Another retirement in the Texas House.
Rep. Helen Giddings (D-DeSoto) has announced that she will not seek re-election. Rep. Giddings is chair of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus and vice chair of the House State Affairs committee. Casey Littlejohn, a Republican, was running for HD 109 before Giddings’ announcement. December 11th is the candidate filing deadline. To read more…
Price of Liberty monument.
Saturday, a new monument honoring Texas soldiers who served in post-9/11 wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will be unveiled on the Capitol grounds. The “Price of Liberty” monument, a 20-foot tall bronze sculpture, has been in the works since 2015. The angel in the monument was modeled after the Goddess of Liberty on the dome of the Texas Capitol. To read more…
A pending appointment.
Gov. Abbott has announced that he will appoint his general counsel, Jimmy Blacklock, to replace Judge Don Willet on the Texas Supreme Court. This appointment is contingent upon Willett’s confirmation by the U.S. Senate to the federal bench. Once appointed, Blacklock would have to run for re-election next year. To read more…
Only in Austin…
The Capitol Christmas trees have arrived! Two 23-24 feet tall Virginia Pines from the Elves Christmas Tree Farm in Denison have been transported by the Texas Parks of Wildlife Department and delivered by the Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association. You can find one in the House chamber and the other in the Senate chamber. They really are an impressive and twinkly sight to see. To read more…