After a year of delay in the Texas Supreme Court, Texas Association of Businesses President Bill Hammond will finally have to answer questions about corporate money used during the 2002 legislative elections and his relationship with TRMPAC.

This month's Esquire has a long profile of Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle by John H. Richardson. I don't do this very often, but since it's only available on-line for those who pay $2.95 to subscribe, I recommend going to your local bookstore or newsstand and picking up the March Esquire for $3. Pass it on to your friends after you read it. It's worth the money.

The AP runs a profile of Travis County DA Ronnie Earle's fight, including this quote from Earle himself:

"I think that democracy is at stake," said the 62-year-old Earle, who has been D.A. since 1977. "The issue is whether large corporate interests can buy more democracy. If large monied interests can control elections, then the principle of `one person, one vote' is meaningless."

Couldn't agree more.

Today, the Houston Chronicle ran an Op-Ed submitted by fellow DailyDelay blogger David Donnelly. The piece sums up the three key turning points that caused the GOP to backtrack and reverse the DeLay Rule (Full text is below). Click here to add your name to our email list to keep abreast of breaking new on the DeLay scandal.

Houston Chronicle
Jan. 5, 2005

The Daily DeLay: T-Minus 4 Days and Counting
DeLay and the Westar Scandal: A Special Interest Fantasy

Tom DeLay and Kansas-based energy company Westar Corporation had a cozy relationship. Too cozy.