We want to send a big thank-you to the Texas Progressive Alliance, the organization for Texas' blue-state bloggers, for recognizing Texas Watchdog as one of its "Gold Star Texans" for 2009. We were named along with Austin attorney Ramey Ko; state Rep. Elliott Naishtat, D-Austin, and his Capitol staff; and Democratic candidate for state ag commissioner Hank Gilbert.

Here's what the alliance said about us, according to Burnt Orange Report:

Texas Watchdog had a role in breaking stories in the just-completed Houston city elections. Though their work can, at times, be controversial, we welcome another online news organization to the Texas media landscape with our nomination of the group.

Meanwhile, the alliance also named Annise Parker, who officially becomes Houston's new mayor Saturday, as its Texan of the Year.