Since we haven't traveled Texas in months.....

Randy and I have been busy busy busy for the last six months. He works in the legislature and I work in grassroots politics, so I thought it would be appropriate to share this post here. Pictures from the 81st Session of the Texas Legislature (couple of pics courtesy of Cassie Daniel, all others by Randy and myself)

Snakes! Provided by the Sweetwater Chamber of Commerce in honor of the annual Rattlesnake Round-Up.

Two lobbyists having a lightsaber duel.

Citizens lined up to testify on SB 362, the voter identification legislation, before the Committee of the Whole Senate in March.

Passing HCR 16, changing the official state dinosaur. Yeah.

A citizen holding up the Republic of Texas flag at Rep. Creighton's press conference on HCR 50, the sovereignty/10th Amendment legislation, in early April.


Governor Perry addressing the RightOnline blogger conference on May 23.

The first-ever rally for tax increases (the TLOTA) at the State Capitol, held on May 29. In this photo are Senator Wendy Davis (D-Fort Worth), Senator Kirk Watson (D-Austin), Senator John Carona (R-Dallas), Rep. Vicki Truitt (R-Fort Worth) and Rep. Mike Villareal (D-San Antonio). The "Texas Not Taxes" sign is being held up behind Sen. Carona by Americans for Prosperity's Peggy Venable - about 30 grassroots activists showed up to be "anti-protesters" against the taxes proposed by Carona and Truitt.

Dead legislation! This is a stack of dead bills the morning of sine die on June 1. The black spot you see is an eyepatch, put there in honor of Rep. Rene Oliviera (D-Brownsville).

Mourning some dead legislation on sine die.

The Texas State Capitol on sine die, June 1, 2009. Beautiful day in Austin!!