The Thing at the End
It simultaneously looks as though they will finish on time and as though they'll come to pieces, forcing a special session.
Full StoryIt simultaneously looks as though they will finish on time and as though they'll come to pieces, forcing a special session.
Full StoryFor the latest installment of our unscientific survey of political and policy insiders, we asked some questions about the governor's flirtation with a presidential run and about the Legislature's decision not to take on congressional redistricting.
This session we have seen an all out assault on women's health driven by the erroneous assumption that family planning is synonymous with abortion.
Full StoryRep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, during a personal privilege speech in which she angrily condemned a flier issued by the Texas Civil Justice League that depicted a child suckling a woman's bare breast, which Thompson said reeked of sexism: "God made me a woman, and thank God that he made your mother a woman because you men wouldn't be here."
Rep. Debbie Riddle, R-Tomball, addressing Thompson on the subject of gender relations in the lower chamber: "Do you think this has become standard operating procedure... with the way some of the men have treated some of the women? With pornography on the floor of the House?"
Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, during a shouting match with Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, after Williams accused him of pandering to TV cameras: "I think you owe me another apology for saying that I was looking for a headline. That was a cheap shot and you know it."
Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, during a debate on an amendment that would have added money to the state budget for education: "Make sure when you go back home you tell your constituents and the teachers that have been laid off that we tabled this amendment."
Sen. Steve Ogden, R-Bryan, asked what he thinks of leadership this session: "Nothing. I have nothing to say one way or another."
Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, on the House: "They seem to be dragging their feet on just about everything that has anything to do with school finance. I'm extremely concerned."
State Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, on Thursday, on whether he's going to run for U.S. Senate in 2012: "If it happens I'm happy to talk. If it doesn't happen I'm happy to talk. I think we really should wait until tomorrow."
Richard Box, the chairman of the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, addressing the ongoing controversy in higher ed at a board meeting on Thursday: “Anything that interferes with effectiveness in research, I will vigorously oppose.”
Conservative talk show host Alex Jones protesting the non-passage of the TSA groping bill outside the doors of the Texas Senate: “Every one of [those senators] is an enemy of the Republic and the Republic of Texas!"
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As expected, the Senate couldn't put the votes together to confirm a couple of the governor's high-profile appointees, meaning Williamson County District Attorney John Bradley is off of the Texas Forensic Science Commission. Gail Lowe will remain on the State Board of Education — that's an elected spot — but loses the chairmanship, which is appointed.
Appointments from Gov. Rick Perry include: