State Government

[AP] Economy better, but state budget still short

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

AUSTIN The Texas economy is coming back, but the state budget is still in trouble, top budget experts told lawmakers Tuesday. John O'Brien, director of the Legislative Budget Board, said the Legislature did not appropriate enough money to cover...... 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

Gov. Perry appoints Andrews judge to radioactive waste commision

ODESSA AMERICAN

Gov. Rick Perry re-appointed Andrews County judge Richard H. Dolgener as part of the six-person Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact Commission tersm modified by Senate Bill 1605 as part of the 82nd Legislature. Dolgener is a member of...... Full story

NEW LAWS: Young couples get protections, counseling

BY NATHANIEL MILLER

Starting Sept. 1, some star-crossed young lovers are going to get a chance to appeal their case before a judge when the “Romeo and Juliet” law gets updated. Plus Ector County juveniles might have a chance to learn about the dangers of...... Full story

Scholarship money pulled for some

BY GEOFF FOLSOM

Carolyn Clair says her daughter had earned scholarship money for graduating early from Odessa High in 2009. But instead, state budget cuts have left her high and dry.Clair’s daughter, Shelby Meyers, received $2,000 from the Early High School...... Full story

Midland prosecutor appointed as appellate justice

BY JON VANDERLAAN

A former assistant district attorney in Midland County is moving into the ranks of judges after his appointment to the 11th Court of Appeals in Eastland.Eric Kalenak, a 1983 graduate of Odessa High, was selected by Gov. Rick Perry to fill the judge...... Full story

Reeves County nonprofit relinquishes $1.6 million in contracts

BY CELINDA HAWKINS

The board of the Community Council of Reeves County voted Thursday to relinquish four of its major contracts to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, which will result in the ultimate closure of the nonprofit agency.The CCRC is...... Full story

July sales-tax checks up 19.89 percent

ODESSA AMERICAN

The city of Odessa saw a good return from its May sales taxes, getting a check of $2.17 million dollars back from the state comptroller’s office in July.The number represented the most ever for Odessa in July, 19.89 percent more than last...... Full story

16 Lewis bills signed by governor

BY SARAH MUELLER

As of Friday, 16 bills out of the 1,458 signed by Gov. Perry were either authored or sponsored by Rep. Tyron Lewis, R-Odessa.The representative successfully pushed through the law-making process bills in education, waste disposal and tax reform,...... Full story

(AP) Gov. Perry will consider running for president

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

AUSTIN Texas Gov. Rick Perry, the longest serving chief executive in the state's history and a politician who has never lost an election, said Friday he will consider seeking the Republican nomination for president.The outspoken conservative, who...... Full story