Blog

It took 2 hours. See my post “The Poison Pill” in which I predicted that within a few hours, Rep Stan Gerdes would tell you that he banned Dem Chairs, but he wouldn’t tell you “the rest of the story”. And, that’s exactly what he did. He did not tell you about Permanent Standing Committees … Continue reading “As Predicted”

This morning at 4AM while most of us were sleeping, including many of our TX House Reps, the 232 page Texas House Rules bill dropped. That’s right, 4AM. I’m writing this at 4PM the same day and that package was adopted by the Texas House just an hour ago. No amendments were allowed. Exactly as … Continue reading “The Poison Pill”

I’m sure each of us has an idea of what we think it means to be a mayor. I always thought the mayor ran the city, determined policy, crafted the budget, hired and fired. Basically, I thought the mayor was the executive in charge. But, guess what? That’s not always the case. The city’s form … Continue reading “When a Mayor ≠ a Mayor”

I’m off to the Texas Capitol tomorrow (Tuesday) for the very important vote for TX Speaker of the House. Will Democrats with a few Republican votes pick our Speaker when EVERY statewide position is in Republican hands, the TX Senate has a Republican majority, and oh yeah, the TX House has a Republican majority (88 … Continue reading “So Goes Texas. So Goes the Nation”

(Apologies for a very lengthy blog post. The issue is complex.) I’ve always said that politics is the world’s largest chess game. Anyone good at it has to think multiple moves ahead and has to analyze a variety of actions that could be taken by others. And, it requires understanding the law, policies and rules. … Continue reading “The Political Chess Game”

Politics is not for the faint-of-heart. Anyone who has run for office, or served in office, knows that. We’re all very opinionated and most of us, passionately so. Those who don’t agree with their representatives often come out with guns blazing (not literally, just verbally). It’s just the way it is. The elected official can … Continue reading “Thin Skinned”

HD-17 House member Stan Gerdes has been a constant supporter of former House Speaker Dade Phelan and now his think-alike Dustin Burrows. Both either got, or are attempting to get, elected as House Speaker by courting a majority Democrat vote. Republicans will control the Texas House with 88 of 150 members. Last session, the Paxton-impeachers … Continue reading “Stuck between a rock and a hard place”

Wow. The City of Bastrop attorney has resigned. And, his resignation letter should be front page reading for every City of Bastrop resident and taxpayer. “Given the current climate at City Hall, I have determined our present relationship is not sustainable,” he stated. He continued, “the time has come to acknowledge that the irreconcilabledifferences among … Continue reading “Turmoil in the City”

The current attack on Bastrop City Councilwoman Cheryl Lee is nothing more than retribution and payback. Her City Council opponents say the concerns raised in her 42-page detailed memo aren’t worth investigating. Instead, they wanted to limit her access to information and want her off the Council. Retribution. Retribution is common in the political world. … Continue reading “Don’t be Fooled”

Today, Mel Cooper who serves as chairman, treasurer, and person calling the shots at Bastrop County Conservatives, sent out an email to his list asking people to show up at the Bastrop City Council meeting tonight. Why? He says it’s to “demonstrate what kind of leaders and citizens we want in our public offices”. Is … Continue reading “The Emperor Has No Clothes”