Skip to main content

TribLive: Three Veteran Democrats on the 82nd Session

At Thursday's TribLive conversation, I interviewed three veteran lawmakers — state Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, state Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, and state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio — about how they and their Democratic colleagues fared this session.

Republish
Texas Democratic legislators (l to r) State Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, State Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, and State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, at TriBLive on May 19, 2011.
Credit: Bob Daemmrich

At Thursday's TribLive conversation, I interviewed three veteran lawmakers — state Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, state Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, and state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio — about how they and their Democratic colleagues fared this session. We touched on, among other topics, the fate of sanctuary cities legislation, the influence of outside groups and whether GOP leaders in the House and Senate treated the minority party fairly. Three extended clips from the interview are attached below. Full audio can be found here; full video can be found here.

Texas Tribune donors or members may be quoted or mentioned in our stories, or may be the subject of them. For a complete list of contributors, click here.

Texans need truth. Help us report it.

Independent Texas reporting needs your support. The Texas Tribune delivers fact-based journalism for Texans, by Texans — and our community of members, the readers who donate, make our work possible. Help us bring you and millions of others in-depth news and information. Will you support our nonprofit newsroom with a donation of any amount?

Yes, I'll donate today

Information about the authors

Evan Smith’s staff photo

Explore related story topics

Demographics Immigration State government 82nd Legislative Session Budget Joe Straus Rodney Ellis Sanctuary cities Texas House of Representatives Texas Legislature Texas Senate