Texans, Don't Let Campaign Money Skew Your Vision When You Go to the Polls

West Texas billionaires are free to put every nickel of their fortunes into efforts to steer the state Legislature. After all, working within the bounds of campaign finance laws to get a preferred candidate into office is how the system is supposed to work.But when those efforts are aimed at driving the Legislature to positions that could endanger our thriving economy, this newspaper will exercise its right — and responsibility — to speak up. What concerns us is that wedge issues are being used to divide the GOP and divert attention from critical issues such as public education, transportation and infrastructure, all of which are crucial for our competitiveness.And we're not alone in this concern. Longtime establishment Republican leaders and business groups also are alarmed by the actions of ultra-conservative factions this cycle.  Continue reading...