My only comment is that I enjoyed reading it. Got a few belly laughs as well. Sure need em with Wheels Abbott on the roll. Yeah, I know that's not politically correct, but when were politics correct in this goddam state?
Great question. Was there ever a "Golden Age" of Texas government? Let's see:
1) It took us until the 1970s to partially rein in (although not totally eliminate) race-based voter suppression by implementing single-member districts.
2) We make voter registration, and voting, harder than in most states.
3) We've never fully, or even adequately, funded public education in one of the fastest-growing and youngest states in the Union.
4) We've always had a bare-bones Medicaid program, now made even worse by our refusal (along with only 10 other states) to accept the Medicaid expansion that would provide health care to at least a million more Texans.
5) Our obsession with abortion, combined with said pissant health care system, means pregnant women and new mothers are in greater danger than in any other state.
6) Our criminal justice system outcomes are still racially skewed, consigning thousands of minority Texans to incarceration in prisons that are still not air-conditioned during 100-degree summers in the Year of Our Lord 2023.
7) Our system of public finance is hopelessly antiquated and regressive, made worse in 1993 by a constitutional requirement of a public referendum before we can pass an income tax and even worse by a constitutional amendment adopted just last week that prohibits imposition of any taxes that are progressive in nature.
I'm not sure there was ever a "Golden Age" in Texas politics and governance, and the trend lines are not getting any better.
Yes, the staffers (for legislators and the support agencies like the Lege Council and the Lege Budget Board) are paid. Some are even paid what they're worth, in both senses of the term.
Texans still labor under the illusion of an agrarian, part-time Legislature: men of the earth and soil who surrender five months every two years to handle the State's business, then return to their farms and ranches. If it was ever true, it has not been for at least a generation now.
Part time legislation lends itself to the graft and corruption that, no doubt, would not take place had a proper wage been assigned. Wait, now that I think about it, we're saving money on salaries by having private entities pick up the compensatory aspects. Brilliant.
Interesting thought experiment: who's more corrupt overall, the Texas legislators who get $7,200 a year or the congressmembers who get $174,000 a year?
...and benefits that I don't believe anyone else receives during and after serving the public. Not quite as good as declaring war against us, immediately capitulating, and then asking for reparations. But close.
Deece, you and I are both channeling Slouching towards Bethlehem in our current pieces and conversations! A friend and I moments before I opened your column were discussing Yeats poem and how Joan Didion borrowed it as the title for book; a collection of essays she wrote about the state of our nation in the 60’s and beyond.
Kismet! AND I was thinking about your play on words, Churlish Gambino and smiled hugely when I read, Childish Gambino This is America.
Thank you for updating me on the state of our nation with your incredibly well crafted writing.
Ashley, thanks for your friendship, readership and support. I have been enchanted by Yeats' poem since I first read it long ago, and love to listen to Joni Mitchell's musical version to which I linked in this newsletter.
Joan Didion's book — well, all her books — are so incisive, insightful and vulnerable all at once.I enjoy going back to them now and then trying to absorb her craft. I hope someday to write an essay that's as good as any of hers.
I think the sides should hold a staggered sickout! This is too many hours, they need a break! These special sessions are ridiculous, Abbotts brownie points for his numerous special interest backers, he sure as hell does not care about the people of Texas, unless they line his pockets!
As to the Border, the Crisis is Abbott himself! That man does not have one ounce of decency!
Well kiddo it’s been a long day, I am saving this to reread tomorrow when I’m more alert!
I hope that Biden will be holding that "Dewey Defeats Truman" headline high next November.
My only comment is that I enjoyed reading it. Got a few belly laughs as well. Sure need em with Wheels Abbott on the roll. Yeah, I know that's not politically correct, but when were politics correct in this goddam state?
Great question. Was there ever a "Golden Age" of Texas government? Let's see:
1) It took us until the 1970s to partially rein in (although not totally eliminate) race-based voter suppression by implementing single-member districts.
2) We make voter registration, and voting, harder than in most states.
3) We've never fully, or even adequately, funded public education in one of the fastest-growing and youngest states in the Union.
4) We've always had a bare-bones Medicaid program, now made even worse by our refusal (along with only 10 other states) to accept the Medicaid expansion that would provide health care to at least a million more Texans.
5) Our obsession with abortion, combined with said pissant health care system, means pregnant women and new mothers are in greater danger than in any other state.
6) Our criminal justice system outcomes are still racially skewed, consigning thousands of minority Texans to incarceration in prisons that are still not air-conditioned during 100-degree summers in the Year of Our Lord 2023.
7) Our system of public finance is hopelessly antiquated and regressive, made worse in 1993 by a constitutional requirement of a public referendum before we can pass an income tax and even worse by a constitutional amendment adopted just last week that prohibits imposition of any taxes that are progressive in nature.
I'm not sure there was ever a "Golden Age" in Texas politics and governance, and the trend lines are not getting any better.
So staffers get an annual salary right? Seems like the pt leg no way to run a railroad...
Yes, the staffers (for legislators and the support agencies like the Lege Council and the Lege Budget Board) are paid. Some are even paid what they're worth, in both senses of the term.
Texans still labor under the illusion of an agrarian, part-time Legislature: men of the earth and soil who surrender five months every two years to handle the State's business, then return to their farms and ranches. If it was ever true, it has not been for at least a generation now.
Part time legislation lends itself to the graft and corruption that, no doubt, would not take place had a proper wage been assigned. Wait, now that I think about it, we're saving money on salaries by having private entities pick up the compensatory aspects. Brilliant.
Interesting thought experiment: who's more corrupt overall, the Texas legislators who get $7,200 a year or the congressmembers who get $174,000 a year?
...and benefits that I don't believe anyone else receives during and after serving the public. Not quite as good as declaring war against us, immediately capitulating, and then asking for reparations. But close.
Deece, you and I are both channeling Slouching towards Bethlehem in our current pieces and conversations! A friend and I moments before I opened your column were discussing Yeats poem and how Joan Didion borrowed it as the title for book; a collection of essays she wrote about the state of our nation in the 60’s and beyond.
Kismet! AND I was thinking about your play on words, Churlish Gambino and smiled hugely when I read, Childish Gambino This is America.
Thank you for updating me on the state of our nation with your incredibly well crafted writing.
You’re keeping me in the know ❤️
Ashley, thanks for your friendship, readership and support. I have been enchanted by Yeats' poem since I first read it long ago, and love to listen to Joni Mitchell's musical version to which I linked in this newsletter.
Joan Didion's book — well, all her books — are so incisive, insightful and vulnerable all at once.I enjoy going back to them now and then trying to absorb her craft. I hope someday to write an essay that's as good as any of hers.
Action packed read, well done !
I think the sides should hold a staggered sickout! This is too many hours, they need a break! These special sessions are ridiculous, Abbotts brownie points for his numerous special interest backers, he sure as hell does not care about the people of Texas, unless they line his pockets!
As to the Border, the Crisis is Abbott himself! That man does not have one ounce of decency!
Well kiddo it’s been a long day, I am saving this to reread tomorrow when I’m more alert!