The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

The constitution grants very little power to the lieutenant governor of Texas. The misconception concerning the power of the position comes from the fact that for traditionally the... — Updated 6/21/2022

In answer to last week’s questions I posed, here are some of the answers: • The governor of Texas serves for four-year terms. This was changed in 1972 when John Connally was... — Updated 6/14/2022

Almost none of us, if any, would begin any game hoping to win without knowing the rules. Unfortunately, for all of us, too many of us begin our game of citizenship in life without... — Updated 6/7/2022

I have a lifetime honorary membership in a gun range. I have owned a gun since I was eleven years old. I have enjoyed hunting, skeet shooting, target practice and own more guns... — Updated 5/31/2022

I had an old gentleman once tell me the biggest problem in the country is ignorance and apathy, but he said, "I don't know what to do about it and furthermore, I don't really... — Updated 5/24/2022

There is no doubt I care a great deal about education. It is not only something which increases the quality of life, it underpins the American way of life. Thomas Jefferson once... — Updated 5/17/2022

Things have certainly changed since I was a freshman at the University of Texas in 1952. I stayed at a boarding house which charged me $55.00 a month for room and board, tuition... — Updated 5/10/2022

Among some of the nice things about serving in the Legislature for 32 years is the opportunity I enjoyed meeting people, some famous, some not-so-famous, but most very interesting... — Updated 4/19/2022

We have all heard the phrase: “swallowing camels while straining gnats.” Generally, the phrase is applied to persons we designate as hypocrites. It seems to me; however, the... — Updated 4/12/2022

Recently, I was extremely disturbed by the results of a poll which asked “How many Americans would remain and fight for our nation’s government as are the Ukrainians?”.... — Updated 4/5/2022

We in Southeast Texas need to wake up and realize that we are blessed in many ways; but the most valuable commodity available to us, our homes and our business entities is fresh... — Updated 3/29/2022

As a confessed political junkie, I sit around wondering many times about why some things are as they are. As an example, when I see a candidate flooding the news media with ad... — Updated 3/22/2022

It’s very difficult to write about the state Legislature without including a few stories about lobbyists. Lobbyists represent various interests in the capitol and do their best... — Updated 3/15/2022

How often do you hear someone say, "Nobody tells me what to do!"? After watching the recent election results, it seems that over 80% of Texans, including those in Orange County,... — Updated 3/8/2022

All politicians have egos, particularly after winning a hard-fought election battle. I must confess, I too was pumped up quite a bit after winning my election to the state Senate.... — Updated 3/1/2022

How Lamar State College-Orange came about is a somewhat interesting story about community involvement and politics. The story really began with Port Arthur College. Port Arthur... — Updated 2/22/2022

How many times have you heard someone running for office say, "I am not a politician"? The phrase seems to suggest that being a politician is necessarily a bad thing. I disagree.... — Updated 2/15/2022

The good news for Orange, County may be indicative of good news coming for all of America. There has been enough bad news in recent years accompanying the pandemic: arguments over... — Updated 2/1/2022

I wonder whether or not there is anyone besides me old enough to remember when there was no bridge to Bridge City. When one was driving west out of Orange, as you neared the Neches... — Updated 1/11/2022

As a boy I was fascinated by books telling tales of gallant knights saving the people. It was exciting to read about Ivanhoe, King Arthur and other errant knights going forth to... — Updated 1/4/2022

After chairing the Texas Senate Education Committee for several years, I am absolutely convinced that although education is expensive, it is not near so expensive as ignorance. I... — Updated 12/28/2021

If you are over 60 years old there is an additional plague attacking you rather than the current virus. I am absolutely convinced that computers were invented to drive us old folks... — Updated 12/21/2021

Recently, Governor Abbott has made a been to-do about the fact that Beto is not is not Beto O’Rourke’s real name. O’Rourke’s real name is Robert Francis O’Rourke. The gove... — Updated 12/14/2021

Rick Perry (Richard Perry) was the 47th governor of Texas, serving from 2000-2015. Perry served as the longest presiding governor of Texas after being elevated from lieutenant... — Updated 11/30/2021

While Ann Richards about whom I have already written succeeded Bill Clements, one short article in the Penny Record does not give adequate credit or respect to Ann Richards by becom... — Updated 11/23/2021