BOR: - Lon Burnam

The Way of the Gun: Cruz Talks to NRA; Lege Ignores Supremacy Clause

Edward Garris — Mon, 06 May 2013 19:00:00 GMT

For a group allegedly committed to originalism, first principles, and tri-cornered hats, the Tea Party and its acolytes aren't even going two for three. Haberdashers, however, you are in luck.

In the shadow of a tragic shooting in Terminal B of Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport, the National Rifle Association held its annual convention in Houston. According to the Texas Tribune, the NRA convention saw Sen. Ted Cruz challenge Vice President Joe Biden to a debate on gun control and crime, and Gov. Rick Perry lobby for guns because "we believe in the God-given right for people to have peace of mind to defend themselves and their family." Because on the eighth day, God created firearms. Originalism, indeed.

To see how all this misfired this weekend, go below the jump.
Closer to home in Austin, however, actual gun legislation substituted for rhetoric, as the Texas House Saturday moved forward on HB 972 and HB 1076,passing both to engrossment. HB 972 allows universities in Texas to permit firearms on campus, and contains an indemnity clause. The indemnity clause prevents shooting victims from holding liable for damages the universities that opt to permit firearms on campus in case of a shooting. Presumably, the estates of victims - if the shooting is fatal - are similarly barred. Also insulated from liability are handgun instructors.

HB 1076 throws more red meat to the base, prohibiting local political subdivisions in Texas (e.g.: counties, cities, and the like) from enforcing federal gun laws passed after January 1, 2013, or enacting and enforcing regulations and ordinances which are similar to federal gun laws. Any city, county, or other local, political subdivision which violates the statute, will lose state funding the following fiscal year. Further, these political subdivisions will be subject to suit.

Rep. Lon Burnam asked the obvious question - how much will these suits cost? He received no answer.

Rep. Chris Turner attempted to amend the bill to stop the use of state money when the state is inevitably sued by the Federal government. That amendment was stricken.

As its rhetorical (and legal?) base, the bill uses an understanding of the U.S. Constitution, and specifically the Tenth and Ninth Amendments, as they were understood in 1845. Whether they are creating a new subset of originalism to undermine Tea Party brethren or setting up the federal government for a fraudulent inducement claim is unclear. However, the implicit purpose of the bill - to get federal hands off our guns - is frustrated by multiple things, not least of which is the Constitution.

As Chris Turner brought up, there is the issue of the Supremacy Clause in the U.S. Constitution.

It reads:

"This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the constitution or laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding."

It's a high stakes game of paper, rock, scissors. If federal law and Texas law come into conflict, federal law trumps. Every time.

While the federal government generally cannot conscript state and local governments to act as its agents and enforce its laws, if a state or local political subdivision opts to do so, or enact a law which is entirely consistent with the federal law, it can do that. A state government cannot step in and penalize them for it.

Then, there's the practical enforcement issue. We're seeing it with health care exchanges , and now we may see it with firearms regulation. If the state fails to act, or affirmatively moves to prevent action, the federal government will step in and act for them to the extent the law allows. As we've just seen, the law gives them fairly wide latitude to act, leading to the perverse result that by acting to keep the federal government "off our guns" the Texas House is actually inviting the federal government to entirely control and regulate "our guns."

For all the rhetoric and legislation coming out of the Texas House, better friends the federal government never had.

Why Texas Might Help End Outside Money in Politics: Wolf-PAC Texas

Ben Sherman — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:00:00 GMT

Money in politics is the number one threat to our democracy. The reason we formed an American government is to represent the American people. When outside groups are allowed to donate millions of dollars to influence our elections and buy our politicians, they will of course do it. It's our fault if we allow them to skew our representatives to their interests over the good of the American people. This is a fundamental principle of representative democracy, and something the overwhelming majority of Americans agree with.

Wolf-PAC is a political organization devoted to the removal of corrupting money out politics. The organization does not distinguish between types of outside money in politics, but views all of it as fundamentally corrosive to a government "dependent on the people alone," as James Madison foresaw. Founded in 2011, Wolf-PAC has a unique approach to achieving their goal: in adherence with Article V of the Constitution, convince 2/3 of the states to call an Article V convention to propose amendments on this issue alone. Article V conventions are solely for the purpose of proposing amendments.

The logic behind this state-based strategy is that at this point, Congress is so fundamentally corrupted with big money that they would never pass an amendment to cut ties with their overlords. Wolf-PAC intends to get around Washington's corruption by going straight to the states. Once the convention is called, if 3/4 of the states approve an amendment to the Constitution, guess what happens? That amendment becomes part of the U.S. Constitution.

Wolf-PAC's Texas arm has already succeeded in getting a call for an Article V convention introduced in the Texas House. Rep. Lon Burnam (D-Fort Worth) has introduced HJR-94 calling for an Article V Convention to get big outside money out of politics.

Story continues below the jump.
That's right. Our own Texas has joined Minnesota and Massachusetts in taking the first legislative steps to get money out of politics. And nowhere is the universal appeal of this amendment highlighted more than in Texas. During a Texans United to Amend rally (a coalition of pro-amendment groups including Wolf-PAC Texas) at the Capitol in January, several members of the simultaneous anti-gun control Guns Across America rally came over and expressed their agreement that we need to get money out of politics.

The introduction of HJR-94 is very welcome news, and of course more work is required. I interviewed Todd Jagger, State Director of Wolf-PAC Texas, to learn more about this effort and ways to get involved.

What is Wolf-PAC Texas's strategy?
We intend to make Texas the first state to call for an Article V Convention to propose an amendment by uniting Texans under a crosspartisan movement that cannot be ignored. Conservatives, progressives, Tea Partiers, Independents, libertarians - no matter what is important to you the corrupting influence of money in politics works against you and everyone else. This is not a left or right issue, it's an American issue.
Texas was one of the first states to call for an Article V Convention for the 17th Amendment a hundred years ago. We can and should lead again today.
How did you convince Rep. Lon Burnam to introduce HJR-94?
There was no convincing necessary. I was just the right guy in the right place at the right time with the right solution talking to the right Representative. Rep. Burnam said he and his colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, have been troubled by the effects of Citizens United. They've seen what it's done to our political process and our country and they have been looking for an effective way to deal with it. And this is it. This type of situation is exactly what the founders had in mind when they wrote Article V: a way for the states, which are closer to the people, to rein in an unresponsive or out of control federal government. It's a core component of the Constitution and it's clear the founders intended it to be used. Frequently used, in fact.
My favorite part of our meeting was at the end when Rep. Burnam said, "Okay, tomorrow I want you to call my Chief of Staff and tell him you are Todd from Wolf-PAC, and no, we're not saving the wolves, we're saving the republic."
What are the next steps for HJR-94?
Building support in the House by bringing co-sponsors on to the bill and getting the companion resolution introduced and cosponsored in the Senate. And of course passing both resolutions. We also support the two nonbinding resolutions in the Texas Legislature, SCR2/HCR21, and want to see them passed as well, but we honestly don't have much confidence that Congress will act upon them and, if they do, we believe the only way they will craft an acceptable amendment, one that isn't weak or full of loopholes, will only be with the pressure brought upon them by a valid Article V Convention call. That's what happened with the 17th Amendment and it could happen in this case as well. At the same time we believe our best shot, and the safest route, is by letting the people and states propose the amendment.
Many states, including Texas, have long histories of strong campaign finance law, so we know how to do this. The federal government has severely encroached on states' rights by telling us we have to let big outside money control our politics.
Part of this process is educative, one legislator at a time. The status quo has a lot of vested interest in creating an atmosphere of fear, uncertainty and doubt about the Article V process, and of course in maintaining the status quo, so sometimes we have to help legislators recall their civics classes (do they even teach that any more?). 87% of Americans know our political process has been damaged by the influence of big outside money. It's not hard to show how a convention is the most viable and safest solution.
For our State Legislators it's important to remember that this power to safeguard our representative democracy was entrusted to the States and it's not only our right but our responsibility to exercise it, for the good of our nation.
What direct action can the bill's supporters take?
Join us at www.wolf-pac.com and find us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/wolfpachq & www.facebook.com/wolfpactexas) and "you can always follow me on Tweeter" (@wolfpactx and @wolfpachq). Talk about this issue with your friends and family. Call your representative and tell them you want them to support, cosponsor and vote yes on HJR-94. Then call another one. Call your senator and ask them to introduce the companion resolution in the Senate. Call Speaker Straus' office and let them know you want to see HJR-94 voted on the floor in the House that Texas Legislators should have the opportunity to once again lead the nation and restore our democracy. We deserve that, don't you think?
What challenges have you found in Texas?
Getting anything done legislatively in Texas is always a challenge. There are a million issues (and special interests...) all clamoring for the attention of our Legislators who have a comparatively short window to act. It's hard to rise above the noise. We have to make it clear, and understood, that until we solve this first problem of corrupting money in politics no other problems can adequately be addressed. The time is now.
We, as Texans and as Americans, have the responsibility to put our country back on course. This is how we do it at the state level, as intended by the framers.
Have you found Democrats resistant to the bill?
What we've mainly found, from both Republicans and Democrats, is an unfamiliarity with Article V, why it's there, why we should use it now to solve this problem, why it's our best and perhaps only real mechanism to do so, and why a convention is actually the best and most stringent way to propose an amendment. After all, Congress is the problem. We can't trust them to be the solution.
This is a historic moment and a historic opportunity. I'm not sure how many legislators really see that and it's important they do. They can literally be the ones who lead in one of the most significant issues of our lifetime and for the future of our country. The names at the first constitutional convention are some of the most famous in American history. You, good Texas State Representative and Texas State Senator, can be part of that.
You've said the Article V process is the "best" and "safest" method for proposing an amendment. Why?
Some of the most renowned constitutional scholars and lawyers, including Lawrence Lessig and UT's Sanford Levinson agree an Article V Convention is not only safe but that one is necessary and long overdue. Yet I have a couple reasons of my own apart from the legal context. First, who is more likely to work to craft a strong and acceptable amendment? Citizen-Delegates representing a broad cross section of Americans or a Congress with a 7% approval rating; career politicians who have risen to the highest levels of political power by working the very money in politics system we are trying to end?
Second, the convention, if we have one, will be the first one since 1787. There will be overwhelming media coverage. The weight of history in the making will be heavy on every delegates' shoulders. Every minute will be watched and analyzed worldwide. Every word in any amendment will be debated and scrutinized. That's a powerful safeguard against the backroom deals or obfuscating language we see all the time in congressional legislation. And don't forget, whether an amendment is proposed by Congress or a convention, 38 states must still ratify it to get it in the Constitution. That's a very high bar and a powerful protection against anything radical.
What is your background and why did you take your position as Texas State Director in Wolf-PAC?
I'm a lifelong Texan, grew up in Austin, moved to Fort Davis about 20 years ago. I'm a photographer, musician and tech entrepreneur by vocation. I have photographs in the permanent collection at the Harry Ransom Center, played with several bands including a stint with the Austin Lounge Lizards and I founded the first Internet company in the Big Bend because nobody else would do it. I've been seriously concerned about money in politics for a long time. I've seen how it keeps real problems from being solved and our nation hobbled in a cycle of partisan politics, fundraising and gridlock.
I began volunteering with Wolf-PAC when it first started in Texas and just kept going. I saw what needed to be done and did it. That's what we Texans do, isn't it?

The name of the bill in the Texas House has been changed from HCR 25 to HJR-94, now reflected in this post.

Roundup of Democratic and Republican Primary News

Katherine Haenschen — Tue, 22 May 2012 20:00:00 GMT

Lots of press releases and news stories coming in with election day only one week away.

Democratic Primary:

CD-33: Tensions have flared in the Metroplex after former State Rep. Domingo Garcia attacked State Rep. Marc Veasey and former Congressman Martin Frost for conducting a press conference with men and women who work at the General Motors assembly plant in Arlington. Garcia accused Veasey of standing with "Wall Street Corporations," while Veasey and other Metroplex media organizations have pushed back against Garcia for attacking a major area employer. Today, Veasey sent out a release asking his opponent to stop mudlinging and focus on educational opportunities:

"Working families in North Texas have neither the time nor the desire to wade through all this mudslinging," said Veasey. "Schools in DFW are literally closing down, the ladders of education opportunity are being pulled out from under our children. I would rather talk about how we reverse course and focus on improving our schools rather than engaging in petty political attacks."

US Senate: In the UT/TT poll released yesterday, Paul Sadler led the field with 29%. Sean Hubbard came in second with 25%. Addie Allen had 19% and Grady Yarborough had 11%. 15% said they don't know. Results here.

HD-90: Lon Burnam's campaign is touting a poll showing him with a 54%-27% lead over challenger Carlos Vasquez. The poll was conducted by Jeff Smith of Opinion Analysts. Vasquez seems to be coming apart on the trail in the last few weeks of campaigning as he has lashed out at Burnam and apparently exhibited some odd behavior at candidate forums.

HCDP: At the Harris County Democratic Party's BBQ event last weekend, attendees participated in a straw poll in a wide range of races, from President to County Chair. Click here to see the results!

SD-14: Not really primary news, but congrats to Preston Watson, son of Senator Kirk Watson, who graduated from UT last weekend with a degree in history.

Additionally, all candidates on the ballot would like to urge you to vote early this week. Early voting ends Friday. Election Day is next Tuesday, but since it's right after the three-day Memorial Day weekend, you might forget. Vote now!

Republican Primary:

There's lots of muck on the other side of the aisle and plenty of money to sling it with.

US Senate: Sarah Palin endorsed Ted Cruz, then apparently sent a robo-call to voters in Florida and Kansas to tell them about it. Ah, it makes me think back to four years ago, when Republicans -- or at least the one they nominated for the Presidency -- wanted her to be one heartbeat from the Oval Office.

Railroad Commissioner: Roland "Don't Pee on the Electric Fence" Sledge claims to have earned the endorsement of primary opponent Beryl Burgess, which should certainly shake up the race. Sledge is also touting a long list of conservative blog endorsements. Pfft. Blog endorsements.

CD-4: The Campaign for Primary Accountability is spending $100K on mail, TV, and radio against Ralph Hall in the 4th district. Hall has two challengers, Steve Clark and Lou Gigliotti. Will it be enough to force a run-off or unseat the incumbent?

HD-19: Republicans James White and Mike "Tuffy" Hamilton were paired together in redistricting and are now fighting a brutal primary against each other. Last Friday, Hamilton released records showing that White was "admonished for inappropriate sexual references" while he was a teacher at Livingston HS. He was reprimanded and later resigned. From Quorum Report:

According to the documents obtained by the Hamilton Campaign through Open Records requests, White was first notified of the student and parent complaints in August of 2006. Both he and the principal of Livingston HS signed a letter documenting their conversation about his behavior that resulted in student complaints including, "What is more intimate... sharing your credit scores or having sexual intercourse." And "other comments such as 'girls are used as a utility for guys.'"
"Further discussion took place in regard to student/parent complaints about comments such as 'after a man and a woman have sex... then their undergarments are mixed together in the same washing machine."

In his response, White called the attacks a "desperate lie."

White, the African-American Tea Partier, is considered the favorite over Hamilton. It kind of cracks me up that Tea Party wackos are about to elect someone who lost their job for making inappropriate sexual comments about large household appliances.

Referendum on Hawaii Statehood: In case you missed it, BOR PAC released a poll of likely Republican primary voters, which asked them if they believe the President was born in the United States. 60% said no. 21% "aren't sure." And these are the folks who are deciding the eventual winners in our statewide races. Yikes.

Miscellaneous:

PACS, Man! The Texas Tribune put together a really handy interactive guide to the various PACs that have endorsed. Scariest is probably the YCT's endorsing in SBOE races. That can't end well. And by "well," I mean "with educated Texans." But hey, all the better for the YCT membership drive, I suppose.

Burnt Orange Report Endorses Lon Burnam in HD-90

Burnt Orange Report — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:00:00 GMT

Lon Burnam is a solid progressive. We see no reason to turn him out of office. Burnt Orange Report enthusiastically and unanimously endorses Burnam for re-election to HD-90.

Burnam is a fierce advocate for education, immigrant rights, and progressive socio-economic policies. The Fort Worth native is a leader on environmental issues, actively fighting Rick Perry's efforts to rubber-stamp a nuclear waste dump in West Texas. He has sounded the alarm on unsafe fracking practices that threaten our drinking water. A man of faith, Burnam uses his Quaker values to reclaim turf for religious progressives in the culture wars. There is absolutely no reason for voters in HD-90 to turn him out of office, and the challenger in particular presents no improvement over the incumbent.

We completely respect the desire of Hispanic leaders to elect Hispanic candidates to majority-Hispanic districts, however in this case it is unlikely that Vasquez would be an improvement over Burnam in any way shape or form, or that he would do better on Hispanic issues than the progressive incumbent. Surely there are other progressive Hispanic candidates who would be better contenders here should Burnam ever decide to retire. Carlos Vasquez has close political ties to questionable individuals, and it sounds as if he may have been involved in efforts to steer contracts towards his cronies while on the Fort Worth school board. Additionally, Vasquez comes across as a divisive figure on the campaign trail, and if there's one thing the Democratic caucus does not need it's freshman members who can't work well with others.

Burnam is a progressive champion and solid Democrat who has devoted his career to making life better for the people of Fort Worth. We unanimously and enthusiastically endorse him for re-election to HD-90.

Endorsements are made based on a weighted consensus of the staff, which guides the type and tone of endorsement. Members of the Burnt Orange Report staff employed by campaigns abstain from voting on those races.

Fort Worth Felony Indictment Raises Questions about State House Candidate

EricaP — Fri, 04 May 2012 19:49:37 GMT

Is anybody following the story of the Fort Worth attorney who was indicted last week on felony charges of falsifying campaign records in the 2009 Arlington school board race?

The attorney, Mario Perez, seems to have a history of skirting the law, getting school board friends to steer lucrative contracts to his (now former) firm, Linebarger & Associates.

The story caught my eye because after Arlington ISD shifted its tax collection contract to Perez’ firm in late 2009, Fort Worth ISD followed suit a few months later. According to Fort Worth Star Telegram reports on the decision, one of Perez’ “close friends” on the Fort Worth school board -- Carlos Vasquez -- led the push to rebid the contract to Perez’ firm.

Linda Campbell of the Star Telegram called the 2010 dump-n-hire “behind-the-scenes collusion involving a trio of trustees,” one of which is Vasquez.

If the Star Telegram account is correct, the “frequent contact” between Perez and Vasquez in the lead up to the vote, at the very least, appears to violate the board’s prohibition against contact between bidders and board members about the decision.

This raises some questions about Texas House member wannabe Vasquez’ role in the affair: Was this the only potential legal violation in the contract re-bid, or were there others?

What exactly is Perez’ relationship to Vasquez? What else has “piqued the interest of the Travis County district attorney’s office” about the decision, who is implicated, and perhaps most importantly, is there something here voters should know before heading to the polls later this month?

Changes come to the House Democratic Campaign Committee

Todd Hill — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 20:40:28 GMT

With the loss of State Representative Jim Dunnam, the House Democratic Campaign Committee has begun to transition and prepare for the 82nd Legislative session. Tarrant County's own, Lon Burnam, has been added to the HDCC Board and I think that is a great move on the part of Representatives Garnett Coleman and Pete Gallego.

In a note from Rep. Burnam, which includes a message from Coleman and Gallego:

To continue the outstanding record of Member-leadership at the HDCC, we have asked Representative Lon Burnam to join our board. We can tell you that since the HDCC was formed, few Members have matched Lon's willingness to contribute both time and financial support to the organization. Lon has dedicated many days at the HDCC office to donor call-time, and time and again has been willing to share his campaign funds -- and his own campaign contributors -- with the HDCC, so that the organization can better serve Members in tough primary and general election races. We are excited to formalize Lon's role, and look forward to working closely with him.

With Democrats deeper in minority status come January, adding Representative Burnam to the leadership at the HDCC will bring an individual with tremendous knowledge, skills, and deep understanding of the tools that can be utilized by the caucus to limit the GOP from ramming too much bad legislation down the throat of Texans. There's not a whole lot our caucus can do given how deep in the minority they are, but this move helps. Lon is routinely singled out as the legislator who takes new members under his wing and teaches them the ways of the legislature. As recognized by his colleagues above, Lon is also very good at fundraising and very willing to do the hard work necessary to win! He has spine and grit, which we know Democrats need a lot more of these days, not necessarily Texas Democrats, but it doesn't hurt having someone of Lon's capabilities helping us in 2011.

Tarrant Legislators Deliver Electricity Legislation to Consumers

Todd Hill — Sun, 31 May 2009 14:39:45 GMT

Senator Wendy Davis and Representative Chris Turner won passage of Senate Bill 1468 and House Bill 995, by amendment, which requires utility companies to notify Texas consumers in a timely fashion that their contracts are set to expire. This notification will give consumers plenty of time to shop around for the lowest possible utility rates and avoid rate hikes at unexpected times--particularly during the expensive summer months here in the Lone Star State.

Passage of this legislation are seen as key campaign victories for Davis and Turner, who campaigned rigorously in House District 96 and Senate District 10 respectively throughout Tarrant County articulating the problems and identifying potential solutions for escalating utility costs to Texas consumers.

From Senator Davis:

"It has been an uphill battle with some powerful interests, but we succeeded in passing legislation that will have a very real, very positive impact on Texas families and their pocketbooks," Senator Wendy Davis said. "This is a common-sense measure that will give people an opportunity to shop around and secure the best electricity rates available, taking advantage of the competition among electricity retailers."

From Representative Turner:

"This legislation is a major victory for Texas families. It will provide more transparency for consumers by preventing unexpected, dramatic utility rate hikes," said State Representative Chris Turner. "I applaud Senator Wendy Davis for her hard work in getting these provisions into the bill and for her strong leadership on consumer issues."

Tarrant County is not only proud of Davis and Turner, but Representatives Veasey, Pierson, and Burnam as well. You each represented our county, and your districts, well throughout the 81st legislative session.

LSG Elects Officers

Matt Glazer — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:23:20 GMT

Today the board members of the Legislative Study Group (LSG) unanimously reelected Representative Garnet Coleman as Chair. In addition, LSG also unanimously elected Representative Valinda Bolton to the position of Vice Chair.

Rounding out the returning officers are Representative Elliott Naishtat as Treasurer, Representative Lon Burnam as the second Vice Chair, Representative Dora Olivo as Legal Counsel and Representative Rafael Anchía as Secretary. In addition Representative Marisa Marquez was appointed as the freshman Ex-Oficio representative to the board.

The LSG board also consists of Representatives Roberto Alonzo, David Farabee, Pete Gallego, Terri Hodge, Scott Hochberg, Eddie Rodriguez, Mike Villarreal, and Abel Herrero.

Congrats to the board and to both the officers of LSG.

Burnam Files Resolution to Impeach Keller

Todd Hill — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 01:52:00 GMT

State Representative Lon Burnam, a Democratic legislator from Tarrant County, has filed House Resolution 480 this afternoon which would establish a Special Committee on Impeachment to consider impeaching Criminal Court of Appeals Judge Sharon Keller.

HR 480 charges Keller with:

"gross neglect of duty and conducting her official duties with willful disregard for human life."

You'll recall that Judge Keller has made a career of sparking controversies and most certainly contributing toward the enormous black eye that the Texas Judicial system currently has. The motivation behind Burnam's Bill are the actions that Keller took in late 2007 where she refused to keep her Clerk's office open beyond 5PM in order to receive a final plea from death row inmate Michael Richards.

Burnam's release contained the following pointed quote from the legislator representing House District 90:

"It's one thing for a banker to close shop at five o'clock sharp," Burnam, a Democrat, said in a statement. "But a public official who stands between a human being and the death chamber must be held to a higher standard."

Shortly after the closing of the office, Mr. Richards was executed by lethal injection. This was on the same day that the United States Supreme Court had earlier questioned whether death by lethal injection was indeed constitutional. You can read a BOR outline by Scott Cobb on Keller's actions by clicking here.

Prominent publications across the state, including the Texas Monthly, have called for Keller's impeachment. Burnam has finally taken it one step farther in filing a House Resolution to do just that. Kudos to State Representative Lon Burnam for doing Justice a great service by attempting to right an incredible wrong. Keller deserves nothing less than impeachment from the bench. She is a disgrace to this state, but most certainly to the Texas legal system, and the legal profession itself.

Straus' Ascendance Signals Shift in Texas GOP

Todd Hill — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:00:00 GMT

The likely ascendance of San Antonio moderate and two-term Republican, Joe Straus, to the Speakership signals a clear shift in leadership, tone, and overall direction not only in the House, but also the Texas Republican Party. It also signals an opportunity for Democrats to move forward with a moderate progressive agenda that is good for Texas and actually receive a fair hearing in the House.

The Tarrant County Democratic delegation signaled clear support for Straus. Talking with Representative-elect Chris Turner, he came away very impressed with a weekend meeting with Straus:

There are a number of reasons why he will be a good speaker, but the most important to me is his commitment to run the House in a fair and bipartisan manner. If we have a fair process, I am hopeful we can get some meaningful things accomplished for the people of Texas.

Representative Paula Pierson echoed some of the same sentiments on Straus:

He [Straus] is bright but he is fair. He is not a bully. I believe he wants what is best for Texas and not himself.

Representative Marc Veasey added the following in a phone call last night:

Straus is a pragmatic, down to earth, good guy who gets along with Democrats and Republicans. I'm confident the Democratic agenda will be heard, that all sides will be heard, and although we might not always agree that we will find more common ground then we have since I've been in Austin.

The Star-Telegram quoted Representative Burnam as having highly favorable opinions of the new incoming Speaker of the 81st Legislative session as well. For the first time in six years a heavy hand on the gavel will give way to a pragmatic one.

One thing is for certain, a fight for the soul of the Republican Party has boiled into the public domain with the more extreme wing versus the more moderate wing jockeying for leadership of the Texas GOP. It remains to be seen whether Straus has the backbone to withstand a withering fire from the more extreme wing or be forced to do more dealing with moderate Republicans and Democrats in order to pass legislation that is good for Texas. If the latter is the case, the more extreme wing will be boxed into an irrelevant corner. That signals a new day in politics in Texas.

Considering that Representative Straus appears to have majority support amongst the House, he deserves an opportunity to restore bi-partisanship and pragmatism to Texas politics in order to set a more constructive tone to the upcoming legislative session.