In April, Gov. Rick Perry roasted longtime Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, at a raucous fundraiser for the Texas Legislative Internship Program. Watch a clip of the event, emceed by state Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, here.
Senfronia Thompson
Posted in
State Government
Slideshow: State Rep. Senfronia Thompson
State Rep. Senfronia Thompson is the longest-serving woman, African American and Democrat in the Texas House, where her career spans nearly four decades. Here’s a photographic look back at her tenure in the Legislature’s lower chamber.
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Criminal Justice
Thompson Feeds Her “Little Dogs” and Throws a Bone to Bigger Ones
Rep. Senfronia Thompson’s almost 40-year House tenure is defined by her defense of the underserved. But her legislative career is peppered with occasional paradoxes.
Posted inState Government
Thompson’s Campaign Contributions (2010 Cycle)
Rep. Senfronia Thompson’s campaign contributions for the 2010 election cycle, classified by donor type.
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Higher Education
Video: “Pansexual” Amendment Debate
While you were sleeping last night, lawmakers in the Texas House were engaged in a passionate debate over “pansexual” politics that nearly killed the entire fiscal matters bill, which is pretty much the main reason they’re having a special session. Trust us — this is must-see video.
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Economy
After 16 Hours of Debate, House Tentatively Passes Key Fiscal Matters Bill
Lengthy debate on a key budget bill featured many retreads of contentious topics from the regular session — but it was Rep. Wayne Christian’s revival of his famous “pansexual” amendment around midnight that almost killed the whole thing.
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State Government
New Lawmaker’s Crusade Against Government is a Lonely One
In the just-ended legislative session, freshman state Rep. David Simpson made a name for himself — and not always a nice one — with his passionate push for the “anti-groping” airport bill and his outspoken stance against proposals he believed represented government intrusion into personal freedoms.
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Demographics
The 82nd Lege Session: The Highlights Reel
The Trib’s multimedia team highlights some of the most memorable — and surprising — moments from the 82nd Legislative Session. Our lawmakers sure do love to make a statement, complete with finger pointing, yelling and props. (Some video courtesy the Texas House, the Texas Senate and legetv.org.)
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State Government
Is There a Boys Club Under the Pink Dome?
The flap in the House and Senate this week over a political flyer showing an infant nursing at a bare breast has rekindled an age-old discussion: Is there sexism in the Texas Capitol?
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State Government
Video: Thompson “Disgusted” by Flyers
State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, gave an impassioned personal privilege speech on the floor of the Texas House this afternoon in response to graphic flyers passed out in the House chamber about an insurance bill, HB 2093. The women in the chamber stood up with Thompson. “We have not earned this kind of disrespect!” she said. Afterward, state Rep. Debbie Riddle accused some of the men in the chamber of having pornography on the House floor. (Video courtesy legetv.org)