This Week in Texas: Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Things to talk about this week:

• Charles Perry (R-Lubbock), won yesterday’s special election for Senate District 28 (includes Lubbock, San Angelo, Sweetwater) with 53% of the vote. This opens up Rep. Perry’s current House seat in District 83, also encompassing Lubbock. This Senate seat was previously held by Senator Bob Duncan, who is now chancellor of the Texas Tech University System.

• The Legislative Budget Board (LBB), who oversees the budget, has begun gathering five years’ worth of data on selected state agencies and their programs for Speaker Joe Straus’ strategic fiscal review. When presentingto the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday, LBB Director Ursula Parks stated, “This strategic fiscal review asks the question whether something should be eliminated or what level it should be funded.”

• An Austin-based software company has developed a groundbreaking app—theTaco Text app. Now you can text one of four tacos—everyday, breakfast, fish, or “mystery”—to your friends. Just what your text conversations have been missing!

• This Friday night, the LBJ Presidential Library is hosting MOD: A Modern Take on the ‘60s Fashion. Seven Austin designers will showcase their custom looks based on Lady Bird’s wardrobe from her time as First Lady. Her original gowns and suits will come out of the vaults to be displayed alongside the newly created designs for this night only.

The next time you are looking for a place to dine in Austin, try Mettle on the Eastside. It’s my new favorite. Local glass artists, metal sculptors, and woodwork artists were commissioned to carry out owner Bridget Dunlap’s vision for this former warehouse building. It really is something you should see for yourself.

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