This year's Legislature will have a different look and feel.
New faces will make up nearly a quarter of the Texas House, and many government watchers believe that this could be one of the most conservative sessions ever in Austin."Gov. Perry at the end of last session said it was the most conservative session he had in public life," said Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth. "I don't know if we will top that."But obviously, I think we are going to be very conservative."Five of Tarrant County's seven new House members are ranked among the top 12 freshman lawmakers expected to be the most conservative in the 83rd legislative session, which kicks off Tuesday."A dozen or more Republicans ... gave voters the impression that they'd be about as conservative as legislators could possibly be," wrote Mike Hailey, who runs Capitol Inside, an Austin-based political website that compiled the list.Rep. Diane Patrick, R-Arlington, said, "We shall have to wait to see the voting records of the 40-plus first-term members."For now, though, Reps.-elect Matt Krause of Fort Worth, Jonathan Stickland of Hurst, Stephanie Klick of Fort Worth, Craig Goldman of Fort Worth and Giovanni Capriglione of Southlake are in the top 12."I think it's accurate to say each of the new [Tarrant County] representatives is more conservative-minded than the prior incumbent," said Krause, who was No. 1 on the list. "And you see more of the same all around North Texas, such as in Denton and Collin counties."Rep. Lon Burnam said it will be hard to be more conservative than the 2011 Legislature, led by Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Joe Straus."The reality is that Republicans have completely controlled Texas government for at least 10 years and there has been a Republican governor for nearly 20 years," said Burnam, D-Fort Worth. "In that time, they have cut the budget on things like education and healthcare to the point where we are near dead last in per capita funding."Many conservative freshmen are going to find that there really isn't anything left to cut but Gov. Perry's corporate-welfare programs, which he defends vociferously."Conservative credentialsKrause was followed on the list by Stickland at No. 2 and Klick at No. 3.Krause and Stickland topped the list because they've already filed conservative legislation, including a constitutional amendment to let Texans better shield private schools from state and local government regulation.But Krause's conservatism was never in doubt."His conservative credentials are rock-solid as a lawyer for the Liberty Counsel and a key player in the Christian organization WallBuilders that longtime activist and former Texas GOP official David Barton runs," Hailey wrote.And Stickland, who volunteered for Ron Paul's presidential campaign, has spoken about how his Christianity propelled him to run for office.But, overall, Klick "could end up being the most conservative first-term House member in 2013 after coming from behind to beat a Republican primary runoff rival who'd appeared to have the inside track heading into overtime in a Fort Worth-area race," Hailey wrote.Goldman was No. 11 and Capriglione No. 12.And Rep.-elect Nicole Collier -- who will replace fellow Fort Worth Democrat Marc Veasey, now a congressman -- was No. 39.Rep.-elect Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie, was the only local House freshman not to make Hailey's list.He said he hopes that both parties can work together."The Republicans no longer hold a supermajority, and as a result, there will be a greater need for bipartisanship and compromise," Turner said. "It is my hope that we can tackle the issues facing our state pragmatically, not based on political rhetoric."Our state is changing very rapidly, and all the members must take the needs of the changing population into account."Welcome WagonSen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, said a conservative session isn't necessarily a bad thing."The difficulty is when it comes with an extreme and inflexible partnership," Davis said. "If Gov. Perry and his fellow Austin leaders make clear that they want to find middle ground to solve real problems, then I think new members will have the opportunity to be heard and be constructive."However, if the governor and the leadership promote and reward extreme partisanship, making progress will be more difficult."Some veteran Tarrant County lawmakers said they look forward to working with the newest members, who make up more than half the local House delegation."They will bring fresh ideas and energy to the Capitol as we work to maintain fiscal responsibility and protect Texas' economy while also addressing our needs," said Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound.State Sen.-elect Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, has some advice for the newest members."The responsibility of every elected official is to represent their district while remaining true to their principles and beliefs," said Hancock, who will be a freshman in the Senate but served several terms in the House."In turn, these values will support and embody their constituencies."Anna M. Tinsley, 817-390-7610Twitter: @annatinsleyHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
