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 […]
Abbott strategy against Texas House Republicans is ready, fire, aim
by Scott on November 21, 2017 in Dan Patrick, Politics, Texas
Straus retirement may set the stage for a responsible redistricting cycle
by Scott on October 31, 2017 in Dan Patrick, Joe Straus, Politics, Tea Party, Texas
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, […]
Patrick meets Straus on the Speaker’s preferred battlefield
by Scott on July 22, 2017 in Dan Patrick, Joe Straus, Politics, Tea Party, Texas
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 […]
Those who voted against Straus had a rough time representing their communities
by Scott on June 21, 2015 in Joe Straus, Politics, Tea Party, Texas
At this point, it is abundantly clear that this was one of the least productive sessions of the Texas Legislature in years – at least if you count how many bills were passed. There is, naturally, a legitimate debate about whether it is positive or negative for fewer bills than usual to be passed into […]
Texas House and Senate in a Budget Showdown
by Scott on April 19, 2015 in Dan Patrick, Economy, Joe Straus, Politics, Tea Party, Texas
Facing criticism from Texas House Republican leadership and despite the concerns of one key GOP senator about certain tax cuts, the Texas Senate this past week passed its version of the state’s two-year spending plan on a vote of 30 to 1. Sen. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, cast the lone “no” vote. The $211 billion budget, […]
Speaker Straus Hints at What’s to Come in Texas Legislative Session
by Scott on February 17, 2015 in Border Security, Dan Patrick, Economy, Education, Immigration, Joe Straus, Politics, Rick Perry, Tea Party, Texas, Video
Texas House Speaker Joe Straus said this past week that he is “personally” against repealing in-state tuition for undocumented students, he wants to work with Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on border security, and that The Legislature should avoid “gimmicks” when deciding how to pay for critical infrastructure like roads. In a […]
Tea Partiers Divided After Tarrant County Republican Slams Scott Turner
by Scott on November 13, 2014 in Politics, Tea Party, Texas
Note: This story originally appeared in The Quorum Report. Join us there daily for coverage of Texas politics and government. DALLAS – It may have been the hope of some Tea Party leaders here in North Texas that the headlines this week would read something like “Conservatives Unite Against Joe Straus,” but it hasn’t quite […]
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Scott Braddock is a journalist and political analyst based in Austin.
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