These 38 Democrats are not making the sober decision they are broadcasting. They are tremendously exaggerating the impact of committee gavels on actual legislative power-sharing under Phelan/Burrows. Very little was done and even less was stopped by these Democrats last session. Meanwhile, they are so deathly afraid of losing chairs that they held their fire on nearly everything on which they had leverage (constitutional amendments, some property tax issues, aspects of the budget, even some procedural attacks on lgbtq bills). The speaker-aligned faction is not simply extracting concessions; they are also actively breaking up effective collective opposition in key moments.
Being on the speaker’s team means literally doing things for the speaker unless you want to lose your position. Do you think the things you will be asked to do will help working people and Democratic elected members in the short or long run?
Last point: considering the Phelan faction is nearly half of the House R caucus in spite of all of the 2024 primaries does not indicate to me that they are shoe-ins to win in the caucus. But either way, pretending the Democrats have something to preserve between them is a dangerous institutional myth.
I can see the point of view of each option, Dems abstaining from voting for an R, or voting for an R that cuts a deal. I don’t really have an opinion, either way, because I see merit in each option. It all boils down to, what is Burrows offering? If he will kill vouchers, then I think Dems should go with him. If all he is offering is chairmanships, it isn’t worth it.
While I agree that the vouchers are the most important thing that is coming down the pike, I do not agree that anything less than that is unimportant. There's a whole WORLD of things that mean a Lot to some people. For instance, "Texas State Rep. Mihaela Plesa has introduced five legislative proposals aimed at enhancing and safeguarding the public education system, focusing on transparency, funding optimization, and financial relief." If Dems are shut out, their bills don't even get to come to the floor. We only THINK it can't get worse...
Yes. There are policy concessions that would be worth a deal. I am not sure it can be boiled down to just vouchers, but that is a top 3 type item. Interestingly, Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, who was tapped as vice chair for education in appropriations and vice chair of Phelan’s anti-voucher select committee, was not one of the 38 for Burrows. I wonder very much if she thinks not enough has been promised on vouchers.
Barbara Gervin-Hawkins owns a charter school and, last session, hinted at voting with Republicans on vouchers. However, ultimately, she sided with the Democrats.
They should vote for a Democrat for speaker (forcing the GOP meltdown to continue until they get a speaker), accept their “punishment” of bad committee assignments and little legislative success, and actually organize an opposition that sets out a contrast with the GOP vision for the state. If you want an example, it looks like Jim Dunnam’s caucus 2003-2009. But they need a more cohesive governing vision than they had even then.
The current Democrats last year were literally mad at some of the Democrats for *criticizing the budget*—which had no increase in funding for schools or a teacher pay raise despite a $35 B surplus!
Dem grassroots should be furious with these 38. It is institutionalizing being losers.
What I am suggesting is it is not great that engaged grassroots activists are agnostic on this. I pray for the day those of us in that category stop assuming our leaders are doing all they can.
Vouchers. https://x.com/aarontorres_/status/1867293612473720881?s=46
Yeah, I included that in the article I'm publishing in like 5 minutes.
she done done it again.....https://www.rawstory.com/jasmine-crockett-2670397794/
These 38 Democrats are not making the sober decision they are broadcasting. They are tremendously exaggerating the impact of committee gavels on actual legislative power-sharing under Phelan/Burrows. Very little was done and even less was stopped by these Democrats last session. Meanwhile, they are so deathly afraid of losing chairs that they held their fire on nearly everything on which they had leverage (constitutional amendments, some property tax issues, aspects of the budget, even some procedural attacks on lgbtq bills). The speaker-aligned faction is not simply extracting concessions; they are also actively breaking up effective collective opposition in key moments.
Being on the speaker’s team means literally doing things for the speaker unless you want to lose your position. Do you think the things you will be asked to do will help working people and Democratic elected members in the short or long run?
Last point: considering the Phelan faction is nearly half of the House R caucus in spite of all of the 2024 primaries does not indicate to me that they are shoe-ins to win in the caucus. But either way, pretending the Democrats have something to preserve between them is a dangerous institutional myth.
So... I'm gathering that you don't approve of what they're doing or trying to do or at least hoping they can do.
What would YOU think would be a better way to do things?
I guess I'm going back to the idea of "don't just tell me what's wrong, bring me a solution"...
I can see the point of view of each option, Dems abstaining from voting for an R, or voting for an R that cuts a deal. I don’t really have an opinion, either way, because I see merit in each option. It all boils down to, what is Burrows offering? If he will kill vouchers, then I think Dems should go with him. If all he is offering is chairmanships, it isn’t worth it.
While I agree that the vouchers are the most important thing that is coming down the pike, I do not agree that anything less than that is unimportant. There's a whole WORLD of things that mean a Lot to some people. For instance, "Texas State Rep. Mihaela Plesa has introduced five legislative proposals aimed at enhancing and safeguarding the public education system, focusing on transparency, funding optimization, and financial relief." If Dems are shut out, their bills don't even get to come to the floor. We only THINK it can't get worse...
Yes. There are policy concessions that would be worth a deal. I am not sure it can be boiled down to just vouchers, but that is a top 3 type item. Interestingly, Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, who was tapped as vice chair for education in appropriations and vice chair of Phelan’s anti-voucher select committee, was not one of the 38 for Burrows. I wonder very much if she thinks not enough has been promised on vouchers.
Barbara Gervin-Hawkins owns a charter school and, last session, hinted at voting with Republicans on vouchers. However, ultimately, she sided with the Democrats.
They should vote for a Democrat for speaker (forcing the GOP meltdown to continue until they get a speaker), accept their “punishment” of bad committee assignments and little legislative success, and actually organize an opposition that sets out a contrast with the GOP vision for the state. If you want an example, it looks like Jim Dunnam’s caucus 2003-2009. But they need a more cohesive governing vision than they had even then.
The current Democrats last year were literally mad at some of the Democrats for *criticizing the budget*—which had no increase in funding for schools or a teacher pay raise despite a $35 B surplus!
Dem grassroots should be furious with these 38. It is institutionalizing being losers.
like MD...i am agnostic ...but killing vouchers is a big thing to me AND any one or any way to shout and scream like MAGA does is mighty fine by me
What I am suggesting is it is not great that engaged grassroots activists are agnostic on this. I pray for the day those of us in that category stop assuming our leaders are doing all they can.
Lol what are the 38 speaker Democrats protecting? https://x.com/jaspscherer/status/1866268068315312606?s=46
OMG. When are those Reddit posts from? Today?
Don’t know but the tweet is from a credible reporter