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January 15, 2021 7:19 PM
“I am honored that so many Texans support our vision of responsible government and getting Texas back to work,” Phlan said. “At this critical moment in our state’s history, I appreciate the backing of Texans in my district and across the state.”
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Copyright January 15, 2021, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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January 15, 2021 5:12 PM
“The Texas Department of Public Safety is aware of armed protests planned at the Texas State Capitol this week and violent extremists who may seek to exploit constitutionally protected events to conduct criminal acts,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “As a result, DPS has deployed additional personnel and resources to the Capitol and are working closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Austin Police Department to monitor events and enforce the rule of law.”
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Copyright January 15, 2021, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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January 15, 2021 4:52 PM
Staffer moves, new lobby shops, trade association hires, and more
The session has
begun with little fanfare, masks, COVID tests, and a first-day-of-school
feeling despite the beefed up security and pandemic restrictions. Lobbyists and
others who avoided the Texas Capitol on day one probably made the
right call since some members were cramming special guests into their offices
and, at some point, the issue became whether too many folks were in some of
those rooms. It’s awkward if you’re adding to that problem
with your presence.
Add to that the
fact that we already have our first case of a member who has tested positive
during session and the questions how all this is really supposed to work keep
piling up. It will be an evolving process, it seems.
Meantime, most offices
have staffed up and some new lobby shops are coming on the scene. If you have
career news to share as we kickstart session don’t hesitate
to send it along to ksbraddock@gmail.com
and use POTM in the subject line.
Here’s the latest
edition of People on the Move.
The rest of the story, subscribers only
By Scott Braddock
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Copyright January 15, 2021, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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January 15, 2021 2:24 PM
The full list of committee
assignments is here.
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Copyright January 15, 2021, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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January 15, 2021 9:32 AM
Deshotel told the Texas Tribune he tested positive on Thursday. Meantime, Rep. Beckley tweeted "I was informed, last night, a member in my 3 foot radius on the TX house floor tested positive for #COVID19. They did not test on Tuesday prior to the swearing in ceremony. I was on the floor weds & thurs & exposed -10 day self quarantine"
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Copyright January 15, 2021, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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January 14, 2021 3:38 PM
A subtext of the rules discussion: The court record for the 2021 redistricting process is already taking shape
After much internal debate
over limitations on amendments, a so-called “Consensus Calendar,” and a few
other things, the Texas House on Thursday afternoon adopted its
rules for doing legislative business during a pandemic. “It was a member driven
process,” said Speaker Dade Phelan after the final vote of 141 to 0.
Saying he and a working
group had listened to all sides, Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, declared
“the Consensus Calendar is gone” as he laid out the rules. However, Rep. Hunter
said that when it came to any tweaks intended to change the redistricting
process, he would simply ask members to vote no. On partisan lines, they did.
By mid-afternoon, most of
the talking on the microphones in the House was either Democrats already
working to establish the court record for the 2021 redistricting process or
Republicans who did not participate in the pre-discussion to eliminate
contentious provisions like that defunct “Consensus Calendar.”
The rest of the story, subscribers only
By Scott Braddock
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Copyright January 14, 2021, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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January 14, 2021 3:17 PM
Patrick has raised more in campaign funds than any previous Lt. Governor in Texas history, per his campaign
Here’s the full news release from Lt. Gov. Dan
Patrick’s campaign
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Copyright January 14, 2021, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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January 14, 2021 2:08 PM
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Copyright January 14, 2021, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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January 13, 2021 7:01 PM
At first blush, it’s a proposal to streamline the legislative process for the sake of limiting personal interactions on the floor during COVID. But while the other pandemic-related additions to the rules may not be agreeable to all the players, they do not systematically change how easily a bill is passed like this would
On the eve of the rules
debate in the Texas House, both Republican and Democratic caucuses
apparently spent considerable time this afternoon discussing a proposal to create
a new calendar aimed at speeding legislation along when COVID-19 has created
concern about members spending long periods of time on the floor.
Democrats and some
Republicans tell QR that there isn’t any
accusation of a power grab. But there is some concern that certain bills might be
sped through the process when there should be more time spent actually debating them – pandemic or not.
So, what’s
this actually about?
The rest of the story, subscribers only
By Scott Braddock
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Copyright January 13, 2021, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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January 13, 2021 6:01 PM
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Copyright January 13, 2021, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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January 13, 2021 4:48 PM
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Copyright January 13, 2021, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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January 13, 2021 11:28 AM
Campaign raised $11.5M over last six months
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Copyright January 13, 2021, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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January 12, 2021 1:18 PM
Senate will debate rules around 1:30pm Wednesday then also adjourn until Jan 26
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Copyright January 12, 2021, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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January 12, 2021 1:10 PM
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Copyright January 12, 2021, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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January 12, 2021 12:43 PM
Updated: There were 2 no votes cast by Reps Cason and Slaton. Rep. Biedermann was originally voting no then switched back to a yes on Phelan.
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Copyright January 12, 2021, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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January 12, 2021 10:00 AM
Responding to Rep. Cain, Paxton says “However, to the extent that the Capitol is a limited public forum, the Legislature may impose reasonable content-neutral conditions for the time, place, and manner of access.”
The Attorney General’s opinion
is here.
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Copyright January 12, 2021, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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January 12, 2021 9:49 AM
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Copyright January 12, 2021, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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January 12, 2021 8:25 AM
What we think we know now: The Senate will caucus at 10am today, where the senators will talk through the rules and schedule. It's possible the rules discussion will start on the floor this afternoon and wrap up Wednesday. A better idea of the schedule coming after 10am Caucus
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Copyright January 12, 2021, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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January 11, 2021 8:40 PM
In delivering the revenue estimate, Hegar said “The forecast, however, remains clouded with uncertainty. The ultimate path of the pandemic and the behavior of consumers and businesses during a resurgence are difficult to gauge. It’s also unclear how they’ll respond once the pandemic is fully under control."
Strong consumer spending
has lifted the state budget’s projected deficit to just under $1 billion, with
available general revenue now calculated at almost the same level as the
state’s last budget: $112.5 billion.
Those numbers, announced
by Comptroller Glenn Hegar this morning in his
biennial revenue estimate, puts Texas in the minority of states that won’t
be forced to make significant cuts due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hegar predicts the
economic recovery to be sooner, rather than later, in Texas. Tax collections won’t be the heady 11 percent growth lawmakers have seen in
flush sessions, but they will be comfortably in the black as Texas moves
through the next biennium.
The rest of the story, subscribers only
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Copyright January 11, 2021, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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January 11, 2021 8:36 PM
"Less than 24 hours
before the start of the legislative session, DPS instructed the State
Preservation Board to require COVID-19 testing on opening day. The Texas House
will require testing for guests, media, and staff entering the chamber. That is
the only testing we will require, as we’ve said all
along. Each member will decide how they run their office and the protocols
governing their office for the remainder of the session. This remains the
People’s House, and I look forward to creating more, not
less, opportunities for Texans to make their voice heard during the 87th
legislative session."
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Copyright January 11, 2021, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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January 11, 2021 6:00 PM
Per DPS: "We understand that this might be an inconvenience for some; however, the department considers it essential for public safety purposes during opening day.” A source familiar with the talks tells us the decision came from the State Preservation Board.
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Copyright January 11, 2021, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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January 11, 2021 4:45 PM
With the pandemic still raging and new concerns about violence at state capitols following the riots in DC last week, this staffer writes “I wish our leaders did not put me and my colleagues in this precarious situation. They certainly don’t have to.”
Editor’s note:
Reporting on the concerns of legislative staff is difficult for a variety of
reasons. They're not the stars because they’re not the
elected officials. They generally work in the background, diligently avoid the
spotlight, and just get the job done for Texans without any fanfare. It is a
rare thing for Quorum Report or any news outlet to publish an op-ed from
an anonymous source. In this case, however, it is appropriate because some are
terrified given the continued pandemic and the deadly violence that unfolded
just last week at the US Capitol. The veteran staffer who submitted this
op-ed does not presume to speak for others and understands that not everyone in
the profession feels the same way.
We share this op-ed now
to shed light on the concerns of many in the Texas Capitol community who have reached
out in recent days. Your feedback is welcome – SB
The rest of the story, subscribers only
By An anonymous veteran Texas Capitol staffer
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Copyright January 11, 2021, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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January 11, 2021 4:40 PM
First Vice Chair is Rep. Toni Rose, Second Vice Chair is Rep. Longoria, Treasurer is Rep. Lina Ortega
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Copyright January 11, 2021, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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January 11, 2021 3:51 PM
Industry says energy sector will rebound despite projections of $49-$50 a barrel
Texas Oil and Gas Association President Todd
Staples announced the organization’s annual energy and economic impact
report today. And despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry had a good year, contributing
$13.9 billion in revenue to state coffers, Staped
said.
That’s the fourth highest amount
in 13 years.
“Even in an extremely difficult year, the Texas oil and
natural gas industry continues to contribute tremendously to state and local
tax coffers, while fortifying our energy security and leading the way in
innovation and investment that is advancing environmental progress,” said Staples.
“The ongoing recovery of the oil and natural gas industry is essential to the
state’s continuing economic improvement.”
Even as oil prices plummeted during the COVID-19 pandemic,
the need for products made from hydrocarbons skyrocketed.
The rest of the story, subscribers only
By James Russell
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Copyright January 11, 2021, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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January 11, 2021 3:21 PM
Dewhurst said Cruz and Hawley "stood out as the definition of self-focused individuals who exacerbated the fragile situation between the protesters and the Capitol Police, which could have taken even more lives. Cruz and Hawley should be censured."
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Copyright January 11, 2021, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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January 11, 2021 12:59 PM
They'll be sworn into office off campus. Rep. Beckley said "I believe it is irresponsible to have all the members and guests in the House Chamber for an extended period of time, especially as no new allowances have been made to address the fact that the more contagious variant of COVID-19 has been found in Texas."
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Copyright January 11, 2021, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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January 8, 2021 5:03 PM
Staffer changes, lobby moves, a significant merger, appointments, and more
Well, we made it but is 2021
any better yet than 2020? Rough start for sure but time will tell. The Houston
Chronicle’s Jeremy Wallace and I tried to make sense of it all
in the latest edition of the
Texas Take podcast. Make sure to subscribe to the show during session on Google
Podcasts and Apple Podcasts.
Speaking of session, it
kicks off next week with the distinct possibility that you will still have some
time to prepare yourself because only the heaviest lift – the work on the
budget – will start right away. Most other work may be delayed until late February
or early March when hopefully vaccines are being evenly distributed and
creating the desired effect. This will be an evolving and likely slow process.
Try not to get too frustrated.
Meantime, it’s back to the grind for all of you movers and shakers. I
received several inquires this week from folks
wanting to know how to get an alert when POTM is published. You’ll
get it if you’re signed up for our regular Quorum Report emails,
which you can do on the homepage. POTM is generally published midday on Fridays,
though this can vary some especially during session when things get busy.
If you would like to see
your career news in the news – or you want to brag on
a friend or tattle on an adversary – send the scoop along to ksbraddock@gmail.com anytime and use
POTM in the subject line. Please and thank you.
Here’s the New Year edition of People on the Move.
The rest of the story, subscribers only
By Scott Braddock
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Copyright January 08, 2021, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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January 8, 2021 3:07 PM
On social media, Rep. Todd Hunter declared "the coast has won"
Today’s letter from Doug
Slape, Chief Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Insurance, is here.
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Copyright January 08, 2021, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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January 8, 2021 2:22 PM
Group says “We will demand unfettered access to the State Capitol on par with previous sessions, and without restrictions stemming from the perceived COVID-19 situation…”
After a pro-Trump rally in
Washington this week turned into a deadly riot at the US Capitol,
there is concern among some in the Texas Capitol after the Department
of Public Safety informed lawmakers’ offices about potentially similar
demonstrations planned for next Tuesday in Austin.
The DPS regularly updates
member’s offices, of course, about various protests and demonstrations that
have been announced for the Capitol grounds. But one event in
particular caught the eye of some staffers and legislators today.
The rest of the story, subscribers only
By Scott Braddock
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Copyright January 08, 2021, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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