Political Cartoon
     
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How active should state government be?
Dave McNeely
      The underlying question during the recent session of the Texas Legislature was, and during the coming political season, is: How active should government be? Republican Gov. Rick Perry seems to think it should do as little as possible, particularly if it’s going to involve new taxes. Other officeholders – particularly Democrats, but also some Republicans – think government should do more for people, to build roads, finance schools, and broaden access to health care.
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Preserve ability to disagree agreeably
Mary Henkel Judson
      In the early 1990s, when Bill Smith was doing honors as principal of Brundrett Middle School, he said, “The world is coming to Port Aransas.” It was in reaction to a schoolyard fight that was broken up by the father of a student unrelated to the incident. I was an innocent bystander who directed the departing offender to the principal’s office, for which I was blistered by an X-rated reply that was outside the box for the time, for now, and, I hope, the future. And I’m pretty tough.
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Looking back at 81st session
Todd Hunter
     The 81st Texas Legislature completed its 140-day legislative session on Monday, June 1. I believe this was a very positive session for the Coastal Bend. The Legislature accomplished its most important constitutional function by adopting a biennial budget that reduces general revenue spending by 1.9 percent.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
      Route not shorter A decision was made by city council to remove three of the stops on the local trolley route. This decision was “presented” as a benefit for residents and visitors alike in that it would reduce the overall route from 60 minutes to 45 minutes. The current published schedule has removed the three stops, and it still takes a full hour for the route.
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