Newsroom

Honesty Agenda part 1: How rough will things be?

Monday, November 15, 2010
by Kirk Watson

Thank you all for coming out today and taking time out of your schedule to think about the upcoming Texas Legislative Session.

Now, I particularly want to thank you for being here because, if you follow what’s going on up at the Capitol at all – and by that I mean, if you occasionally find yourself reading or talking about something besides, y’know, the arguable success of Baylor football (for Baylor, I mean).  Or, for that matter, the inarguable lack of success of other teams in Texas right now – then you’ve probably heard things are going to be a little rough under the dome this session.

Really, the only question that’s left is ... how rough will things be?

Well, there’s a fascinating answer that you’re starting to hear from some insiders up at the Capitol. I’ve heard it a few times myself in the last few weeks – the same six words, always from very smart, very accomplished folks who have been around that building for a long time.

The response – these folks’ own legislative preview – their quick synopsis of what to expect next session boils down to this:

“Nothing. Good. Is Going. To Happen.”

“Nothing good is going to happen.” That’s the big quote at the top of the movie poster: Texas Legislature; Opens January 11th; “Nothing good is going to happen.”

This thought, this growing consensus – where there’s an incredible apprehension that crosses party lines and philosophical boundaries – is on the budget.

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