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January 27, 2017
R.G.’s Roundup: Big Holes, Budget Tricks, and Trump
Our favorite political reads of the week.
Texas Senate
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1-40 of 40 Articles
Politics & Policy
March 26, 2015
So Long, Texas Senate
If the chamber isn’t taking things seriously, why should we?
Politics & Policy
March 4, 2015
So Much for Fiscal Responsibility
The Texas Senate offers a proposal to scrap the Texas Model.
Politics & Policy
January 25, 2015
Patrick’s Committee Assignments
Technically speaking, every day is A New Day.
Politics & Policy
January 22, 2015
A New Day, Day 2
The Texas Senate’s vote to abandon the 2/3rds rule is all about campaign promises.
Politics & Policy
January 21, 2015
The End of the Two-Thirds Rule
On the first full day of the Dan Patrick era, he makes his mark on the Senate.
Politics & Policy
June 25, 2009
Can Watson win?
Kirk Watson’s trial balloon is in the air, as he weighs whether to run for governor in 2010. Here are the questions he should be considering. Q. Can any Democrat win the governorship in 2010, or will the D’s repeat the mistake they made in 2002, when they put fielded
Burka Blog
May 12, 2009
The Lowly Senate
As I go about interviewing members of the Capitol community for the Best and Worst Legislators story, I have been surprised by the low regard for the Senate. I know no one is going to feel sorry for lobbyists, but … a recurring theme among this cursed crowd is that
Politics & Policy
April 21, 2009
Sharp: If at first you don’t secede…
John Sharp has a spot on YouTube criticizing his former, or perhaps current, and possibly even future friend Rick Perry for his remarks about secession. Here is the text of "The Greatest Country on Earth," in which Sharp does not mention Perry by name: During World War II
Politics & Policy
April 20, 2009
Senate gives final passage to unemployment bill
Seeking final passage of his bill drawing down federal money for the unemployment compensation fund, Sen. Kevin Eltife argued that taking federal money — despite the strings attached — is a good deal for Texas employers and will actually save them money. By October, the unemployment insurance fund will be nearly
Politics & Policy
March 18, 2009
Needle exchange passes Senate
Republican Senator Bob Deuell passed his needle exchange bill from the Senate today, despite opposition from his own party and Texas Eagle Forum president Cathie Adams. Voting no were Republicans Craig Estes, Troy Fraser, Joan Hoffman, Steve Ogden, Dan Patrick, Florence Shapiro and Tommy Williams. “I know this is a
Politics & Policy
January 23, 2009
Let the (shell) games begin
In an interview with the Dallas Morning News this week, Gov. Rick Perry advocated an end to all diversions of gas tax money from the Highway Fund, which is used primarily to finance road construction. But two key senators believe the current budget estimates make that highly unlikely
Politics & Policy
January 19, 2009
Dan Patrick responds: “The partisanship of the Democrats brought us to this point.”
Senator Dan Patrick responded to my post about the future of the 2/3 rule by e-mailing me his observations, which he requested that I post. They appear below. The only way the two-thirds rule can survive is if the minority, regardless of party, understand that if they totally refuse to
Politics & Policy
January 14, 2009
One Senate rule clearly in effect
That would be the “Pottery Barn” rule as invoked by Secretary of State Colin Powell to warn against the then-proposed invasion of Iraq. “You break it, you own it,” he reasoned. This morning, Dewhurst told reporters that he mentioned the Powell axiom to senators who wanted to change the two-thirds
Politics & Policy
January 14, 2009
Williams claims precedent for rules change
Sen. Tommy Williams assures the Senate that he believes the two-thirds rule “is a good thing. I have been a House member who lost his entire package in Calendars Committee. It would be a travesty if we went to that method.” Then he recounted the “ugly scene” that occurred last
Politics & Policy
January 14, 2009
Van de Putte on a matter of personal privilege
Sen. Leticia Van de Putte: “I am often asked why doesn’t the Senate fight like the House. I usually reply we don’t often fight or argue because we genuinely like each other. We believe in… diplomacy and compromise. This is what is best for Texas and its citizens.” “We don’t
Politics & Policy
January 14, 2009
The Senate’s conundrum
What rules govern when the Senate is debating what rules govern? That’s Sen. Eliot Shapleigh’s question to Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. This debate has slowed down Sen. Tommy William’s resolution, which would change Senate rules to suspend the two-thirds rule for the Voter ID bill. Dewhurst’s answer was a little
Politics & Policy
January 14, 2009
Dewhurst disavows pushing rules change
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst just walked by the Senate press table and informed us: “I’m taking Colin Powell’s advice. If you break it, you own it.” We just thought you should know.
Politics & Policy
January 14, 2009
“Bloodletting” in the Texas Senate
At least that’s what Sen. Royce West predicted when grim-faced senators emerged from their 1 hour caucus behind the closed door of the Betty King room. He was followed by John Whitmire, who was shaking his head angrily. Paul and I think we saw steam coming out of his ears.