Free Republic

Strayhorn declines raise after Perry criticism ASSOCIATED PRESS AUSTIN (AP) - Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn said she will not accept a $33,000 pay raise authorized by the Legislature even though her campaign indicated last week that she would accept it. "Although Governor Rick Perry sanctioned pay increases for statewide elected officials when he approved the state budget, I do not believe it is appropriate for me to accept a penny more for the work I was elected to do," Strayhorn said Tuesday. Strayhorn, a Republican, is challenging Perry in next year's gubernatorial race. The Legislature had authorized seven statewide elected...

Secretary of State Connor to resign Associated Press AUSTIN (AP) — Secretary of State Geoff Connor, appointed to the position last year, said Friday he will resign from the post at the end of the year. Connor, who oversaw the state's general election, said he wants to return to the private sector. "A record number of Texans got their chance to participate in our democracy by casting their votes in a well-run and efficient election across the state," said Connor. , Texas' 104th secretary of state. "Working with county election offices across the state, we were able to demonstrate that...