State Government

[AP] Lawmakers hold hearing on property taxes

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

AUSTIN Conservative activists have told Texas lawmakers that property taxes should be abolished and that local debt is getting out of control.Former gubernatorial candidate and tea party favorite Debra Medina called for the Legislature to replace...... Full story

[TT] Texas Railroad Commission candidates target EPA

BY KATE GALBRAITH

WICHITA FALLS One overriding theme unifies the Republican candidates for two Texas Railroad Commission slots: The Environmental Protection Agency has overreached and must be scaled back. "Let me tell you, these people can ruin your life,"...... Full story

Sen. Kel Seliger, left, Sen. Carlos Uresti, center, and Rep. Tryon Lewis listen to testimony about the Dune Sagebrush Lizard during a legislative hearing Monday at UTPB.

Senate hearing to learn more about lizard

BY LYXAN TOLEDANES

As the decision on the dunes sagebrush lizard’s fate on the endangered species list looms closer, State Sen. Kel Seliger had a hearing at UTPB to learn more about the lizard and its potential listing. The Texas Senate Natural Resources...... Full story

Rural federal assistance offices consolidating

BY GABRIELLA LOPEZ

There are changes on the horizon for Texans applying for federal assistance like Medicaid and food stamps. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission announced that it would be consolidating about 50 offices statewide over the next 18 months by...... Full story

School lawsuit date set

ODESSA AMERICAN

State District Judge John Dietz has set an Oct. 22, 2012, trial date for the combined lawsuits against the Texas school finance system. The trial is expected to last for at least six weeks, the Austin American-Statesman reported. More than 500...... Full story

W. David Watts, The University of Texas of the Permian Basin president, leads a crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance during the dedication ceremony for the presidential library to be renamed the Buddy and Shirley West Building Thursday outside the newly rededicated Buddy and Shirley West Building.

Building dedicated on couple's anniversary

BY CAYLOR BALLINGER

Shirley West stood before family and friends on Thursday honored that she and her late-husband’s names would grace the front of the UTPB Presidential Archive and Library from now on. The dedication ceremony of the Buddy and Shirley West...... Full story

Texas Forest Service gears up for fire season

Forecasters predict average rainfall for summer

BY NATHANIEL MILLER

The Texas Forest Service is already preparing for the upcoming fire seasons, but the oil boom may play a key role in the organization’s preparedness and staff numbers. Assistant Chief of the West Branch for the TFS Lori Hazel said because of...... Full story

Wade Brown, left, is challenging incumbent U.S. Congressman Mike Conaway, right, for the Republican nomination.

Marine major files to run against Mike Conaway

ODESSA AMERICAN

The race for the Republican nomination for Texas’ district 11 in the U.S. Congress just got a little bit more crowded. Wade Brown of May, a small community north of Brownwood, filed Friday at the State Republican Party Headquarters in Austin,...... Full story

Gary Bryant, a water specialist with Texas Agrilife Extension Service, gives a presentation on the function and legal powers of a water district Wednesday at the Monahans Convention Center. More than 50 people attended the meeting.

Fort Stockton Holdings calls court decision a 'huge victory'

BY LYXAN TOLEDANES

Though they are still in the appeals process, officials at Fort Stockton Holdings are calling a recent Texas Supreme Court decision regarding groundwater rights a “huge victory.”On Feb. 24, the Texas Supreme Court ruled in favor of...... Full story

Christi Craddick. left, candidate for Railroad Commissioner, talks with Sandra Coke who hosted a meet and greet tea for Craddick Wednesday afternoon at the Odessa Country Club.

Railroad commish candidate visits Basin

BY JON VANDERLAAN

Although railroad commissioners cannot change federal policy, candidate Christi Craddick said she hopes to influence policy and regulations if elected to the position.“It’s the Obama administration not liking the oil and gas...... Full story

Governor grants fireworks ban

ODESSA AMERICAN

The Office of the Governor has granted an Ector County request to ban the sale, possession and use of fireworks in the county until after the New Year.Gov. Rick Perry signed a memorandum to Ector County Judge Susan Redford stating that his office,...... Full story

Tryon Lewis files for re-election

ODESSA AMERICAN

District 81 State Representative Tryon Lewis has officially filed for re-election.Covering Ector, Andrews, Ward and Winkler Counties, Rep. Lewis filed Thursday with the Republican Party in Austin.“It has been a great honor to represent the...... Full story

Rives to run for Texas State Senate

ODESSA AMERICAN

Former Ector County Independent School District board member Randy Rives has announced his bid for the Texas State Senate.Rives announced his intentions to run Tuesday at the Amarillo Public Library. He will seek the Republican nomination for...... Full story

Craig not to seek SBOE re-election

ODESSA AMERICAN

Bob Craig announced Monday he will not seek re-election to the State Board of Education, District 15 after 24 years of public service."Now is the time for me to step out of public service in the educational arena and allow others the opportunity to...... Full story

Colonia grant criteria too much for county

Gardner: Not enough time, manpower to fulfill requirements

ODESSA AMERICAN

Ector County Commissioners were looking to get feedback in the “colonia areas” of West Odessa to help improve those areas, but they decided a recent grant’s criteria was just too much for the amount of money it was...... Full story