DALLAS — The new leader of Democrats in the Texas House said he fully expects a Democratic committee chair now that Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, has control of the Speaker’s gavel.
“I think we have a Speaker now who understands that sometimes the best person for a committee may not be a Republican, but might be a Democrat,” Rep. Gene Wu told us on Inside Texas Politics. “I think they’re going to see who is the best for the job before they determine, well, you’re disqualified by the letter behind your name.”
State Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, said the new Speaker made no promises. But the chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus says Burrows never said no either.
Wu is steadfast in his belief that the floor flight over the Speaker strengthened the institution, and it now has members willing to stand up to the “money” and out-of-state influences.
He also argues that Democrats will have influence to wield during the legislative session, even after Republicans increased their numbers following the November election.
Wu said that includes helping the chamber focus on the big problems facing the state, including a water crisis, affordable housing, and strengthening the power grid.
“Democrats have been out of power in this state for almost 30 years. Republicans have had an iron grip on this state for 30 years. Yet we still face the exact same problems that we have faced for 30 years,” Wu argued.