Report Blasts Austin's Construction Safety Record
from Business Management Daily
According to a critical report surveying the construction industry, 20 percent of Austin-area construction workers last year reported on-the-job injuries that required a trip to the doctor, and 20 percent of those employees said employers refused to pay their medical bills.   More
 

Gov. Rick Perry Speaks at Chamber of Commerce's Annual Gala Amid Race
from El Paso Times
The Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce's annual gala has become a night of entertainment in recent years with comedians and bands headlining the night. But this year, the event, which is expected to draw more than 600 people to the El Paso convention center Friday, takes on a different tone with Texas Gov. Rick Perry as the featured guest.  More
 

Hutchison Snags Backing by Texas Farm Bureau
from The Fort Worth Star Telegram
U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison has landed a coveted endorsement - from the Texas Farm Bureau, which some expected would go to incumbent Republican Gov. Rick Perry, the state's former agriculture commissioner - in her bid to become the next Texas governor. Farm Bureau officials say that they did not make the decision lightly, but that it was not difficult because it involves "a matter of trust."  More
 

Opinion: Perry Team Stretches Facts to Talk Down Farm Bureau's Backing of Hutchison
from The Dallas Morning News
There are few things more certain among Texas conservatives than the reverence for property rights. And on Monday, Hutchison sought to claim the political high ground on the issue in her battle against Perry for the Republican nomination for governor in the March primary. The Perry campaign fired back, accusing Hutchison of voting against private property rights and dismissing the Farm Bureau as just another insurance company.  More
 

FBI Investigates Perry Claim of Internet Hackers
from The Dallas Morning News Trail Blazers Blog
The FBI reportedly is looking into the interruption of a Rick Perry campaign webcast that the Perry camp says was political sabotage. The Perry Internet event was presented as an on-line introduction of the governor's reelection campaign. But those hoping to log on were frustrated when all they got was an error message. It appeared the server collapsed. But the Perry side said somebody intentionally hacked into its webcast.  More
 

Gilbert Sees Rick Perry Money Behind Kinky; Perry Spokesman Says "Baseless"
from The Fort Worth Star Telegram Politex Blog
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Hank Gilbert accused rival Kinky Friedman of being "paid by [Gov. Rick] Perry" to run in 2006 as an independent candidate for governor.  More
 

Demand for Dallas-Area Apartments Improves in Third Quarter
from The Dallas Morning News
Demand for Dallas-Fort Worth area apartments improved in the third quarter after months of declines. But the increase in net leasing wasn't enough to keep total rents and the occupancy rate from falling.   More
 

E.ON Completes World's Largest Wind Farm in Texas
from Reuters
E.ON Climate and Renewables said it has built the world's biggest wind farm by completing the final phase of its Roscoe, Texas wind farm, bringing the installed capacity to 781.5 megawatts. The more than $1 billion project, about 200 miles west of Fort Worth, surpasses the nearby 735.5 MW Horse Hollow wind farm, owned by FPL Group's (FPL.N) NextEra Energy Resources, as the largest in the world.  More
 

Days of Using Homes as Wealth Generators is Over, Experts Say
from Los Angeles Times via The Austin American Statesman
For generations of Americans, a home was seen not simply as a dwelling, but as an engine of personal wealth. That view was promoted by the homebuilding and real estate sales industries as well as the U.S. government, which subsidized home loans and provided tax deductions for mortgage interest. Now, however, the worst housing crash since the Great Depression might mean that a home purchase perhaps ought to be considered with the same warning issued to investors in securities: Past performance is not indicative of future results.  More
 

Architects Show Green Design as Part of Homes Tour
from The Austin American Statesman
From ultra-contemporary new homes to updated historical cottages, the 14 houses on next weekend's tour by the American Institute of Architects' Austin chapter all showcase fresh ideas. The self-guided tour takes attendees all over the Austin area. While not a "green" home tour per se, some of the architects who have houses on the tour say good design is green design.   More
 

Federal officials: Texas Needs Food Stamp Czar
from The Austin American Statesman
Federal officials say Texas should appoint a food stamp czar to take charge of fixing the application backlogs and high error rates plaguing the program. "All states are feeling the pinch right now because of the economic recession, but I'm not aware of any state that is having it to the degree that Texas is," said William Ludwig, a Dallas-based regional administrator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service.  More