High Plains Report - Midland/Odessa

Senator red lights camera bill

tony — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 23:15:53 -0500

Legislature to determine legality of ‘photographic traffic signal enforcement’

BY DAVID J. LEE
dlee@oaoa.com

Both Odessa City Manager Richard Morton and State Sen. Kel Seliger are hoping the Legislature doesn’t give a green light to a ban on red light cameras.

Senate Bill 195, proposed by Sen. Mike Jackson, R-La Porte, does just that — by changing the state transportation code. If passed, the bill makes it illegal for municipalities to install a “photographic traffic signal enforcement system.”

State Parks Deserve Better Funding

tony — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 19:06:00 -0500

Sen. Robert Duncan

Generations of Texans have made a living from the land. The beauty of Texas’ natural landscape and abundant wildlife is a significant part of our larger-than-life identity. From tall mountains and big skies to rich soils and tropical beaches, Texas is composed of wondrous natural vistas. And, as our world becomes more urban and people are more stacked up instead of spread out, it’s critical that in Texas, we can still appreciate wide open spaces.

I grew up in a rural community. Protecting and preserving our wild and rugged landscapes is of paramount concern.

We cannot permit our state parks to fall into ruin. The Texas Parks & Wildlife legislative appropriations request asks us to funnel another $171 million into our parks system. I certainly support the concept of appropriately funding this system. It’s a decision we’ll consider closely in the Senate Finance Committee.

Conaway, Williams stage Capitol FutureGen confab

tony — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 14:54:35 -0600

Bob Campbell
Staff Writer
Midland Reporter-Telegram

03/02/2007

Texas backers of bringing the $1 billion experimental coal-fired FutureGen electrical plant to the Permian Basin will dance the "Texas Two-Step" to make it happen.

Competing against the Southeast Texas coal-mining town of Jewett and the railroad centers of Mattoon and Tuscola, Ill., regional efforts to put the plant north of the 1930s oilfield ghost town of Penwell were boosted at a Tuesday powwow in Washington. Penwell is 20 miles west of Odessa.

Midland Reporter Telegram

Conaway lauds confectioner

tony — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 16:02:11 -0600

Ruth Campbell
Staff Writer
Midland Reporter-Telegram

What is IMAGE?

According to a news release, IMAGE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agreement between Government and Employers) is designed to build cooperative relationships between government and businesses to strengthen hiring practices and reduce the unlawful employment of illegal aliens.

Seliger-Cook bills boost FutureGen

tony — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 21:38:46 -0600

Bob Campbell
Staff Writer
Midland Reporter-Telegram

02/14/2007

Trying to build f momentum toward the September award of the $1 billion FutureGen project, state Sen. Kel Seliger on Monday filed a bill to give the two Texas bids an advantage over their Illinois competition.

Retail development on South Side spurs explosive growth

tony — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 11:48:57 -0600

Colin Guy

Staff Writer
Midland Reporter-Telegram

02/11/2007

- South Side valuations nearly double over two-year period, outpacing citywide growth.

When retail behemoth Wal-Mart announced its intention to construct a new supermarket off Interstate 20, many South Side residents were elated by the prospect of a ripple effect that would stimulate economic activity, while some local business owners feared the potential consequences of competing with the nation's largest retailer.

Duncan discusses the need for a West Texas Regional Public Defender for Capital Murder Cases

tony — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 12:14:29 -0600

In this radio address, Senator Duncan discusses the positive impact the west Texas Regional Public Defender Offices for capital murder cases would have on the area, including how this program will help save counties money and will provide a higher quality of criminal defense to the indigent in these cases.

West Texas Legislators' committee appointments at a glance

tony — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 21:50:38 -0600

Lt. Governor David Dewhurst and House Speaker Tom Craddick (right)announced committee appointments for the 80th legislative session.

Sen. Robert Duncan (R) Lubbock:
State Affairs, Chair; Finance; Jurisprudence; Natural Resources

Sen. Kel Seliger (R) Amarillo:
Criminal Justice, Vice-chair; Administration; International Relations & Trade, Natural Resources

Rep. Warren Chisum (R) Pampa:
Appropriations, Chair; Energy Resources

Rep. Joe Heflin (R) Crosbyton:
Agriculture & Livestock; County Affairs

Rep. Carl Isett (R) Lubbock:
Appropriations, Licensing & Administrative Procedures, Budget and Oversight

Duncan previews water issues in 80th Legislature

tony — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 08:23:03 -0600

In this radio address, Senator Robert Duncan discusses the importance of establishing Groundwater Conservation Districts, their impact on water marketing, and the possible threats to West Texas and Panhandle water supply from metropolitan areas.

www.senatorduncan.com

Farm, ranch classic opens with look at challenges looming for ag industry

tony — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 21:30:20 -0600

A tough row to hoe

BY D. LANCE LUNSFORD
AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Lubbock and the surrounding region largely depend on agriculture, but the industry faces new challenges.

A power breakfast kicking off the Southwest Farm and Ranch Classic on Tuesday showed the many challenges staring down agriculture and creating a dark cloud that could affect Lubbock.

The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal