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Shadowguv says: I disagree with one portion of the piece—the notion that Bill White has run a fiscally tight ship during his tenure. While the stated definition of ‘balanced budget’ might be technically correct, a review of the annual City of Houston finance reports reveals a differing view. The COH has run a spending deficit every single year since 2004 for an accumulated deficit of over $3.6 Billion. Debt has increased by about $3.0 Billion, with increases in property & sales taxes filling in the gap. This data can be sliced and diced to justify so called ‘balanced’ budgets but the facts remain, spending (and borrowing) soared under Bill White. [However] White did a great job as Mayor and will be very effective in the U.S. Senate or the Governor’s Office. (November 23rd, 2009 at 4:51pm)
Patricia Kilday Hart
Patricia Kilday Hart has written about Texas politics for nearly 20 years. She has contributed to TEXAS MONTHLY's "Ten Best, Ten Worst Legislators" story since 1989 and worked as a reporter in the Dallas Times Herald's Texas Capitol bureau. She is a journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.
Features
The Best and Worst Legislators 2009
It was a new era at the Capitol, with a new Speaker and a new mood of peace, love, and bipartisanship in the war-torn House. But the eighty-first legislative session turned out to be a lot like the eighty that came before it—some heroes, some villains, and enough hot air to last until 2011. (July 2009)
The Best and Worst Legislators 2007
The eightieth session began with a Speaker’s race, ended with a Speaker’s race, and was consumed in between by the usual mix of nuanced issues and nasty politics. Along the way, a handful of lawmakers put the common good ahead of all else. And a handful of lawmakers didn’t. (July 2007)
The Best and Worst Legislators of 2005
A few lawmakers in both parties distinguished themselves during one of the worst sessions anyone can remember. As for the rest? Well, in the words of Jon Stewart, that famous observer of Texas politics: not so much. (July 2005)
Who Might Make It Next Time
(February 2005)
Who’s Not On The List
(February 2005)
3.—25.
Twenty-three other people with more clout than they know what to do with. (Well, they know exactly what to do with it.) (February 2005)
25 Stories About Bob Bullock
He's gone but not forgotten—particularly now, when leadership is in such short supply. Friends and colleagues recall why the late lieutenant governor was one of a kind. (July 2003)
The Enforcer
The name on everyone's lips this legislative session is unknown to most people outside Austin—inside Austin too. But Mike Toomey, the governor's chief of staff, is the most powerful political operative at the Capitol—and the most feared. Just ask his fellow Republicans. (May 2003)
Mr. Happy Man Goes to Washington
Ron Kirk may be this year’s most jovial political candidate, but his bid for the U.S. Senate is as much about race as personality. He knows it. His fellow Democrats know it. And you’d better believe the Republicans know it. (August 2002)
The Best and the Worst Legislators
Rodney Ellis was excellent. Gary Elkins was—well, significantly less so. Bill Ratliff was a model of dignified leadership. Domingo Garcia was a one-man leper colony. Our biennial roundup of the Legislature's leading lights and dim bulbs. (July 2001)
Session Player
A diary of San Antonio Democrat Leticia Van de Putte's first session as a state senator. (July 2001)
Bill Passes
How Bill Ratliff became lieutenant governor—and what it means for Texas. (February 2001)
It's Rick Perry's Party Now
Sophisticated, likable politician? Arrogant, not-ready- for-prime-time player? He's both—as well as the presumptive next governor of Texas. (October 2000)
Conservative. Compassionate?
The two faces of Bush’s compassionate conservatism guru. (July 2000)
George W. Es Muy Bueno
The selling of George W.—in Spanish. (July 2000)
His Fantastic Four
Meet the superheroes of George W. Bush’s campaign for the presidency: a quartet of brainy advisers who are helping him to refine and sell his ideas on the economy, foreign policy, and the like. (August 1999)
The Best and the Worst Legislators 1999
Naughty Nixon and wonderful Wolens, soapy Shapiro and revered Ratliff, and of course, a certain governor who’s ready for his close-up: Our say-so on the session’s standouts—good, bad, and in-between. (July 1999)
Not So Great in ‘78
How his one and only loss shaped his view of politics. (June 1999)
The Best Worst Legislators 1997
From Bush’s good try on property taxes to Bullock’s grand finale, from savvy Sadler to weaselly Wohlgemuth, from Duncan’s beginning to Howard’s end: Our sorting of the session’s standouts—best, worst, and in between. (July 1997)
The Best and the Worst Legislators 1995
From the respected to the rascally, our regular roundup of the session’s most renowned pols. (July 1995)
The Best and Worst Legislators 1993
Our biennial boosting and bashing of the state’s most beguiling politicians. (July 1993)
The Best and the Worst Legislators 1991
We bring you the heroes and the villains of the Capitol circus. Guess which list had more contenders? (October 1991)
The Best and the Worst Legislators
We just rate them. You voted for them. (July 1989)
Columns | Miscellany
Wealth Care
Why does our health insurance system treat a small part of the Rio Grande Valley differently from the rest of the state? (December 2009)
Troubled Waters
The inside story of the Aggie sailing tragedy. (August 2008)
Army of One
There is no more important job than reshaping the military to confront a dark and dangerous future—and Pete Geren is reporting for duty. (February 2008)
Why Juan Can’t Read
In 2006 Texas schools still can’t teach English to Spanish-speaking students. Here’s what we should do about that—now. (October 2006)
Field of Nightmares
A pernicious staph infection is targeting athletes young and old—and igniting a debate over the hazards of artificial turf. (May 2006)
Size Matters
If big high schools are the problem, why aren’t there more small ones? (February 2006)
Who is Joe Barton?
The most powerful Texas congressman you’ve never heard of. And a partisan hack. And a bipartisan pragmatist. (November 2005)
Home Buyer Beware
The state agency that’s supposed to protect you is a captive of the industry you need protection from. (August 2005)
Down But Not Out
No one thinks the Democrats have a chance of winning the 2006 governor’s race. Which is exactly why you shouldn’t write them off. (May 2005)
(Much) Higher Education
Who thinks tuition deregulation stinks? Middle-class kids—and me. (February 2005)
Little Did We Know...
. . . that the 1994 governor’s race would have such far-reaching consequences. If George W. Bush hadn’t won . . . (November 2004)
Signs of Trouble
The Democratic congressmen targeted by the GOP redistricting plan think they can survive. (August 2004)
Speakergate
For the Republicans under investigation for campaign-finance violations, Sharpstown is the elephant in the room. (May 2004)
Hood Riddance
How is school finance like a Russian novel? And other questions about the most pressing issue in Texas—and Rick Perry's plan for dealing with it. (March 2004)
Ex Marks the Spot
Being governor was great, but not being governor is even better. (February 2003)
Christmas Carole
When it's time for her to give the gift of a revenue estimate, Comptroller Rylander could be naughty or nice. Either way, the Legislature better watch out. (December 2002)
Race of Races
Who will succeed Brown as the mayor of Houston? He'll probably be black or Hispanic, but he could be White. (September 2002)
Right Makes Might
After a conservative think tank used its clout to help scuttle a science textbook, some Republicans declared victory. The rest declared war. (May 2002)
The Craddickal Right
Tom Craddick of Midland wants to be the first Republican Speaker of the House in Texas since 1873. He may already have the votes, but his critics are questioning his tactics. (March 2002)
Party Poopers II
Ronald Reagan once commanded, "Thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican." So why has the state GOP declared war on itself over resdistricting? (December 2001)
Minority Report
As Democrats and Republicans prepare for the hand-to-hand combat of 2002, African American and Hispanic candidates are finally on the front lines. (October 2001)
Lena Guerrero
Brain cancer has put life and politics in perspective for Lena Guerrero. (September 2001)
Party Poopers
Two powerful Republicans are in charge of redistricting this session, but that doesn't mean they're out to get the Democrats. (May 2001)
Imperfect 10
The top 10 percent rule was supposed to solve the admissions problems at Texas' public universities, but it isn't making the grade. (April 2001)
Out Man In
UT regents want their next chancellor to be an academic? Whatever. At Texas Tech, a politician is the one in charge, and he's more than making the grade. (June 2000)
Let There Be Lite
Forgive state senators like David Sibley and Bill Ratliff their jockeying to succeed Lieutenant Governor Rick Perry. They want to be number two; they have to try harder. (October 1999)
The Capitol Gang
The power brokers at this year’s legislative session aren’t elected officials. They’re lobbyists—and we know which ones have the most clout. (February 1999)
Power Politics
What Texas should learn from the California energy mess. (March 2001)
Premium Issue
Teachers without insurance. (February 2001)
Numbers Game
Inside the election's numbers. (January 2001)
Cell Block
Three ways to fix the prison system. (December 2000)
Jurist Prudence?
Judging abortion rights. (November 2000)
Justice Prevails
Justice for Medicaid? (October 2000)
Gored
The politics of the Medicaid "shortfall." (September 2000)
Laredough
Does Tony Sanchez want to be your governor? (August 2000)
Reporter
Power Keg
TXU comes in from the coal. (April 2007)
The Unkindest Cut
Three months ago we named David Dewhurst one of the state's best legislators. Now we're not so sure. (October 2003)
Capital Campaign
Why the Bush campaign is good for the Texas economy. (September 1999)
Boom Doom
How exceptionally good economic times are coming back to haunt us. (April 1999)
Web Exclusives
Mismanaged Care
A unique confluence of medicine, money, and politics is driving health care costs in the Rio Grande Valley. At the center of it all is a Democrat from Palmview, who is already under indictment for unreported income. (August 2009)
