In the name of protecting the environment from increased gas consumption, Democratic leaders oppose the price-cutting strategy of more off-shore drilling while concurrently arguing that OPEC should do it for us. Doesn't this neutralize the very environmental protection they're hoping to secure by opposing domestic drilling? Read more

Animal welfare advocates say they expect Congress to take the next step in curtailing horse slaughter by passing measures that would stop the shipment of animals to be slaughtered. If passed, a House bill would outlaw the transport and sale of any horse across state lines or international borders to be slaughtered for human consumption. Those who break the law would be fined and could serve jail time. Most Texas representatives oppose the measure. Read more

Texas Rep. Michael Burgess gave the socialite unexpected clout in the raging policy feud on Capitol Hill on Thursday, urging colleagues to consider the energy plan she proposed in a mock campaign ad. "Even Paris Hilton had an energy plan that she's talking about," Burgess told reporters, as he and other House Republicans continued to protest Democrats who blocked a vote on offshore oil drilling before breaking for a five-week recess. Read more

Congressman Michael C. Burgess recently offered an amendment that provides $400 million in federal money to build refineries on military bases as part of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs FY09 Appropriations bill. Read more

Mayor John Harper of Rowlett has been chosen as a guest speaker at the 11th annual Transportation Summit later this month. The summit, which will take place in Irving, will focus on creative solutions to transportation and logistics problem. Events will center around critical policy discussions that could lay the foundation for future development. Read more

Protecting the American people requires more than playing the politics of tobacco. That’s what the bill that passed this House yesterday is—cynical politics intended to provide red meat for special interests and the media. Read more

In its final major act before adjourning for recess, the House voted 409-4 Friday to approve the fiscal 2009 Military Construction-VA spending bill that would provide $72.7 billion in discretionary funding for military construction initiatives and veterans programs. Read more

A proposal to add a $400 million oil refinery project to a military appropriations bill has fallen through, the office of Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, said Friday. Citing a need for the armed services to be less dependent on foreign oil, Burgess drafted an amendment to the 2009 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill that would support construction of petroleum refineries on U.S. military bases. Read more

Lingering lines of traffic have long been a complaint along Eldorado Parkway in northwest Frisco, but recently another kind of line has residents upset. CoServ has been building power lines along both sides of the street, running two deep at some points. Residents in the area said they are concerned that the poles are unsafe and visually unpleasant. Read more

Lancaster County Commissioner Scott Martin said he figures county taxpayers will shell out about $1 million this year for a medical bill that should be covered by the federal government. That's how much Martin expects it will cost in 2008 to provide health care to unconvicted inmates at Lancaster County Prison who were covered by federal medical insurance programs before they entered the prison. Read more