Free Republic

State races could see DeLay effect BY D. LANCE LUNSFORD AVALANCHE-JOURNAL A Texas Tech professor said the resignation of U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Sugar Land, will not pack the punch that it would closer to November, but fallout could eventually hit current Republican leadership hard on the state level. DeLay, who is under indictment on campaign finance charges, announced last week that he will resign from Congress sometime before mid-June. Craig Goodman, a Tech political science professor, said risk to House Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland, and others is evident in races where DeLay associations are played up by campaigns seeking...

Texas House passes controversial plan to restructure public education ASSOCIATED PRESS AUSTIN (AP) - A sweeping plan to restructure education in Texas won tentative approval in the Texas House on Wednesday, despite criticism that a teacher pay raise is unfunded and $3 billion in new money is not enough. Opponents say the money won't keep up with inflation or cover new requirements schools would face under the plan. During two days of debate on the measure - the top priority of the current legislative session - the House leadership approved a teacher salary increase and additional funding for the mileage...