State politics across State Line Avenue

Keeping up with Texas government is part of the territory of representing a city split down the middle by a state line. Bills in Austin can have just as much impact on residents of the Arkansas-side of town as the legislation being considered in Little Rock. I notice this morning in the Burnt Orange Report that Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick (R-Midland) has not announced committee assignments as of this third week of the legislative session in Austin, blaming icy conditions and his inability to meet with key legislators.

However, the Austin American-Statesman reports that there may be a different motive:

Given that 68 House members signaled their opposition to Craddick's re-election on Jan. 9, Craddick promised in the election aftermath to be kinder-and-gentler in running the House, listening more to the members than ramrodding his agenda.

The delay, according to Craddick loyalists who sought anonymity because their committee assignments are in play, is prompted more by his longest-serving allies feeling they are not getting enough in return for their loyalty. As Craddick told members of his new team what their assignments would be, the word trickled out to other members. Some weren't satisfied. Craddick is finding it hard to please everyone-or at least the 80 members who stuck with him.

Rep. Robert Talton, R-Pasadena, is questioning Craddick's motives. "He's not kinder and gentler," said Talton, who voted against Craddick. "He's just trying to be smarter."