<i>“It’s basically impossible to get elected in Austin unless you are a Democrat.”</i>
— Andy Brown, chair of the Travis County Democratic Party, on the upcoming City Council election, according to KUT.
<i>“They’re listening, and this is the result.”</i>
— UT System spokesman Anthony de Bruyn, responding to the System’s decision to redefine the role of newly hired special adviser Rick O’Donnell in light of criticisms from lawmakers regarding O’Donnell’s views on university research, according to the Texas Tribune. O’Donnell will keep his $200,000 salary.
<strong> College for inmates:</strong>
<i>“We don’t provide free college tuition for anyone else like this, so with the budget crisis we’re facing, why should we for convicted felons?”</i>
— House Corrections Committee Chairman Jerry Madden, R-Richardson, on his support to cut a program that funds college tuition for inmates, according to the Austin American-Statesman.
<i>“The statistics show more inmates who participate have a lower recidivism rate. There is an advantage from a program like this.”</i>
— Windham School District Superintendent Debbie Roberts, who argues that the program allows inmates to prepare for life outside prison, according to the Austin American-Statesman.
<strong>Voter ID:</strong>
<i>“I think it’s about disenfranchising groups of people who do not historically vote for the Republican Party.”</i>
— Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin, said about the controversial bill recently passed by the Texas House of Representatives which requires voters to present photo identification at the polls, according to the Austin American-Statesman.
<i>“This bill is colorblind.”</i>
— Rep. Larry Gonzalez, R-Round Rock, expressed his support of the newly passed voter ID bill, according to the Austin American-Statesman.
<i>“[Voting] should have at least the same integrity as renting a movie, boarding a plane or cashing a check.”</i>
— Rep. Patricia Harless, R-Spring, voicing support for the voter ID bill, according to the Dallas Morning News.
<i>“We have studied this for almost eight years and have not been able to find any widespread voter impersonation in Texas.”</i>
— Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, regarding the voter ID bill, according to the Dallas Morning News.
