Headlines

• As Cap Metro considers a proposed fare hike (See "Res Publica" for hearing dates), Cap Metro board Chair Margaret Gómez aims to leave the board Dec. 31, stating, "I would like to share this fun with somebody else." Cap Metro Vice President Doug Allen steps in this week as interim president and CEO, replacing retiring agency head Fred Gilliam. See "Naked City."

• Legendary Judge William Wayne Justice died Tuesday in Austin. See "Naked City."

• City Council meets this week with a very light agenda, featuring a proposal expanding a Down­town ban on drinking in public, from I-35 eastward to Airport and Springdale, and between Martin Luther King Boulevard and Lady Bird Lake.

• Famed crossdresser/former mayoral candidate Leslie Cochran is recovering in fair condition at University Medical Center Brackenridge. Unconfirmed reports surfaced last week that the homeless celebrity was found earlier this month in an unresponsive state after an apparent head injury. A vigil outside Brackenridge Tuesday transformed into a celebration upon reports of Cochran's improved condition. His hospitalization comes some 10 months after the death of Jennifer Gale, another homeless and transgendered "weird" face of Austin. Being a mascot of local eccentricity doesn't come with health care coverage, apparently.

• In a moment that can only be described as Bush-esque, Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott told critics of the state's school accountability system at an Oct. 13 press conference to "bring it."

• Gov. Rick Perry continues to come under fire, as blogs, national news networks, and primary opponent Kay Bailey Hutchison attack his 11th-hour reshuffling of the state Forensic Science Commission. By unexpectedly naming new commission appointments, Perry scuttled the review of the arson charge that led to Cameron Todd Willingham's 2004 execution – which the governor continues to defend.

• Feeling safer yet? On Oct. 14, Mayor Lee Leffing­well introduced members of the newly formed Public Safety Commission, which will advise City Council on public safety matters. The list includes former Mayor Roy Butler, Texas Monthly founder Mike Levy, UT School of Social Work professor Michael Lauderdale, and commercial real estate agent Aman Bandali.

• While the proposed health care reforms would increase Texas Health and Human Services Commission costs by $20.4 billion over 10 years, a new report by the Center for Public Policy Priorities calculates that the reforms would draw an extra $124 billion in federal funds, creating an extra $402.8 billion in economic activity.

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Quote of the Week

"I'm clearly not qualified. My checkbook and car keys have been lost for two weeks, and I certainly have no interest in keeping up with the state of Texas checkbook."

– Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson puts to rest rumors that he might run for Texas Comptroller.