Travis Fell

Pols Rediscovering the US Constitution?

By Travis Fell | 02/23/09

States (Finally) Calling Out the Feds on the 10th Amendment. Will Texas Join In? A recent post at TexasRepublicNews.com describes a movement in the Texas Legislature to make a statement reasserting Texas' domain over powers not explicitly granted to the Feds under the US Constitution. "Texas legislators are jumping onto a growing bandwagon across the country of states re-affirming their constitutional rights under the 10th Amendment.... read more »

When the US-Mexico Border Resembles a 24 Episode

By Travis Fell | 02/20/09

We can't wait for the Feds to do something, there's no time! A government under siege, plagued by corruption. Criminal gangs using military style weapons. Third party countries supplying bad actors for their own aims. Kidnapping running rampant. Innocent civilians caught in the cross fire. It all sounds like an episode of 24 , the Fox channel thriller starring Kiefer Sutherland, where the good guys are buffeted by international... read more »

Putting the Brakes on State Spending

By Travis Fell | 02/20/09

Patrick and Paxton File Bills to Strengthen Spending Limitations Senator Dan Patrick (R-Houston) and Rep. Ken Paxton (R-McKinney) headlined a February 18 press conference for their bills to limit state spending growth to the rate of the State's population growth plus inflation. Sen. Patrick's bill is SB 928 and Rep. Paxton's bill is HB 994. "When we look at our budget each year, [economists] come up with economic growth numbers. To me, it's... read more »

Can You Digg It?

By Travis Fell | 02/19/09

Conservative Social Media Pioneers Set Capitol Hearts A-Twittering The Austin American Statesman announced its Top 25 Texas Social Media Award finalists yesterday. Two prominent Texas conservatives were on the list. The indomitable Michael Williams, Chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission David Guenthner, Director of Media and Government Relations for the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) (more...) read more »

Lege Preview of Texas Health and Human Services

By Travis Fell | 02/19/09

Here are some of the key issues and trends to keep an eye on in the realm of Texas Health and Human Services this legislative session. First, a few notes about Health and Human Services (HHS) in Texas and why it's important to Texans. Lots of people: According to numbers from the HHSC Consolidated Budget for 2010-2011, there were at least 4 million Texans using some form of services or benefits provided by the Texas HHS enterprise in... read more »

Texas Legislative Issues Preview, Part 1

By Travis Fell | 02/17/09

The Lege is back in Austin. TexasRepublicNews.com, a new portal for Texas political news, says this about the biennial convergence of elected representatives on the Weird City: "Generally when the legislature meets at the beginning of session, there are several weeks of partying and pageantry that must be endured before our elected officials actually get down to work. This session, of course, is off track already due to the protracted speaker's... read more »

The Scariest Unread Document in Texas State Government

By Travis Fell | 02/16/09

US Military Planners Cast Wary Eye South of the Border(Courtesy of TexasRepublicNews.com) On Thursday, Feb. 12, counter-terrorism expert Fred Burton of Stratfor.com addressed Austin InfraGuard, a professional association of local/state/federal emergency management, disaster planning, law enforcement, and homeland security professionals. While Mr. Burton spoke about lawlessness and violence in the US-Mexico border area and its implications... read more »

Conservatives at the Crossroads

By Travis Fell | 02/16/09

Is Texas Still Conservative?Courtesy TexasRepublicNews.comA recent Gallup Poll came up with the surprising finding that Texas appeared to be a competitive state. Gallup found that the split between Republicans and Democrats was now leaning Democrat at 2 percent. Democrats, emboldened by these results, are already salivating with the prospect of a liberal takeover in the Lone Star State. Republicans tend to dismiss the poll. Neither reaction is... read more »

Conservatives at the Crossroads

By Travis Fell | 02/16/09

Is Texas Still Conservative?A recent Gallup Poll came up with the surprising finding that Texas appeared to be a competitive state. Gallup found that the split between Republicans and Democrats was now leaning Democrat at 2 percent. Democrats, emboldened by these results, are already salivating with the prospect of a liberal takeover in the Lone Star State. Republicans tend to dismiss the poll. Neither reaction is very representative of the... read more »

Halloween's Over, But The Scares Keep Coming

By Travis Fell | 11/07/08

Are Our 401k's Going to Be Nationalized? Nothing like reading about next session's Congress to create a reverse Chris Matthews effect (a chill running down your leg). Thursday morning's Wall Street Journal reviewed the likely Congressional leaders during Pres. Elect Obama's first two years. The following passage was particularly haunting: Some Democrats are starting to target the tax subsidies for 401(k)s and other private retirement options.... read more »