Lawmakers Put Substance Over Red Meat in Boring, But Productive Legislative Session

AUSTIN — The 2019 Legislative session was incredibly boring, and that's just how state leaders wanted it.Lawmakers didn't threaten to kill each other, a stark improvement over the final days of the 2017 regular session.In an era of state and national politics that's been defined by division and acrimony, Texas lawmakers focused on a set of key issues, and for the most part, put aside meaningless legislation designed to mollify extremists instead of helping average Texans.Lawmakers approved a school finance formula that provided more money for public education and gave teachers a raise. And Republicans managed to pass a bill that capped local property tax revenue, something they couldn't do in years past.Time will tell if the legislation approved by lawmakers is effective, but constituents will likely applaud the results of the five-month marathon.The session was a victory for each member of the so-called Big Three — Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen.Abbott, a popular elected official and former attorney general, has mastered winning elections. Yet, the Republican didn't have a signature achievement to highlight his tenure or shape his legacy.If the state's school finance plan works and if Texans are on the path to real property tax relief, Abbott will have legitimate accomplishments for the history books.Already tough to beat, he's the favorite for another term as governor, if that's what he wants.Patrick also benefits from the no-drama session. Until this year he's been known as a staunch partisan more interested in bathroom bill legislation, which critics say discriminates against transgender residents, instead of bread and butter issues.But this session he finally got the property tax reform he's advocated for much of his career. And the compromises on that issue and the school finance formula demonstrates that the Patrick-led Senate can work with the House and Abbott's executive branch.As Patrick wound down the session, the lingering question was whether rumors that he was close to joining the Trump administration were legitimate. On Sunday, he said he was not taking a job with the administration.One of the biggest winners of the session is Bonnen. The new speaker appeared to lead the House with precision and developed an effective working relationship with Abbott and Patrick.After the passage of the historic school finance bill, Abbott praised Bonnen and Patrick."This would not have been possible without the collaboration and hard work of Lt. Gov. Patrick and Speaker Bonnen, who brought their chambers together in a bipartisan fashion to shepherd this bill through the legislative process," he said. "I look forward to signing this bill into law and creating a brighter future for every child in Texas."Last session the House was a powder keg, mostly because of the sanctuary cities bill that became law.This time around, there were no bills passed specifically deemed anti-Hispanic.A few days ago, when the session was winding down, state Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, and Craig Goldman, R-Fort Worth, could be seen on the edge of the House floor tag teaming against several reporters. They were having fun.That wasn't the mood at the end of the 2017 session, when a protest against the sanctuary cities bill led to a House floor altercation between state Rep. Matt Rinaldi, R-Irving, and Rep. Poncho Nevarez, D-Eagle Pass. Rinaldi said he called Immigration and Customs Enforcement on the mostly Hispanic protesters, which outraged Nevarez and others. There was pushing, and unkind words were exchanged. Rinaldi said Nevarez threatened to jump him when he went to his car. Democrats said Rinaldi told Nevarez he would "put a bullet in your head."To make matters worse, angry lawmakers were called to a special session for more aggravation.Rinaldi was defeated in the 2018 election by Democrat Julie Johnson. He was one of 12 House Republicans ousted from the Legislature.Monday's adjournment — known as sine die — should be much more festive and largely free of acrimony.Republicans concede that the carnage from the 2018 midterm elections sent them a message. The people wanted the legislative session to be about substance, not division.Democrats, still in the clear minority, waged respectable battles for their constituents and helped prevent cities and counties from being run over by state Republicans.It was still a bad session for local government, but it could have been much worse.Expect both parties to begin to use the results of their labors for the 2020 campaign, which could be the most pivotal election since 2010, when Republicans staved off Democrats who two years earlier came within two seats of taking back the House.Unlike the aftermath of the 2017 session, perhaps the upcoming contest will be mostly about ideas, not wedge issues.  Continue reading...