Fight over University of Texas heats up between Perry ally, senator Judith Zaffirini (D)

[TexasTowelie]

Last edited Sat Sep 28, 2013, 10:31 AM - Edit history (1)

State Sen. Judith Zaffirini has been a staunch supporter of the University of Texas administration and formerly headed the Senate Higher Education Committee. Energy investor Jeff Sandefer has made open records requests to dozens of state agencies asking for information about state business with Zaffirini or her family.

AUSTIN — The battle between lawmakers and Gov. Rick Perry’s allies over refocusing the University of Texas has grown more fierce after one of the governor’s advisers targeted a key state senator.

In broad open records requests to dozens of state agencies, energy investor Jeff Sandefer has asked for any information regarding state business or contracts with state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, or her family.

The move follows similarly broad-based open records requests by UT regent Wallace Hall, a Perry appointee. Hall requested thousands of records from the Austin campus that also listed lawmakers and their correspondence with university administrators. Hall has been accused of trying to micromanage UT and engaging in a “witch hunt” to oust president Bill Powers.

The acrimony has led to a rare legislative committee examining the possible impeachment of Hall, of whom Zaffirini has been a critic.

The remainder of the story is behind the paywall at http://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/headlines/20130927-fight-over-university-of-texas-heats-up-between-perry-ally-senator.ece .

[Downwinder]

1. Can go behimd the paywall with the title in a Google search.

[TexasTowelie]

2. Thanks. The search should be on

Fight over University of Texas heats up between Perry ally, senator

I'll go ahead and edit the OP to include the first four paragraphs.