#TXLEGE committee chairs: Patrick's Democrats vs. Straus' republicans....

"Therefore by their fruits you will know them."
Matthew 7:20

At some point, we might to a longer post about impressions from the most recent Empower Texans legislative index, but one observation stands out.

Consider the scores of the two Democrats Dan Patrick appointed as committee chairs:

• Eddie Lucio (Intergovernmental Relations): 56

• John Whitmire (Criminal Justice): 50

• Note: It's also worth pointing out that neither of these committees are particularly important.

Contrast the scores of those Senate Democrat committee chairs with the following house republicans:

• Dan Flynn (Pensions): 49

• Cindy Burkett (Redistricting): 48
• Note: This committee didn't actually hold any meetings this past session.

• Todd Hunter (Calendars): 45

• Geanie Morrison (Transportation): 44

• Four Price (Public Health): 44

• John Zerwas (Appropriations): 44

• J.M. Lozano (Higher Ed.): 42

• Charlie Geren (Administration): 41

• Dan Huberty (Public Ed.): 41

• Drew Darby (Energy Resources and Federalism): 40

• Lyle Larson (Natural Resources): 40

• Byron Cook (State Affairs): 39

• John Kuempel (Licensing and Administrative Procedures): 39

• Sarah Davis (General Investigating and Ethics): 33

• Note: At least 9 of these are important committees.

• Note II: And this list doesn't count the 13 Democrat committee chairs.

Bottom Line: There are 14 Republican committee chairs in the house who are more liberal than the most liberal Democrat committee chair in the Senate.