Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Van Os: "Corporate interests are running roughshod over the people of Texas."

Abbott focuses on kids, Van Os on tolls, greed

November 1, 2006

Associated Press
Copyright 2006

The candidates for attorney general are talking past each other.

Republican incumbent Greg Abbott is emphasizing efforts to protect children online and fight cybercrime. Democratic challenger David Van Os says he's trying to protect the people from a "reign of greed."

Mr. Abbott, 48, has served as attorney general since December 2002 and was previously a Texas Supreme Court justice and a state district judge in Harris County. He recently joined Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst to push for tougher laws on sexual online predators.

"I want to continue using the laws of the state to help protect children," Mr. Abbott said. He said that his office has collected record child support payments.

He said fighting cybercrime will be a priority.

"The methods used on the Internet to take people's money are growing worse and worse," Mr. Abbott said.

Mr. Van Os, 56, is a San Antonio lawyer who has worked for the Communication Workers of America and the Texas AFL-CIO. He said he is running because he believes we are living "under a reign of greed perpetuated by self-promoting, power-seeking politicians and robber-baron corporate interests who are running roughshod" over the people of Texas.

If elected, Mr. Van Os said, he would create a people's watchdog division that would enforce laws pertaining to antitrust, price-gouging, labor and environmental protection.

"That's just not being done right now," said Mr. Van Os, who also contends that the Trans-Texas Corridor, a combined toll road and rail system from the Oklahoma line to Mexico, is unconstitutional.

Jon Roland, a 62-year-old Austin computer programmer, is running as a Libertarian.

© 2006 The Associated Press: www.ap.org

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