10/02/2007

Housing developer Potashnik surrenders in Dallas City Hall corruption probe
Indicted housing developer Brian Potashnik proclaimed his innocence Tuesday morning after appearing before a federal magistrate at the Earle Cabell Federal Building and Courthouse in downtown Dallas.

Black residents hope for justice in Dallas City Hall case

TOM FOX / DMN

A television at the South Dallas Cafe on Monday was tuned in to news reports on federal indictments.

Twelve of the 16 people indicted for bribery, money laundering and embezzlement are black – a fact some people said suggests the 27-month prosecution was biased.
Video: Residents react
• Housing developer Potashnik surrenders 9:10 AM CT
• 16 charged in probe

Senators give up tainted funds
AUSTIN – The state's two Republican senators said Monday that they will return several thousand dollars in campaign contributions from Houston oilman Oscar Wyatt after he pleaded guilty to a kickback scheme involving the U.N. oil-for-food program for Iraq.

10/01/2007

City Hall bribery indictments 'a sad day for Dallas'

JIM MAHONEY / DMN

Terri Hodge walked past reporters and cameras as she made her way onto an elevator at the Earle Cabell Federal Building and Courthouse.

The Dallas City Hall bribery indictments on Monday rattled a city that has long thought of itself as a model of civic rectitude. A state representative, two former City Council members and a former Plan Commission member were among the accused.
Tell us: Share your thoughts on the indictments

09/30/2007

City Hall charges due Monday
Federal prosecutors are expected to unseal long-awaited indictments Monday in connection with allegations of insider dealings at City Hall that include conspiracy, tax evasion, bribery and money laundering, according to several sources familiar with the investigation. Former Dallas Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill, consultant Sheila Farrington and Black State Employees Association of Texas director Darren Reagan turned themselves in shortly before 8 a.m. at the federal courthouse in downtown Dallas.

09/28/2007

Attorney: Chaney not targeted in FBI probe
Former four-term Dallas City Council member Leo Chaney, a target of the FBI's ongoing investigation into public corruption at City Hall, is now regarded as a material witness, Mr. Chaney's lawyer said Friday. On Thursday, former City Council member James Fantroy said federal officials offered him a deal in exchange for cooperation with their investigation.

09/29/2007

City staffers accused of taking sides on Trinity toll road
Top Dallas city staff members appear to have a cozy relationship with leading advocates for the Trinity River toll road, a series of e-mails among them shows. The disclosure has infuriated toll road opponents and caused City Manager Mary Suhm to caution her top deputies about politicking on the job.

Architects oppose bid to kill Trinity toll road
The Dallas chapter of the American Institute of Architects has come out against Proposition 1, the November ballot measure that would kill the Trinity toll road.

09/28/2007

Perry's temporary home outside Austin is legal
Displaced by a renovation of the Governor's Mansion, Rick Perry apparently went the extra mile to find a lease home that could meet his entertainment and security needs. The problem is he might have gone one mile too far.

09/27/2007

Study: Wealthy Texan group leads political donors
An elite group of 142 wealthy Texans at the heart of an escalating money chase showered state politicians with more than $50 million in campaign cash last year, according to a new study.

Quick Take: Tax rate increase prompts mayor to issue a challenge
During this year's mayoral campaign, candidate Tom Leppert talked endlessly about "fiscal discipline" and how Dallas could hire hundreds of new police officers without raising taxes. None other than Dallas Cowboys legend Roger Staubach told Dallasites in an April campaign commercial, "I hope you'll say 'no' to new taxes by saying 'yes' to Tom Leppert."

Denton lawyer announces bid for judge seat
Lee Ann Breading, the top prosecutor under former District Attorney Bruce Isaacks, announced this week that she is running for the 393rd Judicial District Court seat held by Judge Vicki Isaacks.

09/26/2007

Senator defends backing Bush over sealing of executive records
WASHINGTON – The Kentucky senator who stymied a bill to again require ex-presidents to release most of their records within 12 years stood by his maneuver Tuesday, and the White House reiterated a veto threat.

Ad Watch: Trinity road vote
Checking out the pro-Trinity River toll road organization's first campaign mailer to Dallas residents:

09/25/2007

With possible foes in wings, Craddick urges GOP unity
House Speaker Tom Craddick on Tuesday urged the GOP to stand together or risk losing ground to Democrats and squandering the party's efforts over the past four years.

Johnson: Ditching toll plan not the way to go
U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson said Monday that she'll vote against a November proposition to remove a planned toll road from between the Trinity River Corridor's levee walls and actively campaign to persuade Dallasites to do the same.

09/24/2007

Trinity toll road gets Eddie Bernice Johnson's support
U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson says she'll vote against a November proposition that would remove a planned toll road from between the Trinity River Corridor's levee walls and actively campaign to convince Dallasites to do the same.

09/23/2007

Anna is giving alcohol ban a shot
ANNA – If timing is everything, then the time has come – again – for voters here to decide whether alcohol should be sold in their city.

09/21/2007

GP legislator blames party switch on GOP leaders
GRAND PRAIRIE – A day after he bolted the GOP, Rep. Kirk England said Thursday that the Republican leadership in Austin had pushed him into Democratic pastures.

Judge Creuzot returns to Democratic Party
Thursday was a tough day all around for Dallas County Republicans as Criminal Court Judge John Creuzot formally announced he was running next year as a Democrat.

09/19/2007

Battle over Trinity River tollway starts at the drawing board
In the opening round of what is likely to be a bitter campaign, supporters of the Trinity toll road had barely kicked off their public relations campaign Tuesday when their opponents attacked the effort as dishonest and deceptive.

NOTES
For Democrats in the Dallas delegation, news that seven of their Texas House colleagues are hosting a reception Thursday for state Rep. Allen Vaught 's opponent came as a disappointing shock.

Sensing political shift, judge rejoins Democratic Party
Dallas County Democrats on Thursday are celebrating the return of John Creuzot , their prodigal judge.

Richardson Republican Hill to retire from Texas House
Fred Hill, a laid-back businessman who rose from the Richardson school board to be one of the most influential lawmakers in Austin, will not seek another term in the Legislature.

Dallas County OKs raising tax rate 6.6%
Dallas County commissioners approved a new budget Tuesday that includes a 6.6 percent tax rate increase to help pay for required jail improvements, new positions and employee raises.

09/18/2007

Trinity proposition campaigns seem unusually quiet
The silence is eerie. No TV or radio advertisements. No colorful mailers. No billboards or lawn signs cajoling Dallasites to "Say yes!" or "Vote no!" on a citywide ballot proposition that in seven weeks will determine the fate of a planned toll road inside the Trinity River Corridor's levee walls.

09/16/2007

Still showing blogged determination
AUSTIN JOURNALAUSTIN – In cyberspace, the Pink Lady is a wide-eyed, pinot-swilling, bimbo-ish blogger with a penchant for Starbucks, an addiction to presidential politics and a foul mouth.Alternately self-deprecating and self-aggrandizing, she shamelessly chases after famous politicians, mistrusts all desperate single women, and regularly shaves about eight years off her age.

09/15/2007

Dallas area cities will vote on raising sales taxes to fight crime
Higher sales taxes to combat crime are on the Nov. 6 ballot for several cities in northwest Dallas, Denton and Tarrant counties, including Arlington, Coppell and Flower Mound.

Beer, wine and Trinity on fall ballots
Several alcohol local option measures, special elections and bond issues are on tap this fall as voters head to the polls in communities throughout southern Dallas County.

Voters to decide on full slate of ballot items in Collin County
Collin County's continued growth is spurring a bevy of bond packages, school district property tax changes, alcohol referendums and city charter amendments that await voter approval at the polls in November.

Tollway item leads list of issues up to voters
For voters in Dallas and Richardson, toll roads and term limits mark the issues that will weigh heaviest on the Nov. 6 ballot.

09/14/2007

Alcohol sales top issue on ballots
Alcohol issues will dominate local elections Nov. 6 in eastern Dallas County and Rockwall County, ballots for which were finalized last week.

09/13/2007

Taking it 'one step further'
Democrat Bill Richardson said Wednesday that as president, he would ask potential Supreme Court nominees whether they support abortion rights and reject those who don't.

09/12/2007

Moderation isn't key, Perry tells GOP
Republicans in Texas and across the nation are looking for a formula to pull their party out of the doldrums.

09/11/2007

Leppert shuts Hunt out of leadership

DMN File

Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert (left) declined to put Angela Hunt (right) in charge of any Dallas City Council committees.

Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert isn't giving District 14 City Council member Angela Hunt any more power than he must, declining to name her chairwoman or vice chairwoman of any of the seven council committees he established Tuesday.

09/08/2007

Cockrell Hill faces bankruptcy
Residents learned last month that because of a shortfall of more than $200,000 in the 2005-06 fiscal year budget, and a similar shortage expected this year, city officials are having a difficult time paying bills.

09/07/2007

Texas senators quiet about Craig resignation plans
Texas' senators have played key roles in the GOP effort to push Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, into early retirement after an arrest in a men's room sex sting but kept their views on whether and when he should leave office to themselves.

Bush book dead certain to shape legacy
More than anything, the new book on President Bush reflects a time-honored tradition in Washington: legacy-building.

09/06/2007

Dallas mayor, police chief argue over business burglar alarm policy
Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert and Police Chief David Kunkle clashed Wednesday on whether the city should repeal its "verified response" burglar-alarm policy.

Senators cheer Brinker's nomination for diplomatic post
Senators embraced former Dallas socialite Nancy Brinker's nomination as chief of protocol, the in-house diplomat at the White House, praising her work Wednesday as ambassador to Hungary and as a crusader against breast cancer.

09/05/2007

Parties gearing up for key '08 races
During the Labor Day weekend, Democrats and Republicans sought to mobilize their supporters in hopes of a strong showing in next year's local and national elections.

09/01/2007

Texans lack favorite political candidate
The core of the Texas GOP gathered Friday to begin wading into the new but murky waters of selecting a presidential ticket that doesn't include the name Bush.

Texas business lobby case is tossed
AUSTIN – A judge threw out another felony indictment Friday accusing the Texas Association of Business of illegally using corporate money for political campaign advertising in 2002.

Online and on the air, conservative fires up base
Hugh Hewitt is on the air, channeling Texas Republicanism to the world.At least to his world, which is a loyal confederacy of several hundred thousand red-meat conservatives nationwide who read his blog on Townhall.com and listen to his daily radio talk show.

Huckabee to Texas: No slight
Texas Republicans were grumbling Friday about the late cancellation of Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor who would have been the highest-profile presidential candidate at the straw poll. Mr. Huckabee contends he never said for sure that he'd come and is sorry he can't.

08/31/2007

FW straw poll draws few candidates
Texas Republicans will gather in Fort Worth this weekend to express a preference concerning the party's presidential nominee. While the GOP hoped for a star-studded event featuring all the candidates, just two will appear, diminishing the poll's importance in the early stages of the presidential race. But party officials predict thousands of delegates will still attend, making for a big political show in Cowtown.

Texas GOP split between grass roots voters and donors
When it comes to Republican presidential politics in Texas, the money is going one way and the grass roots another. Texas donors have contributed more than $7 million to the three front-running White House hopefuls – Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney and John McCain – 10 times the state total raised by the rest of the GOP field combined.

08/30/2007

Huckabee latest to bow out of straw poll
The first-ever Texas GOP Straw Poll is fizzling, with yet another second-tier candidate canceling plans Wednesday to attend this weekend's event.

08/29/2007

GOP will woo minorities, but can it work?
Dallas County Republicans hope the countywide losses they sustained in November can be erased with a better effort in 2008.

Gromer Jeffers Jr. political notes
The Texas Republican Straw Poll gets under way Friday in Fort Worth.

08/28/2007

Dallas commissioners reinstate tax exemption for seniors
Dallas County Commissioners unanimously reinstated an exemption for seniors 65 years and older on Tuesday. The vote came two weeks after commissioners eliminated the exemption as part of a compromise that was hatched when passing a tax freeze for seniors.

08/27/2007

County commissioner wants senior tax exemption restored
County Commissioner Maurine Dickey, the impetus behind a senior tax freeze passed earlier this month, will ask her colleagues this morning to consider reinstating a $69,000 senior exemption that was axed as part of a compromise.

08/26/2007

Critics, admirers sent messages to Miller as she left office
A wash of e-mails, faxes and letters colored former Dallas Mayor Laura Miller's final days in office. The correspondence was obtained this month through a state open records request filed shortly after Ms. Miller left office. The messages tend to be complimentary and terse, like thank-you notes you'd write to grandma after receiving birthday cards stuffed with crisp $10 bills.

08/25/2007

Farmers Branch official talks of opening city-run school
Farmers Branch City Council member Tim O'Hare, the driving force behind the city's movement targeting illegal immigrants, has a new idea – a city-operated private school or charter school.

08/24/2007

Commissioners, judge queried on raises
Rockwall County commissioners faced criticism during public hearings in recent days about their plans to accept substantial pay increases under the proposed budget, but they didn't mention changing their minds on the issue.

08/23/2007

After debate, Duncanville keeps economic development director
A divided and combative Duncanville City Council this week approved a new contract for the city's economic development director but not before a heated discussion that included allegations of nepotism, deceit and conflicts of interest.

08/22/2007

Can FW straw poll lift GOP also-rans?
Organizers of Texas' GOP Presidential Straw Poll have something to cheer about.

NOTES
The race for Dallas County sheriff is on. And the first real dust-up came courtesy of a Democrat.

08/21/2007

Attorney claims Rove had role in her firing
An attorney fired from the Texas secretary of state's office for talking publicly about presidential adviser Karl Rove has filed a lawsuit, saying she is the victim of political pressure.

08/19/2007

A nice change of pace
Like a certain other team finishing up training camp with a new head coach and some promising prospects, the Dallas City Council has opened its season with a spirit of optimism, cooperation and plain old niceness that has long been on hiatus at City Hall.

08/17/2007

Dallas code compliance director to retire
Dallas Code Compliance Director Joe Polino will unexpectedly retire from City Hall next month, City Manager Mary Suhm confirmed Friday. The move comes less than six months after Ms. Suhm tapped Mr. Polino to oversee Dallas' municipal code enforcement effort.

Mesquite voters to decide alcohol issues
The battle between those who favor alcohol sales in Mesquite and those who oppose them is officially on. The city secretary's office reported Friday that it had verified more than the 7,584 petition signatures needed to add two alcohol sales issues to the Nov. 6 ballot.

Jenna Bush is engaged
WASHINGTON – Jenna Bush: party girl, teacher, global activist and first daughter, and now, fiancée.

08/16/2007

Mesquite mayor stepping down to run for Legislature
With more than 18 years of Mesquite City Council experience under his belt, including the last 10 as mayor, Mike Anderson is resigning to run for the Texas House.

Council backs fire chief's plan to reorganize
Dallas Fire Chief Eddie Burns asked the City Council on Wednesday to fund a multimillion-dollar plan to address problems outlined in a sharply critical efficiency study that concluded his department is fractured by racism, sexism and divisions among firefighters, inspectors and paramedics.

Trinity vote set after much debate
Dallas voters will determine on Nov. 6 whether a toll road should be built within the Trinity River Corridor's earthen levees.

08/15/2007

GOP field squaring off here? Debatable
Dallas Republicans are wondering whether GOP presidential candidates will be in town Nov. 4 for a televised debate.

08/14/2007

Aide helping to shape library
WASHINGTON – Karl Rove, architect of Bush elections and policies, is among the aides who've begun shaping the presentation of his legacy at the planned Dallas presidential library.

New Dallas budget could add 250 new police officers
What's all but certain: Crime-saddled Dallas will increase its police force by 200 officers when the City Council passes its annual budget next month. What's not: whether City Hall can handle hiring even more officers, as Mayor Tom Leppert and several other council members would like.