Democrats emphasize spending on education in addition to tax cuts

Texas House Democrats are attempting to outflank Gov. Rick Perry and Speaker Tom Craddick, both Republicans, by applying pressure to do more than just take a quick vote on a proposed tax overhaul next week.

On Thursday, Democrats filed legislation to spend billions on public education, including across-the-board teacher pay raises, reducing class sizes, updating textbooks and providing health insurance to all school personnel. They're readying for a battle to ensure their proposals are debated and voted on. And they are touting property tax cuts they say would treat every homeowner — rich or poor — the same.—by Laylan Copelin, Austin American-Statesman

President Carter's Earth Day message of hope

Fifty ways to help save the planet

Global warming is probably the greatest threat our species has ever faced. The sheer scale of the processes under way in the atmosphere and the oceans makes it hard not to view anything an individual does to reduce emissions as being too little too late. Not true. Read and try some of these ways to help save the planet.—by Henry Porter, Vanity Fair

Bush: 'I'm the decider' on Rumsfeld

"I listen to all voices, but mine is the final decision," (the President) said. "And Don Rumsfeld is doing a fine job. He's not only transforming the military, he's fighting a war on terror. He's helping us fight a war on terror. I have strong confidence in Don Rumsfeld. I hear the voices, and I read the front page, and I know the speculation. But I'm the decider, and I decide what is best. And what's best is for Don Rumsfeld to remain as the secretary of defense."—CNN

Helping save prickly victims of development

The operation began military-style at the crack of dawn. Bearing welders' gloves, shovels and tweezers for medical emergencies, the brigade of 40 moved across the desert, undaunted by rattlers, in single-minded pursuit of their well-defended targets. It was the 141st mission of the Cactus Rescue Crew, and its challenge could be seen nearby, where whirling sprinklers signaled another "championship golf fairway" under construction, another "active adult master-planned community" in progress.—By Patricia Leigh Brown, The New York Times

Samsung's long road to Austin

In late March 2005 in Seoul, South Korea, Shinoh Kim, a Samsung Electronics executive, joined former Austin Mayor Kirk Watson for breakfast at the Shila Hotel and explained Samsung's attitude toward possibly expanding its Austin operation:

"One plus one equals five," and "one plus zero equals zero."

Samsung picks Austin for $3.5 billion plant

Austin's wait for Samsung is over.

The South Korean chip maker will start construction of a massive second chip factory in Austin next week.

Local and state officials say they believe the plant will be the largest investment ever by a foreign company in a U.S. plant. The price tag is estimated at $3.5 billion to $4 billion. The factory is expected to employ about 900 people, including Samsung personnel and on-site workers from supplier companies.

Austin attorney Pike Powers, who was deeply involved in the Samsung recruitment effort, holds a T-shirt Thursday that celebrates the South Korean chip maker's decision to build a second plant in Austin.—Kirk Ladendorf, Austin American-Statesman

7 World Trade Center and Hearst Building: New York's Test Cases for Environmentally Aware Office Towers

A decade ago, office towers guzzled energy as fast as they could, and "sick building syndrome" was dismissed as a hypochondriac's all-purpose excuse. Since then, however, the rise of "green" architecture has encouraged architects, developers and construction managers to consider the effect their buildings have on the health of their occupants and the environment. Today green is a buzzword, a term to which all sorts of new buildings attempt to lay claim. But does that mean people who show up to work in the morning breathe more easily?—by Robin Pogrebin, The New York Times