National pro-biz group with Perry ties jumps into Loser Pays fray

Americans for Job Security, a Washington-based group founded by Rick Perry political guru Dave Carney, is running radio ads around the state urging listeners to push senators to pass the Loser Pays bill.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/mQXxVA

After another huddle, Perry, Straus & Dewhurst say: Closer to mega deal

The Big 3 and all 10 budget negotiators met for a half hour or so in Speaker Joe Straus' office. They just ended the huddle, and here's what two statewide elected Republicans had to say:
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst: "We're close but we've got some more work we have to do. ... That's all I have to say."
Gov. Rick Perry: "They get closer every time they meet."

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/mKYOzt

Perry: State sovereignty will be key issue for presidential election

Speaking to Republican activists preparing for a grinding election cycle, Gov. Rick Perry said Tuesday that the 2012 presidential election would center on state sovereignty and limited intervention from Washington.

Gromer Jeffers: http://dallasne.ws/mzJnAi

UT supporters, alumni fear efforts to remake system could force out top leaders

Lawmakers and prominent UT alumni fear that Gov. Rick Perry is working to oust the top two leaders at the University of Texas because they have resisted sweeping changes that many see as recasting the mission of the state’s public universities.

Hoppe and Hacker report: http://dallasne.ws/kZpwYQ

Information requests by UT regents worry professors who fear unfair assessments

University of Texas System regents have made several requests for information about faculty costs, workloads and student evaluations that some professors worry could be misused.

Holly Hacker: http://dallasne.ws/lotax8

Sonogram bill looks to be headed for the governor

Rep. Sid Miller, R-Stephenville, said he agrees with Senate amendments to the sonogram bill and will ask the House to concur.
That should happen soon and send the bill to Gov. Rick Perry, who is a big fan of the provision.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/iBuNlT

State Auditor’s Office calls for more transparency from Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s Emerging Technology Fund

AUSTIN — Gov. Rick Perry and state legislators should take several steps to “promote greater transparency and accountability” in how taxpayers’ dollars are spent through the Texas Emerging Technology Program, according to a state audit.

Drew and Garrett report: http://dallasne.ws/ijE8j5

UT and A&M presidents defend reactions to 7 solutions

The state's top two public universities have been shaken from Gov. Rick Perry's strong embrace of the so-called Seven Breakthrough Solutions, advanced by the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/mo694j

Texas higher education commissioner says idea of $10,000 college degree is ‘entirely feasible’

Texas’ higher education chief said Wednesday that Gov. Rick Perry’s idea of providing a bachelor’s degree that costs only $10,000 is “entirely feasible.”

Holly Hacker: http://dallasne.ws/mJTJN5

Perry skeptical of claims that House's cuts could close half of nursing homes

Gov. Rick Perry, sticking to his guns against further use of the state's rainy day fund, dismissed a question Tuesday about whether he's planning for dislocation of tens of thousands of elderly Texans if the House budget is passed and many nursing homes close.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/gzJL1I

Rick Perry throws GOP predecessors under the bus

One thing about Gov. Rick Perry : In hewing the tea party line, he has focused on his political success even if it means dissing the example of Republican predecessors who helped put him there.

Slater: http://dallasne.ws/eOiFqm

Gov. Rick Perry asks for prayer to help end the drought

Gov. Rick Perry is calling upon Texans to join in three days of prayer to end the drought. In a proclamation signed today, the governor referred to the devastating wildfires and the loss of life and property they have caused.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/ezN2rv

Rick Perry says Governor's Mansion will have solar energy panels

Perry said that when the Texas Governor's Mansion is finally renovated, there will be solar energy panels on the roof.
"The historical preservation folks went crazy," Perry said of his desire to outfit the mansion with the panels.

Jeffers: http://dallasne.ws/gRMY6A

Recent hire leaves UT System after outcry

Special adviser Rick O'Donnell is no longer employed by University of Texas System, effectively immediately. He said it was not his choice.
UT System spokesman Anthony de Bruyn said Tuesday would be the last for Rick O'Donnell, whose hire sparked an outcry from top officials, university alumni and lawmakers about his ties to the Texas Public Policy Foundation and some of his academic papers critical of university research.

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/gYgTUB



Rick O'Donnell's letter: http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/O%27Donnell%20Letter.pdf

Dewhurst applauds state school board members' effort; Perry unenthused

While Lt. Governor David Dewhurst is receptive to a proposal by nine members of the State Board of Education to let voters decide whether to avert school cuts with a one-time draw-down of $2 billion from a trust fund, the man downstairs at the Capitol -- Gov. Rick Perry -- isn't turning cartwheels.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/eK65Q6

Perry's high-tech fund could award no new $ this summer under House plan

 Texas' Emerging Technology Fund, a pet cause of Gov. Rick Perry, could not spend any money it hasn't already promised to high-tech startups through Aug. 31.
That was the gist of a revised amendment that House GOP leaders agreed to tack onto a stopgap spending bill that the House tentatively approved Thursday afternoon.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/i8DuNf

Barricade appears in front of Perry's office after disabled Texans' sit-in

This morning, a movable barricade appeared in front of Gov. Rick Perry's office on the Capitol's second floor. In the same public space last night, dozens of wheelchair-bound Texans protesting budget cuts to social services staged a five-hour sit-in.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/g8ea96

New barricades in front of governor's office

One day after a sit-in was staged outside Texas governor Rick Perry's office by disabled persons in wheelchairs, these barricades were raised between the columns leading to the foyer outside his office.

Perry pushes for more money for pet programs but gets push-back

 AUSTIN — Gov. Rick Perry asked Senate budget writers Wednesday to restore $81.5 million they propose to whack from his office and pet programs. His emissary, though, received a stern lecture about misplaced priorities at a time when, for instance, proposed cuts to Dallas’ UT Southwestern Medical Center would cost North Texas more than 1,000 jobs.

Garrett brings yesterday's blog posts together in a story: http://dallasne.ws/hyekKw

Whitmire, Ogden push back on Perry's plea for more $

 Sens. John Whitmire, D-Houston, and Steve Ogden, R-Bryan, this evening questioned Gov. Rick Perry's push for more economic development incentives money in a very tight state budget situation.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/eGjKWe