A Politics of Place

By Jay Leeson Editor’s note: My friend Jay Leeson passed away this week surrounded by friends and family in Lubbock, a city he loved so well. In the time I knew him, Jay became a strong voice for West Texas on the radio, TV, and in print. He was only 44. But a person doesn’t […]

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Teaming Up With the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to fight blood cancer

As you may know, the mission of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is deeply personal to us at Quorum Report. Harvey Kronberg’s wife, Michele Kronberg, passed away suddenly in 2017 after a leukemia diagnosis. To say it was devastating would be an understatement. That’s why when I was asked to help raise money to fight […]

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Symptoms of a Speaker Race

Note: This analysis was first published on The Quorum Report on October 19. Four days later, Chair Senfronia Thompson became the first declared candidate for Speaker for the 2021 session, followed by Representatives Trey Martinez Fischer, Oscar Longoria, Geanie Morrison, Trent Ashby, Chris Paddie, and John Cyrier, who dropped out within 24 hours and threw […]

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At the politically riskiest moment of the pandemic, Gov. Greg Abbott assumes all responsibility for the path forward

Note: This analysis first appeared in the pages of The Quorum Report last week. Subscribe to the site right here for daily for news and information about what’s happening in state government and politics. You can also sign up for our free email alerts by clicking “free signup” on the homepage.   No doubt Gov. Greg […]

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Flashback: The Senators’ Senate

Note: This article originally appeared in the Quorum Report on April 15, 2019 as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick was poised to force revenue cap legislation through the Texas Senate. Given his new comments about once again changing senate rules to accommodate a potentially smaller GOP Caucus in 2021, it seemed appropriate to revisit this analysis. […]

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In race to lead the Texas GOP Chairman Dickey promotes building party infrastructure, challenger West focuses on life story

SAN ANTONIO – With warmup acts including Texans for Lawsuit Reform Chairman Dick Weekley, Betty Cardenas of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly and others, the candidates to lead the Republican Party of Texas this month sparred in the Alamo City over which of them is best qualified to lead the state’s majority party. It was […]

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“Forgive and Remember”

This analysis originally appeared in the Quorum Report. Join us there daily for coverage of Texas politics and government.  The apology tour is on as Speaker Dennis Bonnen and former Texas House GOP Caucus Chairman Dustin Burrows seek to make amends after admitting to saying “terrible things” about members in a private meeting while the […]

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Doubling down on sales tax swap, Abbott puts Texas Republicans in a box

Months ago when the Big Three first unveiled this session’s signature property tax “relief” bill, and remember it was introduced as the “Property Tax Reform and Relief Act of 2019,” they were flanked at a news conference by Senate Property Tax Committee Chairman Paul Bettencourt and Ways and Means Chair Dustin Burrows. Without those chairmen […]

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Updated: More than 1,000 Soccer Balls Contributed for Detained Immigrant Children

An effort to deliver a little bit of Christmas joy to detained immigrant children in El Paso County spearheaded by the office of Sen. Jose Rodriguez became bipartisan this week and as of Saturday morning has now raised more than 1,000 items so far. There are 2,400 kids and the deadline to get this done […]

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Flashback: Lt. Gov. Patrick gives Sen. Cruz a lesson in how to lead Texas Republicans

Note: This article first appeared in the Quorum Report in September of 2016. Given the fact that Lt. Gov. Patrick reportedly brokered the deal for President Trump to campaign for Sen. Cruz in Texas, it seemed appropriate to revisit this analysis – SB  A clear-eyed assessment of the long-term strength and influence of the Tea […]

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