Patrick made the comments at a daylong conference in Austin hosted by The Texan, a political news site started by former GOP state Sen. Konni Burton.
Konni Burton
Posted in
Redistricting Texas
Historically red Tarrant County diversified in the last decade. Now Republicans are trying to divide up its voters of color.
Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, said the maps were drawn “race-blind.” But Democratic Sen. Beverly Powell, whose district would be turned into a majority-Republican district, said they’re an attempt to deny voters of color their voice in elections.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas police made more than $50 million in 2017 from seizing people’s property. Not everyone was guilty of a crime.
Law enforcement leaders say civil asset forfeiture is a necessary tool for fighting crime, but several lawmakers see it as a violation of Americans’ civil liberties. Texas legislators are poised to take up the issue once again in 2019.
Posted in
Texas Elections 2018
Democrats Nathan Johnson and Beverly Powell defeat state Sens. Don Huffines and Konni Burton in Texas midterm
Burton and Huffines were two of three Republican senators in districts where more voters backed Democrat Hillary Clinton over Republican Donald Trump in 2016 or where the president had a narrow winning margin.
Posted in
Texas Elections 2018
With a supermajority, Republicans have complete control of the Texas Senate. That’s at risk this election cycle.
While the Texas Senate will remain Republican-dominated, the party could lose its ability to move legislation out of the chamber without the support of any Democrats.
Posted inState Government
Analysis: Don’t count your (Democratic) chickens until they’re elected
Texas political eyes are watching for Republican weaknesses and Democratic chances in two or three state Senate districts. But the tables could be turned in a fourth, where Democrats have ruled for ages.
Posted in
Texas Elections 2018
Analysis: The Texas Senate’s Republican supermajority, on the bubble
The November general elections are still ahead, but they won’t by themselves determine all of the important spots in the Texas Legislature. Watch the empty chairs — they can be almost as important as the occupied ones.
Posted in
Texas Elections 2018
In this Texas Democratic primary, the Clinton/Sanders divide still lingers
One of the two women running in the Democratic primary to unseat state Sen. Konni Burton backed Hillary Clinton in 2016. The other backed Bernie Sanders. Remnants of that divide from two years ago can be found in their current match-up.
Posted in
Congress
U.S. Rep. Joe Barton retiring after graphic photo posted online
U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, the longest-serving Texan in Congress, announced that he is retiring after a tumultuous week.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Civil asset forfeiture debate pits property rights advocates against law enforcement
Critics say the procedure deprives citizens of property without due process. Law enforcement officials say they are stopping crime.