The State Delegation - Important, But Not As Powerful As You Think
Our delegation is important, so before some of you get your feelings hurt with this piece, try to read it objectively.
The state legislative delegation has to run every two years. While most of the crazies get upset over what money gets raised and by whom in city and county races, they are ignorant to the amount of money raised by state legislative candidates. They lose their mind over campaign funds that aren't all that much. But if it comes from an old white Republican it must be bad. At least thats the rationale of the crazies.
Maybe they should check the contributions of the state delegation. Lobbyists make it rain on state legislative candidates more than a GI makes it rain on a stripper at Foxy's on the first of the month.
Seriously, do you think Woody and Foster money comes anywhere close to TLR, TTLA, and Annie's List money? Hell no. And this will really drive the crazies nuts. Woody and Foster money can be a significant part of a candidates campaign war chest for the smaller races. But some candidates that are supported by special interests in Austin almost fund an entire campaign exclusively.
But don't make the mistake of assuming that raising a ton of money is the same as political influence. Because it really isn't. State legislators, all of whom are Democrats, have limited influence in Austin. That isn't earth-shattering news.
The fact is state legislators are relevant during session, which means once every two years they are a factor in local politics. Other than that, their influence is limited. Hell some of them spend very little time here, which more and more people are complaining about.
City and County officials are relevant every week. Its why more people know who they are. Its why they have more critics as well.
The state leg meets once every two years and the location where they meet is several hundred miles away. Thats why you don't see state legislators calling the shots about local policy. Thats why you don't see them leading political factions either. They are too busy fighting off a constant challenge and counting their fat stacks from lobbyists.
If you saw the gifts and perks and money spent on them, well lets just say it would make for interesting political discussion. Particularly near election days.
I guess a big question is going to be who is going to be the star of the show in Austin for the delegation now?
At this point, all eyes are on Cesar Blanco. He has the potential to be that next big Latino leader that gets statewide attention like the Castro brothers more so than anyone else in our delegation. With the Castro brothers both moving on to bigger and better things, there is now a void to be filled.
Blanco is uniquely positioned to fill it.
The state legislative delegation has to run every two years. While most of the crazies get upset over what money gets raised and by whom in city and county races, they are ignorant to the amount of money raised by state legislative candidates. They lose their mind over campaign funds that aren't all that much. But if it comes from an old white Republican it must be bad. At least thats the rationale of the crazies.
Maybe they should check the contributions of the state delegation. Lobbyists make it rain on state legislative candidates more than a GI makes it rain on a stripper at Foxy's on the first of the month.
Seriously, do you think Woody and Foster money comes anywhere close to TLR, TTLA, and Annie's List money? Hell no. And this will really drive the crazies nuts. Woody and Foster money can be a significant part of a candidates campaign war chest for the smaller races. But some candidates that are supported by special interests in Austin almost fund an entire campaign exclusively.
But don't make the mistake of assuming that raising a ton of money is the same as political influence. Because it really isn't. State legislators, all of whom are Democrats, have limited influence in Austin. That isn't earth-shattering news.
The fact is state legislators are relevant during session, which means once every two years they are a factor in local politics. Other than that, their influence is limited. Hell some of them spend very little time here, which more and more people are complaining about.
City and County officials are relevant every week. Its why more people know who they are. Its why they have more critics as well.
The state leg meets once every two years and the location where they meet is several hundred miles away. Thats why you don't see state legislators calling the shots about local policy. Thats why you don't see them leading political factions either. They are too busy fighting off a constant challenge and counting their fat stacks from lobbyists.
If you saw the gifts and perks and money spent on them, well lets just say it would make for interesting political discussion. Particularly near election days.
I guess a big question is going to be who is going to be the star of the show in Austin for the delegation now?
At this point, all eyes are on Cesar Blanco. He has the potential to be that next big Latino leader that gets statewide attention like the Castro brothers more so than anyone else in our delegation. With the Castro brothers both moving on to bigger and better things, there is now a void to be filled.
Blanco is uniquely positioned to fill it.
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