Some dare to ask: Does Texas need an income tax?

May 23, 2004, Sunday, BC cycle Some dare to ask: Does Texas need an income tax? BYLINE: By BOBBY ROSS JR., Associated Press Writer SECTION: State and Regional LENGTH: 1001 words DATELINE: DALLAS A monster lurks in Texas’ closet – it makes voters scream and politicians hide under their covers. But is it really as scary as most Texans seem to think? A few brave … Continue reading Some dare to ask: Does Texas need an income tax?

Sin taxes: political genius or unstable way to fund schools?

The Associated Press State & Local Wire April 17, 2004, Saturday, BC cycle Sin taxes: political genius or unstable way to fund schools? BYLINE: By BOBBY ROSS JR., AP Religion Writer SECTION: State and Regional LENGTH: 743 words DATELINE: DALLAS Sin is a politician’s friend. Politicians know that wrapping a tax around a societal vice – be it smoking, gambling or even topless dancers – … Continue reading Sin taxes: political genius or unstable way to fund schools?

Gov. Bredesen meets with Tennessee guard members awaiting deployment

Gov. Bredesen meets with Tennessee guard members awaiting deployment BYLINE: By BOBBY ROSS JR., Associated Press Writer SECTION: State and Regional LENGTH: 714 words DATELINE: FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. Gov. Phil Bredesen offered his prayers and support Monday to hundreds of Tennessee guard members awaiting deployment from Fort Campbell, an Army post straddling the Tennessee-Kentucky line. In his first visit to the post, the Tennessee governor … Continue reading Gov. Bredesen meets with Tennessee guard members awaiting deployment

Tennessee officials seek tips on lottery startup

Bobby Ross Jr. Associated Press Writer Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2002 | 9:29 a.m. ATLANTA — Dub it Lottery 101. Tennessee lawmakers received a crash course Tuesday in how to start a $1-billion-a-year enterprise — a state lottery — from scratch in just a few months. Rebecca Paul, president of the Georgia Lottery Corp., played the role of professor as the House-Senate lottery information and recommendation … Continue reading Tennessee officials seek tips on lottery startup

Senate candidates clash on eve of debate

The Associated Press State & Local Wire October 5, 2002, Saturday, BC cycle Senate candidates clash on eve of debate BYLINE: By BOBBY ROSS JR., Associated Press Writer SECTION: Political News LENGTH: 827 words DATELINE: NASHVILLE, Tenn. Bob Clement, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, pounced Saturday on an unconfirmed television news report that a company affiliated with Republican Lamar Alexander is under investigation. Clement, a Nashville congressman, charged that … Continue reading Senate candidates clash on eve of debate

Candidates campaign with guns blazing

Candidates campaign with guns blazing BYLINE: By BOBBY ROSS JR., Associated Press Writer SECTION: Political News LENGTH: 957 words DATELINE: KINGSTON SPRINGS, Tenn. Tennessee’s nominees for U.S. Senate donned camouflage, armed themselves with shotguns and scoped out doves – not to mention voters – on Monday. Democrat Bob Clement and Republican Lamar Alexander marked Labor Day, the unofficial start of the general election campaign, by joining hunters on the first day of … Continue reading Candidates campaign with guns blazing

Marriage and divorce in Oklahoma: an in-depth series

Headline: Divorce rate stays steady, study shows Byline: Bobby Ross Jr. Source: Publication Date: February 10, 2002 Page: 1-A Three years after Gov. Frank Keating declared war on the state’s No. 2-in-the-nation divorce rate, the enemy shows little sign of retreating. Oklahoma’s number of failed marriages – about 20,000 a year – has remained fairly steady, state records show. For every 100 marriage licenses issued in 2001, the state granted 76 divorce … Continue reading Marriage and divorce in Oklahoma: an in-depth series

Coloradans Mixed On Charter School Try

Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, OK) June 28, 1998, Sunday CITY EDITION Coloradans Mixed On Charter School Try BYLINE: Bobby Ross Jr., Staff Writer SECTION: NEWS; Pg. 1 LENGTH: 2604 words DATELINE: CASTLE ROCK, Colo. At a supermarket-turned-schoolhouse just off Interstate 25, moms and dads wage war in a 1990s-style American revolution. Like many parents in this booming Rocky Mountain town, rebel mom Jill Hendrix Denton grew frustrated with public education – at … Continue reading Coloradans Mixed On Charter School Try