Episode 211: The Freshman Class
How do new members of the legislature navigate the session? And do these new legislators represent the political wave of the future? A portrait of two freshman legislators-- Senator Dan Patrick (R- Houston) and Representative Juan Garcia (D- Corpus Christi) -- starts a discussion of the legislative process. (airing week of April 22nd)
Panelists:
- Jaime Castillo, San Antonio Express-News
- R.G. Ratcliffe, Houston Chronicle
- Wayne Slater, Dallas Morning News
Jaime Castillo is a columnist with the San Antonio Express-News. He started with the newspaper in 1996 as a police reporter before becoming a political writer and later a member of the Austin bureau covering the state legislature. After serving as an assistant city editor for the El Paso Times from 1999-2000, he returned to the Express-News, where he has had a hand in political coverage ever since. The native of El Paso holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Texas at El Paso and a master's degree in Latin American studies from the University of Texas at Austin. His previous newspaper experience includes working as a copy editor at the now defunct El Paso Herald-Post and as a staff writer at the Naples (Fla.) Daily News.
R.G. Ratcliffe is the state political reporter for The Houston Chronicle, has been covering the Texas capitol for more than twenty years. He has covered numerous statewide races as well as the past six presidential contests.
Wayne Slater is a senior political writer for Dallas Morning News, has appeared on numerous network news shows, is co-author of the New York Times best seller, Bush's Brain: How Karl Rove Made George W. Bush Presidential, and has reported on seven sessions of the Texas Legislature and the administrations of Texas Govs. Clements, Richards, Bush and Perry.
Research Links:
About Dan Patrick:
- “Patrick boycotts prayer, praises religious freedom,” by Clay Robison, Houston Chronicle, April 5, 2007.
- “Patrick’s Day” by Paul Burka, TexasMonthly.com, February 18, 2007.
- “Shock-jock Senator tunes out left, turns off right” by Evan Mintz, freerepublic.com, January 12, 2007.
- “Texan of the Year 2007: Who's Next?”
- “Party Crasher,” by Paul Sweeney,
About Juan Garcia:
- “House passes rules for session,” by W. Gardner Selby, Austin American-Statesman, January 13, 2007.
- “Debate on rules may hint at mood,” by Laylan Copelin, Austin American-Statesman, January 12, 2007.
- “Garcia leads Seaman by 97 votes, too close to call” by Fanny Chirinos, Corpus Christi Caller-Times, November 8, 2006.
- “The Contender” by Tim Eaton,
- Official Website
- “Meet Juan Garcia – District 32,” from the
