• Break out the argyle sweaters: It’s officially freezing out there. We still might not get snow for the holidays – for that you need to move to Houston or New Orleans.
• In a surprising decision, UT System regents anointed Valley-born pediatric transplant surgeon Francisco Cigarroa the sole finalist (and therefore de facto selection) for the chancellor position vacated by Mark Yudof earlier this year. The predictable choice had been AT&T vice president and longtime political insider John Montford. Cigarroa will take office in January.
• Although there’s no official opening yet, candidates are multiplying for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Kay Bailey Hutchison. Railroad Commission Chair Michael Williams and Houston Mayor Bill White have announced for the seat, as has former Comptroller John Sharp. Hutchison’s term doesn’t expire until 2012, but she has said she will not run again and might challenge Gov. Rick Perry in 2010.
• At last count, 11 state House members were running to replace Speaker Tom Craddick, still the front-runner, as Republicans retain a two-vote edge, and none of the challengers has acquired sufficient pledges to eliminate the competition.
Quote of the Week
“If [Vice President-elect Joe Biden] wants to diminish the office of vice president, that’s obviously his call.”
– Vice President Dick Cheney on Fox News Sunday, looking back on eight years of diminishing the Constitution
This article appears in December 26 • 2008.