Episode 217: Sine Dead

The 2007 legislative session has ended.  What will be the political fallout for the state?  Our panel of experts summarizes what passed this session, what failed, and why it matters to you. (airing week of June 3rd)

View entire show here.

Panelists:

• Christy Hoppe, Dallas Morning News
• Harvey Kronberg, Quorum Report
• Ross Ramsey, Texas Weekly

Christy Hoppe is the Austin bureau chief of the Dallas Morning News. She has covered politics and policies in the state Capitol through the terms of four governors. Prior to Austin, Christy worked as a reporter and editor in Dallas. A graduate of the University of Texas, she began her newspaper career with the Corpus Christi Caller-Times.

Harvey Kronberg is the editor of the Quorum Report, the newsletter of political Texas since 1989.  Quorum Report is a non-partisan online publication covering state politics and government from an insider's perspective. The site can be found at www.quorumreport.com. Harvey is also a political analyst for News 8 Austin. In February 2005, Texas Monthly declared him one of the 25 most powerful individuals in Texas politics. Harvey is a graduate of the University of Texas with an honors degree in Plan II and History.

Ross Ramsey is the editor of Texas Weekly, the premier newsletter on government and politics in the lone star state. Before taking the reins at Texas Weekly in September 1998, Ramsey was associate deputy comptroller for policy with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. He also did time as the agency's director of communications and as executive assistant to then-Comptroller John Sharp. Prior to that 28-month stint in government, Ramsey spent 17 years in journalism, reporting for the Houston Chronicle and the Dallas Times Herald and, as a Dallas-based freelance business writer, for a number of regional and national magazines and newspapers. He also worked for seven years in broadcasting, covering news for radio stations in Denton and Dallas.  Texas Weekly, in continuous publication since 1984, has become a favored and trusted source of information for Texas officeholders, lobbyists, political financiers, reporters and other political junkies from Humble, Texas, to the White House.  

Research Links:

House Revolt

• “Legislative session ends,” by Laylan Copelin and Mike Ward, Austin American-Statesman, May 29, 2007.
• “House works through tension,” by Karen Brooks, Dallas Morning News, May 29, 2007.
• “Craddick safe as session ends, but ’08 race is ahead,” by RG Ratcliffe and Gary Scharrer, Houston Chronicle, May 29, 2007.
• “Craddick stays in power,” by Karen Brooks, Dallas Morning News, May 28, 2007.
• “Speaker fight: Legal arguments,”  Austin American-Statesman, May 27, 2007.

Legislative Scorecard

• “Legislature focuses on the small stuff,” by Christy Hoppe, Dallas Morning News, May 29, 2007.
• “The session scorecard,” by Karen Brooks, Dallas Morning News, May 29, 2007.
• “Some state business gets done, but many at the Capitol underwhelmed,” by Jason Embry, Austin American-Statesman, May 29, 2007.
• “Toll road bill still awaits Perry signature,” by Jake Batsell, Dallas Morning News, May 29, 2007.
• “Water plan passes; electric bill doesn’t,” by Emily Ramshaw and Robert Garrett, Dallas Morning News, May 29, 2007.
• “Legislation update: A look at what did and didn’t pass,” Associated Press via Austin American-Statesman, May 28, 2007.
• “CHIP expansion measure goes to governor,” by Corrie McLaggan, Austin American-Statesman, May 28, 2007.
• “House, Senate pass budget,” by W. Gardner Selby and Jason Embry, Austin American-Statesman, May 28, 2007.
• “House defeats attempt to dilute top 10% law,” by Terrence Stutz, Dallas Morning News, May 28, 2007.
• “Utility legislation is ‘history,’” by R.A. Dyer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, May 28, 2007.
• “Budget provides raises for top politicians,” by Jason Embry, Austin American-Statesman, May 27, 2007.
• “Overhaul of TYC approved,” by Christy Hoppe, Dallas Morning News, May 26, 2007.

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