Sullivan: Texas Scorecard

by Michael Quinn Sullivan

Let’s be honest: members of the Texas House aren’t worth even the $600 a month they are being paid.

So far, the Texas House leadership is sitting on their hands and letting the calendar run on priority measures identified by the Republican Party of Texas and Gov. Greg Abbott.

A strong Ethics bill shining a brighter light on elected officials? Passed out of the Senate over 25 days ago.

A ban on sanctuary cities? Also passed the Senate over 25 days ago.

…you get the idea.

The Texas Senate has been leading the charge on responsibly funding priorities and reforming government institutions. The Texas House has done… almost nothing.

Almost.

They are planning to do some things, just not many good things… For example, despite Gov. Abbott telling lawmakers not to loot the state’s Economic Stabilization Fund (the “rainy day” fund), State Rep. John Zerwas (R-Houston) announced his budget would indeed loot the fund.

And while everyone from President Trump to 93 percent of the Republican Party of Texas delegates want choice and competition in education, the Republican chairman of House Public Education Committee says he won’t even allow votes on the issue. (Yes, the same Dan Huberty who has been at the center of a lot of personal and political controversy.)

The House Republican Caucus, led by State Rep. Tan Parker of Flower Mound, has been notoriously silent as the priority measures of their party and governor are in danger of dying by neglect.

Members of the Texas House voted unanimously for the coalition government favored by Democrats, and so they all bear responsibility for the four-corners defense being used to run out the clock on popular reforms. (You can call your state representative at 512-463-4630.)

It’s well past time for the Texas House to get to work.
Michael Quinn Sullivan is the president of Empower Texans and Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, non-profit organizations based in Austin, Texas.