So it is the summer and it is hot and the Gossip is being lazy. So what? But that does not mean that there is not some interesting gossip going on about politics.

So Rick Noriega is in the race for the U.S. Senate and that opens up his Texas House seat. And who is standing by to jump into that race? The Gossips hear that it is Carol Alvarado a Houston City Council person and at one time one of the brightest stars in the Hispanic political community. Oh yes a little matter of staff members giving themselves raises without her knowledge did set things back a little. But a clear victory in a State Rep race would go a long way to getting her back on track. Carol is a smart, attractive public servant who will go a long way in public office. Her former Chief of Staff, James Rodriguez is in line to take Carol's seat at City Hall. James isanother bright, attractive Hispanic candidate who will go far in public life.

And then there is Talmadge Heflin, the new Executive Director of the Republican Party of Texas. Lots has been written about Talmadge. His disputed reign as Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, his defeat by Herbert Vo, not just once but twice. His lack of a career, ties to the lobby and the Speaker of the House who is under fire even in his own party. So Talmadge will be the new face of the GOP in Texas. Now that will be interesting. The Gossips can hardly wait for Talmadge's first TV appearance.

And speaking of the Speaker is another Houston Democrat in the Texas House who voted with the Speaker in trouble in the primary? State Rep.Kevin Bailey is in a district that is more and more Hispanic and his closeness to Speaker Craddick will not help in the Democratic primary. The Gossips hear that Armando Walle who works for Congressman Gene Green is looking at that race.

And is HISD really thinking of going for a 800 million dollar bond election in just 3 months. Last time the HISD campaign was up and running by this time and had raised lots of bucks to educate the voters on the need for new and rebuilt school facilities. The County is also going to ask for about 1 billion dollars in new bonds and the state is also asking for millions more in the fall election. Might be just too much to get passed on that election date? HISD probably needs the money but it might just want to wait to next year to ask for approval. (foot note, the Gossip was the Campaign Manager for the HISD bond election the last time and is now retired from such activities.)