By J. Lyn Carl, GalleryWatch.com
Austin, TX –
Saying his actions "poison the well of good will" from which lawmakers must drink, Rep. Pete Gallego (D-Alpine) today wrote a highly critical letter to House Speaker Tom Craddick (R-Midland) after Craddick bought air time for radio spots explaining the difficulty of the legislature in passing meaningful public school reform and property tax relief legislation.
Gallego said he believes this to be the first time "a presiding officer of one legislative chamber has purchased advertising directly attacking the presiding officer and members of the other legislative chamber."
It's been pistols at 20 paces for Craddick and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in recent weeks, with each pointing the finger of blame at the other for the legislature's failure to pass school reform and property tax relief bills. There just never seemed to be a consensus between the two chambers and the presiding officers of each body were quick to blame the other for the stalemate.
Noting that problems are solved by negotiating "in good faith" with one's colleagues in the legislature, Gallego told the Speaker that "no difficult problem has ever been solved by negative ads attacking a colleague."
Gallego accused Craddick of acting "diligently" and "decisively" to destroy any hope of cooperation between the two chambers "at a time when cooperation is so very crucial to our success." The Alpine Democrat told the Speaker that his advertisements also "loudly advertise the Legislature's failure." He accused Craddick of elevating politics "above practicality and public policy.
"Unfortunately, that also means that Texas politics has sunk to a new low. Public confidence in our institutions of government is sure to follow."
In closing his letter, Gallego asked Craddick to stop running the ads on state radio stations. "Our time is better spent building bridges - not burning them," he said.