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. […]
Archive | Politics RSS feed for this section
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 […]
Read full story • Comments Off on In race to lead the Texas GOP Chairman Dickey promotes building party infrastructure, challenger West focuses on life story
“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 […]
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 […]
Read full story • Comments Off on Flashback: Lt. Gov. Patrick gives Sen. Cruz a lesson in how to lead Texas Republicans
Abbott’s New Hampshire-based consultant Dave Carney pulls back the curtain on the governor’s disdain for all Texas House members
Gov. Greg Abbott has now traveled to two Republican Texas House members’ districts to campaign against them, repeatedly call them “liberals,” and make clear that even uttering opposition to a key mechanism for his fundraising will be severely punished. Even if they win their races on Tuesday, Chairmen Sarah Davis, R-West University Place, and Lyle […]
Read full story • Comments Off on Abbott’s New Hampshire-based consultant Dave Carney pulls back the curtain on the governor’s disdain for all Texas House members
Abbott strategy against Texas House Republicans is ready, fire, aim
Note: This analysis originally appeared in The Quorum Report in August. It seems approproriate to revisit it now that Abbott is inserting himself into House GOP primaries. After nearly a solid week of non-stop broadside attacks on Texas House Republicans by Gov. Greg Abbott, a common refrain around the Capitol among lawmakers and lobbyists goes […]
Read full story • Comments Off on Abbott strategy against Texas House Republicans is ready, fire, aim
As hardliners push Texas House GOP to flex muscle in selecting speaker, Abbott works to reduce their numbers
HOUSTON – Confession: Few things in this world are as fascinating and fun as the literal and figurative swamp of Harris County politics. The creatures lurking here in the murky bayou waters are powerful and petty, colorful and crazy. And they’ll get you if you’re not careful. That’s why it was especially striking that as […]
Read full story • Comments Off on As hardliners push Texas House GOP to flex muscle in selecting speaker, Abbott works to reduce their numbers
Straus retirement may set the stage for a responsible redistricting cycle
During the 2007 session of the Legislature, Rep. Byron Cook took to the front mic of the Texas House to rally the troops against then-Speaker Tom Craddick. Longtime observers will remember Cook’s words included a call to arms from Shakespeare, quoting from the Saint Crispin’s Day speech in Henry V: “We few, we happy few, […]
Read full story • Comments Off on Straus retirement may set the stage for a responsible redistricting cycle
Patrick meets Straus on the Speaker’s preferred battlefield
Throughout his ascendancy at the Texas Capitol, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has proven time and again the ability to adapt to the political environment. Unlike many in the Tea Party faction of the Republican Party from which he derives his support, Patrick comes to government to govern, not to protest. As Patrick rolled out his […]
Criminal investigation opened into fraudulent pro-school voucher letters
Note: This story first appeared on the Quorum Report. Join us there for daily coverage of Texas politics and government. As Texas House members continue to ask questions about the legalities surrounding those “fraudulent” pro-school voucher letters sent to their offices, two criminal complaints have been filed and an investigation has been opened by prosecutors […]
Read full story • Comments Off on Criminal investigation opened into fraudulent pro-school voucher letters
Follow the Conversation
About Scott
Scott Braddock is a journalist and political analyst based in Austin.
