Politics & Policy
December 19, 2020
The Shelley Luther Reality Show Is Canceled After Just Seven Months
The rebel salon queen beat Governor Greg Abbott once, but on Saturday, he had the last laugh.
Texas Senate
Politics & Policy
September 25, 2020
Shelley Luther Calls Greg Abbott a “Tyrant Governor.” Can It Get Her Elected During a Pandemic?
The Dallas salon owner who rose to fame for defying shutdown orders is still campaigning to “reopen” Texas.
Politics & Policy
February 18, 2020
Kirk Watson Escapes Dan Patrick’s Senate
The departure of the longtime Austin senator—for the greener pastures of higher education—will set off a fierce race for his seat.
Politics & Policy
April 15, 2019
Dan Patrick Gets His Way with Property Tax Reform, But Another Republican Has the Last Word
In a powerful floor speech Monday, Senator Kel Seliger offers a demonstration of decency that diminishes the lieutenant governor’s raw power play.
Politics & Policy
April 12, 2019
Dan Patrick Alerts Senate That He Intends to Use “Nuclear Option” to Pass Property Tax Reform
Unless a compromise can be reached next week, Patrick's decision to move forward will upend decades of Senate tradition.
Politics & Policy
April 10, 2019
Border Brinkmanship and the Texas Economy
The Texas Senate has tacitly endorsed President Trump’s threat to shut down the border if necessary—a dangerous move for the economy and the president’s political future.
Politics & Policy
January 22, 2019
Dan Patrick Strips Senator of Committee Chairmanship, Saying He Made Lewd Comment About Staffer
The move by the lieutenant governor comes amid escalating tensions with Amarillo Republican senator Kel Seliger.
Politics & Policy
August 11, 2018
Former Lawmaker and Liberal Lion Babe Schwartz Dies
A famed member of the Killer Bees, Schwartz was known for his gifted—and tart—oratory.
Politics & Policy
June 21, 2018
Abbott Sets Special Election Date for Carlos Uresti Seat
The governor has set July 31 as the date in which voters will choose who will fill the vacancy of a lawmaker convicted of multiple federal counts of fraud and money laundering.
Politics & Policy
June 18, 2018
Carlos Uresti Resigns from Texas Senate
The San Antonio lawmaker’s resignation comes four months after his conviction on multiple counts of fraud and money laundering.
Uncategorized
January 27, 2017
R.G.’s Roundup: Big Holes, Budget Tricks, and Trump
Our favorite political reads of the week.
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
January 21, 2013
Wentworth and Jones: Who’s Suing Who?
Republican state senator Jeff Wentworth's latest salvo against his primary opponent Elizabeth Ames Jones? Suing her for defamation. …
Politics & Policy
January 21, 2013
Fightin’ Words: Senator Kel Seliger vs. Michael Quinn Sullivan
Facing a primary challenge from the right, the hockey-playing senator from Amarillo decides to drop the gloves. …
Politics & Policy
January 21, 2013
Texas Redistricting Ball Now in Scalia’s Court
But does the U.S. Supreme Court Justice’s request for briefs mean he might rule in the state’s favor?…
Politics & Policy
February 14, 2012
Railroad Commissioner Reluctantly Resigns
Elizabeth Ames Jones is running for a San Antonio senate seat, but must live in the "capital of the State" to stay Railroad Commissioner. People laughed when she questioned the phrase, but does she have a point about its modern definition?…
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.
Politics & Policy
January 1, 2007
Here Comes Trouble
Dan Patrick is causing nervous breakdowns of various size and duration—and he’s not even in the Texas Senate yet.
Politics & Policy
March 1, 1997
Out of Control
Democratic lieutenant governor Bob Bullock’s immense power over the Texas Senate has vanished almost overnight. The Republican majority, which everyone said wouldn’t make any difference in how the Senate functions, made a difference after all. When Florence Shapiro of Plano successfully challenged Buster Brown of Lake Jackson, a Bullock ally,…