Politics & Policy
August 14, 2013
A Challenge to Donna Campbell
Mike Novak, a former Bexar County commissioner, plans to challenge State Senator Donna Campbell in the Republican primary.
3666 Articles
Politics & Policy
August 12, 2013
Advice for Rick Perry
The Washington Post's Jennifer Rubin has some advice for Governor Rick Perry, should he choose to enter the presidential race in 2016.
Politics & Policy
August 8, 2013
Gohmert v. Cornyn
The uncivil war inside the Texas Republican party may be about to break wide open. Elements of the Tea Party are encouraging Tyler congressman Louie Gohmert to challenge U.S. senator John Cornyn in the Republican primary.
Politics & Policy
August 7, 2013
Billion Dollar Band-Aids
The Legislature is locked into a mind-set in which it is impossible even to consider a long-term solution for addressing our transportation needs.
Politics & Policy
August 6, 2013
Farewell to the 83rd Legislature
The third and final special session of the 83rd Legislature is over, and the result is an opportunity for voters to approve $1.2 billion in additional funding for roads in November 2014.
Politics & Policy
August 4, 2013
Is Combs Running?
Do not count Susan Combs out of the comptroller's race.
Politics & Policy
August 1, 2013
How to Fix the Transportation Crisis (But You Won’t Like It)
Oregon is considering a "vehicle miles traveled" tax. Should Texas?
Politics & Policy
August 1, 2013
The Transportation Problem
“Transparency” is a word that is frequently invoked in the Capitol. But it is honored more often in the breach than the observance. Take the current battle over transportation funding. The problem is that the state has chosen to finance transportation by issuing bonds. This is a clever way to
Politics & Policy
July 31, 2013
A $12 Million Gift for Chevron
If ever there was a clear-cut case for getting rid of the Texas Enterprise Fund, it is Rick Perry's decision to give Chevron, one of the world's richest corporations, a $12 million TEF grant.
Politics & Policy
July 29, 2013
The Wheels Come off Transportation Funding
Joe Straus' statement on the failure of the House to agree on a solution to the state's transportation needs is worth posting, because it lays bare the failure of the state's leaders to address the real problem.
Politics & Policy
July 29, 2013
Dan Branch Responds
Last week I wrote a post regarding Dan Branch’s announcement for attorney general, in which I lamented whether candidates will ever again run for higher office by explaining how they will execute the specific duties of that office. Branch took exception to my analysis and has sent in
Politics & Policy
July 29, 2013
The Law and Farmers Branch
Last week the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the City of Farmers Branch, located northwest of Dallas, which sought to pass an immigration enforcement ordinance that would have prohibited landlords from renting to immigrants who were deemed unlawfully present and authorized arrest and prosecution of landlords
Politics & Policy
July 26, 2013
The Death of George Mitchell
George Mitchell, one of the greatest Texans of his time, has died at the age of 94. He had been in failing health for several months. In addition to the contributions he made to Texas, Mitchell was a generous benefactor to Texas A&M and to his (and my) hometown of
Politics & Policy
July 25, 2013
Ted Cruz and the Hispanic Vote
Today the Washington Examiner published the results of a poll that was provided by Ted Cruz’s staff and taken six weeks after the 2012 general election. The survey shows that Hispanics favored Democrat Paul Sadler over Cruz 60 percent to 40 percent and Obama over Romney 59
Politics & Policy
July 25, 2013
As Attorney General, I Promise to . . .
When I read about Dan Branch’s announcement of why he is running for attorney general — “I’m running to fight against an overreaching federal government, to fight for open and accountable government, and to preserve limited government in Texas” — it caused me to wonder whether anyone will
Politics & Policy
July 25, 2013
What’s Not Funny? Kinky Friedman
The news that Kinky Friedman is considering another run for statewide office is not really news. It is just sick comedy.
Politics & Policy
July 22, 2013
The Strange Life, Death, and Possible Rebirth of CSCOPE
CSCOPE is an Internet-based curriculum developed for Texas schools and teachers by state-funded education service centers. The reason it was created is that many small school districts do not have the expertise to develop their own curricula. CSCOPE fills that void. It became controversial because some elements of the curriculum
Politics & Policy
July 13, 2013
The Abortion Bill: Winners and Losers
Now that HB 2, the omnibus abortion bill, is on its way to the governor’s desk, who are the winners and losers in the battle over abortion? Winner: Wendy Davis, who became a national figure by virtue of her filibuster and has the chance to reenergize the Democratic party in
Politics & Policy
July 12, 2013
Is Susan Combs Running?
Is it possible that Susan Combs, having already announced that she will retire from public life after serving out her term as comptroller, is still trying to find a niche for herself in the 2014 primaries?Here’s an article she sent to her mailing list, which was forwarded
Politics & Policy
July 12, 2013
Governor Greg Abbott?
The Texas attorney general is widely considered to be running for governor, but what are his priorities?
Politics & Policy
July 11, 2013
A Step Toward Impeachment?
The House Select Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations met to discuss the possible impeachment of University of Texas Regent Wallace Hall.
Politics & Policy
July 10, 2013
“Cone Fatigue”
Will voters support a constitutional amendment for more spending on roads, after seeing all the construction that is going on?
Politics & Policy
July 9, 2013
Perry’s Future
Where does the governor go from here?
Politics & Policy
July 5, 2013
The Good Soldier
George Bush strives for a higher command.
Politics & Policy
July 3, 2013
The Wet Blanket
Following the filibuster by Wendy Davis, I wrote a cautionary post on Burkablog in which I pointed out that the euphoria that flourished in the wake of her memorable performance was not a game-changer; that Democrats would be wise to keep their enthusiasm in check, lest they raise
Politics & Policy
July 1, 2013
Where Does Wendy Davis Go From Here?
As Act II of the Wendy Davis show returns to the Capitol, the Democratic state senator has become an instant national star thanks to her filibuster against the Republicans' abortion legislation last week. What happens next?
News & Politics
June 28, 2013
The Best and Worst Legislators of 2005
IMAGINE A KITTEN, VERY CURIOUS BUT EASILY FRIGHTENED: That was the Seventy-ninth Legislature. It poked around school finance, pawed at tax reform, heard loud shouts of “No!”, fled to Mama, curled up, and went to sleep. Lawmakers did a lot of exploring, learned a lot about the world, even grew
Politics & Policy
June 27, 2013
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick?
The candidacy of Dan Patrick for lieutenant governor could be a seminal moment in Texas politics.
Politics & Policy
June 27, 2013
Two Thirds? Or Not Two Thirds?
With another special session set to begin on July 1, the issue arises of how the Senate will handle the two-thirds rule. Will there be a blocker bill? Will the tradition be honored?The history is that in 2003, Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst made the decision that the two-thirds rule would
Politics & Policy
June 27, 2013
The Supremes, Round Two: Shelby County v. Holder
In the epic flood of news these past few days, I wanted to return to a U.S. Supreme Court decision from earlier in the week. After ruling on Fisher, a more far-reaching case came down: Shelby County v. Holder, in which the justices decimated the Voting Rights
Politics & Policy
June 26, 2013
What the Filibuster Means
The obvious question about whether the Democrats have a candidate in Davis who has the potential to break the party's long losing streak in statewide races is hard to answer.
Politics & Policy
June 25, 2013
The Supremes, Round One: Fisher v. University of Texas
The U.S. Supreme Court made the right ruling yesterday in Fisher v. University of Texas by remanding the case to a lower federal court.
Politics & Policy
June 24, 2013
The Abortion Debate in the House
The abortion debate in the House yesterday strengthened my longstanding conviction that this issue has done more harm to American politics than any other. It's where our politics began to jump the rails because it is a fight that cannot be resolved.
Politics & Policy
June 24, 2013
Williams v. Patrick
In the ongoing sniper fire that is taking place between Senate Finance chair Tommy Williams and Education chair Dan Patrick, I am in total agreement with Williams. If you are appointed to the Finance committee, you are obligated to support the committee’s work. This has been the practice
Politics & Policy
June 20, 2013
One More Post About Perry’s Future
Perry told Bloomberg News that he would announce his decision about whether he would seek a full fourth term as governor by July 1. Why is he holding off on his reelect announcement?
Politics & Policy
June 18, 2013
UT/TT Poll on Perry, Cruz, and Abbott
The latest approval numbers aren't terribly surprising.
Politics & Policy
June 17, 2013
Immigration, Border Security, and the Rio Grande Valley
The battle over securing the border has shifted from Arizona to Texas, according to the New York Times.
Politics & Policy
June 16, 2013
2013: The Best and Worst Legislators
Proving the skeptics wrong, the Eighty-third Legislature accomplished most of what it planned to do. Our twenty-third roundup of the Capitol’s saints and sinners reveals who we can thank—and who we needn’t.
Politics & Policy
June 15, 2013
Grading the Perry Vetoes
Perry's vetoes did very little damage to the record of the Eighty-third Legislature.
Politics & Policy
June 13, 2013
Discussing Our Best/Worst Legislator List on Trib Live
Brian D. Sweany, Erica Grieder, Sonia Smith and I joined Evan Smith of the Texas Tribune to talk about our picks for the 2013 Ten Best/Ten Worst Legislators list.
Politics & Policy
June 12, 2013
The Best and Worst Legislators 2013
The legislators that shaped the Eighty-third Legislative session, for good and bad.
Politics & Policy
June 12, 2013
Opening the Call
Governor Rick Perry on Tuesday added abortion and juvenile sentencing to the special session call.
Politics & Policy
June 11, 2013
The Debate Over Accountability and Rigor
Governor Rick Perry deserves praise for being on the right side of the rigor debate.
Politics & Policy
June 10, 2013
Regarding the Redistricting Op-Ed by Perry and Dewhurst
Governor Perry and Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst published an op-ed piece on redistricting in today’s Houston Chronicle. Here is an excerpt:Following every federal census, the Texas Constitution requires the Texas Legislature to draw new district boundaries for the Texas House of Representatives, Texas Senate and U.S. Congress, which the Legislature did
Politics & Policy
June 6, 2013
Best and Worst: Coming Soon
The final touches on the magazine story will be completed today and the names will be tweeted on Texas Monthly's Twitter account next Wednesday at high noon.
Politics & Policy
May 27, 2013
Sine Die for the 83rd Legislature
The 83rd Legislature was the best session in many years, going back to at least 2003, when Republicans completed their sweep of Texas politics by securing a majority in the House of Representatives.
Politics & Policy
May 25, 2013
The Deal
The sticking point in the budget negotiations between the House and Senate was the System Benefit Fund.
Politics & Policy
May 24, 2013
Regarding David Dewhurst
Poor David Dewhurst. He occupies what was once widely considered to be the most powerful office in the state. Now he is reduced to begging Rick Perry to help him pass his pet legislation so that he can have something to take to the voters. Dewhurst has had plenty of
Burka Blog
May 23, 2013
The Budget Moves Forward
They should have stamped “fragile” on the House budget package. That is how tricky it was to assemble. Chairman Pitts tried to explain to the tea party members that there was no money in SJR 1; it’s just a vessel for moving future payments into the Rainy Day Fund for
Politics & Policy
May 22, 2013
About Last Night
Haven’t we seen this picture before? Speaker Straus performs well for most of the session, but when crunch time comes, he can’t close the deal. His team has no cohesion (except for Geren), and there doesn’t appear to be a strategy. So Straus falls back into his old persona of