The Ten Best (And, Sigh, The Ten Worst) Legislators
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Represents the wishes of his conservative North Dallas constituency loyally while retaining an open mind to rational argument by those who disagree. Almost single-handedly killed two of the most important pieces of environmental protection legislation offered this session (HB 205 giving citizens the right to sue state agencies to enforce pollution control standards, and HB 646 creating a State Office of Environmental Quality), while retaining the friendship, admiration, and respect of his opponents in the process.
Significant accomplishments: fought like a tiger to secure appropriations for education of deaf children; pushed through a proposed Constitutional amendment (SJR 29) which would improve credit ratings of Texas municipalities and save taxpayers $40 million a year in bond interest charges.
Like several other Dallas Republicans [see Honorable Mention list], he symbolizes an increasingly urban and urbane trend among conservatives, in a marked contrast to the sputtering ineffectiveness of the doctrinaire Houston wing of the party. More like a good legislator from California, Oregon, or Connecticut than the sort Texans have been accustomed to seeing over the years.
Dan Kubiak, 35, Moderate Democrat, Rockdale. The best-educated chairman of the House Education Committee in recent history. The only man in the House, except DeWitt Hale, who really understands the complex issues of education and school finance which account for 47 per cent of the entire state budget. As the only member who is capable of actually writing education bills himself, his expertise is invaluable. Has two years to develop a new school financing plan; his success on this could make or break his political career.
Closely allied to the teachers' lobby (Texas State Teachers Association), but has the rare ability to go beyond his base of support to influence the attitudes of those who seek to influence him (an example: his no-nonsense approach to the 1976 teacher pay raise, which the TSTA sought to obtain but which would have wrecked the school finance bill).
A diligent, hard worker who attends committee meetings, keeps informed, knows what is going on. Incorruptible, though critics complain of occasional doubletalk.
Like Caldwell, a man of wide-ranging, cultivated interests. Historian, newspaper publisher, author of highly-regarded books on Texas.
Bill Meier, 32, Conservative Democrat, Euless. One of the happiest surprises in the current Senate. A freshman with no prior political experience, he is one of its best-informed and best-intentioned members.
Most distinguishing characteristic is a painstaking attention to detail that never descends to nitpicking. Catches points that other Senators miss in their haste to thresh out the major policy issues in a bill; a legal craftsman.
Probably somewhat more conservative than his district, but never dogmatic. Highly accessible, open-minded. Unfortunately was a key vote to kill the Telephone Utility Commission; strongly involved in criminal law legislation, sometimes on the conservative side (death penalty, oral confessions), sometimes on the liberal side (marihuana). Played a major role in salvaging the House reform legislation in the Senate; did an outstanding job as sponsor of the campaign finances disclosure bill (HB 4).
Nothing special in floor debate but absolutely outstanding in committee.
Hawkins Menefee, 28, Moderate Democrat, Houston. One of the brightest of the 77 freshman House members, with an impressive command of the Texas political process gained in his work as a legislative aide and member of the Southwest Center for Urban Research in Houston.
Strongly urban oriented, he emphasized environmental issues, mass transit, and consumer problems in his legislative program and met with moderate success in achieving his goals. Intelligent, ambitious.
Won a key seat on the Appropriations Committee and became known for his skill at political maneuvering. Served on the House-Senate Conference Committee on the appropriations bill, a rare and powerful position for a freshman. Worked behind-the-scenes to preserve key measures, such as the food stamp program.
Very sophisticated in his approach to politics and to other politicians, he is willing to put in long hours lobbying other members on behalf of his bills.
In manner a trifle too slick for some, a little too down-home for others. Perhaps the most talented mimic in the history of the legislature; his ability to use humor took some of the edge off a tedious session.
A.R. "Babe" Schwartz, 46, Liberal Democrat, Galveston. The most complex, remarkable man in the Senate. Came to the legislature in 1954 as an all-but-ignored liberal gadfly, now one of the most consistently influential members. Votes an unabashed liberal record but always manages to stay on good terms with whoever happens to be lieutenant governor, a situation which has generated suspicion from other liberals. Has almost single-handedly saved the Gulf Coast beaches from commercial exploitation.
Picks his battles carefully. Once he decides to go after something, he is a ferocious adversary. A former prosecutor whose penetrating voice seems to come from the corner of his mouth, he is expert in floor debate, repartee, and filibusters. Even stronger in committee, especially conference committees, where the mere presence of his name on the list of Senate conferees is enough to strike terror in the hearts of the House contingent. Often spreads himself too thin, especially at end of session when he tries to carry the ball in several conference committees meeting at the same time. When present, a master of the divide-and-conquer technique.
Quick, phenomenally retentive mind. Brilliant understanding and insight into the most complex matters. A gut-fighter by instinct, has nothing of the goody-goody in him; has no use for the "Scholz's Liberals," who reciprocate the disdain. Likes power and is willing to accept the down side of things occasionally to keep it. Tied to Galveston millionaire Shearn Moody long and closely—in the opinion of many observers, too long and too closely. Not for sale, but remains a complete cynic about politics and the possibility of "political reform"—an attitude which may help to explain his prolonged, bitter feud with Senator Bill Patman of Ganado, himself a model of scrupulous personal rectitude. Accept others' frailties (except Patman's) and makes no excuses for his own.
Max Sherman, 38, Conservative Democrat, Amarillo. Rates high in honesty and intelligence. A person of great integrity who takes his job seriously and has a genuine sense of public service. More nearly resembles a thoughtful professor of business administration than the popular stereotype of a politico.
Makes an earnest effort to be well-informed, a rare trait in any case and one which few legislators can sustain through the heat of a session. A "floater," not locked into a preconceived ideological position. His very open-mindedness increases his influence and helps him swing votes. Regarded as totally fair, even by observers who don't agree with his positions as chairman of the important Natural Resources Committee.
Legislative program is rather modest. Reluctant to carry controversial bills; on the other hand, is not one of those legislators who is a soft touch for seamy-sided special interest legislation. A stabilizing influence on the Senate.
Represents the most isolated, homogeneous district in Texas, an area which usually prefers to be left alone and often sends legislators to Austin to accomplish that purpose. Like Representative Dean Cobb, Dumas, Sherman is a conspicuous exception to this rule, taking an interest in problems that affect the entire state.
Jim Wallace, 45, Moderate Democrat, Houston. Splendid senator, probably the best of the lot. A quiet, polite Baptist teetotaler, the polar opposite of a flamboyant demagogue. Moves slowly and deliberately but always knows exactly what he is doing. An observer in the Senate gallery would never surmise the breadth of his influence from watching him on the floor.
Like Sherman, works hard at being well-informed, and succeeds. Much of the respect he has in the Senate is due to the fact that he is a man of absolute courage who is never rash. Would clearly rather not be a Senator at all than be a phony Senator or a bad one. Unimpeachably honest. Like Schwartz (and Mauzy and Brooks), is one of the few legislators who recognize the importance of hiring a capable, professional staff and making intelligent use of them.
Has a substantial and carefully-thought-out legislative program, emphasizing environmental issues. Was sponsor of every major piece of environmental legislation that passed the 1971 and 1973 legislatures (other than Agnich's endangered species act and Schwartz's coastal laws), including improved standing-to-sue in pollution cases and full agency status for the Air Control Board. Also carried Title III of the new Family Code, improving the handling of juvenile delinquents, and the Senate version of the marihuana and drug reform legislation.
Craig Washington, 31, Liberal Democrat, Houston. Has done more than any man in history to end racism on the floor of the Texas House.
Vigorously represents the interests of his predominantly-liberal constituency, which includes the University of Houston and Texas Southern University.
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