The Gossips have been taking it easy while they watch the Texas Legislature and all it's dealings with the vaccine against cervical cancer. Now Attorney General Greg Abbott has informally told two top lawmakers that Gov. Rick Perry exceeded his authority in ordering middle-school girls to be vaccinated and that the Governor does not have the power to issue Executive Orders. Interesting to note that it was an informal decision and not in writing. Meanwhile New Mexico is going ahead with its decision to require the vaccine. Guess the Democrats in NM have more guts then the GOP folks in Texas. The Texas House today passed a bill preventing the requirement of the vaccine. That is real leadership and it will be interesting to see if the bill passes the Senate and if the Governor vetoes the bill. The Legislature will try and get the bill passed in plenty of time to overturn a veto.

And Harris County has a new boss, Ed Emmett, an old friend of the Gossips and a good guy is the new County Judge. Ed envisions making his mark as "the regional mobility guy." He wants to "build partnerships that will help add toll roads, improve freeways and secondary roads and increase light-rail and bus lines". And he better start to work fast as he will have to file for office in less then a year and have something to show. Ed, when he was in the Texas Legislature was a moderate and a leader in the Harris County delegation. He worked well with the Democrats who controlled the State back then. Of course the GOP has moved to the right since then and Ed will have to show his conservative credentials to win the GOP primary. But he is very smart and friendly guy and he will do well as the County Judge. So who did Ed defeat to get elected to the State House way back when? Another good guy, Joe Allen of Baytown.