Where's Dan Patrick?

When Sen. Dan Patrick was having his Valentine's Day photo-op, what was he supposed to be doing?

Freshman state Sen. Dan Patrick would, it seems, rather be stacking bills than working on them.

The Houston GOPer got some bemused media coverage for his ridiculous photo opportunity - sorry, press conference, when he had a million dollars (possibly in unmarked bills) wheeled out to prove … something about budgets (see the Real Player footage here.) Problem? It meant he missed a morning session of the Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations, which he sits on and which heard three bills while Patrick was in absentia and in front of the cameras.

Now we know it takes a little while to settle into the demands of a new job. Maybe committee chair Sen. Royce West might want to send him a quick memo about the demands of his job. Like being at the committees on time.

Got something to say on the subject? Send a letter to the editor.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

Support the Chronicle  

READ MORE
More Legislature
Court Rules Texas School Finance Unconstitutional
Court Rules Texas School Finance Unconstitutional
Dietz says current system fails students, must be rebuilt

Richard Whittaker, Aug. 28, 2014

Dietz Stays on School Finance Suit
Dietz Stays on School Finance Suit
Hail Mary play by AG Abbott fails to force judicial recusal

Richard Whittaker, June 24, 2014

More State Government
Straus' Budget Stretch
Straus' Budget Stretch
Committee member casts doubt on speaker's deficit proposals

Richard Whittaker, May 12, 2010

Keel Repeat
Keel Repeat
Former state rep to head up Texas Facilities Commission

Richard Whittaker, Dec. 17, 2009

More by Richard Whittaker
Life as a War Boy
Life as a War Boy
Dressing as Furiosa's most disposable characters

May 24, 2024

ATX TV Festival, Burlesque Festival, and More Events to Start Your Week
ATX TV Festival, Burlesque Festival, and More Events to Start Your Week
The weekend is over, but that won't stop us

May 24, 2024

KEYWORDS FOR THIS POST

State Government, tax, dan patrick, legislature, houston

MORE IN THE ARCHIVES
One click gets you all the newsletters listed below

Breaking news, arts coverage, and daily events

Keep up with happenings around town

Kevin Curtin's bimonthly cannabis musings

Austin's queerest news and events

Eric Goodman's Austin FC column, other soccer news

Information is power. Support the free press, so we can support Austin.   Support the Chronicle