|
June 3, 2020 5:15 PM
He’s at 37 - 36 percent job approval rating, compared to 41 - 34 percent in September of 2019; the poll also shows Trump and Biden in a tight race in the state
Sen. John Cornyn
has a split 37 to 36 percent job approval rating in a new Quinnipiac
poll released Wednesday afternoon. That’s down from 41
to 34 percent in September of 2019, per the pollsters. The poll released today
also shows President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden
in a tight race
Also, six in ten Texas
voters say the state should allow expansion of mail-in ballots as part of the
response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The rest of the story, subscribers only
|
|
Top of Page
Copyright June 03, 2020, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 3, 2020 4:55 PM
Nearly all businesses allowed to operate now at 50 percent capacity
The latest executive
order is right here.
|
|
Top of Page
Copyright June 03, 2020, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 2, 2020 11:22 PM
Details are limited at this time. Members and staff are asked to avoid the building Wednesday while everything is disinfected
|
|
Top of Page
Copyright June 02, 2020, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 2, 2020 10:02 PM
House Administration Chairman Geren says members of the House and Senate, staffers, lobby of all stripes including TLR, TTLA, AT&T and others have asked how they can help
The pictures on social media of Texas Department
of Public Safety troopers stationed at the Capitol building have inspired
folks from throughout the community to come together and figure out ways to
help them keep the building safe during a difficult time, House Administration
Chairman Charlie Geren told QR tonight.
There are now 500 officers both standing watch
at the building and basically living there at least through the end of the
week, Geren said. He didn’t have specific guidance on
how long they would be stationed there but he didn’t imagine the deployment
lasting beyond next Monday.
The surge of force, of course, came after some
vandals last weekend took advantage of the protests of the death of native
Houstonian George Floyd.
With the help of members, staffers, and lobbyists
representing companies like AT&T and Spectrum and
groups like Texans for Lawsuit Reform and the Texas Trial
Lawyers Association – how’s that for diverse? –
Chair Geren said meals, showers, and more have been provided for the officers. “It’s
a total community effort, members and lobby and everybody, taking care of a
very precious building,” Geren said.
The rest of the story, subscribers only
By Scott Braddock
|
|
Top of Page
Copyright June 02, 2020, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 2, 2020 1:27 PM
That's after President Trump yesterday said he would send the military into states that he decides aren't sufficiently securing cities
The message out of Gov. Greg
Abbott’s news conference today in DFW was that out-of-state protestors –
those he says intend to vandalize and loot – are not welcome in Texas and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Abbott, at the beginning
of his message, emphasized that native Houstonian George Floyd’s recent
death was a horrific act of police brutality. While he suggested “our work will
not end” to correct the wrong, Abbott was broad in what the legislature may nor
may not consider next session.
Mayor Eric Johnson
of Dallas, who is black, said no one who goes into public service thinking the
city they represent is perfect. The Dallas community is expressing legitimate
concerns – and fear – that must be addressed, he said.
The rest of the story, subscribers only
|
|
Top of Page
Copyright June 02, 2020, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 2, 2020 11:08 AM
Hegar said “The steepest decline was in collections from oil and gas mining, as energy companies cut well drilling and completion spending following the crash in oil prices."
Posting some of the worst
numbers since the 1980s, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar on Monday
announced that the state saw the biggest year over year drop in sales taxes in
a decade. Overall, sales taxes were down 13.2 percent in May compared to the previous
May – the largest drop since January of 2010.
Just to give you an idea: Oil
production taxes saw the worst drop since 1988, hotels saw the worst drop since
1982, and alcohol taxes went down the most they have since 1980.
The rest of the story, subscribers only
|
|
Top of Page
Copyright June 02, 2020, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 2, 2020 11:03 AM
Ad called "this is our family" highlights key votes and initiatives during Rep. Rodriguez's career in the Texas House
|
|
Top of Page
Copyright June 02, 2020, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 1, 2020 4:59 PM
QR Editor Scott Braddock and KFYO Radio Host Chad Hasty break down the news of the weekend including the protests for George Floyd and more
|
|
Top of Page
Copyright June 01, 2020, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 1, 2020 3:06 PM
As Democrats watch their leaders this week online to try to stay safe from COVID-19, Texas Republicans forge ahead with plans to gather in person in Houston next month
Acknowledging it is an
event unlike anything done before while arguing it’s
necessary to keep people safe during a global pandemic, Texas Democratic
Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa on Monday started the first-ever
online convention of the state’s minority party. That’s
even as the Republican Party of Texas forges ahead with plans to
hold its biennial convention in-person next month in Houston.
“Our convention is so much
more than a rally every two years. It is so much more than intraparty politics,”
Hinojosa said. Instead, he said it is a chance for Democrats to get together as
a family to map out a vision for the future.
“This election is about
justice, equality and hope,” Chairman Hinojosa said in his opening remarks streamed
on the party’s website.
“To those Texans who have lost
hope, we see you and we’re never going to stop fighting for you,” Hinojosa said,
pointing to those who face new struggles because of record unemployment in the
midst of a recession, a pandemic, and now riots in cities from coast to coast.
The rest of the story, subscribers only
By Scott Braddock
|
|
Top of Page
Copyright June 01, 2020, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 29, 2020 3:24 PM
Staffer moves, lobby gigs, promotions, honors, and more
What do you even
say?
There have been
some tough conversations over the last 48 hours. And questions: “Is this what
it was like when they rioted in LA?” “Are they going to get away with this?” “Minneapolis
was a tinderbox waiting to explode, wasn’t it?” “Will
this ever stop?” “What happens next?”
George Floyd was a Texan. He was described as a “gentle
giant” by friends in Houston. He’s now the focal point
of the strife playing out on our televisions and in our communities. Pundits
are paid to talk but maybe it is a good time for white folks to do more
listening than speaking.
I was reminded of
my former reporter Emily Deprang’s incredible coverage from several years ago called “The
Horror Every Day: Police Brutality In Houston Goes Unpunished,” which was
written for the Texas Observer. If you didn’t
read it at the time, you might want to check it out this weekend.
Emily moved on from
the Observer and then on from Quorum Report after breaking the story
of severe cuts in services to disabled children. Doesn’t
seem like that long ago and it moved the needle, like so many of you do in your
various positions. It’s the people we meet along the
way that make all the difference around here. Many of you are moving from one
thing to the next. Starting a new challenge can always be nerve-wracking even
when there isn’t so much upheaval in the world. So,
thanks for always sharing what’s happening with the Texas
Capitol community no matter what. It brings us closer together even at a time
when we’re still mostly apart.
Here’s the latest
edition of People on the Move.
The rest of the story, subscribers only
By Scott Braddock
|
|
Top of Page
Copyright May 29, 2020, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 29, 2020 12:55 PM
"As the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King stated so eloquently: “We can’t overcome darkness with darkness. Only light will do that.” However, the reality for Black people in this country is that no matter how much light has been illuminated upon the disdainful, hateful and too often murderous conduct of too many police officers - NOTHING HAS CHANGED - FOR THE BETTER."
Here is the full
statement from the Texas Legislative Black Caucus.
|
|
Top of Page
Copyright May 29, 2020, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 29, 2020 10:41 AM
Here’s the
filing. Hat tip to Chuck Lindell at the Statesman.
|
|
Top of Page
Copyright May 29, 2020, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 28, 2020 5:09 PM
Given that agencies are being asked to slash budgets, telework might seem attractive and current lease space plans could be upended
Reopening state
agency offices in Texas is likely to roll out slowly in the coming weeks and
continue to include a major telework component, although nothing formal was
outlined during discussions at this past week’s Texas Facilities
Commission meeting.
Gov. Greg Abbott’s
series of Open Texas executive orders – specifically, his order of May 18
– would have allowed state offices to open at 25 percent capacity as long as they
maintain policies for social distancing and handwashing as well as guidance for
elevators and sanitizing within the office buildings.
An informal survey
of state agencies – and the perusal of some parking lots – would indicate
almost no one has taken Abbott up on his order.
The rest of the story, subscribers only
By Kimberly Reeves
|
|
Top of Page
Copyright May 28, 2020, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 28, 2020 5:07 PM
The flash from the Statesman
this afternoon:
A former Texas
Capitol staffer accused of killing of his neighbor and going on a 2018
shooting rampage in South Austin has been found to be competent to stand trial,
according to the Travis County district attorney’s office.
The competency finding
will allow litigation to resume on Charles Curry’s charges. He was found
incompetent to stand trial in September. Although a judge ordered Curry be sent
to a state psychiatric hospital in Vernon, a spot never became available, and
he was treated at the Travis County Correctional Complex. Prosecutors and
Curry’s attorney are scheduled Tuesday to discuss the competency report.
|
|
Top of Page
Copyright May 28, 2020, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 28, 2020 3:58 PM
Abbott and Patrick now argue the exemption for the 3.5 percent caps on cities and counties was only intended for hurricanes; the language creating the exemption doesn’t say that
As another round of debate
heats up on what to do about potentially rising property tax bills – even after
leadership boasted of “winning the super bowl” on the issue last session – the powerful
Texas REALTORS® on Thursday backed Gov. Greg Abbott on the
argument that freezing property values at 2019 levels "will not guarantee
lower property tax bills."
Some county judges,
Republicans and Democrats alike, have asked Abbott to use his disaster powers
to offer tax relief through rolling back values to 2019 levels. But the pushback
from Austin has been swift.
The rest of the story, subscribers only
By Scott Braddock
|
|
Top of Page
Copyright May 28, 2020, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 28, 2020 3:25 PM
We're told that during a tele-townhall with grassroots activists, Patrick said he and senators were not consulted, added that contracts should not be awarded that way
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Thursday told
grassroots conservative activists that he is not pleased with the way a contact
tracing contract was awarded and said it should not be handled in the way it was,
according to folks who were on his afternoon tele-townhall. We were not on the call, respecting the fact that it was intended for Republican voters and activists
Apparently, Patrick did
not go as far as Rep. James White, R-Hillister,
who told
the Houston Chronicle that Gov. Greg Abbott should call
a special session so that there can be legislative oversight. However, Patrick is
said to have told activists that if something like this had been contemplated
during a legislative session it could have been reviewed by lawmakers which
would be appropriate.
Developing…
|
|
Top of Page
Copyright May 28, 2020, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 28, 2020 10:30 AM
In response to announced efforts by Republicans to take back seats won by freshman Democrats, Chair Israel said “I’m glad they’re paying attention.”
One day after national
Republicans led in part by Karl Rove and former Speaker Joe Straus
announced their intention to win 6 back of the Texas House seats
won by freshman Democrats in 2018, the national Democratic group led by former
Attorney General Eric Holder announced some details about their efforts
to help win back the majority in the chamber this fall.
Holder’s group, the National
Democratic Redistricting Committee, endorsed 67 candidates running for
office in the Texas House and the North Carolina Legislature.
The rest of the story, subscribers only
By Scott Braddock
|
|
Top of Page
Copyright May 28, 2020, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 27, 2020 7:13 PM
Joe Straus, Karl Rove part of the effort to also defend GOP Supreme Court Justices; Democrats say Republicans will really be on defense all through 2020 in Texas
Editor’s note: This
story is updated to include comment from the Texas House Democratic Campaign Committee
– SB
The Republican State
Leadership Committee, where former Speaker Joe Straus was
recently added to the board, on Wednesday unveiled what the group called in a press release an “offensive”
strategy to try to win back six Texas House seats held by Democrats
now but won by President Donald Trump in 2016. The announcement also put
an emphasis on defending GOP members of the Texas Supreme Court,
four of whom are on the ballot this fall.
Democrats were quick to argue
that Republicans can say they’re going on offense all
they want, but the 2018 election cycle proved the majority party is “going to
be on the defense in 2020.”
“Texas state House seats
like districts 65, 132, and 135 represent just a few targets for Republicans to
win key flips and hold their legislative majorities to protect Texans from
liberal gerrymandering after the next Census,” the group said.
Just so you don’t have to look them up, here are the six seats held by freshman
Texas House Democrats in districts won by President Trump in ’16:
The rest of the story, subscribers only
By Scott Braddock
|
|
Top of Page
Copyright May 27, 2020, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 27, 2020 7:11 PM
“This is going to be a tough year for Texas families,” Miller said, “and state government needs to tighten its belt along with everyone else. While TDA is already a lean, efficient agency that pays its own way, I’ve directed my staff to cut 10% without affecting our farmers and ranchers or our rural communities.”
|
|
Top of Page
Copyright May 27, 2020, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 27, 2020 6:53 PM
Gov. Abbott said "Sam Johnson was a fearless patriot and an American hero, and we are incredibly proud and fortunate to have called him a fellow Texan. Congressman Johnson dedicated his life to our nation and the state of Texas"
|
|
Top of Page
Copyright May 27, 2020, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 27, 2020 5:34 PM
Here is the order.
|
|
Top of Page
Copyright May 27, 2020, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 27, 2020 2:55 PM
Davis of Harris, Hunter, Gonzalez of Dallas, Anchia, and others unveil protections for LGBTQ Texans
Roughly three years after Lt. Gov.
Dan Patrick’s push to regulate the use of public restrooms in Texas
stalled, a bipartisan group of lawmakers announced their support for
legislation to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people statewide.
Mexican American
Legislative Caucus Chairman Rafael
Anchia, D-Dallas, County Affairs Chairman Garnet Coleman,
D-Houston, and Democratic Caucus Chair Chris Turner of
Grand Prairie, joined Representatives Sarah Davis, R-West University
Place, Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, and Jessica Gonzalez,
D-Dallas, in introducing the proposal.
“As a lifelong Texan, I
know Texans don’t support discrimination. We need our laws to reflect our
values,” said Gonzalez, who’s also vice chair of the House LGBTQ Caucus.
She plans to file the bill on this.
The rest of the story, subscribers only
By James Russell
|
|
Top of Page
Copyright May 27, 2020, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 27, 2020 7:06 AM
"At Every Texan, we believe that social justice requires public policy”
The folks at the Center
for Public Policy Priorities are rebranding to better fit their mission,
they tell us this morning. Starting today the group will be known as Every
Texan. Check out the launch video below.
"At Every Texan, we
believe that social justice requires public policy," said CEO Ann
Beeson. "The pandemic is showing us starkly how public policy can
determine who survives and thrives. It's time to rewrite the rules and build a
more just and equitable Texas for people of all backgrounds."
Here is the full announcement
about it.
|
|
Top of Page
Copyright May 27, 2020, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 27, 2020 6:56 AM
As previously reporter, former County Clerk Stan Stanart is also testing the waters. Harris County Republicans are set to choose a nominee in August
|
|
Top of Page
Copyright May 27, 2020, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
