Episode 216: The Last Gasp
As the session comes to an end, what is the legislature scrambling to finish? Will the lege leave the pink dome in triumph or in shame? We assess the final days of the session. (airing week of May 27th)
Panelists:
- Karen Brooks, Dallas Morning News
- R.G. Ratcliffe, The Houston Chronicle
- Terrence Stutz, Austin American-Statesman
Karen Brooks covers the House of Representatives as a capitol bureau staff writer for the Dallas Morning News in Austin. This is her fifth session to cover. She has been a reporter in Texas for twelve years, working for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Most recently, she spent almost three years covering Northern Mexico and the border for the Fort Worth paper. Ms. Brooks went to journalism school at the University of Missouri-Columbia. She grew up in Greenville, Mississippi.
R.G. Ratcliffe is the state political reporter for The Houston Chronicle and has been covering the Texas capitol for more than twenty years. He has covered numerous statewide races as well as the past six presidential elections.
W. Gardner Selby has covered Texas politics and government for The Beaumont Enterprise, the Dallas Times Herald, The Houston Post, the San Antonio Express-News and the Austin American-Statesman, where he is currently the paper's chief political writer.
Research Links:
Senate Politics
- “Voter ID bill dies for the session, Dewhurst says,” by Mark Lisheron, Austin American-Statesman, May 24, 2007.
- “Gallegos thanks colleagues for ‘standing with me,’” by Gary Scharrer, Houston Chronicle, May 23, 2007.
- “In trying to win, has Dewhurst lost a friend?” by Kristen Mack,
- “Dewhurst revises letter decried by Democrats,” K-EYE TV News, May 16, 2007.
House Politics
- “Move to remove speaker could come this weekend,” by W. Gardner Selby, Austin American-Statesman, May 25, 2007.
- “Alas and alack, legislators about to leave town,” by W. Gardner Selby, Austin American-Statesman, May 24, 2007.
- “House insurgents intend more surprises, participant says,” by W. Gardner Selby, Austin American-Statesman, May 24, 2007.
- “Two more Republicans join race to unseat Craddick,” by April Castro, Associated Press via San Antonio Express News, May 23, 2007.
- “Craddick challenge in House widens,” by Laylan Copelin, W. Gardner Selby, Austin American-Statesman, May 22, 2007.
- “Full text of speech by Rep. Byron Cook, R-Corsicana, calling for new leadership in House,” Tyler Paper, May 22, 2007.
- “What happens next,” by Paul Burka, Texas Monthly Burkablog, May 21, 2007.
- “House passes child predator legislation,” by W. Gardner Selby, Austin American-Statesman, May 19, 2007.
- “Leaders in Austin take it on the chin,” by RG Ratcliffe, San Antonio Express News, May 19, 2007.
- “Craddick swivels, but will he fade?” by W. Gardner Selby,
