Whither Straus?
On the night that the House debated the Appropriations bill on the floor in 2007, Democrats were able to add amendments for a teacher pay raise and against school vouchers. Craddick lieutenants went onto the floor to try to turn the votes but were unable to do so. The next day, a veteran Democrat said to me, “The horses are out of the barn.” In short, Craddick had lost control of the Republican caucus.
That’s where we are today on Voter I.D. The speaker cannot control the Republican caucus. Craddick lost control because he held the reins too tightly. Straus lost control because he didn’t have any reins. But the effect is the same: The Republican caucus is out of control. This doesn’t mean that Straus is ineffectual. It means that the horses are out of the barn on this issue.
Matt Angle of the Lone Star Project recently circulated his observations about Straus:
“Rather than demonstrate bipartisan leadership, Speaker Straus has allowed the most partisan and divisive Republican members of the House to set the agenda. While Straus was looking for cover, Tom Craddick stepped into the breach. The famously partisan, mean-spirited former Speaker argued successfully to hold fast to the partisan Republican game plan to hold key legislation hostage to consideration of the Voter Photo ID bill.”
Craddick still has a band of followers, no doubt about that, and they’re going to take hardline positions, no doubt about that either. But I don’t agree that Straus has been weakened by the Voter I.D. debate. This is his first real test, and he stood firm against the Democrats. If anything, this has improved his standing with the Republican caucus.
So Voter I.D. will die, and TDI Sunset, and unemployment insurance. These bills were more about politics — getting the other guys to cast a bad votes — than they were about the real problems of the state. The remaining question is whether Perry will call a special session, with the likely reason being windstorm insurance. I’m not sure that he will (notwithstanding my earlier rants to the contrary). He has called a bunch of special sessions, and none of them have served him well. Governors seldom get what they want out of special sessions. Perry is sailing along quite well. Why rock the boat?
Tagged: speaker joe straus, tom craddick, voter ID.
The Other Guy says:
I’m shocked, shocked that politicians would play politics.
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Hoohah! says:
Why would he call a special session? Oh, Paul, because the far right has hammered its head against the wall on Voter ID, as have the Ds. They HAVE to win. They BOTH have to win. A special is guaranteed on windstorm, which will be opened up to Voter ID.
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What?! says:
TDI sunset (which would reform an insurance system that has not been reformed in 18 years) and UI (which will prevent a $555 million tax hike on businesses) are more about politics than “real problems of the state?!?!
Paul, you have lost your mind.
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Anonymous Reply:
May 26th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Yes, Paul lost all sense of objectivity when the D’s had the audacity to use chubbing as a filibuster mechanism — something the rules clearly permit, but Paul doesn’t get to see the system work the way he thinks it’s supposed to. Read his earlier comments and posts — the D’s were just supposed to roll over when the Senate-Rs changed their rules to force the issue.
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paulburka Reply:
May 27th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
To What?!
Of course there was substance involved in the TDI Sunset and UI bills, we all know that. But the political situation was that Democrats didn’t want a vote on Voter ID, and Republicand didn’t want a vote on TDI and UI. That is why the chubbing went on without a protest (and even with some participation) by the R’s.
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Anonymous says:
I’m no R, and I think Straus has done a great job of exactly what he promised to do. Let an equally-divided House run the House. Neither party gets its way, and both can blame the other for what went “wrong.”
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Anonymous says:
roland gutierrez should fall on a wooden stake
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ithjwioj Reply:
May 26th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
2nd
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Anonymous Reply:
May 26th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Bump to Anonymous at 7:05 pm
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Junebug says:
Aside from control of the caucus, how about that 2007 vote to increase teacher’s pay and reject school vouchers? How’s that worked out for the kids?
Legislators from both parties made political hay rejecting a different approach to education. Great for them but in case they have not noticed, spending more money has not improved dismal drop out rates or improved dumb and dumber achievement scores. But hey what’s a 40-60% dropout rate when you can pick up some easy votes from the public education base?
You want class warfare? It’s a coming baby and it won’t be a turn of phrase.
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Pete says:
Another wasted session, designed more to promote the gamesmanship of the next election than to help the state. Paul, is it possible to have only the “Ten Worst”? A disgusting display by both parties.
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paulburka Reply:
May 27th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Pete –
You’re not the first to suggest it.
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cow droppings says:
Those who complain about Austin becoming too much like Washington can look to Matt Angle’s tactics as Exhibit A.
Angle has been bound and determined to demonize Straus, and politicize the process, for D election interests from the very beginning. But D’s and R’s in the House both know Straus has been an honest broker.
He has protected the integrity of the process.
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Anonymous Reply:
May 26th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
“Those who complain about Austin becoming too much like Washington can look to Matt Angle’s tactics as Exhibit A.”
No, Angle would be Exhibit B. Tom DeLay, Tom Craddick, and Tom Rove would be Exhibits A-1, A-2, and A-3.
Nice try.
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Anon says:
Yes, the Republican caucus is absolutely out of control in insisting that Democrats not be allowed to utilize the local calendar as a blocker bill. The Democrats are clearly not out of control in chubbing the session to death. Good analysis.
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Ouija says:
Craddick would have had Voter ID signed on Perry’s desk by now.
The spot at the back mike where D’s are presently perched to chub would have been replaced by a whisp of smoke and ash by Craddick.
If Craddick’s vice-chair of appropriations committee even talked about doing what Raymond is doing… the vice-chair would have been wiped out of their entire existence from the space-time continuum.
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Anonymous Reply:
May 26th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Yep. Craddick got exactly what he deserved. Despot removed.
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VoiceofReason Reply:
May 27th, 2009 at 9:31 am
Ouija – If you believe that that type of leadership is a good thing, then you really shouldn’t live in a democratic society. It will be too frustrating for you to have to defer to the will of the majority.
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Anonymous Reply:
May 27th, 2009 at 10:35 am
We don’t know what the will of the majority is in the House. All we know is what the will of a certain number of members of the Democrat Caucus are. The House was not given the chance to see what the will of the majority was on the Voter ID issue.
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freakydeaky says:
Tomorrow the D’s will push for two-thirds suspension to address the bills they killed on the calendar. They will try to position themselves as the ones trying to get stuff done.
The problem is, after usurping control of the calendars process, they want to add to the time reserved for working out numerous conference reports debate and votes on major legislation.
There is a reason the House has a calendar, and calendar deadlines. They have eviscerated the first, and will try to eviscerate the second tomorrow, and spin it that they are the ones trying to do the people’s business.
I have to respect them: they have big balls…even if they are hoisted by blatant hypocrisy.
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Anonymous Reply:
May 26th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
On the petard of the Republican caucus.
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VoiceofReason Reply:
May 27th, 2009 at 9:34 am
freaky – right or wrong, they drew a line in the sand. You don’t see that much in today’s “public opinion polled” politics. You are right; it is worthy of respect.
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Anonymous Reply:
May 27th, 2009 at 10:38 am
It’s worthy of respect if your desire is for politicians to hold on to their own power at all costs. It’s not so worthy of respect when you would like to see some good things get passed for Texas. Instead, countless bills were killed all to stop a bill that probably didn’t even have the votes in the house.
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Mike M says:
Texas has THE highest insurance rates in the NATION and TDI/Insurance Reform is politics and not substance? Jesus Christ. How completely out of touch can you possibly be?
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Anonymous says:
Wait…. Craddick has been orchestrating the whole thing?
How did he convince the D’s (especially Raymond and Roland)to use a special order local calendar to block any major bills from the floor for 5 days to his advantage?
BRILLIANT.
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Anonymous Reply:
May 26th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Did he orchestrate it or exploit it?
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cyrus says:
so why won’t the Rs just consent to move bills as controversial and divisive as voter ID to the end of the calendar and take care of those bills which they are now crying are “so important”?
Because they don’t want to, that’s why. They could give a damn about TDI, UI, and all that other “important” stuff. They just wanna shove voter ID
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Anonymous Reply:
May 27th, 2009 at 11:06 am
First off, the people’s representatives are sent to Austin to DEAL with things that may be controversial and divisive. It’s cowardice that runs and delays such things.
Second, It is a horrific precedent to set to have non calendar committee members trying to set the calendar through delay tactics and motions on the floor. You may as well do away with the entire calendar system if you start moving “controversial” bills to the end so other things can be debated. Might as well pass a constitutional amendment stating the Legislature can only pass local and consent bills then, nothing controversial.
If the D’s get the majority back in the House that they’re so confident they’re going to get, I can’t wait to hear what they would say about R’s, as a minority party, using the same tactics to keep “controversial” bills from being debated. I’m sure they would proudly embrace using local and consent as a blocker bill to kill something like Tort Reform.
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texmex says:
cyrus, because if you move the votes d’s want to take in front of all others, then the d’s can just be babies and walk off and break quorum. why would you allow that?
let’s just vote on all the bills, up and down, no matter which they are.
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Buck says:
Paul, why would the D’s even show up for a special session?
I see no reason for them to come at all, and the courts have never decided whether the sergeant-at-arms can legally round them up.
Looks like a no-quorum non-starter to me.
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Anon says:
Please, please, please do that.
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texun says:
Let’s identify the interests that will be well served if pending legislation does not pass the House! Insurance. Your turn.
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where demand meets supply says:
Its all about 2010…UI, TWIA and voter identification…special session is needed…D’s fell on to many swords to many times, a lot of grandstanding, no real leadershi. New term: rogue D.
At least attempt some compromise: D’s get UI(help out of work people work..why not?) and insurance reform and R’s get voter ID….must we forget the house is split, the vote would be real interesting….What R would turn? What D would turn?
I agree the race for governor is driving everyone nuts….some of the stuff witnessed on the floor this session….really its just getting worse….from trying to get rid of Craddick to this really weird group….we’re seeing future lobbyists gives in…honestly, some House D’s just won’t take a bullet….you don’t flip a state that way…Some D’s though went all in, relax
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Anonymous Reply:
May 27th, 2009 at 7:17 am
Problem is who holds the veto pen. Dems did a GREAT job! So what if there’s a special session. If Voter ID is included, then the R’s will be responsible for the cost of a special session on THEIR pet issue. So much for conservatism looking out for the taxpayer.
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Anonymous says:
Just curious how the R’s are going to play the D’s chubbing on Voter ID now that they used the tactic to avoid a vote on UI????
So much for their hypocritical self-righteousness!
P.S. Don’t say “we told you so” or “what goes around comes around.” I’m thrilled with the end result. Without the ability to overturn a veto, UI was gonna die anyway. This way, Voter ID got to die, too!
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Anonymous says:
You have to be almost brain dead to see that this was never about voter ID so much as the chance to make the Ds look bad and block TDI, UI, etc. R’s win big.
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Anonymous says:
Ds don’t look bad unless you’re for Voter ID. When the Rs didn’t want to have to vote, Rs chubbed even after complaining that it was wrong for Ds to chub. Chubbing = Chubbing, and Rs look like the self-righteous hypocrites they are.
Sorry, but there’s no way the Rs win big when they couldn’t push through Voter ID with Guv39%, LiteGuv, plus majorities in House and Senate — enough in the latter to change the rules and get it out. Nice try though, Anon at 7:29 (a/k/a Cow Droppings?).
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getreal Reply:
May 27th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Two-thirds of Texans favor Voter ID. Most Texans don’t know what chubbing is, but they are going to know that the Ds did it to kill something they favor.
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Nobody says:
Speaker Straus’ administration is about the restoration of the House to its members. To do that, his goal ought not be (primarily) this bill or that but the preservation of the process. In the House, that means the choices of the calendars committee must cannot be nullified.
Laney understood that fact the Tuesday after the “Memorial Day Massacre” when he denied members recognition to bring bill up by the suspension of the rules. Lots of big bills passed that session via amendment processes.
Straus would be well served to do the same so that the actions of members have consequences to those members and so that he can preserve his desired role as “traffic cop”. This also preserves his options (and his power) in any special session.
At the end of the day, this approach will likely gain him the support of less partisan Ds and could well give him more R seats two years hence.
From my little corner of Texas, the D message of Voter ID = Voter suppression is not trusted. It’s seen as coming from the party of LBJ and the infamous ballot box 13. That view may not be widely held, but I suspect it could.
That means that at the end of the day, there is room for the perception to develop that the Rs stand for process and the Ds for election fraud … even at the expense of worthwhile, meaningful reforms. These perceptions may not at all reflect reality, but they could well shape elections for a time.
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Anonymous says:
The Gop has polled on this extensively – Voter ID is a winner at the polls. Despite what people in Austin may think, Republicans really did not use it as a widespread weapon in House races in 2008 or 2006. When it was used, it was not used effectively.
Now that the Craddick team is out (and they never really knew how to run campaigns. First clue: good generals never hire their daughters to parsel out the supplies), I think you’ll see a much candidates and better campaigns run.
No record vote on Voter ID? Just wait. Summer is coming. Oh and thinking about skipping to Albuquerque or Oklahoma again? I would remind readers that multiple Democrats in the House publicly pledged to never to that again.
So please run away from your duty – it will be your last road trip as a House member if you’re in a competitive district.
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cyrus says:
and your evidence for that is….?
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Texas Democrat says:
Anon, you do realize that sooner or later, folks here are going to be sick and tired of GOP rule in Texas state government, likely in 2014 ?
The Texas GOP is obviously trying to disenfranchise minorities, the elderly, and disabled from voting in major elections, I applaud the Texas House Democrats for killing Dewhurst’ Voter ID baby-leaving him looking like an *&@ for any future Senate bid.
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Anonymous says:
The GOP has also read polls dealing with the public’s desire for insurance reform though the GOP is owned by the insurance lobby. That is why they were fine with not having to cast bad votes on pro-consumer amendments. Everyone wins.
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Texas Democrat says:
Anon, in 5 years or so, Democrats will make a comeback in Texas state government and dominate all statewide offices SOONER OR LATER once the GOP rose wears thin.
Perry will NOT call a special session this summer period, I can’t see him doing that on Voter ID, which went nowhere in 2007 and likely dead this year.
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Texas Democrat says:
Anon, did Garnet Coleman’s term limits bill on Houston extending city officials’ terms to 12 years pass the State Senate or is it likely dead too ?
Last I checked, it passed the State House.
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Anonymous says:
Someone left the gate open – Texas Democrat aka Moderate Texas Dmeocrat aka Frank Perez is on the loose.
Get the medicine and the shock collar out!
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Travis Monitor says:
“We don’t know what the will of the majority is in the House. All we know is what the will of a certain number of members of the Democrat Caucus are. The House was not given the chance to see what the will of the majority was on the Voter ID issue.”
Excellent point.
My visual for this session? A train wreck. Thanks to the Dunhams D’s.
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Anonymous Reply:
May 28th, 2009 at 12:35 am
“We don’t know what the will of the majority is in the House. All we know is what the will of a certain number of members of the Democrat Caucus are”………AND THE CARDINALS
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Stand and deliver???? says:
This whole session was a circus. GOP will hardline themselves into oblivion and more irrelevance. Mean spirited is an understatement. GOP is looking more like cranky hemorroidal ancients. What rediculousness.
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Prince Royal says:
When Evan Smith interviewed Straus on January 16, he said “I’m a pass the budget and go home conservative” and that he was tired of the wedge issues.
My question is, did the session reflect his personal philosophy or did that conflict with his pledge to let the house lead itself.
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Anonymous says:
“This whole session was a circus.”
Really? You think this session was worse than previous sessions? Did you just get to Austin a few months ago?
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Anonymous Reply:
May 31st, 2009 at 2:29 pm
LOL….good point.
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