Former senior executive editor Paul Burka joined the staff of Texas Monthly in 1974, one year after the magazine’s founding. He led TM’s political coverage for nearly forty years and spearheaded its storied roundup of the Best and Worst Legislators each biennium. A lifelong Texan, he was born in Galveston, graduated from Rice University with a BA in history, and received a JD from the University of Texas School of Law.
Burka spent five years as an attorney with the Texas Legislature, where he served as counsel to the Senate Natural Resources Committee. He won the American Bar Association’s Silver Gavel Award in 1981. He also received a National Magazine Award in 1985, for his two-part profile of Clinton Manges. After retiring from Texas Monthly in 2015, he taught at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. He died in 2022.
I watched the morning news shows today. The most interesting comment I heard was on Morning Joe, and it was that from Obama’s perspective, losing the case is not all bad. The White House can blame nine folks in black robes. FDR mastered the strategy during the New Deal. The
By Paul Burka
The Statesman has a good story on Sunday, by Tim Eaton, about Attorney General Abbott’s efforts to prevent twelve state legislators involved in Voter ID legislation from giving depositions to officials with the Department of Justice. Abbott increasingly acts like a politician instead of a lawyer. His move this
By Paul Burka
I’m probably guilty of overusing the word “crazy” these days, but sometimes there is no other word to describe what is going on in Republican circles. FreedomWorks, a Washington-based group chaired by former U.S. House Majority Leader Dick Armey, has set its sights on defeating Dewhurst and Straus, the
By Paul Burka
UPDATE: 9:16 p.m. The margin currently stands at 50%-32% (9:16 p.m.), down slightly from 54%-27%. Some commenters posted last week, after the vote in Alabama, that much of the Republican vote in Illinois was downstate. I didn’t buy that at the time, and I don’t buy it now. Illinois is
By Paul Burka
I can’t recall an occasion in which a statewide official endorsed legislators. Usually it’s the other way around. Susan Combs has endorsed Wayne Christian, David Simpson, and Bryan Hughes (who doesn’t really fit in with the extremist crowd). Who’s next? Leo Berman? You have to hand it to Combs. She
By Paul Burka
This is how the two hundred or so conservatives who met in Houston last week spun the results of the Deep South primaries in Alabama and Mississippi on Tuesday. Santorum won Alabama comfortably with 35% to 29% each for Gingrich and Romney. But if you look closely at the numbers,
By Paul Burka
Texas Pays Out Big for Workers’ Unused Vacation Time. This was the headline for the Star-Telegram story about payments to state employees for unused vacation time. Critics were quoted as saying that the payments, amounting to $500 million, are “ridiculous.” But the story is missing some crucial context.
By Paul Burka
Governor Perry has vowed to keep the Women’s Health Program alive. The cost of the now-defunct program is $35 million, so that shouldn’t be a problem. In fact, finding the money is the easy part. The hard part is putting together a program that works. Start with the obvious problem: Where
By Paul Burka
Mississippi Santorum 33% Gingrich 31.53% Romney 30.04% You could throw a blanket over the three contenders. (Paul won 9%). This is an inconclusive result. Santorum held serve, Gingrich missed an opportunity, and Romney got what he wanted, a number that began with a “3.” Alabama CNN is calling the race
By Paul Burka
I’m not going to spend a lot of time on this. I’ve already said my piece. Voter ID is intentional voter suppression. Is it unconstitutional? Probably not. I admit to being uncomfortable that a state statute can be voided by the executive branch. That’s not separation of powers as I
By Paul Burka
The conservatives might be able to organize a draft and take over the convention, but the question of electability is going to be the paramount concern. Gingrich has not been successful in the primaries. Another problem for him is that he has the worst gender gap vs. Obama of all
By Paul Burka
Planned Parenthood has been providing an estimated 44% of the services in the women’s health care program. Now that the state is establishing its own program, the question is, Who will provide these services? There are two basic problems: (1) How does the state recruit physicians into the program? Reimbursement
By Paul Burka
She told the Texas Tribune that he is the only real conservative left in the race. Does this accolade stand up to scrutiny, or is she pandering to the social conservatives who have never fully embraced her? Mitt Romney criticized Santorum for voting to raise the debt ceiling on five
By Paul Burka
Mary Lookadoo will face Hughes in the Republican primary. One of the underlying themes of this election cycle will be how candidates from the education community fare. This is one of a number of test cases.
By Paul Burka
Yesterday, I posted a story about Raul Torres’ decision to challenge Juan Hinojosa in SD-20. To quote the former president of the United States, I completely misunderestimated what was going on. Republicans have opened an offensive on a broad front against incumbent Hispanic senators. Uresti, Lucio, Hinojosa, and Zaffirini all
By Paul Burka
Here is one scenario: Torres defeats Hinojosa; Davis loses her Senate race; Democrats lose two seats; Republicans have 21 votes in the Senate. Another scenario: Torres’s candidacy raises Democratic enthusiasm, swells Democratic turnout, helping Abel Herrero defeat Connie Scott and turnout helps D’s in other key local races. The main
By Paul Burka
“Well done” for Governor Perry: Apple brings the promise of $304 million in future investment and 3,600 jobs to Austin. Do those newly arriving families know that Texas may not have the money to educate their kids?
By Paul Burka
This is a swing district, one of the few in the state. I thought it presented the Democrats with a good opportunity to pick up a seat, but the report I get from El Paso is that Moody has been almost invisible in the community since he lost the seat
By Paul Burka
TxDoT announced today that it has “found” $2 billion for new roads in the form of “unexpected federal funds” and underbidding of some contracts. Far be it from me to look a gift horse in the mouth, but it does make me wonder what’s going on at the agency; after
By Paul Burka
From the Morning News: Austin — Gov. Rick Perry dismissed concerns that 130,000 Texas women will lose cancer screenings and contraceptive services, saying Thursday that the Women’s Health Program — caught in a political crossfire between his administration and the federal government — will live on. The governor suggested
By Paul Burka
“The single most restrictive voter eligibility law in the United States.” So said Dane County Circuit Judge David Flanagan of the Wisconsin law, although his comment makes me wonder if the good judge has seen Texas’s law. If ours isn’t worse than Wisconsin’s, it isn’t for lack of trying.
By Paul Burka
The Wall Street Journal had an interesting story earlier this week about the gender gaps faced by both parties. The piece, by Gerald Seib, notes that Obama tied McCain among men in 08 but led McCain among women by 13 points. Some other comparisons, more contemporary: Obama vs. R0mney: +6
By Paul Burka
Demographic change takes its toll. Or was he pushed out in redistricting? Legler is the first, but will not be the last, to face the inevitable. If redistricting had historical markers, this transition would deserve one. District 144 was represented by Robert Talton from 1993 to 2009; Pasadena is a
By Paul Burka
Mr. Murphy writes: Lozano is a long time contributor to the local GOP – yes GOP. He is liked by Republicans. His opponent has had little involvement in the party and is virtually unknown. To the extent he is known, it has something to do with a lawsuit he filed.
By Paul Burka
A few minutes ago (around 4 p.m.), I received a call from Allison Castle, a spokesperson for Governor Perry. She wished to make several points about my writing on the subject of the ERS health insurance contract. Her main point is that the governor has only one appointment on the
By Paul Burka
I don’t think they are very good. First, the Coastal Bend region has been trending Republican in local races for some time, going back at least to 2008 and before. Second, the strongest-voting Republican county in Lozano’s district is San Patricio. Lozano switched parties knowing (presumably) that he already had a primary
By Paul Burka
If redistricting had not caused the Texas primary to be moved, Texas Republicans would be going to the polls today to choose the party’s presidential nominee. The move from March 6 to May 29 has a major impact on the process. If the primary were held today, Rick Santorum would
By Paul Burka
From Patrick Isenberg with the Elizabeth Ames Jones campaign: Here is my response to Eppstein’s poll: Jeff Wentworth’s pollster released survey results today that are “half true”. Many people in Senate District 25 do know who Jeff Wentworth is. What they think of his siding with the Democrats’ biggest contributor by voting
By Paul Burka
From the Blue Cross release: For 32 years, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) has been honored to administer healthcare benefits for the HealthSelect of Texas health plan of the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS). BCBSTX has consistently provided Texas state employees, retirees and their families with broad
By Paul Burka
I recommend that readers take a look at Reeve Hamilton’s story about Texas Southern and its 3% graduation rate in Sunday’s Texas Tribune. TSU’s trials and tribulations over the years are an old and sad story in Texas state government, maybe the oldest and the saddest, and one which never seems to
By Paul Burka
Poll particulars: 400 Republican primary voters, MOE +/- 5% Wentworth’s early lead is to be expected. He has represented much of the district for a very long time, both as a senator and before that as a county commissioner. But Texans for Lawsuit Reform has a couple of million to
By Paul Burka
The following is Blue Cross’s position on the cost to the state of UnitedHealthcare’s proposal compared to its own. Of course, if United wishes to provide a rebuttal, I will publish that. I remain concerned about the process that led to UnitedHealthcare’s getting the contract. Flawed analysis could cost the
By Paul Burka
I spoke to a knowledgeable ERS retiree today. Here is what I was told: 1. When you retire, you have one chance to choose a health plan. This retiree chose Blue Cross. Then, this summer, all retirees received a notice. It said that all retirees would be moved to Humana.
By Paul Burka
This is the assessment of author Nathan L. Gonzales, who also serves as deputy editor of the Rothenberg Political Report, a Washington-based newsletter. In a survey piece about Latino political prospects nationwide, Gonzales writes: In Texas, Republican Ted Cruz is beloved by national conservative groups such as the Club
By Paul Burka
Since 1984, the State of Texas has battled one school finance lawsuit after another. In nearly every case, the system has been ruled unequal, unfair, and unconstitutional—yet it remains largely unchanged. Will this time be any different?
By Paul Burka
The last three seats at issue on the House map were Margo (El Paso), Legler (Harris), and Garza (Bexar). In the interim maps, Margo is pretty safe, Legler has a chance to survive, and Garza will have to fight to survive. Pena is a goner. The Democrats got very little
By Paul Burka
The delay of the primary will throw the runoff elections almost into August (July 31) — 63 days from the May 29 primary date. This seems nuts: Why do we need a nine week runoff period? (I’m going to answer my own question, with help from a commenter. The reason
By Paul Burka
On Thursday, February 23, I wrote this brief post about the Employees Retirement System’s decision to award the health insurance contract for state employees and retirees to UnitedHealthcare: The Perry gravy train is back on the track. UnitedHealthCare is a client of … Mike Toomey. What a remarkable coincidence. I
By Paul Burka
The time was early Saturday afternoon. I will provide an address tomorrow for friends who wish to send a condolence note.
By Paul Burka
The question came to mind when I read the NBC News story of the debate in the Virginia Legislature over a bill requiring ultrasound imaging. There was a huge fight over the bill, as there was in Texas. But something strange happened in Virginia. Here’s the story: State Republican
By Paul Burka
When Perry says he may run for president in 2016, the first thing that comes to mind is that the job will be not be open if Obama loses in 2012. If a Republican wins in 2012–Romney, Santorum, whoever–the job will not be available, because the Republican incumbent will presumably
By Paul Burka
The Perry gravy train is back on the track. UnitedHealthCare is a client of … Mike Toomey. What a remarkable coincidence. From the release: UnitedHealthcare has been selected by the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) to be third party administrator of the HealthSelect of Texas health insurance plan.
By Paul Burka
That’s what he says. I’ll believe it when he files. This seems more like a sign of weakness than a sign of strength — an effort to remain relevant in the wake of his failures in the presidential race, as if he is trying to fend off potential opponents. If
By Paul Burka
I have made some inquiries today about internal polling in the Senate race. I am satisfied that the 38-27 spread in the UT/Trib poll considerably understates Dewhurst’s lead over Cruz.
By Paul Burka
Dewhurst 38% Cruz 27% Leppert 7% James 7% Jim Henson, co-director of the poll, writes, “David Dewhurst is roughly splitting the extremely conservative primary voters with Ted Cruz. That’s not a sign of failure or defeat, but it is a yellow flag.” Maybe I’m reading this wrong, but it
By Paul Burka
The case is brought by two white students who attended Stephen F. Austin High School in Sugarland. UT won in the district court and before a panel of the Fifth Circuit. It will be heard in the fall term of the Court, which begins on October 1. The big change
By Paul Burka
Sherry Sylvester of Texans for Lawsuit Reform submitted a response to my recent post, “TLR bets the farm.” I have edited portions of the response that did not directly address matters that were in my original post. Some of the omitted material appears in a comment posted yesterday
By Paul Burka
It should come as no surprise that Rick Santorum is far ahead in the Texas primary. Evangelicals are a major factor here, and Santorum carries their banner. Neither Gingrich nor Romney has done anything to get back in the race nationally, although Romney has the most resources. Intrade, the Internet
By Paul Burka
Does TLR’s jihad against Jeff Wentworth make sense? Forget that Wentworth has voted with TLR on all but a handful of occasions. Forget that Wentworth is a well known incumbent who will have the support of the local business community, and TLR is, in this race, a bunch of carpetbaggers
By Paul Burka
His family has asked me to post an update on his condition. Reggie will return from M.D. Anderson to Austin and will go into hospice care, most likely at his home.
By Paul Burka