Capital Highlights
Rain, flooding create disaster in 37 counties
Ed Sterling Texas Press Association

A USTIN - Phenomenal rainfall and flooding left much of the state

hurting, troubled or

vulnerable in the second half of the month of June.

At least 11 deaths have been attributed to the foul weather. Military units activated by order of Gov. Rick Perry, the Texas Department of Public Safety, game wardens and other state resources responded.

Perry sent a disaster declaration that includes 37 counties to President George W. Bush, seeking federal assistance. The White House announced it was making federal funding available to help with the disaster areas.

Attorney General Greg Abbott warned residents in stricken areas to beware of scammers and price gougers, who seem to come out of the woodwork when disasters strike.

More rain is in the forecast. Some longtime weather watchers have called the unusually wet spring and early summer a signal that a 50- year drought cycle has ended. Others say it's a symptom of global warming. Others say it's El Niño. Still others say it's just a wet spell that was bound to come.

NT toll project moves forward

The Trans Texas Corridor project is on hold for the next two years. Lawmakers wanted to use that block of time to study the possible effects of building the proposed massive network of toll roads stretching from the Mexico border to the Oklahoma border.

But legislation signed in June by Gov. Rick Perry allows certain regional toll projects to move forward.

Perry put his signature on the agreement, even though he appeared to have the whole Trans Texas Corridor project ready to go with Cintra of Madrid, Spain, and project partner Zachry Construction Corporation of San Antonio.

Now, one of those regional toll project proposals moved forward on June 28.

The Texas Transportation Commission voted 4-1 to tentatively approve a plan for the North Texas Tollroad Authority to accelerate the building of Texas 121 through Denton and Collin counties and do 30 other North Texas traffic congestion- relieving projects.

For things to really get going, the Texas Department of Transportation has to make sure certain things are in place.

Before making a final decision, the agency must be satisfied with the regional authority's preliminary studies, project timing, funding and payment schedules. Next, the Texas Transportation Commission - TxDOT's governing body - would have to ratify the decision.

Court rules in favor of DeLay

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals decided 5-4 to uphold a Travis County state district court ruling stripping off a charge of conspiracy stemming from the 2002 state election against former U.S. House majority leader Tom DeLay.

The charge is one of several brought in 2005 by Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle, who serves as the state's chief ethics prosecutor. Earle said he plans to appeal the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals' decision.

DeLay, is still in hot water, facing charges of money laundering and conspiracy to launder money. He said he is appealing those charges, too.

Health agency's survey begins

The immunization branch of the Texas Department of State Health Services is conducting a survey on customer satisfaction with its Austin-based programs and services.

Feedback from parents, legal guardians, vaccine providers and other professionals will be used to improve services.

The survey period ends July 17. Call (800) 252-9152 for a paper copy of the survey or visit www.immunizetexas.com to do the survey online.

Census says we grew last year

Perpetual traffic clogs on Interstate 35 could not have frightened off many people from moving to the capital city last year.

The U.S. Census Bureau announced in its June 28 report of most populous cities that Austin increased by 18,600 residents in the last year, bringing the population to 709,000. Austin is among the top 10 in numerical gain nationwide, the Census noted.

Bush picks Texan for Census

President Bush nominated Dr. Steve Murdock, Texas' state demographer, to be the next director of the U.S. Census. Current Census Bureau Director Louis Kincannon is leaving the agency. Murdock's nomination must be approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Ed Sterling is director of member services for the Texas Press Association in Austin.