Funeral protests and gubernatorial polls.• It's now against the law to protest at the funerals of military men and women in Texas. That was a late addition to the special session agenda and a response to protests organized by a Kansas group that contends the deaths of U.S. soldiers abroad has something to do with God's wrath toward gays. They and others who want to protest for whatever reason now have to stay at least 500 yards away — about a quarter-mile — from an hour before the service until an hour after. • A new SurveyUSA Poll that says more Texans have a negative impression of Gov. Rick Perry than have a positive one. The poll, done last weekend, says 40 percent of Texans approve of the job Perry's doing, while 54 percent don't. Last month, the same outfit said in a poll of 579 "likely voters" that Perry would win the Guv's race if it were held now, with 39 percent of the vote. Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn was in second place in this one, with 25 percent, followed by Kinky Friedman with 16 percent and Democrat Chris Bell with 15 percent. Have a little salt with those results: With six months left before the election, that survey says only 3 percent of Texans are undecided about who they'll support.

If you're writing about student testing, be sure you read over your work before you turn it in.The Harris County GOP is giving away bikes to kids at J.R. Harris Elementary School who passed the state's standardized TAKS test. It's the third year they've done the giveaway for kids with good scores. But if you read their press release carefully, it looks like they're aiming higher than usual -- giving away lots and lots of bikes: "The GOP in cooperation with the school is giving away 300 bikes to any child who passes the TAKS."

Last week's government is this week's politics. Gov. Rick Perry is running television and radio ads to define and claim credit for what the legislature just did on taxes and school finance, touting tax cuts, teacher pay raises, new business taxes, high school math and science standards, and so on.He's got two TV ads, and one for radio (all of them are available on his campaign website or in our Files section). He's the only candidate paying for commercials right now, apparently on the theory that the first part of the argument is defining what happened. He wants to call this a big tax cut and a success on school finance before the public hears the competition calling it something less attractive. At the moment, he's the only one spending money on a megaphone. One ad features Perry standing in front of a house, and includes shots from a classroom and a construction site. The second shows him standing in front of a school with kids playing in the distance, and includes the same classroom and construction site scenes. The script and the words that appear on the screen while he's talking are identical in the two spots. The script, read by Perry, goes like this: "A $15 Billion property tax cut and more money for our schools. We kept our promises to you. The average homeowner will receive a $2,000 tax cut. Every teacher will receive a well-deserved pay raise. We closed corporate loopholes and created new protections to keep taxes low. And we're protecting our job climate — the best in the nation. Lower property taxes, higher teacher salaries, and the largest tax cut in history. That's good for Texas." While he's talking, these words appear on the screen: "$15 Billion Property Tax Cut... Governor Rick Perry... $2,000 Tax Cut over first 3 years... Pay Raise for Teachers... Real Taxpayer Protections Keeping Taxes Low... Protecting Jobs... Lower Property Taxes... Higher Teacher Salaries... Largest Tax Cut in History... Pol. Ad Paid for by Texans for Rick Perry." Perry also has a radio spot running, also narrated by the candidate. That script: "A $15 billion property tax cut over three years. The largest tax cut in Texas history. And more money for schools. We kept our promises to you. This is Gov. Rick Perry. The average homeowner will receive a $2,000 tax cut. Every teacher will receive a well-deserved pay raise. And more money will go to high school math and science instruction and dropout prevention. We closed corporate tax loopholes and created incentives for employer health and retirement benefits. We passed strong new protections to keep taxes low. The effective tax caps mean voters have more say over school spending and tax decisions. And we're protecting our job climate, the best in the nation. Lower property taxes, higher teacher salaries, and the largest tax cut in Texas history. Educators, taxpayers, and businesses agree — that's good for Texas. Political ad paid for by Texans for Rick Perry." Perry got the "average tax cut" by taking a number from Texas A&M University's Real Estate Center and running it through the tax bills. The average sales price in Texas in March, according to A&M, was $184,500. (A spokesman for Perry says they used that number because the governor thinks sales prices should be disclosed as a way to keep property appraisals realistic. That's opposed by many in the real estate business, and wasn't part of the fight over taxes and school finance.) Start with $180,500, deduct $15,000 for a homestead exemption (that's standard; homeowners in Harris County and some other locales get to deduct 20 percent of their property values). Divide it by 100 and multiply the result by 17 cents for the first year, and by 50 cents for years two and three. Add it up and you get a tax cut of $1936.35, assuming prices and tax rates don't rise. The Real Estate Center put the median prices of homes sold in March at $138,700; the tax cut on that house would amount to $1,447.79 over the first three years, if values and rates were stable. Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn blasted the Perry ads in a press release, saying the tax bills passed during the special session don't raise enough money to cover the local property tax cuts promised in other legislation. She disputed Perry's claim of $2,000 in tax savings, saying property value changes and tax increases by cities and counties and special districts will erode that savings. She said the teacher pay raise amounts to less than $25 a week — "less than a tank of gasoline" — and said Perry's plan hit Texas businesses with a 200 percent tax increase over the current corporate franchise tax.

Planned Parenthood is starting a state PAC to back candidates in statewide and legislative races in Texas.Add this to your list of political action committees to watch during this election cycle: the Texas Planned Parenthood Votes Political Action Committee. It's new and it's only filed one report so far -- six contributors gave $4,310 -- but it aims to get involved in this year's elections. One contributor was former Gov. Ann Richards, whose daughter Cecile Richards heads Planned Parenthood's national operation. The group doesn't have a public goal for fundraising. Heather Paffe, the state political director, says the new PAC will fill in where local groups don't have political machinery in place: "Our ability to provide health care services to women rests in part on being politically involved." The new PAC was launched six weeks ago, and will work with others already in place in the state's three biggest cities. The Planned Parenthood of Houston and Southeast Texas PAC had $77,673 on hand at the end of last month, according to the report it filed with the Texas Ethics Commission. Planned Parenthood of North Texas Action Fund Political Committee had $9,855 in contributions that month, but ended with no money on hand. "Winning for Women," affiliated with the San Antonio Planned Parenthood, had $33,361 on hand at the end of last month.

With state Republican and Democratic conventions coming up, not to mention mid-term elections, Texas bloggers put party politics back on the front burner this week. Emerging themes: Has immigration reform damaged President George W. Bush's base support? Has tax reform damaged Gov. Rick Perry's base support? And can one Texas congressman turn blogger anger into blogger admiration?* * * * * All Politics is Local The Harris County Republican Party passed a resolution encouraging Gov. Perry to veto HB 3. Right of Texas posted it, but the governor signed the bill into law two days later anyway. Charles Kuffner of Off the Kuff wonders if there will be a Republican backlash against Perry because of the tax bills. He advises conservatives who opposed the Perry-Sharp Tax plan to "Either endorse another candidate, overlooking all of the places where you and that candidate are a bad fit, declare definitively that you will sit this election out and let the chips fall where they may, or sit down and be quiet because your threats have no meaning." Eye on Williamson County links to recent articles on the president's "base war" in the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times and wonders what the impact will be on Texas. "If the Republican base and the 'mad-at-Perry' crowd stays home that hurts everyone but (Democratic gubernatorial candidate) Chris Bell," they write. "If the Democrats in Texas can grab some of that energy that's in this country there's no telling what could happen. Not only in the Governor's race but all those races down ballot as well." * * * * * WWJD? After the president's primetime address on immigration reform, Mark Noonan of Blogs for Bush urged supporters to be supportive. "The President's plan is rational, just and merciful — it is everything we need to keep the Democrats away from the issue, satisfy the genuine security concerns along the border, and show ourselves to be the generous and great-hearted Party we are. Try to do anything else, and we will run afoul of the electorate." David Benzion, of the Lone Star Times, started a very interesting thread by asking his mostly conservative readers "How do you — you right-wing, build-a-wall, round-em-up and throw-em-back opponent of illegal immigration — square your political beliefs with your Christian faith?" A reply from J. Kathi Smith was repeated by many others: "Jesus told his people 'render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's when he spoke of following the law and paying taxes. Christians who believe the Bible as literal have no problem with our beliefs and illegals. We are a nation of laws and since even Jesus told us to follow our laws, I will give them to INS who can give them food and water as they are being bussed (sic) back to Mexico." Another interesting discussion on immigration reform ensued when Pink Dome brought up the issue of how and when Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' grandparents came to Texas. * * * * * Interview with the Congressman In a blogger scoop, Vince Leibowitz of Capitol Annex, obtained a lengthy, detailed interview with U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, who had previously been the target of bloggers' "unrelenting hell," in Leibowitz's words. During a 30-minute telephone interview, Cuellar talked about immigration, gas prices, partisanship, and that famous photo of the president pinching his cheeks before the State of the Union address earlier this year. * * * * * Interview with the Candidate Democratic contender for governor Chris Bell sat down for an interview in this month's issue of Texas Monthly. PubliusTX noted Bell's dismissal of a Democrat's chance of beating U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. Eye on Williamson County thought it was a favorable interview: "To me he comes off looking kind of Al Gore-ish. Meaning wonky, very intelligent and with a great sense of humor that not many are aware of. Which I think is a nice contrast to Perry and OTG." Ed. note: OTG is blog-speak for "One Tough Grandma," a.k.a. Carole Keeton Strayhorn. * * * * * Interview with the Senator Retiring Sen. Jon Lindsay, R-Houston, angered some Houston-area bloggers after his Q&A interview with Houston Chronicle reporter Janet Elliott. Anne Linehan of blogHOUSTON said, "He whines about constituents wanting a (property) tax cut because he has no clue how the little people are getting hammered by property taxes. Let's recall that in 2003 he paid $136.45 in property taxes on his two (48-acre) tree farms that were valued then at $654,350. If we all had his property tax bills, we'd probably be just fine with the status quo!" David Benzion of Lone Star Times picked up the thread and created a doctored image from the vintage TV show Green Acres to spoof Lindsay. * * * * * Open Primary Congressman Tom DeLay, R-Sugar Land, has announced June 9th as his formal resignation date. Fort Bend County Republican voters were polled about who their favorite replacement candidate would be, much to the amusement of left-leaning bloggers (see Off the Kuff) and right-leaning bloggers (see Texas Safety Forum). * * * * * Follow the Leader The first blogger in the Texas House, Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, outlines the growth in politicians blogging and predicts a future where it'll be as common as responding to constituent mail. * * * * * She's Not Rappoport Eileen Smith of In the Pink Texas attended the Center for Public Policy Priorities' dinner honoring Waco businessman Bernard Rappoport, but found her seat at the press table a little less glamorous than expected. (Hey, you don't do this for the glamour — it's the huge paycheck.) She snapped a few shots of former president Bill Clinton as he worked the receiving line, but the prize, exclusive photos feature her box-lunch dinner. Bon Appétit!

The Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct issued a "public admonition" of state Supreme Court Justice Nathan Hecht, criticizing his testimonials for Dallas lawyer Harriet Miers after she was nominated for the U.S. Supreme Court. But he's battling back and the issue will apparently go to court.Hecht and Miers are friends, fellow church-goers, and even went on a few dates. Miers withdrew her nomination to the court after withering criticism from conservative Republicans and from Democrats. President George W. Bush ended up picking Samuel Alito, who won Senate confirmation and is now a justice on the high court. But while she was in the hot seat, Hecht fielded calls from reporters, saying in numerous interviews that she was qualified for the job and vouching for her character. The state commission said he stepped over two lines when he did that: One that prevents judges from endorsing candidates for public office and one that prevents them from using their office to promote their own or others' interests. Hecht, and his lawyer, Chip Babcock of Houston, were baffled. Babcock said in an interview that judges have been speaking on behalf of judicial nominees for decades without stirring the ethical and canonical waters. And a fairly recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court freed them even further, allowing judges to talk about their positions on various issues, just like other officeholders. Between that ruling and this decision, Babcock said, Hecht "can talk about abortion, the war on Iraq, and tort reform, but he can't take a position on the nomination of Harriet Miers." Hecht has appealed the decision. He was at a judicial conference and wasn't available for interviews, but he did issue a statement: "The State Commission on Judicial Conduct has admonished me for providing information about the qualifications of a person nominated to sit on the United States Supreme Court and for commenting on the nomination. I believe that my statements on matters of national public interest did not offend canons of judicial ethics and were fully protected by the First Amendment as core speech.  As best I can determine, the Commission’s action is unprecedented despite many judges, over the years, providing factual information and endorsements to the judiciary committee and the public concerning nominees to the federal bench.  I intend to vigorously contest this charge which raises important issues of free speech." The appeal should be relatively quick. Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson will appoint three appellate judges -- not including any of the high court's justices -- to hold a trial. If you figure in all of the permitted delays, that trial has to start within about three-and-a-half months, and the panel will then have up to 60 days to rule.

Gov. Rick Perry -- confronted with a spoiled photo-op in Beaumont -- told a crowd gathered there that the Hurricane Rita relief approved for Lamar University by state lawmakers was being held up by Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn."I had hoped to sign House Bill 63 today," he said. "However, the comptroller has yet to certify that sufficient funding is available to meet these critical needs, even though the state has a budget surplus of more than eight billion dollars and it has been sitting on her desk for more than a week. Why she didn't take compassion on the people of Beaumont and certify this bill as quickly as possible I cannot explain." Strayhorn's deadline for certifying that legislation was actually the next day. But she signed it while Perry was on the road and replied to his towel snap with one of her own, saying he could have signed the legislation right after she did, except that he was out of town. If Gov. Perry was not gallivanting about the state he could have signed this bill today," she said. And she said the aid should have been available last fall, when she called on Perry (he ignored her) to hold a quick special session to free money for hurricane relief. He also could have called in the Legislative Budget Board to appropriate emergency money, she said. "If Gov. Perry had done what I urged last September, repairs to classrooms, libraries and other infrastructure could be completed right now." If you're new here, these are two of the four major candidates for governor. *with apologies to Matt Groening

What's this tax break worth? And why are the numbers from the Carole Keeton Strayhorn camp so small while the numbers from the Rick Perry camp are so big? In his TV spots, Perry says the property tax break approved by lawmakers in the just-ended special session will average $2,000 over the next three years. He's assuming you've got a $180,500 home — that was the average sales price in March, according to the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M — and that you'll get the minimum $15,000 homestead exemption. He's also assuming school districts won't add on a four-cent local enrichment tax — nearly every lawmaker and expert we've talked with assumes that's an automatic increase. And with all of that, Perry says your savings will be $1,936.35 (if school districts take the four-cent local enrichment, it would be $1,737.75). To save exactly $2,000 using Perry's math, you'd have to be in a house with a taxable value of $185,939. Strayhorn takes several nibbles out of the governor's estimate. She says the average value of houses on the Texas property tax rolls is $118,274. And she assumes the school districts will claim their four cents. And she assumes the value of the homes will rise five percent each year. And she adds in other school taxes that pay for things like debt and facilities. By her reckoning, the savings only amounts to $598 for the first three years — about $1,400 less than what Perry is promoting on TV. To save exactly $2,000 using Strayhorn's math, you'd have to be in house with a taxable value of $360,398. Call it the Strayhorn Discount or the Perry Premium: Strayhorn says you'll get 51 cents in savings for every dollar Perry promises; he says you'll get a dollar for every 51 cents of savings she estimates.

Lloyd Bentsen Jr., who served for 22 years in the U.S. Senate, ran for president and vice president and served as President Bill Clinton's first Treasury Secretary, died at home in Houston after a long illness that followed a couple of strokes. Bentsen was 85. Bentsen was a decorated bomber pilot in World War II and started his career in public office by getting elected Hidalgo County Judge when he was 25. He started three terms in Congress a couple of years later, and then quit to go into private business. In 1970, he ran for Senate, beating incumbent U.S. Sen. Ralph Yarbrough in the Democratic primary and then besting U.S. Rep. George H.W. Bush in the general election. He was the vice presidential nominee on the Democratic ticket that lost to Bush in 1988, behind Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts. His death prompted an outpouring of remembrances, starting with one from his family: "Senator Lloyd Bentsen passed away at home Tuesday surrounded by his loving family. He was a man of courage, wisdom and civility and set the highest standard for public service. As a young World War II squadron commander, he repeatedly risked his life to defend freedom. In the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, he promoted fiscal responsibility and free trade, supported the civil rights of minorities and women, and enabled protection for children and older Americans. As Secretary of the Treasury, he helped bring greater opportunity and unprecedented prosperity to our country. A friend of business and workers alike, Lloyd Bentsen earned his family’s and his country’s deepest appreciation for his extraordinary contributions to the well-being of his and our nation. Lloyd Bentsen had a blessed life and fully graced every member of his family’s lives. He is survived by his incredible wife of 63 years, B.A. Longino of Lufkin; three children and their spouses, and eight grandchildren." Gov. Rick Perry: "Today we mourn the loss of a war hero and true Texas leader who earned the respect of the nation with his dedication to public service. Anita and I extend prayers of comfort to his family in their time of grief, and urge all Texans to remember and honor his life of service." Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn: "Sen. Lloyd Bentsen was a true Texas icon and a friend. He put Texans above politics. He lifted all Texans." Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former U.S. Rep. Chris Bell of Houston: "Lloyd Bentsen never lost site of the fact that, in a state like Texas, we need to be about lifting each other up. And he spent his entire time in public service fighting for just that. I believe we need to honor his life remembering what he stood for: bipartisan, common-sense leadership. Lloyd Bentsen personified the word statesman and he will be sorely missed." Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst: "With today's passing of Senator Bentsen, the people of Texas have lost a true leader for the state and for America. Throughout his 28 years of public service, Senator Bentsen was an advocate for the people of Texas, and I appreciate and respect his dedication to improving the lives of all Texans. In this difficult time, I extend my deepest sympathy and prayers to his family and friends." State Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston: "Senator Bentsen was a great statesman and role model for me and so many. I was honored to have had the opportunity to get to know him while we traveled the country campaigning for the vice presidency. His footprints of statesmanship on local, state, national and international politics will long be remembered." State Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston: "Lloyd Bentsen was a true statesman whose very name became synonymous with good and fair government. His lifetime of public service left Texas and Houston better places than he found them. His wisdom will be missed. My prayers go out to the entire Bentsen family." Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie: "Texas has lost a great leader today. The passing of Senator Lloyd Bentsen is a tragic loss to the citizens of Texas and the citizens of this great nation. Sen. Bentsen was a man who put service to his state and country before all. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Bentsen family."