Brooke Dollens Terry
Published: 01-29-09

Charter schools can be a solution to the horrific dropout crisis afflicting both Texas and America.

A student drops out of an American high school every 26 seconds, according to America’s Promise Alliance. In Texas, researchers at the Intercultural Development Research Association find that one out of every three school students fails to graduate. Last year, 185 Texas high schools were labeled “dropout factories” by Johns Hopkins University researchers.

Lawmakers outraged at the staggering number of dropouts are looking for solutions. They should consider charter schools as a proven way to address the dropout crisis.

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“Our border law enforcement personnel are under assault.  Powerful Mexican drug cartels threaten the safety of our communities and the law enforcement officials who protect us. . . Border violence places a financial burden on the taxpayers with law enforcement struggling to meet the personnel and the equipment needed to keep up with the combat against drugs.  Our local police are outnumbered, outgunned, and do not have the financial resources to match the cartel’s unlimited financial budget.”

–U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison

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