City Council passed the $1.8 billion budget for fiscal year 2003, squeezing out many positions and “extras” but squeezing in a little classic rock. p.24.
A Travis Co. judge this week refused to reduce developer Gary Bradley‘s child-support payments of $4,800 per month, a ruling that could affect his bankruptcy case. See “Is He or Isn”t He Broke?,” below.
The trial of Yogurt Shop Murders defendant Michael Scott entered its fourth week, with prosecutors planning to rest their case soon. p.18.
The estimated state budget gap continued to grow, as legislators began to speculate that the shortfall, estimated earlier this year by the comptroller at $5 billion, might prove to be as high as $12 billion.
A draft report to the Texas Railroad Commission recommended approval of Alcoa Corp.‘s application to open a new coal strip mine in Lee and Bastrop Counties. The commission will vote on a three-year permit later this month. The community organization Neighbors for Neighbors has dropped its opposition to the RRC permit, saying it will focus on working against the mine through the Texas Dept. of Environmental Quality and the Army Corps of Engineers.
Gov. Rick Perry and Democratic challenger Tony Sanchez have agreed to two televised debates: Oct. 9 in Houston and Oct. 24 in Dallas. Perry has requested additional debates (as many as 12 in all), but the Sanchez campaign has thus far declined any additional dates. Neither the Greens nor Libertarians have been invited to take part.
Voting 10-9 along party lines, the Judiciary Committee of the U.S. Senate voted to reject the nomination of Texas Supreme Court Justice Priscilla Owen to the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. President Bush refused to withdraw the nomination, suggesting he will wait until after the November election to see if the GOP regains a Senate majority.
Lacresha Murray and her family have sued city, state, and county officials in federal court for civil rights violations in connection with Murray’s 1996 homicide prosecution and convictions, overturned on appeal in 1999. See p.22.
U.S. Transportation Security Administration workers took over security screening at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, replacing the private force previously employed by Wackenhut Corp. The change was mandated by federal anti-terrorism laws.
Diez y Seis celebrations kickoff at noon Friday, Sept. 13 in Republic Square downtown, with appearances by Mayor Gus Garcia and officials from the Mexican consulate.
This article appears in September 13 • 2002.