Feb. 10, 2006
Ex-Abramoff client subpoenaed in Republican
fundraising probe
Channel One’s parent donated to TRMPAC before education
board’s vote on resolution
By CLAY ROBISON and R.G. RATCLIFFE
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle Austin
Bureau
AUSTIN – New subpoenas issued by Travis County prosecutors on Thursday
cast light on a campaign contribution made by Primedia Inc. in 2002
just two days before the State Board of Education cast a vote that
could have affected the company’s profits in Texas.
Documents requested by the subpoenas show the New York publishing
company gave $2,500 to Texans for a Republican Majority, the political
action committee founded by U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay, on Nov. 13, 2002.
The money was solicited for TRMPAC by the husband of a board member,
Dallas businessman Vance Miller, according to a document obtained
by the Houston Chronicle. full
article
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Channel One company’s donation to DeLay
investigated
Firm gave money to political action committee in 2002
By Laylan Copelin
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Friday, February 10, 2006
Travis County prosecutors continued looking for ties Thursday between
Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff and U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Sugar
Land.
Only this time, the trail of money from an Abramoff client to DeLay’s
political action committee, Texans for a Republican Majority, winds
back to the State Board of Education and a 2002 vote to continue allowing
corporate telecasts with commercials in Texas classrooms.
The subpoena issued Thursday wants information about a $2,500 donation
to DeLay’s committee from Primedia Inc., the parent company of Channel
One, which produces 12 minutes of daily news and entertainment programming
for 1,300 Texas schools. full
article
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From Jim Metrock: I spoke to the Texas State Board of Education
during their September 2002 meeting. A resolution urging Texas
schools to remove Channel One was introduced by board member Judy
Strickland. There appeared to be enough votes for passage but it
was decided to postpone the vote until November so Channel One
could respond.
Channel One did respond in their traditional way – they paid lobbyists
to win over public officials. Ralph Reed made phone calls. Money
was passed as we now learn.
In November 2002, when Obligation’s Pat Ellis appeared before
the same State Board of Education, Channel One was shockingly victorious.
CEO Jim Ritts was there to defend his company but his words were
unnecessary. His lobbyists had earned their money. The non binding
resolution would be trashed and replaced by a resolution that was
acceptable to Channel One officials.
One out of every ten Channel One’s TV sets are in the state of
Texas. It is there most important state. Channel One had to play
hardball and they had to spend money to keep the money flowing
out of Texas schools.
Can Channel One News keep one million plus students in Texas under
contract? That’s up to the citizens of Texas.
