The Houston Chronicle reports that Rep. John Culberson, R-Texas, “apologized Tuesday night for condemning NASA last week as a failure and a waste of federal money. ‘Every agency wastes money but NASA itself is not a waste,’” Culberson said, apologizing to space agency workers. NASA and its contractors employ about 20,000 people in the Houston area, which Culberson represents. The congressman “blamed his temper for his statements but also said his remarks had been taken out of context by people trying to embarrass him as he seeks re-election.” He faces Democrat Michael Skelly and Libertarian Drew Parks in the 7th District.

The Miami Herald reports that a lively debate is under way in Florida over a proposed ballot proposition that would amend the state constitution to replace some property taxes with sales taxes and other revenues. Opponents say Amendment 5 would jeopardize vital programs and substitute other taxes for the property tax; supporters say it would bring much-needed property tax relief. “The proposed amendment would eliminate all property taxes that pay for schools and provide Florida property owners a tax cut of about 25 to 40 percent, depending on where they live. The Legislature would be required to protect schools from budget cuts and replace the lost revenue with a minimum one-cent increase in the state’s six-cent sales tax, plus budget cuts and a menu of undetermined other taxes.”