Texas' GOP freshmen plan to be aggressive in U.S. House

"...this year's freshman class includes 87 Republicans, all itching to roll back White House initiatives, cut taxes, cut spending and rein in the federal government.

Gillman reports: http://dallasne.ws/hnrYth

Will Republicans claim 100th seat in Texas House?

On Saturday, Rep. Allan Ritter, D-Nederland, told KFDM-TV in Beaumont that he's jumping ship. He plans an announcement Tuesday in Austin. Gov. Rick Perry and other Republican leaders are expected to be on hand.




Tomaso on the impending supermajotity in the Texas House of Representatives: http://dallasne.ws/flbeHZ

House Dems from GOP tilting areas wiped out

Of the 21 House Democrats blown away in last week's election, 13 represented districts that Barack Obama couldn't carry in 2008 -- and of those, all but three were out-fundraised by their Republican challengers.
Garrett looks at the numbers http://dallasne.ws/9msfOg

Texas GOP legislators flex new political clout in first bills filed

AUSTIN – Republican lawmakers flexed their clout and highlighted their agenda on Monday, showcasing bills that would create an Arizona-type immigration law, further restrict abortion, allow guns on campus and require voters to present ID at the polls. The ambitious lineup, filed on the first day for new legislation, probably has its best chance in years because of GOP supermajorities in the House and Senate.

Mulvaney and Hoppe report: http://dallasne.ws/9rGMIv

House GOP takeover will affect how issues vital to Texans are addressed

WASHINGTON – With Democrats in charge for the past two years, Congress made progress on issues of special importance to Texas, such as health care and the environment, while neglecting other subjects that matter greatly to the state, including immigration and trade. With the GOP's sweeping election victories last week, Republicans are poised to take those issues in a different direction. But the balance of power in next year's Congress presents obstacles that may hinder progress on most agenda items.

Michaels in DC bureau offers analysis http://dallasne.ws/bNKwl8

Debbie Riddle pre-files immigration and voter ID bills

Rep. Debbie Riddle, R-Tomball, set up a mini-campground with folding chairs to be the first in line to file bills for the upcoming legislative session. As promised, the first bill out of the chute was mandating that voters present a photo identification in order to cast a ballot. The other bills deal with clamp downs on illegal immigrants, including an Arizona-type law and prohibiting sanctuary cities. Both proposals deal with encouraging law enforcement to inquire about the immigration status of those stopped for routine and other policing matters.

Hoppe reports: http://dallasne.ws/ah36TE

GOP's surge in Austin to resurrect divisive bills

AUSTIN – Republicans on Wednesday celebrated their huge wins in the state Capitol, particularly in the House, where the party may revive efforts on issues that have failed in the past, including illegal immigration, voter ID and school vouchers. Democrats' losses were so staggering that they may only be able to block some of the bills in the Senate because of procedural rules.

Garrett and Stutz on the shape of things to come. http://dallasne.ws/8XBXPY

Ciro Rodriguez concedes in TX-23

Rep. Ciro Rodriguez has lost his San Antonio-based seat to GOP businessman Francisco "Quico" Canseco, further pointing to a rough election night for Texas Democrats.

Rodriguez issued a concession statement Wednesday morning.


Mason:  http://dallasne.ws/9l9d59

Republican Bill Flores ousts Democratic Rep. Chet Edwards from Congress after 20 years

WACO – Rep. Chet Edwards – one of the last standard-bearers for conservative Texas Democrats – has been vanquished after 20 years in Congress. The congressman from Waco lost to Republican Bill Flores in a landslide, proving that not even Edwards' patented brand of intensely local campaigning was immune to the anti-Washington wave sweeping the country.

Benning reports: http://dallasne.ws/bjPEPa

Dunnam: National wave rolled through Texas

It wasn't money or state issues but just the big national tsunami that gave Republicans an open seat and swept out 21 Democrats in the 150-member Texas House, says one of them, defeated Democratic leader Jim Dunnam of Waco.
Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/amEyso

Analysis: Texas Gov. Rick Perry set to take next step, onto national stage

AUSTIN – Next stop for Rick Perry: a national campaign. The Republican governor insists he's not running for president. But he's made no secret of wanting to raise his national profile on the right, starting with a book tour trumpeting the season's hottest political subjects: states' rights and smaller government.

Slater: http://dallasne.ws/a7ALJd

GOP blowout in Texas House: 99 of 150 seats

The dimensions of a staggering GOP victory in the Texas House are now clear: Republicans posted a net gain of 22 seats -- far, far more than anyone I know predicted. Labor and liberals are cringing because if the GOP caucus holds together, it's just one vote shy of the two thirds needed to pass constitutional amendments. Pretty big stuff.

http://dallasne.ws/bWTLGe

Republicans grab big majority in Texas House

AUSTIN – Republicans smashed their way to their biggest modern-day majority in the Texas House on Tuesday and are now very likely to draw claret-red political maps and deeply cut education and social programs next year. The big uncertainty after the GOP in one night rolled back Democratic gains of the last three election cycles was whether Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, could withstand an infusion of new conservatives, despite his helpfulness to embattled Republican incumbents. Republicans' 19-12 edge in the Senate remained unchanged.

Garrett on the huge Republican victory: http://dallasne.ws/bLT233