Political Lobbyists

Noise Ordinance Bombs

Noise Ordinance Is Bombing In Court; Cases Dropped

Due to a lack of witnesses and insufficient evidence, the Harris County court system shuttered each and every sound ordinance case that was heard late last week. Local musicians, DJs and bar owners have been under the microscope since Houston City Council overhauled its decade-old sound ordinance ... More >>

Police Union Files State Bar Complaint Against Jolanda Jones

Jolanda Jones has a complainr filed against her​Houston City Councilwoman Jolanda Jones, who last month filed a State Bar complaint against City Attorney David Feldman, is now the subject of a Bar complaint filed by a vice president of the Houston Police Officers Union. Ray Hunt wrote in his ... More >>

Prison Pays

Despite a history of abuse and bad conditions, private prison corporation GEO keeps getting contracts from the state.

P.J. O'Rourke

Sure, it's funny, but it also happens to be true

Texas Textbooks Ignore Hip-Hop, Thomas Jefferson

"...But history is written by those who have hanged heroes" - Braveheart ​What do you need to know about history? They are the stories that made up America. They are the stories that America made up. That's actually not ours. If you've seen Assume The Position on HBO, you know it's a comedic but a ... More >>

Texas Textbooks Ignore Hip-Hop, Thomas Jefferson

"...But history is written by those who have hanged heroes" - Braveheart ​What do you need to know about history? They are the stories that made up America. They are the stories that America made up. That's actually not ours. If you've seen Assume The Position on HBO, you know it's a comedic but ... More >>

Lobbyists Can Now Register With Harris County, If They Feel Like It

​Lobbyists who do business with the county government can now register online with County Clerk Beverly Kaufman.The operative word there is "can."Registration began yesterday afternoon, and so far the number of registered lobbyists is...zero. At least as far as we can tell by searching the website ... More >>

The T. Boone Pickens Road Show

A former wildcatter and corporate-takeover tycoon preaches alternative energy across America.

The Candidate Conspiracy author John Odam

This Texas lawyer/novelist uses experience in campaign finance to keep you on the edge of your reading glasse

Mexican-American Culture

Mexican-American Culture

Purchase Orders

Bob Perry writes a lot of checks to politicians, and wields a lot of influence as a result

Sweet Charity

For years Tom DeLay has used nonprofits to help himself. Now the heat is on.

Running Mates

Michael and Nandy Berry are world-class charmers. But what's really behind those two smiles?

Liar! Liar! Pants On Fire

Ex-GOP chair's affidavit contradicts earlier slush-fund remarks

Prayola Time

Candidates get religion as Election Day nears

Split Ticket

District C's ex file: Then it got personal…

Best 15 Minutes of Fame

Dani Ferro, U.S. Representative Tom DeLay's daughter

Moving Out of State

A "Learning How to Survive (at) CEP" sidebar

Pumped Dry

Gas station dealers find big oil blocking the way in their struggles against extinction

Smoke and Mirrors

As part of the Bush legacy, a special law can hide polluting industries

The Deal Busters

GOP chair's super slush fund helps sink arena deal

Calling the Shots

In the Southwestern Bell and AT&T slugfest over supposed consumer savings, the biggest sucker punch of all is headed your way

Buffalo Bill

Legislation would cut citizens out of the process

Bush Dole

The Guv readies surplus handouts in a legislative lovefest

Raising a Red Flag

Former Bellaire High School student shakes things up in the Capitol

Let's Go Lobby

Midwives to laws you might not like

Bar Patrons

Warning: Tobacco companies' advertising money may be addictive in Houston's club scene

The Outsider

Brothers of the Road

'The I-69 "NAFTA Highway" is supposed to create thousands of jobs. Thanks to your tax dollars, it's already provided a very good one for the underemployed brother of Tom DeLay.

Smile! It's Earth Day!

Basic Ballard

Donna Ballard and her Christian conservative cohorts have transformed the State Board of Education. But will they transform the way Texas teaches its kids?

The Exterminator

Tom DeLay, the bug man from Sugar Land, has always despised environmental regulation. Now, as House majority whip, he's in a position to do something about it.

Crisis on Cullen Boulevard

Funding is down. Faculty is fleeing. And 50 professors are in semi-open revolt. Is the University of Houston on an irrovocable slide toward mediocrity?