Legelines Returns

Sen. Watson: "It’s the middle of August. People shouldn’t be paying attention to weekly political newsletters."

Even in the depths of midsummer, there's always something happening around the Capitol (sometimes just because someone broke something).

– Standard and Poor's has upped the state's bond rating from AA to AA+, mainly because Gov. Rick Perry refused to touch the Rainy Day Fund. But wait, isn't using debt to pay for infrastructure bad? That's what the GOP said about the federal stimulus.

– Speaking of cash, just like Austin ISD, it seems that Fort Bend ISD is calling out the lege for passing a school finance bill and budget that still leaves them in a hole.

– Rep. Joe Crabb, R-Kingswood, has announced he won't be running again. The 17-year rural Harris Co. incumbent held the seat last year with 66% of the vote, so look for a Republican primary scramble for a safe seat.

– Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, has said he's definitely running for the statehouse again, but he might run for Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's seat "if an opportunity presents."

– In place of his normal weekly Watson Wire, Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, has issued a reality check for political junkies.