Leading Off (4/11/11)

Mayoral Candidates Weigh-In On Michael Vick Key-Gate: In the latest episode of the dull mayoral campaign, candidates tackled a contentious civic issue yesterday at a forum sponsored by the Metroplex Animal Coalition: should Mayor Caraway have given Michael Vick a key to the city. Rawlings and Okpa agreed that the city needs policies about keys. Kunkle wants Caraway to apologize for his poor judgment. And Natinsky said the city shouldn’t have unofficial keys. Who gets your vote?

Texas Cuts Budget To the Bone, But the Real Problem is Revenue: The New York Times takes a lengthy look at the battle in the Texas Legislature to balance the budget. While the budget bill proposes drastic cuts to public schools, nursing homes, and health care for the poor, the problem, the piece points out, is as much related to a revenue shortage as it is to government spending. And don’t blame the shortage in cash entirely on the economic climate: “The experts said the economic downturn caused only a third of the revenue shortfall here, as sales tax receipts fell off. Most of it, they said, stemmed from the state’s decision to overhaul its business tax structure and to reduce local property taxes in 2006. Various tax exemptions have also weakened revenues over the years.”

Metro Diner Shutters: After 43-years the Metro Diner on Gaston Avenue has closed. The well-loved Dallas spot will be missed, but if you have a hunkering for a “Woody” you can hit one of its other three locations. Speaking personally, the place hasn’t been the same since the smoking ban.