Texas House votes to bar insurers from auto repair ownership
The Texas House approved a bill to prohibit insurers from owning auto body repair facilities and to require divestment within two years. Rep Kino Flores urged the measure while Allstate and Sterling Autobody Centers executives argued the rule would curb conflicts and ensure accountability for repairs.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Texas House
Texas
Kino Flores
Dmission
Allstate Corp
Sterling Autobody
Houston
Dallas/Fort Worth
Jon McNeill
Sterling
Fort Worth Marine Killed by Enemy Fire in Iraq
A 21 year old Fort Worth Marine, Cpl. Jesus Martin Medellin, was killed Monday in Central Iraq when an enemy artillery round struck his Amphibious Assault Vehicle. He had graduated from W E Boswell High School in 2000 and was stationed at Camp Pendleton with the 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division. His family was notified Monday night by four Marine officers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Fort Worth
Iraq
Jesus Martin
Marty” Antonio Medellin
Marty Medellin
Camp Pendleton
W.E. Boswell High School
Richard Ruiz
Department of Defense
Medellin
1St Marine Division
Camp Pendieton
Sixteen Amarillo-area drug ring members face federal charges
A U S attorney's office news release says sixteen people accused of smuggling and distributing hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine from the Amarillo Panhandle operation were in federal custody. A related complaint targets 26 others with conspiracy charges, with ten yet to be arrested. The ring moved meth from Mexico through Los Angeles and Phoenix to Amarillo Hereford and Warner Robins from January 2000 to April 2003.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Amarillo
Los Angeles
Mexico
U.S
Phoenix
Hereford
Texas
Warner Robins
Attorney General orders release of budget drafts
The Texas Attorney General ruled that Gov. Rick Perry must disclose drafts of the state budget from before the zero-based approach. The opinion says public records law requires release, despite Perry's claim that disclosure would hinder frank staff exchanges. Perry's office plans to review and provide copies by April 22, with a 10 day notice window to inform news outlets.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Texas
Greg Abbot
Rick Perry
June Harden
Associated Press
San Antonio Express-News
The
Austin American-Statesman
Perry
Kathy Walt
Walt
Texas House Eyes Rainy Day Fund Use Amid Budget Gap
Texas lawmakers debate a $1.8 billion hole in the current budget as Appropriations passes a $117.7 billion 2004 05 plan and weighs tapping about $500 million from the Rainy Day Fund. Comptroller Strayhorn opposes raiding the fund, warning she will not certify an irresponsible budget. Senate leaders propose delaying textbook and retirement system payments to cover the shortfall.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Austin
Carole Keeton Strayhorn
House
Strayhorn
Appropriations Committee
Texas
Appropriations
Talmadge Heflin
Billy Hamilton
The
Austin American- Statesman
Tom Craddick
Senate
David Dewhurst
Heflin
Foam chunk questioned in Columbia damage study
Boeing engineers said a model used by NASA to predict debris damage was outdated and lacked key data. Former astronaut Sally Ride noted no photos were taken to verify impact, and investigators pressed NASA for orbiting shuttle pictures after the foam struck Columbia.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Houston
NASA
Columbia
Boeing Co
Sally Ride
Ride
Texas
Florida
Judge orders TAB to answer grand jury questions in 2002 ads probe
Texas Association of Business and president Bill Hammond must testify and provide documents to a grand jury investigating a 1.9 million advertising campaign during the 2002 elections. Judge Lynch ruled the group can withhold donor names unless relevant, but must disclose details of the campaign including donations and funding sources. The ruling notes corporate spending on elections may be illegal and that grand juries have wide latitude to seek information.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Associated Press
Austin
Texas Association of Business
Bill Hammond
Mike Lynch
Hammond
Tab
Lynch
Austin American-Statesman
Association
Andy Taylor
Texas
Bill to criminalize race based burial policy premiums
Senate Bill would jail insurance executives who collect race based premiums on old burial policies as part of a homeowners insurance measure. Ellis notes up to two years in jail if the House approves. Texas regulators cite restitution and ongoing investigations.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Associated Press
Austin
Rodney Ellis
Dhouston
Ellis
Florida
American General
American Insurance Group
Houston Chronicle
Texas
Bill Goodman
Texas Department of Insurance
Goodman
Senate
House
Houston
Capitol
Also Mentioned on This Page
State Digest
Bill
Attorney General
Shuttle Investigation
Space Shuttle
Columbia Reconstruction Project
Kennedy Space Center
Cape Canaveral
Fla
Center
Lie
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