January 14, 2014

Texans Have State Rep. Debbie Riddle and God to Thank For the Right to Gun Down Burglars

State Representative Debbie Riddle

When Texas passed its version of the castle doctrine in 2007, allowing homeowners to shoot burglars without fear of repercussions, support in the Texas Legislature was nearly unanimous; of 180 lawmakers, only 13 voted nay.

Almost as many legislators (136) co-authored or sponsored the bill, as Democrats and Republicans alike were eager to attach their names to a relatively noncontroversial measure that supported both gun and property rights.

Republican State Representative Debbie Riddle, who is listed as one of the bill's sponsors, would prefer you not forget her role in getting the castle doctrine on the books. In her version of events, which she briefly recounted on Facebook, it was her and God against the world.


First, a couple of factual quibbles. While Riddle introduced a castle doctrine bill in the House, that version went nowhere. She was merely a sponsor, not a "joint author," of the Senate bill that actually passed. And we're not sure to make of her "Last Session I added you car," since vehicles were explicitly covered by the 2007 bill.

More at http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2014/01/texans_have_state_rep_debbie_r.php .

January 14, 2014

Former Perry policy aide to serve as state environmental agency commissioner

Governor Rick Perry has appointed Zak Covar, a former aide, to become a member of the three-member Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, state officials announced Monday.

The posting is the latest in a swift climb for the 38-year-old Covar, who has has served as TCEQ Executive Director since 2012. Prior to joining the agency in 2007, he advised Perry on environmental policy.

“Texas is blessed with an abundance of natural resources that need to be treasured and protected,” Covar, who has a bachelor’s degree in poultry science from Texas A&M University, said in a statement released Monday. “I understand and respect that responsibility, and will work tirelessly to take care of the environment in a manner that also sustains our robust Texas economy.”

During Covar’s tenure as executive director, the Texas agency locked horns with federal regulators on a variety of environmental issues.

More at http://www.statesman.com/news/news/state-regional/former-perry-policy-aide-to-serve-as-state-environ/ncmjY/ .

[font color=maroon]It must be nice to be a friend of Rick.[/font]

January 14, 2014

Medicare overpays by millions on erectile dysfunction aids, inspector finds

Medicare payments for "vacuum erection systems" are increasing, a new report finds.
(U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

Medicare, the government insurance for people 65 and older, won’t pay for routine hearing aids.

But it will cover “vacuum erection systems.” Just get a doctor’s note.

I learned this today when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sent word that its inspector general had found “grossly excessive” payments for the systems.

The erection systems – known less formally as penis pumps – are eligible for coverage under Medicare Part B’s prosthetic benefit.

More at http://watchdogblog.dallasnews.com/2014/01/medicare-overpays-by-millions-on-erectile-dysfunction-aids-watchdog-says.html/ .

January 13, 2014

Dewhurst is a no-show on the Dallas Morning News voters guide

You’ll see by clicking this link that The Dallas Morning News voters guide is now posted on line for your inspection. More than nine out of every 10 candidates we sent questionnaires to filled them out and posted answers for public view.

The biggest disappointment in the no-shows: Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. He’s the highest-ranking elected official I can remember EVER ignoring an invitation to fill out this newspaper’s campaign questionnaire. What’s his deal?

All three of Dewhurst’s opponents in the GOP lieutenant governor’s primary race answered the roughly 14 policy questions we sent them.

Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson answered them.
Ag Commissioner Todd Staples answered them.
State Sen. Dan Patrick answered them.

If you look under Dewhurst’s name on the Q&A form, you’ll see this: “The Dallas Morning News did not receive response from the candidate prior to the deadline.” Translation: Candidate ignored repeated reminders that the window was closing, and candidate didn’t give a whit. Candidate’s answers will not appear here.

More at http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/2014/01/dewhurst-is-a-no-show-on-the-dmn-voters-guide.html/

January 13, 2014

Did you see that? Video captures rider atop West Seventh bridge arches

FORT WORTH — The newly opened West Seventh Street bridge may have been a little more bike-friendly Saturday afternoon than officials were expecting.

A man who later identified himself to the Star-Telegram as Mat Olson, a professional BMX stunt rider, rode his bike over the bridge’s 24-foot tall arches to the astonishment of onlookers.

“It seemed like I was on top of a mountain,” Olson said. “It was all windy and crazy when I was up there. It was pretty exhilarating, that’s for sure.”

It was also, apparently, pretty illegal.

More at http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/01/11/5477642/man-rides-bike-atop-west-seventh.html#storylink=skyline .

January 13, 2014

Fort Worth Appeals Court Ignores Mental Health History, Orders Grant of CHL

On Thursday, the Second Court of Appeals in Fort Worth ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to renew the concealed handgun license (CHL) of a woman with a history of mental illness, and used federal law to do it.

DPS had previously denied the petitioner's application to renew her CHL because federal law disqualified her from purchasing a firearm and was, therefore, not eligible to have her Texas CHL renewed.

In July 2008, a Howard County, Texas, court had adjudicated the petitioner to be mentally ill and a threat to herself. She was institutionalized, underwent treatment, and later applied to DPS to renew her CHL. DPS denied her application to renew, and the petitioner sued.

After losing at the trial court, DPS only presented one issue on appeal - that the evidence was legally insufficient to show that the petitioner was qualified under state and federal law to purchase a firearm.

More at http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/14636/fort-worth-appeals-court-ignores-mental-health-history-orders-grant-of-chl .

January 13, 2014

Arlington the goal in college football’s brave new world

The crystal football awarded annually to college football’s national champion throughout the BCS era has been retired, with a new trophy to be presented to winners in the College Football Playoff era.

The first playoff survivor to hoist the fresh hardware will do so at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, site of the sport’s next title game on Jan. 12, 2015.

As we prepare for a season of unprecedented change in the sport, we peek into the BCS’ iconic crystal ball to identify some individuals, teams and venues — particularly some splashy up-and-comers — that could or should be major movers and shakers in the 2014 season.

Without question, the greatest scrutiny in this transition year will fall on the 13-member selection committee charged with identifying and seeding the four participants in the inaugural postseason playoff bracket.

More at http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/01/12/5479565/arlington-the-goal-in-college.html?rh=1 .

January 13, 2014

Big plans could bring small wild cat back to Texas

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Nearly 30 years after the jaguarundi was last seen in South Texas, the federal government has a plan to return the small cat to its historic range in the state.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently said it plans to reintroduce the endangered species, which is slightly larger than a household cat, to the Rio Grande Valley, with the goal of creating a stable population of at least 500 jaguarundis by 2050.

The plan addresses a range of threats to the cat, including border fencing, roads, competition with other species and climate change.

The federal agency said the last confirmed sighting of the species within Texas was is April 1986, when a dead cat was collected along a road just east of Brownsville.

More at http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Big-plans-could-bring-small-wild-cat-back-to-Texas-5138431.php?cmpid=hpts .

January 13, 2014

Being Ginger: Redhead Looking For Love And Confronting Past Bullying in New Film

A film is holding its U.S. Premiere in Austin Monday night. It’s a documentary called “Being Ginger” and it’s all about what it’s like to be a redhead – or as they say across the pond – a “ginger.” Texas Ex – and redhead – Scott Harris directed, produced and stars in the film.

The premise of “Being Ginger” is a redhead – Harris – looking for love. Harris says he wanted to make the documentary because of some of the strange, even disturbing experiences he's had that were based solely on his hair color.

On Some of His Strange "Ginger" Experiences:

"I was walking down the street one night... and these two, random drunk girls come out of a club and they start calling me 'ginger' and sort of harass me – it's playful harassment – but it was a little harassment and I ignored it and I kept walking. And eventually they caught up to me and one of them eventually says, 'You're quite sexy for a ginger.' And I was standing there thinking, 'Is that even a compliment, what do you mean for a ginger?' And then while I was thinking about it she said, 'Do you wait to kiss me?' And I was like, yeah, sure so we kissed for about two or three seconds in the street and then she walked off with her friend going, 'I kissed a ginger, I kissed a ginger.'"

More at http://kut.org/post/interview-redhead-looking-love-and-confronting-past-bullying-new-film .

January 13, 2014

Unemployment Drug-Testing Law Delayed

Texans applying for unemployment benefits will be subject to a new drug screening procedure in a program scheduled to take effect Feb. 1. But the Texas Workforce Commission said it will not be able to start the program on the state’s timetable because the United States Labor Department has not set the required parameters.

As proponents of the program raise concerns about the Labor Department’s progress, the Workforce Commission is preparing for the testing without knowing who will be tested.

State legislators last year approved Senate Bill 21, which requires first-time applicants in some professions to submit to a drug test if a screening questionnaire indicates possible drug use. Those who tested positive would be ineligible to receive benefits for at least a month, until they passed another drug test. An applicant can enroll in a treatment program to remain eligible for benefits within a week of receiving notice of a failed drug test.

The state was able to put such a policy in place after the passage of a federal law that allows states to drug-test certain people applying for unemployment benefits. But guidelines for such a program cannot be drafted without direction from the Labor Department, which must outline the occupations that fall under the federal law for such drug tests.

More at http://kut.org/post/unemployment-drug-testing-law-delayed .