UNLAWFUL FOR SURE
TxDOT Hired Lobbyists!
Broke State Law For Toll Roads
Terri Hall, SAL Commentary
SMOKING GUN…TxDOT confronted with docs showing they hired lobbyistsHoughton admits TxDOT hired lobbyists, defended it, and admitted to doing it personally, too!
Hempstead, TX, January 22, 2008 – TxDOT was confronted by TURF Board Member Hank Gilbert at tonight's Town Hall Meeting in Hempstead about it hiring 4 federal lobbyists (paid $5,000 and $10,000 monthly retainers ) Chad Bradley, Drew Maloney, Garry Mauro, Billy Moore and one state lobbyist with Alliance for I-69, Gary Bushell, to lobby elected officials and solicit them in selling the public on the controversial Trans Texas Corridor TTC-69 privatized toll project.
On March 23, 2007, Bushell met directly with 4 Waller County Commissioners Glenn Beckendorff, Bill Eplen, Terry Harrison, and Milton Whiting. Apparently at the first meeting, Bushell didn't identify himself as a lobbyist as required by law. He failed to declare that he was a lobbyist until the second meeting with commissioners when two TxDOT personnel accompanied Bushell.
It apparently didn’t do TxDOT any good since the Waller County Commissioners have since passed a resolution against the Trans Texas Corridor TTC-69 project coming through Waller County. But that’s not the case in other meetings where elected officials raced to the microphone to sing the praises of the TTC-69 to their constituents like they did in Texarkana, January 15.
As part of TURF’s lawsuit against the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for its ad campaign to advocate toll roads and the Trans Texas Corridor (in violation of Texas Government Code Chapter 556), new evidence uncovered this taxpayer-funded lobbying by TxDOT.
TURF discovered detailed logs showing a concerted campaign to lobby politicians, particularly newly elected officials, which is a BIG no-no for a state agency that must remain apolitical. Bushell personally lobbied more than two-dozen elected officials in the path of TTC-69 prior to the Town Hall meetings.
Houghton admits TxDOT violated the law!At the packed Town Hall meeting in Hempstead tonight (estimated 800-1,000 people in attendance), Transportation Commissioner Ted Houghton said he also personally met with every county judge in the path of the Trans Texas Corridor TTC-69 as he defended the “necessity” of TxDOT hiring lobbyists to “lobby” elected officials (he used that exact word multiple times).
This action is in DIRECT VIOLATION OF THE LAW!
Texas Government Code:§ 556.005. Employment of Lobbyist
(a) A state agency may not use appropriated money to employ, as a regular full-time or part-time or contract employee, a person who is required by Chapter 305 to register as a lobbyist. Except for an institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, a state agency may not use any money under its control to employ or contract with an individual who is required by Chapter 305 to register as a lobbyist.
"Where's the Travis County District Attorney? TxDOT has now publicly admitted, on camera, that it has violated the LAW!" (TURF).
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
RON PAUL BEATS GIULIANI IN NEVADA
Ron Paul happy to finish second in Nevada
Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Texas Rep. Ron Paul said his second-place finish in Nevada's GOP presidential caucuses on Saturday showed his message is being heard and that he has more supporters than he thought.
"Millions of people have heard this message and this is why coming in second is very great, it sends a great message," Paul said to loud cheers. He conceded that South Carolina's primary, where he was running a distant fifth, was not his to win.
Paul took several swipes at former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who got fewer votes than Paul in Nevada and was trailing Paul in returns being tabulated Saturday night in South Carolina. He told the audience about a confrontation with Giuliani during this month's debate in South Carolina. He said Giuliani "cut me down."
"Tonight, if this is the final tally on that confrontation, we got three times as much vote as the mayor got," he said, referring to Nevada.
Paul collected four delegates from the Nevada caucus to Giuliani's one.
Paul's campaign supports low taxes and reduced government spending.
Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Texas Rep. Ron Paul said his second-place finish in Nevada's GOP presidential caucuses on Saturday showed his message is being heard and that he has more supporters than he thought.
"Millions of people have heard this message and this is why coming in second is very great, it sends a great message," Paul said to loud cheers. He conceded that South Carolina's primary, where he was running a distant fifth, was not his to win.
Paul took several swipes at former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who got fewer votes than Paul in Nevada and was trailing Paul in returns being tabulated Saturday night in South Carolina. He told the audience about a confrontation with Giuliani during this month's debate in South Carolina. He said Giuliani "cut me down."
"Tonight, if this is the final tally on that confrontation, we got three times as much vote as the mayor got," he said, referring to Nevada.
Paul collected four delegates from the Nevada caucus to Giuliani's one.
Paul's campaign supports low taxes and reduced government spending.
DOES BRITNEY SPEARS SUFFER FROM MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DISORDER?
Does Britney Suffer From Multiple Personality Disorder?
Just when you think you have heard and seen it all on the subject of Britney Spears, new information has surfaced that might shed some light on why the former pop princess has been exhibiting unusual behavior every time she is out in public. According to reports, sources claim the singer has multiple personalities, which may explain why Spears has been speaking with a British accent. Dr. Jenn Berman, a Beverly Hills-based marriage and family therapist (who does not treat Spears) and author of The A to Z Guide to Raising Happy Confident Kids, explains to Star what it means when someone has multiple personality disorder.
BASED ON BRITNEY'S BIZARRE BEHAVIOR AND REPORTS THAT SHE SPEAKS IN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT VOICES IS IT POSSIBLE THE SINGER COULD BE SUFFERING FROM A MULTIPE PERSONALITY DISORDER?
"I can't say for sure because we don't know if Britney is taking drugs or using alcohol and if she were we could not make a proper diagnosis. When someone uses these substances the effects cause people to do things they normally might not do, including speaking in different voices since the mind is inhiberated."
WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS OF MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DISORDER?"
Having two or more personalities or identities. At least two of these identities can take total control of the person's behavior."
HOW LONG CAN AN EPISODE LIKE THIS LAST?
"It can vary. Some last a couple minutes and some can last up to a few weeks. When someone has an episode they do not have the ability to remember information and they tend to forget what they are talking about."
CAN MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DISORDER BE TREATED?
"If a person has multiple personality disorder they need to see a psychiatrist and be prescribed medication. Both of these treatments can greatly diminish the symptoms of multiple personality disorder. Stress levels also play a role on how often a person experiences an episode. If someone is under a tremendous amount of stress it's likely the person will have more episodes. In terms of how much medication one should take or if they should seek treatment at a facility or as an outpatient, that will vary depending on their level of functioning."
WHAT MIGHT TRIGGER MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DISORDER?
"There is no specific answer. Some people are born with it and sometimes is it a result of some sort of trauma."
CAN POSTPARTUM DESPRESSION TRIGGER SOMEONE TO HAVE MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DISORDER?
"If someone had postpartum psychosis it could trigger a multiple personality disorder.
" CAN SOMEONE FAKE HAVING A MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DISORDER?
"Yes. They can fake it by acting like they have different personalities, or acting as if they don't remember things, or they might do something completely bizarre. There is no way to know if someone is faking because if someone is putting on a show we need to see first hand what is going on behind closed doors. Something like this is easy to fake. Take Britney for example. If the cameras are on Britney she may choose to act one way as a means to keep getting attention and more publicity for herself. Although we don't view the publicity as good for her image, some people believe any publicity is good publicity."
IS HAVING MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DISORDER SELF-DESTRUCTIVE?
"Yes. Having multiple personality disorder can be harmful if untreated. If Britney is faking, it can be harmful to her reputation and in helping her with court case too." (Star Magazine)
Just when you think you have heard and seen it all on the subject of Britney Spears, new information has surfaced that might shed some light on why the former pop princess has been exhibiting unusual behavior every time she is out in public. According to reports, sources claim the singer has multiple personalities, which may explain why Spears has been speaking with a British accent. Dr. Jenn Berman, a Beverly Hills-based marriage and family therapist (who does not treat Spears) and author of The A to Z Guide to Raising Happy Confident Kids, explains to Star what it means when someone has multiple personality disorder.
BASED ON BRITNEY'S BIZARRE BEHAVIOR AND REPORTS THAT SHE SPEAKS IN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT VOICES IS IT POSSIBLE THE SINGER COULD BE SUFFERING FROM A MULTIPE PERSONALITY DISORDER?
"I can't say for sure because we don't know if Britney is taking drugs or using alcohol and if she were we could not make a proper diagnosis. When someone uses these substances the effects cause people to do things they normally might not do, including speaking in different voices since the mind is inhiberated."
WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS OF MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DISORDER?"
Having two or more personalities or identities. At least two of these identities can take total control of the person's behavior."
HOW LONG CAN AN EPISODE LIKE THIS LAST?
"It can vary. Some last a couple minutes and some can last up to a few weeks. When someone has an episode they do not have the ability to remember information and they tend to forget what they are talking about."
CAN MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DISORDER BE TREATED?
"If a person has multiple personality disorder they need to see a psychiatrist and be prescribed medication. Both of these treatments can greatly diminish the symptoms of multiple personality disorder. Stress levels also play a role on how often a person experiences an episode. If someone is under a tremendous amount of stress it's likely the person will have more episodes. In terms of how much medication one should take or if they should seek treatment at a facility or as an outpatient, that will vary depending on their level of functioning."
WHAT MIGHT TRIGGER MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DISORDER?
"There is no specific answer. Some people are born with it and sometimes is it a result of some sort of trauma."
CAN POSTPARTUM DESPRESSION TRIGGER SOMEONE TO HAVE MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DISORDER?
"If someone had postpartum psychosis it could trigger a multiple personality disorder.
" CAN SOMEONE FAKE HAVING A MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DISORDER?
"Yes. They can fake it by acting like they have different personalities, or acting as if they don't remember things, or they might do something completely bizarre. There is no way to know if someone is faking because if someone is putting on a show we need to see first hand what is going on behind closed doors. Something like this is easy to fake. Take Britney for example. If the cameras are on Britney she may choose to act one way as a means to keep getting attention and more publicity for herself. Although we don't view the publicity as good for her image, some people believe any publicity is good publicity."
IS HAVING MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DISORDER SELF-DESTRUCTIVE?
"Yes. Having multiple personality disorder can be harmful if untreated. If Britney is faking, it can be harmful to her reputation and in helping her with court case too." (Star Magazine)
Saturday, January 19, 2008
TEXAS IS WORLDS SEVENTH BIGGEST POLLUTER
Texas Is World's Seventh Biggest Polluter
The challenge facing the green lobby in America is illustrated by the latest figures for the Lone Star state from the US Energy Information Administration.
Shell's Deer Park refinery and petrochemical plant in Texas
In 2003, Texas pumped 670 million metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere - more than countries including Britain and more than that of California and Pennsylvania, the second and third-ranking US states - put together.As other states such as California and New York introduce measures to address global warming, there is little evidence of fiercely independent-minded Texas following suit.
The "big is better" philosophy is deeply entrenched in many of Texas's 23.5 million citizens and its pollution figures have only prompted scattered calls for reform within the state.
Rick Perry, its governor, has expressed doubt as to whether global warming is a man-made problem and his Republican colleagues have refused to make carbon emission reduction a priority.
As other states attempt to limit car use, Mr Perry is trying to push through a $200 billion scheme to build a new trans-Texas highway that will be a quarter of a mile wide in places.
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Mr Perry's administration is unapologetic about Texan carbon emissions, pointing out that it is America's main energy producer and has a heavy concentration of oil refineries and chemical plants.
"Texas political leaders read "environmental protection as government activism" and want no part of it," said Jim Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin.
The politicians' views are shared widely. Texans polled last spring listed the Iraq war and immigration as America's most pressing issues, with fewer than 4 per cent including the environment.
Nationally, slightly less than half of Americans polled by the Pew Research Centre last year rated global warming as a "very serious" problem. Of those, 55 per cent said it required immediate government action.
Some observers see the influence of the state's most powerful industry - energy - in Texas's collective two fingers towards global warming.
However, 28 per cent of the state's carbon emissions are due to transportation, and critics blame the fascination among ordinary Texans with macho vehicles. One in four of the state's 20 million cars is a pickup truck.
Debbie Howden, an estate agent in Austin, said her family of six has two pickup trucks and three 4x4s, but described her high petrol bills as a "necessary evil". She said: "I would definitely put size and safety over the emissions thing."
Friday, January 18, 2008
LAKE TRAVIS UFO SIGHTING
LAKE TRAVIS SIGHTING
'Flying Saucer' Photos Claimed, Near Austin
FOX Austin
LAKE TRAVIS, Texas - Folks are seeing...and reporting Unidentified Flying Objects in Texas these days.Virgil Fowler took some pictures of what he saw flying over Lake Travis in Central Texas this week.
Lake Travis is a reservoir on the Colorado River northwest of the city of Austin.
Fowler shared his pictures with FOX 7 in Austin. You can see them by clicking on Galleries in the Sidebar at the right and judge for yourself what that unidentified flying object might be.Dozens of people in Stephenville, Texas reported seeing a UFO on January 8.
There are no pictures or video of that object. The military has said it was not flying any missions over the town that night. The explanation it offers is that it was possibly a couple of passenger jets with their lights on that looked strange in the atmosphere.The people who saw the object aren't buying that explanation. (More.)
'Flying Saucer' Photos Claimed, Near Austin
FOX Austin
LAKE TRAVIS, Texas - Folks are seeing...and reporting Unidentified Flying Objects in Texas these days.Virgil Fowler took some pictures of what he saw flying over Lake Travis in Central Texas this week.
Lake Travis is a reservoir on the Colorado River northwest of the city of Austin.
Fowler shared his pictures with FOX 7 in Austin. You can see them by clicking on Galleries in the Sidebar at the right and judge for yourself what that unidentified flying object might be.Dozens of people in Stephenville, Texas reported seeing a UFO on January 8.
There are no pictures or video of that object. The military has said it was not flying any missions over the town that night. The explanation it offers is that it was possibly a couple of passenger jets with their lights on that looked strange in the atmosphere.The people who saw the object aren't buying that explanation. (More.)
MONEY SHUFFLE
MONEY SHUFFLE
TJ Connolly Indicted
Consultant Accused Of Violating Texas Election Code
AP
SAN ANTONIO (AP) - A public relations consultant and his company have been indicted for allegedly funneling contributions through his employees to a Bexar (BAYR) Metropolitan Water District board candidate.
A Bexar County grand jury indicted T.J. Connolly on charges of violating the Texas Election Code. He surrendered to authorities late yesterday and declined to comment on the felony indictment, which he says he had expected.
The indictments name Connolly in five counts and his business, Connolly & Company, in five other counts. It alleges Connolly funneled contributions through his employees to board candidate Blanche Atkinson.
Connolly's wife, Patsy, committed suicide less than two months into the investigation.
Information from: San Antonio Express-News, http://www.mysanantonio.com/
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
TJ Connolly Indicted
Consultant Accused Of Violating Texas Election Code
AP
SAN ANTONIO (AP) - A public relations consultant and his company have been indicted for allegedly funneling contributions through his employees to a Bexar (BAYR) Metropolitan Water District board candidate.
A Bexar County grand jury indicted T.J. Connolly on charges of violating the Texas Election Code. He surrendered to authorities late yesterday and declined to comment on the felony indictment, which he says he had expected.
The indictments name Connolly in five counts and his business, Connolly & Company, in five other counts. It alleges Connolly funneled contributions through his employees to board candidate Blanche Atkinson.
Connolly's wife, Patsy, committed suicide less than two months into the investigation.
Information from: San Antonio Express-News, http://www.mysanantonio.com/
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
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