So Long, Jay

Texas is losing one of its best investigative journalists. My old pal Jay Root is now with the New York Times at their Albany bureau doing investigations.  For those that don’t know, Albany is the state capitol of the state of New York. Jay is leaving the Chron where he was handling investigations. He had been at the Trib and the Star Telegram. 

For those of us who want our state government held accountable, this is a big-time loss. You don’t replace a reporter of Jay’s caliber and reputation.

I first met Jay in the early 1990s when he was with the Houston Post. Heck, I have a December 1993 front-page story, right under the banner, with a Jay by-line about my politics that is framed and hanging here at my place. Don’t worry, it wasn’t an investigative piece.

Over the years, Jay and I would chat on occasion. On stories, on background, as a resource, and fact checking. I trusted him and he trusted me. I probably won’t talk to him much unless he has a New York subject with an H-Town or Texas connection.

Good luck, Jay. Some of us will miss you. Those that are investigation worthy, won’t.

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The GOP clown show continues.  The free migrant bus rides to Washington, D. C. have become so popular that the state is running out of money so now the arsehole Gov. Greg Abbott wants the public to pitch in.  This guy can’t get anything right.

Here is the Trib story on the latest free bus trips: Gov. Greg Abbott asks for private money to bus migrants to D.C. | The Texas Tribune.

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This afternoon, I will try to watch Justin Verlander take the mound in Arlington. 

This evening, I will check out and see who the Texans pick in the first round of the NFL draft.