The Gossips hear that Bruce Nichols , the Houston Bureau Chief for the Dallas Morning News is departing that newspaper but staying in Houston and going to work for Reuters News Service. Nichols has years experience in reporting on Houston politics and happenings that will be well received at Reuters. He is well respected in the Houston political and news community and the Gossips are happy that he is staying in Houston.

It looked like old home week last Sat. night when many of the former staff members from Houston Mayor Kathy Whitmire's administration (1980-1990) showed up to celebrate a milestone birthday for Kathy's former Chief of Staff, Joan Adams. Yes the former Mayor and her husband were there in from Hawaii catching up with friends and so were many of her administration as well as some present and former members of the media. The Gossips were having a field day trading political rumors and recalling the past when things were more exciting at City Hall.

Most of the discussion at the birthday party was on the race for Governor of Texas. The consensus was that Rick Perry would be re-elected if he receives more then 37% of the vote in November. The Gossips are thinking that he could get lower then that if his conservative base decides to stay home. That group led by Dr. Steve Hotze tried to embarrass the Governor at the GOP state convention. They even sent out a 4 color brochure urging Republicans to attend the state convention and vote to turn down the Perry/Sharp plan to impose a new franchise tax on business. The convention was last weekend and the mailing was received on the Saturday of the convention. As they say in the business getting the mail delivered on time is half the battle. They did get a positive voice vote on their resolution but later a demand for a vote count defeated the resolution. However about 45% of the delegates voted to repeal the new franchise tax. That cannot be good for the Governor.