Opinion

Stimulus won’t save Texas’ bacon this time
Just days after Gov. Rick Perry rode anti-Washington rhetoric and boasting about balanced budgets to an easy victory in the Republican gubernatorial primary, the Legislative Budget Board threw out some numbers that should have had right-thinking Texans rubbing their eyes in hopes of clearing away the fog.
March 14, 2010

Tight county election proof your vote counts
Is there anybody who’s ever taken a civics class or heard a well-meaning public service announcement who hasn’t been encouraged to cast a ballot with the words, “Your vote can make a difference”?
March 12, 2010

Acclaim and a Shame for March 10, 2010
Acclaiming School for Little People trike-a-thon
March 08, 2010

Dual-language program worthy of emulation
There are segments of society that believe only English should be spoken in society, and certainly no other language belongs in public school classrooms. Those people don’t live in the real world of education in Texas.
March 07, 2010

Schools make most of TAKSing situation
Though TAKS might be a dirty word to many parents and educators, for now it’s still the final word in school-district ratings.
March 04, 2010

LJ girls already making a difference
Three impressive youngsters, all hailing from Lake Jackson, should be commended for their initiative and selfless acts done on the behalf of others.
March 02, 2010

Acclaim and a Shame for March 1, 2010
Acclaiming Angleton ISD's new ballpark and the rebuilding of San Luis Pass park.
March 01, 2010

Public anger misplaced over gaming raids
Every time police raid an eight-liner gaming parlor on allegations of illegal cash payouts, the letters and phone calls pour into our office blaming police for shutting down their recreation.
February 28, 2010

Acclaim and a Shame for Feb. 22, 2010
Acclaiming the county spelling bee winner and a suicide awareness event at Brazoswood High School.
February 22, 2010

USDA right to ditch onerous cattle chip plans
There is a fine line between what is appropriate when it comes to protecting the public and onerous overregulation.
February 21, 2010

Olympics should inspire determination
As much as we celebrate success — and in many ways expect it in our country — it is what happens away from the television cameras and spotlight that most deserves our respect and emulation.
February 19, 2010

Voters get chance to double the pleasure
For those who enjoy observing the political process, as well as faithfully discharging their civic duties, the next few months will be something to savor.
February 17, 2010

Acclaim and a Shame for Feb. 15, 2010
Acclaiming expansion of successful Brazoswood “Got Your Back ... Pack” program run by student council and a fire hydrant painting program sparking excitement in Freeport.
February 15, 2010

Teacher fingerprinting just makes sense
There hasn’t been much by way of uproar against a requirement — passed in 2007 but only now being enforced locally — that teachers, aides, principals, even substitutes, file fingerprints with the state.
February 14, 2010

Landlords lucky they’re off the hook
The owners of rental properties in Oyster Creek apparently did a good job of making their case when the city attempted to enforce a long-ago-passed ordinance that would have required the landlords to pay for utilities their former tenants had skipped out on.
February 12, 2010