They are friends in Congress — and brothers in Christ

The only two members of Churches of Christ in the U.S. House share a special bond. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle When two U.S. congressmen visited a small, English-speaking Church of Christ in Brussels, one of them left Sunday worship with something that didn’t belong to him. Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Kentucky, chuckles as he recalls his friend and brother in Christ — Rep. Ted … Continue reading They are friends in Congress — and brothers in Christ

Elephant in the pews: Is the GOP the party of Churches of Christ?

National survey highlights political affiliations of major U.S. religious groups. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Seventy percent of Mormons and 64 percent of Southern Baptists lean toward or identify with the Republican Party — but only 50 percent of members of Churches of Christ do, the Pew Research Center reported this week. Those findings surprised Stephen Morris, a law and political studies … Continue reading Elephant in the pews: Is the GOP the party of Churches of Christ?

In Kentucky, a dispute over church, state and taxpayer-funded foster care

In Kentucky, a dispute over church, state and taxpayer-funded foster care (reporting from Melber, Ky.): Rather than adhere to proselytization rules, a Christian children’s home gives up its seven-figure state funding. MELBER, Ky. — Surrounded by pastureland and soybean, corn and tobacco fields, a rural children’s home associated with Churches of Christ cared for abused and neglected boys and girls for 24 years. In the last fiscal year, … Continue reading In Kentucky, a dispute over church, state and taxpayer-funded foster care

Funding a key issue in Texas’ child protection crisis

The Associated Press State & Local Wire January 21, 2005, Friday, BC cycle Funding a key issue in Texas’ child protection crisis This is the first in an occasional series examining issues related to CPS. BYLINE: By BOBBY ROSS JR., Associated Press Writer SECTION: State and Regional LENGTH: 1138 words DATELINE: AUSTIN, Texas The state’s Child Protective Services system is in crisis, and some say … Continue reading Funding a key issue in Texas’ child protection crisis

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