Free Republic

Former Texas Supreme Court Justice Steve Smith was endorsed this weekend by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Published: 02-21-06 A tale of two stories: Candidates for a top state court seat both claim to be conservatives and textualists, but there are differences between them. But what's the real difference? Smith came to the court without judicial experience but wrote 16 majority opinions in his two years. During his 2002 campaign, when he upset Perry appointee Xavier Rodriguez, Smith sounded agenda-driven on contentious issues such as school finance and parental notification. Now it seems that his two years on the court have...

Perry political future may depend on passing education, tax reform ASSOCIATED PRESS AUSTIN (AP) - Republican Gov. Rick Perry wanted badly to change the way Texas schools are funded and reduce homeowners' property taxes. His political future may well depend on it. Despite Perry's desire and coaxing, lawmakers left town without getting the job done. Their 140-day regular session ended Monday with no plan in place, despite some promising last-minute negotiations. Perry called it a "disappointment." He reiterated Tuesday that if House and Senate leaders continue working toward an agreement, he may call a special session. He said he'll keep...

Ciro gives up the fight to keep seat BY T.A. BADGER Associated Press Writer SAN ANTONIO - After several ballot recounts and legal appeals, U.S. Rep. Ciro Rodriguez has conceded defeat in his fight alleging vote fraud in March's District 28 Democratic primary. Laredo lawyer Henry Cuellar ends up beating Rodriguez by 58 votes out of nearly 50,000 cast in a contest marked by barrages of bitter accusations flying in both directions. Rodriguez threw in the towel late Wednesday after the Texas Supreme Court again rejected his request that it hear his appeal from a lower court. Just as it...