#TXLEGE: Legacy media start buttering up Phelan (to kill GOP legislative priorities)

Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”
1 Corinthians 15:33

Houston Chronicle this morning:

Dade Phelan's rep as a hard-working, straight-shooting coalition builder made him a shoo-in as Texas' next House speaker

Tommy Williams was preparing to run for the Texas Senate in 2001 after two terms in the House when a young Dade Phelan strode into his office.

Phelan handed Williams a list of almost two dozen people in his hometown of Beaumont who he thought Williams needed to win over to cinch the election. Phelan told him he could help him do it. Williams, a Republican from The Woodlands, hired him on the spot.

“Beaumont was the largest city in my Senate district,” Williams recalled. “But I wasn’t from Beaumont. I didn’t ever live there. So I told him real quickly, ‘You know what? You’re my Jefferson County campaign manager.’”

It paid off: Williams won, and Phelan became the legislative aide the senator depended on for the next five years.

Now, almost two decades later, the 45-year-old Phelan is the presumptive House Speaker, and he has hired the former state senator to lead his transition team.

A similarly bold, self-starting move, exhibiting the same networking skills, propelled Phelan to the speakership earlier this month.

DMN:

As results started rolling in on Election Day and dashing the Texas Democrats' hopes of flipping the Texas House, Rep. Dade Phelan, a three-term Republican from Beaumont, started working the phones to lock in his bid to become the next leader of the chamber.

The next morning, Phelan announced at a Capitol press conference that he had enough votes to become the next speaker of the House. He put out a list of 83 lawmakers from both parties that included most of his rivals for the speaker’s gavel, as well as a coalition of a majority of the Republican Caucus and prominent Black and Latino Democrats.

By Thursday, his final GOP rival, Rep. Geanie Morrison of Victoria, folded her campaign and left Phelan a clear path to becoming speaker.

Within three days, the 45-year-old Phelan had maneuvered his way into one of the most powerful jobs in Texas.

To be fair to the DMN, their piece isn't as revoltingly sycophantic as the Houston Chronicle piece. It's more of a straight news piece about the session. But it's still very "friendly."

The play here is obvious. The legacy media knows Phelan's going to kill the RPT legislative priorities. So they're going to give him glowing coverage.

(Obviously, this is a re-run of the playbook they used with Joe Straus.)

None of this is surprising.

But, seriously, get a room Houston Chronicle.

Bottom Line:  The specific identity of the speaker may be "new," but the playbook never changes.

#TXLEGE: Larson's ALWAYS been about Disempowering Citizens

"and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved."
2 Thessalonians 2:10

Over the weekend, Lyle Larson published an op-ed calling for an end to the two party system. There's already been a lot of keyboard strokes spilled over the topic.  PushJunction says it well:

LYLE LARSON, ostensibly a Republican, over the weekend suggested Texas should move away from a two-party system. The maneuver earned him some flack from members of his party, including Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock).

While major parties may begin to fracture organically, Larson seeding the ground is an intriguing development since, correctly viewed, he’s a Straus puppet.

Moderates/liberal members of the GOP have been systematically undermining the Republican party base for years. The establishment flourishes when there are fewer distinctions and more parity.

In terms of analysis, we don't have a lot to add.

However, some history:

•  2013 -- Larson pushes term limits for the governor...but not the legislature.
  
  
• This would have had the structural effect of empowering committee chairs (which, at the time, were appointed by Joe Straus).
  

•  2017 -- Larson tries to move primaries to January.
  

•  2017 -- Larson tries to unconstitutionally usurp Governor's appointment power.
  
  
• Note: This proposal **might** have merit as a standalone measure.  Especially after Abbott's "reopening Texas committee" debacle.  But, as the rest of this blog post makes clear, Larson's measure wasn't a standalone measure.
  
  
• Note II: Whatever the merits of the proposal, it would require a constitutional amendment.
  

• Earlier in 2020 -- Larson tries to resurrect January primaries.

Bottom Line: None of this is surprising considering who's speaking.

#TXLEGE: No Thank You to Joe Straus' COVID-related "Behavioral Health" initiative

"The king establishes the land by justice,
But he who receives bribes overthrows it.
Proverbs 29:4

From the Department of not letting a crisis go to waste:

This moment, in other words, is not just a physical health pandemic, but also a behavioral health emergency. Our willingness to confront and address our worsening behavioral health challenges will go a long way toward determining how quickly and successfully Texas recovers from the damage unleashed by COVID-19 — and how well we can meet our state’s ongoing mental health challenges further exposed by the pandemic.

And on an even larger scale, we know that healthy Texans mean a healthy workforce. Illnesses like anxiety and depression can sap the enthusiasm and innovative spirit of our state’s entrepreneurs, business leaders and workers, long before they reach their potential, or in some cases even get started. That spirit is at the very heart of our state’s ability to recover economically.

Over the last two legislative sessions, Texas has made significant progress in treating mental health issues. Our state has wisely invested in local treatment programs, greater access to services, needed facility repairs and significant updates to the ways we identify and respond to mental health and other safety issues in our public schools. Just recently, the state launched the Child Psychiatry Access Network to help pediatricians throughout the state better treat mental health issues. Legislators from both parties in the Texas House and Senate have done commendable work on these issues — identifying problems, listening to experts and making strategic short- and long-term investments.

Yeah, um, no.

To be honest, others know more about this topic than we do. We're not necessarily sure what this portends. But nothing good comes from the Texas legislature pushing schemes allegedly for the protection of mental health.

That Joe Straus is personally pushing this initiative makes it that much more suspect.

You can learn more about the recent history of this topic here.

Bottom Line: Given what's happened in the not very distant past, to see this subject raised in this manner by this individual is highly suspicious.

#TXLEGE: Rove and Straus weaseling into redistricting

"The king establishes the land by justice,
But he who receives bribes overthrows it."
Proverbs 29:4

PushJunction yesterday:

JOE STRAUS (former Speaker of the Texas House) and Karl Rove (former top-tier strategist) got some love yesterday as they weasel their way back into Texas politics ahead of 2022.

The two appear to be manufacturing energy; they can parlay into more control of the GOP in 2021 (redistricting) as they plot a liberal Republican renaissance.

This is both interesting...AND something into which it's easy to read faaar too much.

It's interesting because it shows Rove and Straus returning to an old playbook.  In 2011, Joe Straus' Texas house drew a redistricting map that, while it favored Republicans, boosted liberal R's at the expense of conservatives.  Wayne Christian and Ken Paxton were the primary targets.  Many of the challenges conservatives have faced in that chamber this decade are rooted in the fact that the last redistricting map elevated rural school board members.

That being said, let's not build this effort up unnecessarily.  It's true that current district boundaries favor rural school board members.  But it's truer still that there have been a long list of failures and missed opportunities since.  While this reality deserves consideration, it's an excuse for nothing.

Bottom Line: How big of a role they play remains to be seen.  They're still has-been's.  Nevertheless, it's worth keeping this effort in the back of your mind over the coming months.

#TXLEGE: Straus' Former Chief Lands (sweet) Taxpayer Funded Lobby Gig

"Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord,
But a just weight is His delight."
Proverbs 11:1

Dat revolving door tho:

Ancira and Wynn to Lead TML Advocacy Efforts

The Texas Municipal League (TML) announced today that Jesse Ancira and Monty Wynn will lead TML’s advocacy efforts. Ancira will serve the League as Senior Legislative Advisor and Wynn will assume the role of Director of Grassroots and Legislative Services.

Jesse Ancira most recently served as Chief of Staff to House Speaker Joe Straus, as well as Mayor for the City of Taylor for four of his six years on Taylor’s city council.

(h/t PushJunction...they're back!!!)

There's not much more you can say.

Obviously, anyone who was around at the time remembers Jessie Ancira.   Honestly, all you need to know was that he was Straus' chief.  For those who want to remember how vindictive Jesse Ancira was personally, however, see here.

Now he's running advocacy for the Texas Municipal League.

Bottom Line: Nice work if you can get it....

#TXLEGE: Acute crisis subsides, Toxic Culture Remains

"For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death."
2 Corinthians 7:10

This was always inevitable:

Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton) announced this morning he would not seek reelection to the Texas House.

“Since Friday, I have had numerous conversations with Members who care deeply about the Texas House, and I respect the manner in which they have handled the entire situation. After much prayer, consultation, and thoughtful consideration with my family, it is clear that I can no longer seek re-election as State Representative of District 25, and subsequently, as Speaker of the House,” said Bonnen in a statement.

“I care deeply about this body and the work we have accomplished over the years, namely, the outstanding success we achieved in the 86th Legislature,” he continued.

This announcement comes after Michael Quinn Sullivan, of the conservative grassroots group Empower Texans, released a recording of a closed-door meeting he had with Bonnen, in which Bonnen offered a clear quid pro quo — Texas House media credentials in exchange for Sullivan monetarily targeting 10 select “moderate” Republican House members.

Two and a half cheers.

It's certainly good that Bonnen is gone.  It always serves the public's interest to remove corrupt officials.  Furthermore, Bonnen's departure reduces the odds of a GOP electoral wipeout.

Still, it's hard to get too excited.  It took them three months to make a completely obvious decision.  It should have taken about three days.

Last Saturday we wrote that, given their inability to do that which is completely obvious re: Bonnen, the GOP deserved to lose the Texas house.  Obviously, this morning's announcement renders most of the specifics of that blog post moot.  Still...is anyone confident a new scandal won't soon emerge?!?

Cuz' we ain't.

As we wrote:

It's no longer just about Dennis Bonnen.  Or one act of political funny business.  This specific scandal is the completely predictable result of the toxic culture in the Texas capitol that has prevailed for a long time.

The GOP, meanwhile, has been running the place for a quarter century.

This is the same Republican majority that:

• Five years ago, was running college admissions scandals before it was cool.
• With all due respect to Aunt Becky, she ain't got nothin' on Jim Pitts.

• Two years ago, put a man who had been in a sexual relationship with a lobbyist for over a decade in charge of writing its sexual harassment policy.

• Just elected as vice chair a guy who was taking $56,000 a month from an entity under the jurisdiction of the committee he chaired.

The pattern is obvious...to anyone not under the influence of afore mentioned Egyptian rivers.

Dennis Bonnen (and Joe Straus and Jim Pitts) might be gone, but Charlie Geren and Jim Murphy remain.

It's hard to feel confident in a culture that continues to tolerate the likes of Charlie Geren and elevates the likes of Jim Murphy.

Even if they did (very, very, belatedly) throw Dennis Bonnen overboard.

Bottom Line: We're certainly in a better place now than we were twelve hours ago...but that's not saying much.

#TXLEGE: Oh, Dennis

"The wise shall inherit glory,
But shame shall be the legacy of fools."
Proverbs 3:35

Even from 1500 miles away, it was pretty difficult to miss to continued devolution of the Bonnen saga.

To write a full analysis of the past week would require more time than we have interest, but some thoughts:

• When we've been saying, for years, that state government in Texas is astonishingly corrupt...this is a pretty good example.

• The members defending Bonnen are a bunch of dickless chodes.
• aka. Mayes Middleton, Matt Shaheen, Drew Springer, Craig Goldman, and...especially...Jeff Leach.
• Update: Add James White, Scott Sanford, Brad Buckley, and Cole Hefner to the list.
• Update II: Add Tom Oliverson.

• We haven't seen this level of willful blindness to serious misconduct since Wallace Hall.

• Whether or not Bonnen survives as speaker is irrelevant.  Anyone who can get to 76 votes will be a scumbag.  Gib Lewis, Pete Laney, Tom Craddick, Joe Straus, and Dennis Bonnen have all sucked.

• This is the same Texas house that, nearly two years into the scandal, has yet to say a word about Jim Murphy.

• Does the Travis County DA have jurisdiction?!?

• This is FUN!!!

Bottom Line: These people brought this on themselves and deserve everything that's coming....

#TXLEGE: Straus Launches New Crony Capitalist Endeavor

"As a dog returns to his own vomit,
So a fool repeats his folly."
Proverbs 26:11

From the inbox:

I want to let you know about a new political committee I am launching: Texas Forever Forward.

This committee will enable me to continue advocating a thoughtful, responsible approach to governing, as well as priorities that will create a better future for our state.

Texas Forever Forward will be guided by the following principles:

• Public education is our greatest economic development tool, and it’s critical to make meaningful, sustainable investments in Texas students.
• A diverse, outstanding system of higher education offers every Texan a path to a brighter future and fuels economic growth across the state.
• In order to remain a pro-business state that attracts economic activity and talented workers, Texas should embrace diversity and promote inclusive, non-discriminatory policies and laws.
• Strategic investments in our infrastructure – in a modern transportation system and a reliable water supply – provide the foundation that a fast-growing state requires.
• Effective treatment of behavioral health challenges will vastly improve millions of Texans’ quality of life.
• Government should be transparent and accountable in its stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
• Greater participation in our democracy will strengthen our discourse and lead to better policy outcomes.

I hope you will follow this effort at TexasForeverForward.com and on social media, and I will continue to communicate with you as it takes shape. As always, I also want to hear about the priorities that are of most interest to you and your family. 

Thank you for helping advance a brighter future for Texas. 

Sincerely,

Speaking practically, this shouldn't have much impact.  The pro-status quo crowd already has plenty of PAC's.  One additional PAC won't make much difference either way.

Beyond that, however, it's easy to speculate about motives, but impossible to know anything with certainty.

Several hypothesises are floating:

• Straus wants to cash in on leftover campaign funds.
• Note: Technically, it's illegal for Straus to pay himself directly...but there's nothing to stop him from hiring his wife.

• Gordon Johnson wants to cash in on Straus' leftover campaign funds.

• Murphy-Nasica wants to cash in on Straus' leftover campaign funds.

• Other ex-Straus staffers/campaign consultants want to cash in on Straus' leftover campaign funds.

• Straus wants to run for Governor in '22.

• Straus intends to help friends and allies.

It's impossible to know which of these hypothesises are correct.

Regardless, it doesn't matter.

Whatever Joe Straus' ultimate motivation, the money will support the status quo.

Bottom Line: Regardless of who, specifically, is getting paid...only a fool would think $10 million in leftover campaign funds was going to sit untouched indefinitely.

#TXLEGE: A more honorable type of scoundrel

"A man to whom God has given riches and wealth and honor, so that he lacks nothing for himself of all he desires; yet God does not give him power to eat of it, but a foreigner consumes it. This is vanity, and it is an evil affliction."
Ecclesiastes 6:2

Since session ended, there's been a decent amount of commentary comparing the last two speakers.

The truth is they're both pretty terrible.

Under Straus, you got some modest pro-life bills (Note: Usually when the Governor forced this issue), and little else.  Under Bonnen, you got some decent movement on property taxes, and nothing else.  Neither is acceptable.

The biggest difference is Dennis Bonnen says to your face the things Joe Straus said behind your back.

Where Joe Straus stabbed you in the back, Dennis Bonnen stabs you in the front.

Either way, stab wounds are generally unhelpful.

Bottom Line: Even if the process does improve, does it really matter if the results stay the same?!?

#TXLEGE: The Texas Senate needs to STOP giving the Austin Chronicle easy material

"God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
John 4:24

Longtime readers know there is no media outlet this author despises more than the Austin Chronicle; which is why it kills us that they got this one 100% correct:

Sex and the Senate
What will it take to curb sexual harassment at the Texas State Capitol?
BY MARY TUMA, FRI., JAN. 25, 2019

Not more than two days into the 86th Texas Legislature, the 150-member House of Representatives approved a new, stronger reporting process to secure justice for victims of sexual harassment at the Capitol. The unprecedented (at least in recent history) move comes in the wake of the #MeToo movement, which ousted abusive male figures from their perches in politics, journalism, and Hollywood. And it follows a string of shocking media reports from last session that alleged harassment in the halls of the Capitol building from Democrats and Republicans alike over several years. Those reports ignited conversation within both legislative chambers on how best to respond to inappropriate behavior moving forward.

However, one body is noticeably working more steadfastly – and openly – on the issue than the other.

The House Committee on Administration acted quickly, proposing a first draft in December 2017 that was seen as a solid start that needed more work. Former Speaker Joe Straus then created a working group in May 2018 to examine the Texas House's sexual harassment policy and recommend ways to improve it. The 10-member group, led by Reps. Donna Howard, D-Austin, and Linda Koop, R-Dallas (who lost her re-election bid in November), was tasked with researching best practices in other states to "prevent and eradicate" misconduct in the Legislature. The latest iteration, approved as a resolution by a unanimous vote of the House on Jan. 9 after months of review, moves misconduct complaints to a House investigating committee with subpoena power, adding real teeth to a once-feeble policy.

Meanwhile, the Senate – recently encumbered by allegations of lewd behavior against one of its most powerful members, Georgetown Republican Charles Schwertner, has taken a slower approach. While the Senate elaborated its misconduct policy from one to six pages some five months after the House released its first draft, it has no plans to hold hearings or take a formal vote as the House did. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, never as engaged on the issue as Straus, also opted not to conduct a Senate investigation into Schwertner, instead taking the wait-and-see route as a University of Texas investigation played out. Both the Senate's weaker policy and its inaction in the Schwertner case have drawn criticism on the state's editorial pages, including a piece penned by former Sen. Wendy Davis.

During the few months of the current regular session, the Senate has the power to strengthen and codify its rules, but will it? Or does the upper chamber hope the issue of sexual misconduct – and public complaints against its members – gradually falls by the wayside?

The article goes on to discuss everything we already know.  We recommend reading the whole thing, but you already know  the names.  Carlos Uresti, Borris Miles, Craig Estes, Charles Schwertner....

The Chronicle then contrasts the reaction between the two chambers.  While we think they give both Joe Straus and the house more credit than they deserve, at least the House is trying.  The Senate, meanwhile, hasn't done anything meaningful.

The Texas Senate's political opponents have noticed.

Unfortunately, they're not wrong.

It gets better:

The Senate's inaction prompted Wendy Davis, who served two terms in the chamber representing Ft. Worth, to pen a critical editorial in the Statesman earlier this month demanding that the upper house get its act together. Among her chief complaints: There remains no legitimate recourse for people who are sexually harassed by legislators; there is no independent, third-party investigator to whom such complaints can be made; the Senate policy fails to define consequences for violations and has not extended its subpoena power, which could have compelled Schwertner (or others) to testify or provide information.

"What happened after the credible allegations against Sen. Schwertner – and also Sens. Miles and Uresti – starkly highlights how broken the system is," Davis told us. "I found myself feeling very upset and frustrated after reading the UT report. I was angry on behalf of the young woman and on behalf of many others who have endured sexual harassment at the Capitol. It's disappointing that the Senate appears disinterested in further investigating the incident."

....

Davis slams the policy as "a little more than window dressing, but not a whole lot more." She notes the "glaring differences" between Straus' leadership and Patrick's. "Straus supported the effort in an authentic and sincere way, with an open process and a work group," said Davis. "On the Senate side, there is more of an appearance of a process, but without any real desire to hear from experts and people who may have been on the receiving end of sexual harassment at the Capitol. To me, the process looked more like a kangaroo court."

There appears to be a "greater interest in protecting the body than in protecting young women working at the Capitol," says Davis. "It's often part and parcel of the way elected bodies function – if you protect your members, you gain their loyalty." Sexual misconduct at the Capitol is an open secret among members, she says, and she had her own brush with harassment as a freshman senator. During a social, UT-affiliated event, a House member, clearly inebriated, touched her inappropriately. She says it took that member three years to apologize; she never reported the incident because the Senate's policy did not make clear where or who to report to. Even if there had been a direct path, there was no hope that anything would come of it because there were no defined consequences, she says.

"We need to apply continued pressure on the Senate," said Davis. "We cannot give them a pass on this."

You know the situation is bad when you're getting hammered by Wendy Friggin' Davis...and she's completely right.

It's pathetic.

Bottom Line: You can't blame the other team for swinging the bat when you're the one lobbing softballs down the middle of the plate....

#TXLEGE: Speaker's office mends some important fences

"but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,"
1 Peter 1:15

"The way you keep a Republic is by being a truthteller."

So said Speaker Bonnen this morning at TPPF's policy orientation.  The speaker said so in reference to TPPF, an organization he praised for "fearlessly promoting ideas" in the legislature.  It was subtle, but it was unmistakable.

We've previously discussed the significance of the speaker showing up at this event, but today's remarks took it a step further.

In 2013, the 83rd legislature increased spending by 26%.  TPPF called them out on it at the time.  It was the single most effective attack on legislative leadership during Straus' tenure.  Straus never forgave them.

For the new speaker to praise "truthtellers" "fearlessly promoting ideas" regardless of political favor is not an accident.

Bonnen also took subtle, but noteworthy, jabs at the educrat lobby.  Specifically, he said "we need education to be more responsive."  Taxpayers deserve "a return on their investment" on education spending.  Bonnen was also gracious and complimentary towards Ken Paxton.

Bottom Line:  If you knew what to look for, it was impossible to miss....

#TXLEGE: Straus' departure is what makes 'solving' school finance possible

"For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury."
Revelation 18:3

As Joe Straus prepares to slink off into the dust bin of history, it's worth examining one claim he's often made during his "farewell" tour:

Now, with the next legislative session approaching, there is a growing sense of urgency to address the issues that we've been talking about for many years, such as school finance, and much less attention on issues that do little more than needlessly divide voters.

Horse manure.

Over the past two sessions, Joe Straus has been the primary obstacle on school finance.  Make no mistake: Joe Straus wanted to spend a lot of money.  Joe Straus never wanted to "reform" anything.

Last session, the house's 'school finance reform' proposal was HB 21.  While the house sold HB 21 as a school finance bill, in reality HB 21 was a spending bill.  HB 21 did nothing to provide relief to taxpayers or reduce waste in the current system.  HB 21 merely attempted to pour a bunch more money into the status quo.

[Note: You can read what we said about HB 21 during the regular session here and from the special session here.]

Pouring more money into the status quo is a non-starter.

Bottom Line: A more efficient system of funding public education is, potentially, a big win for taxpayers and students.  For the state pick up a larger share of the total is likewise, potentially, part of that more efficient system.  For that potential to materialize, however, taxpayers and students need structural reforms.  Due to the nature of the his political coalition, Joe Straus was never willing to consider structural reform.

#TXLEGE: Straus...selectively edits...history on his way out door

"For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury."
Revelation 18:3

The other night, we announced our pleasure at Joe Straus' departure.  Turns out we misread the Texas Constitution.  Straus remains the sitting speaker until Tuesday.

Which gave him time to release a preposterous DMN op-ed:

Joe Straus: I'm leaving the Texas Legislature but not the debate

The op-ed is vintage Straus.  Apparently, he's planning to create some sort of "policy shop" with his leftover campaign funds.  Straus leaves a target-rich environment, but we'll focus on three claims.

-------

The Budget:

Straus:

We've balanced budgets, cut billions of dollars in taxes and kept record amounts of money in reserves.

Horse manure.

Under Joe Straus' 'leadership', the Texas house never met a spending bill it didn't like.   This is the gang that, less than two years ago, wanted to drain the rainy day fund...a month before Hurricane Harvey.  But, "record reserves!"

--------

Water:

Straus:

We provided long-needed funding for water-supply projects[.]

There's a lot that can be said about this.  "Water policy" has been an ongoing act of larceny in this state for a long time.  Straus didn't invent this racket, but he absolutely expanded it.

Read what we said about Straus' crowning achievement on "water policy" at the time.

-------

Running the house:

Straus:

But in the Texas House, we've shown that there is a better way to lead - with a pragmatic and inclusive approach....

If by "pragmatic and inclusive" you mean completely lawless, then yeah, and yeah, and yeah, and yeah....

See more here.

-------

It's beyond the scope of this blog post, but somebody really OUGHT to examine whether Straus will be personally enriched by this so-called "policy shop."

-------

Straus yammering about so-called 'economic development' dovetails with what we said yesterday about crony capitalism.

-------

Bottom Line: Good riddance.

#TXLEGE: We really need Speaker TERM LIMITS

"To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven"
Ecclesiastes 3:1

Obviously, this Bonnen thing seems to be gaining momentum.  Beyond what we said yesterday, we don't know what to make of it.  Only time will tell.

But before we go any further, it's time to discuss something about which we've been thinking for several months: We need term limits on the speaker.

Regardless of the next speaker's identity, they should be limited to three sessions.

History shows that allowing speakers to continue past three terms is dangerous.  Joe Straus was never good on policy, but during the early days he kept the abusive lawlessness to a minimum.  Gib Lewis became mired in scandal during his fifth session.  Tom Craddick became known as "auto-Craddick" during his third.

Furthermore, the best time to push for this reform is during a vacancy.  Regardless of the next speaker's identity, there are going to be members disappointed by the outcome.  One would think they would like another shot in a few years.

Finally, term limits for the speaker could only help to decentralize power away from the speaker's office.

Bottom Line:  An open seat race is the best time to advance this process reform that should have been adopted a long time ago.

#TXLEGE: Bonnen would be less bad, but wouldn't be great

"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, the people groan."
Proverbs 29:2

Interesting:

State Rep. John Zerwas, a Richmond Republican, has withdrawn from the race for speaker of the Texas House, he confirmed to The Texas Tribune on Sunday evening.

“I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to engage with the members of the House. The honest conversations are critical to the relationships I have, and I am honored to work with such principled leaders,” he said in a statement to the Tribune. “While I believe that I could lead the House through a successful 2019 session, it has come time for me to end my bid for Speaker and wholly focus on writing the budget for the 2020-2021 biennium.”

His departure comes amid an effort among roughly 40 GOP House members to draft state Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, into the race. Bonnen did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Texas Tribune.

On Sunday night, that group of 40 members was scheduled to gather in Austin to discuss recruiting him for the job. Bonnen previously had told The Texas Tribune in May that he was not interested in running for the top slot in the lower chamber. The Tribune was told Sunday night that Bonnen was not at the meeting.

Here's the thing: Dennis Bonnen is a man of many, many, flaws.  But he would still represent a tangible upgrade over Joe Straus.  Amazing as it may sound, Dennis Bonnen had a higher Empower Texans score last session than any of the declared speaker candidates.  At a minimum, you probably get some kind of property tax reform out of a Bonnen-led house.

Obviously, Dennis Bonnen was the public face of killing property tax reform last session.  But, according to multiple Capitol sources, Bonnen wasn't happy about it.  Bonnen was basically placed in an impossible situation by Joe Straus, but he did his best to muddle through.  We've also heard rumors, though they are unconfirmed, that Bonnen was one of the major players in getting Joe Straus to finally step aside.

Bottom Line:  We can probably do better, but we can certainly do worse.

#TXLEGE: Murphy attempting to thread thin ethical/legal needle over apparent Conflict of Interest

"And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold."
Matthew 24:12

Confession: We had forgotten about Jim Murphy drawing a $312k salary from a Harris County special purpose district while chairing the Special Purpose Districts committee in the Texas house.

An interim hearing last week reminded us:

Oh yeah....

Poking around the internet, we found this follow up report from May:



Highlights:

• Murphy no longer listed as "General Manager," now working as an "independent contractor."

• Murphy still banking $26k+ per month!!!
• In other words, he's still making $312k annually.
• Fixed fee.

• "This, just, looks like a salary."

• Murphy getting continuous monthly payments and re-imbusements.

• Murphy's contract "is unique."

• Sarah Davis on Murphy's previous bonuses: "It doesn't smell good, it really doesn't."
• Note: Good grief...are we going to have to agree with Sarah FRIGGIN' Davis on this one?!?

• Davis has asked for multiple A.G. opinions.

What to say?!?

This author is not a lawyer, so we can't comment on the legal issues.  This may very well be one of those "technically legal" situations.  But "technically legal" does not mean ethical.

And, even in the current arrangement passes "technically legal" muster, it doesn't excuse the previous decade.

Then there's the ongoing committee chairmanship: Whether or not Jim Murphy's compensation agreements dotted all the legal "i's" and crossed the legal "t's," it hardly seems appropriate for Jim Murphy to continue as chairman of the legislative committee with jurisdiction.  But that's a decision for the speaker.  And we're stuck with Joe Straus for another six months.

Bottom Line: None of this looks good....

#TXLEGE: Teachers Union gives award to Straus

Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”
1 Corinthians 15:33

The Association of Texas Professional Educators are the primary teachers union in the state and exist for no other reason than to demand MOAR MONEY for the status quo.

This speaks for itself:

I’m honored and grateful to receive this recognition from Texas teachers. #txed #txlege https://t.co/vYf9FlMneA

— Joe Straus (@SpeakerStraus) July 13, 2018

#TXLEGE: Israel throws shade on #atxcouncil's "Sick Leave" entitlement; Evan Smith admits Joe Straus is a Liberal

"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, the people groan."
Proverbs 29:2

We attended this afternoon's Trib event with Paul Workman and Celia Israel:



Most of the event was fairly predictable.  Israel and Workman discussed school finance, immigration, and guns where each said what one would expect someone with their respective partisan affiliations to say.  A couple moments, however, did stand out.

During the discussion of the City of Austin's...contentious...relationship with the Legislature, Israel bemoaned the sloppiness of the city's approach to the "sick leave" entitlement.  Israel suggested that a slower, more deliberative, approach to the ordinance could have given it stronger legs when it hits the legislature.  Specifically, Israel said council "gave Paul Workman a softball."  She's right, you know.

During Q&A, we asked both about their thought's on the city's recent stunt over the CodeNext petition.  Unfortunately, neither one was familiar enough with the statute in question to comment.  We're kicking ourselves over that one because we considered printing it out and handing it to both of them before the event, but we didn't do so.

The best moment came from Evan Smith.  During the discussion of the speaker's race, Workman expressed confidence the next speaker would be more conservative than Joe Straus.  We didn't write down the exact quote, but Evan Smith's response can roughly be paraphrased as "Well, that's kinda a matter of physics.  The only house Republican to the left of Joe Straus is Sarah Davis."  Gee Evan, good to hear you finally admit that Joe Straus is a liberal!

Bottom Line: Nothing earth shattering happened, but some interesting tidbits and a good event to have attended.

#TXLEGE: Notorious DRUNK Gets Arrested for DWI

"Woe unto them, that rise up early to follow drunkenness, and to them that continue until night, till the wine do inflame them,"
Isaiah 5:11

LOL:

State Rep. René Oliveira, D-Brownsville, has been arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, according to authorities.

Oliveira, chairman of the House Committee on Business and Industry, was arrested Friday night and charged with DWI, a class B misdemeanor, Brownsville jail officials said. He was released on $2,500 bail Saturday morning.

"Last night I made a mistake in judgement, and thankfully, no one was injured. I sincerely apologize to my family, friends, colleagues, and most especially to my supporters," Oliveira said in a statement. "I am embarrassed, but grateful no one was hurt."

File that under least surprising development ever.  Rene Olivera is one of the biggest drunks in the legislature (he's up there with Geren).  Also, we'd never seen it before today, but apparently there's a blog in Olivera's district that covers a number of other misdeeds.

And yes, this is exactly the type of person Joe Straus makes a committee chair.

Bottom Line: It really is that sleazy....

#TXLEGE: Beebe BLASTS Opponent's (aka. Straus' Handpicked Successor) UNCONSTITUTIONAL Attempt to DISARM INNOCENT CIVILIANS

"Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built. And the one who sounded the trumpet was beside me."
Nehemiah 4:18

From the Inbox:

Beebe Calls On Allison to Rescind His Unconstitutional Stance on Gun Rights

(San Antonio, TX) On Thursday Matt Beebe called upon his opponent, Steve Allison, to rescind his statement advocating for unconstitutional actions that infringe upon Texas citizen’s 4th Amendment and 2nd Amendment rights. 

Last week the San Antonio Express News published an article where Mr. Allison took the position that any citizen should be subject to being stopped and lawfully detained if they are open carrying a firearm (a lawful exercise of their 2nd Amendment rights), and be required to produce identification:

Allison, a longtime friend of Straus, believes police have a right to order anyone who is openly carrying a gun in public to produce a license for the firearm.

“I do think (police) have a right to see a license where there’s a weapon involved,” said Allison.

Beyond the plain reading of the Constitution, there are volumes of court decisions over the last 50 years since Terry v Ohio that have consistently maintained that to “allow stops in this setting would effectively eliminate Fourth Amendment protections for lawfully armed persons.”  This is unacceptable.

Perpetuating this basic misunderstanding of the Constitution directly endangers lawful citizens by misleading local law enforcement, which continues to lead to tragic outcomes across the country and locally.  Short of physical harm to citizens from untrained law enforcement, local taxpayers are at risk of huge monetary judgements against government entities which violate the Constitutional rights of citizens, as has been shown in Northrup v Ohio (a case extremely similar to the circumstances wherein Mr Allison seeks to abridge our Constitutional protections).

Matt Beebe commented on Allison’s statement saying, "fear and feelings should not drive our public policy decisions — especially when it comes to restricting individual rights specifically enumerated in the Constitution.  I'm not willing to trade our 4th Amendment rights just to make some people more comfortable with the lawful exercise of our 2nd Amendment rights.  There is a reason that the local cities have recently rescinded their unlawful ordinances and I would encourage all local law enforcement officials to know that just because Mr. Allison says you can violate someone’s 4th Amendment rights doesn't mean you can.  I hope Steve will rescind his unconstitutional position.”

Bottom Line: Nobody objects to keeping firearms out of the hands of genuinely dangerous people, but to unlawfully search a law-abiding citizens without probable cause is the textbook definition of "infringement"....