authors

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 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

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