Controversial death row inmate case where major decisions affect politicians’ careers: This week in Texas politics

Austin, Texas – This week in Texas politics, there were some major decisions that will affect politicians’ careers, as well as a controversial death row case.

FOX 7 Austin’s Chief Political Correspondent Rudy Koski and a panel of analysts take a look at these top stories.

Rudy Koski: This week has been a week of winners and losers in Texas politics. Let’s take a look at the headings from the panel. We’ll start with Annie Spelman from Mainstreet Relations. Annie, what’s the headline?

Annie Spielman: Texas lawmakers begin introducing legislation for the 2025 legislative session.

Rudy Koski: Brad Johnson and the Texans, what’s the headline?

Brad Johnson: The phone rings in the race for speaker of the Texas House.

Rudy Koski: Political analyst Karina Kling. What are the headlines for this week?

Karina Kling: I think the bipartisan gasps coming from Washington, D.C., were also heard loud here in Texas.

Rudy Koski: Some prominent Texans won and lost appointments this week as the transition to the Trump administration begins. John Cornyn lost his bid for Senate Majority Leader. Former Texas Congressman John Ratcliffe has been selected to lead the CIA. Tulsi Gabbard, a Republican and newcomer to Central Texas, has been chosen as President Trump’s director of national intelligence. Annie, that doesn’t surprise me.

Annie Spielman: Yeah, because nothing surprises me when it comes out of Washington, D.C. anymore. I can say I was more disappointed. And it was a defeat for Mr. Cornyn’s majority leadership. As you know, he is a true politician and did a lot in his role as whip from 2013 to 2019.

Rudy Koski: Donald Trump also nominated Matt Gaetz to be attorney general. If he is rejected by the Senate, I think Gaetz, or Ken Paxton, could be the dark horse to win the attorney general role. He also believes Texas AG Commissioner Sid Miller could be left hanging in the hat for the nomination. Brad, what are you listening to?

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Brad Johnson: Well, the theory with Gates’ appointment is that it throws this guy to the wolves so that another appointment becomes more viable. So Ken Paxton or maybe someone else he has in mind.

Karina Kring: If Brad is right, Gates could be sidelined and Paxton could take the role. If that is indeed the case, that would be good news for Cornyn, who will likely be there in 2026.

ANNIE SPIELMAN: If he knew he had a chance of getting into that Senate primary, even if he was given this nomination by the president, he might sit back for a little while. He has a better chance of defeating Cornyn in the primary.

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Rudy Koski: On Friday morning, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that a state House committee overstepped its authority by using a hearing subpoena to stop a scheduled execution. The case involves death row inmate Robert Roberson. Brad, this was more of a political turf war than whether Roberson would get a new trial. right.

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BRAD JOHNSON: The court kind of gave the commission a 50-50 ruling, ruling that the commission can’t issue subpoenas in this way to prevent enforcement. That was the reason for our defeat. Well, what they won was that they were able to get testimony from death row inmate Robert Roberson. Meanwhile, perhaps for that reason, the execution was postponed to January. Let’s take a look.

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Rudy Koski: Gov. Greg Abbott has shown more political muscle this week. He ordered universities to freeze tuition fees. Karina. Is this essentially what the Biden administration has done with its tuition waiver plan?

Karina Kling: Mr. Abbott said he heard from all the regents who agreed with this move forward and brought the idea of ​​families suffering, and tying this to the economy and what he wants to see going forward. said. So I think this is probably a not-so-unexpected or not-so-unexpected move.

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Rudy Koski: We’re less than two months away from the start of Congress. This week, a Texas Senate committee discussed how processed foods are linked to chronic disease and how improved child care options can increase worker productivity. We have also seen a large number of invoices being submitted in advance. Annie, what kind of legislation is the business community paying attention to?

Annie Spielman: Actually, the issue of access to child care is a big issue for Texas as a whole, but every employer in the state needs to prioritize and work with the Legislature to support its growing workforce. We want to maintain the availability of child care.

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Rudy Koski: Well, there are more options for Texas House speaker this week, with Dallas Democrat John Bryant throwing his hat into the ring. Brad, won’t this erode Dade Phelan’s support on the left side of the aisle and hurt him?

BRAD JOHNSON: When Bryant joined the Delegate, I was reminded of the same thing when Anna Maria Ramos joined another Democrat as a Delegate. Neither intends to be a speaker. That won’t happen. But you can use it for something in the future, especially if you have a team of people who are really passionate about it. Let’s say Bryant has about 10 votes for him. He can deliver it to whoever the next chairman is. He’s going to get some nice, nifty committee appointments.

Karina Kring: So I agree with Brad. For now, it’s all about the influence of these Democrats.

Annie Spielman: We see this kind of dog-and-pony show, but I think, and I agree with that, it’s really about behind-the-scenes deals.

Rudy Koski: Yeah, I think they like fighting. I think we’ll see some Hatfield and McCoy-like action in January, guys. It’ll be interesting.

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Rudy Koski: Okay. Let me end this week with a word. And let’s start with Karina. One week’s work content.

Karina Kling: A whirlwind.

Rudy Koski: What would you say this week?

Annie Spielman: Gamesmanship.

Rudy Koski: Brad, what’s your quote for this week?

Brad Johnson: Bills.

Rudy Koski: That’s Texas politics this week.

Watch the full discussion on the FOX 7 Austin YouTube page and on FOX Local.