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Grits

June 26, 2008 — (We accidentally posted an older version of Grits earlier today. Here's this week's version.)

 Trans-Texas Corridor Gets a Re-Route

Under public and political pressure, the Texas Transportation Department (TxDOT) and its new chairman, Deirdre Delisi, announced a new plan that would use existing highways and right-of-ways where possible for the proposed Trans-Texas Corridor (TTC), a new passenger and freight highway extending from the state’s Mexican border to Oklahoma. The new proposal will mostly avoid using eminent domain to take farmlands for new rights-of-way. The TTC is still not without controversy, and although Delisi, a former chief of staff to Gov. Rick Perry (R), has taken over, she will have to be confirmed by the state senate in 2009 and has already caught flak for being, as one senator put it, “a political hack.” Thus, TxDOT and its decisions will remain under heightened legislative oversight for some time. TxDOT also has been hit by the Sunset Advisory Commission, which recently proposed some restrictions on TxDOT’s authority and has recommended the agency come under review again in four years, not the usual twelve. Meanwhile, a new poll by Texas Lyceum found that although a big majority of Lone Star voters want improved highways, they aren’t happy about paying for them: 60% oppose a gasoline tax hike, 53% oppose tolls on existing highway, and 46% are against tolls on new highways. So what else is new?

GOP Leadership Intervenes in Alabama Primaries

Just as SPR forecast in May, Republican leaders, including House Minority Leader John Boehner (OH) and US Rep. Tom Cole (OK), chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), have intervened in the July 15 runoffs in both Alabama’s 2^nd District (Dothan, etc.) and 5^th District (Huntsville, etc.). Boehner and Cole hosted a $500-a-pop fundraiser for state Rep. John Love (R), who faces state Sen. Harri Anne Smith (R) in the runoff. And in the 5^th District, Cole contributed $5,000 from his personal PAC to Wayne Parker, who also got fat check from Chief Deputy Minority Whip Eric Cantor (VA). Love and Parker both led in the first balloting, but failed to reach the 50% necessary to win the nomination. Although the NRCC has not officially anointed either candidate that Cole is personally supported, in practice the NRCC’s new “non-intervention policy” is a distinction without a difference.

Taxes, Oil Broil Virginia Senate Race

Former governors Mark Warner (D) and Jim Gilmore (R) are already differing on key issues in their bids for the state’s top office. In response to high gasoline prices, Gilmore has called for drilling for oil in Virginia’s offshore waters, while Warner disagreed, calling for tougher negotiations with OPEC and more regulation of oil market speculators. Gilmore began his campaign by opposing tax hikes and slamming Warner for backing a $1.4 billion tax increase when he was governor, when existing tax rates provided a $1 billion state surplus before Warner’s tax increase took effect.

Broun’s Poll Shows He’s Strong in Georgia

Freshman Paul Broun (R-GA) is facing a well-financed challenge from state House Majority Whip Barry Fleming, but according to a June 17-19 poll taken for Broun by the Tarrance Group, the incumbent is in great shape. The poll gave Broun 80% to Fleming’s 15%. Broun got a boost from being better known -- 97% name ID to Fleming’s 58% -- and by being well-liked: 80% favorable. The primary is on July 15.

Davis Polls Well in Alabama

In response to a recent SPR article in which US Rep. Artur Davis’s (D) statewide prospects were questioned, we have been provided with a survey, taken for Davis in February by Anzalone-Liszt Research (D), which showed that the African-American congressman would have significant support for a 2010 gubernatorial bid. According to the survey, Davis would lead, tie or come close to four prominent GOP potential candidates for governor: Community college chairman Bradley Byrne 37%, Davis 43%; 2006 GOP nominee for lieutenant governor Luther Strange 43%, Davis 43%; state House Minority Leader Mike Hubbard 43%, Davis 41%; and state Attorney General Troy King 47%, Davis 40%. When a higher support for Davis among black voters was calculated by the pollster, Davis ran even better.