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
Power Company
As we head into the most critical legislative session in decades—maybe ever—the question is not just, Who are the people with the most clout at the Capitol? It’s also, What do they want?
Between the Lines
Ah, redistricting—that partisan, vengeful, hazardous battle for domination the Legislature fights every decade. Here we go again.
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.
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.
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.
Who Might Make It Next Time
Who’s Not On The List
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.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Session Player
A diary of San Antonio Democrat Leticia Van de Putte's first session as a state senator.
Bill Passes
How Bill Ratliff became lieutenant governor—and what it means for Texas.
It's Rick Perry's Party Now
Sophisticated, likable politician? Arrogant, not-ready- for-prime-time player? Rick Perry is both—as well as the presumptive next governor of Texas.
Conservative. Compassionate?
The two faces of Bush’s compassionate conservatism guru.
George W. Es Muy Bueno
The selling of George W.—in Spanish.
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.
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.
Not So Great in ‘78
How his one and only loss shaped his view of politics.
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.
The Best and the Worst Legislators 1995
From the respected to the rascally, our regular roundup of the session’s most renowned pols.
The Best and Worst Legislators 1993
Our biennial boosting and bashing of the state’s most beguiling politicians.
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?
The Best and the Worst Legislators
We just rate them. You voted for them.
Don’t Call Him Junior
George W. Bush wants to be governor of Texas. He says he’s not following in his father’s footsteps, but his name, his career, and his ideas about politics seem an awful lot like Dad’s.
Columns | Miscellany
No Peña, No Gain
Was Aaron Peña’s defection to the Republican party a quixotic move that will cost him his political career or the start of a bad trend for Democrats?
Cop Drama
How cuts to the budget of our mental health care system have created a nightmare for police officers in Houston—and everywhere else.
Wealth Care
Why does our health insurance system treat a small part of the Rio Grande Valley differently from the rest of the state?
Troubled Waters
The inside story of the Aggie sailing tragedy.
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.
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.
Field of Nightmares
A pernicious staph infection is targeting athletes young and old—and igniting a debate over the hazards of artificial turf.
Size Matters
If big high schools are the problem, why aren’t there more small ones?
Who is Joe Barton?
The most powerful Texas congressman you’ve never heard of. And a partisan hack. And a bipartisan pragmatist.
Home Buyer Beware
The state agency that’s supposed to protect you is a captive of the industry you need protection from.
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.
(Much) Higher Education
Who thinks tuition deregulation stinks? Middle-class kids—and me.
Little Did We Know...
. . . that the 1994 governor’s race would have such far-reaching consequences. If George W. Bush hadn’t won . . .
Signs of Trouble
The Democratic congressmen targeted by the GOP redistricting plan think they can survive.
Speakergate
For the Republicans under investigation for campaign-finance violations, Sharpstown is the elephant in the room.
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.
Ex Marks the Spot
Being governor was great, but not being governor is even better.
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.
Race of Races
Who will succeed Brown as the mayor of Houston? He'll probably be black or Hispanic, but he could be White.
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.
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.
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?
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.
Lena Guerrero
Brain cancer has put life and politics in perspective for Lena Guerrero.
Party Poopers
Two powerful Republicans are in charge of redistricting this session, but that doesn't mean they're out to get the Democrats.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Power Politics
What Texas should learn from the California energy mess.
Premium Issue
Teachers without insurance.
Numbers Game
Inside the election's numbers.
Cell Block
Three ways to fix the prison system.
Jurist Prudence?
Judging abortion rights.
Justice Prevails
Justice for Medicaid?
Gored
The politics of the Medicaid "shortfall."
Laredough
Does Tony Sanchez want to be your governor?
Reporter
Power Keg
TXU comes in from the coal.
The Unkindest Cut
Three months ago we named David Dewhurst one of the state's best legislators. Now we're not so sure.
Capital Campaign
Why the Bush campaign is good for the Texas economy.
Boom Doom
How exceptionally good economic times are coming back to haunt us.
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.
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