On paper, Texas senators have it better than their counterparts in the Texas House, but why would a Democrat want to work in a place where Republicans are fully and completely in control?
José R. Rodríguez
Posted in
Texas 2020 Elections
Analysis: The Texas Senate will be a quiet zone in a noisy, important election year
In what promises to be a tumultuous and competitive election year, races for the Texas House are going to be a lot more interesting than those for the Texas Senate.
Posted inState Government
State Rep. César Blanco to run for Texas Senate
He is vying to replace state Sen. José Rodríguez, who announced Friday he is not seeking reelection.
Posted in
Politics
After blocking David Whitley’s confirmation, Senate Democrats see bills die on Abbott’s desk
A monthslong push from the governor’s office to confirm his longtime aide as secretary of state heated up in the session’s final days. Some Democrats feared retribution for defying the governor.
Posted in
Energy
Railroad commissioners voice doubts that Permian Basin flaring is more prevalent than reported
The Environmental Defense Fund concluded that oil producers burned off more natural gas than they reported to the state. But Texas officials expressed skepticism of those findings during a state Senate hearing Wednesday.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: May 29, 2015
The Dallas Morning News takes a detailed look at the evolution of the deal on tax cuts this session and finds that at a few critical junctures, the deal almost derailed entirely.
Posted in
Politics
Open Carry Faces Filibuster Threat in Senate
State Sen. José Rodríguez said Thursday that if the opportunity arises, he plans to filibuster a bill allowing the open carry of handguns in Texas.
Posted in
Higher Education
Video: Hancock, Kolkhorst and Rodríguez on Hazlewood
At our 5/28 conversation, state Sens. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills; Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham; and José Rodríguez, D-El Paso, were pessimistic about the possibility of a compromise on the Hazlewood Act.
Posted in
State Government
Video: Hancock, Kolkhorst and Rodríguez on Ethics Reform
At our 5/28 conversation, state Sens. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills; Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham; and José Rodríguez, D-El Paso, discussed whether meaningful ethics reform will pass this session.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Video: Hancock, Kolkhorst and Rodríguez on Open Carry
At our 5/28 conversation, state Sens. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills; Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham; and José Rodríguez, D-El Paso, talked about the fate of the open carry bill — and the prospect of a filibuster.