The Observer's Lege Lists

Scott Hochberg (aka - my State Rep) makes Texas Observer's "Best" list from the past legislative session. I've noted elsewhere and will say it again, that I believe equal treatment has to be given to his GOP counterpart, Robbie Eissler. Still, it's the Texas Observer, so I guess it's pushing things to get that much GOP love on the "Best" list.

Here's their writeup ...

One look at Scott Hochberg and you can tell he's a nerd. The ruffled mop of hair, the rounded bookish glasses, the constant talk of school-funding formulas and accountability standards give it away. The man is toting around serious brainpower. He's one of about six people in the state who actually understands school finance. For years, Hochberg has used that brainpower to try to improve education in Texas. This session was no different. Hochberg was integral to ­passing two large, complicated education bills this session. One bill makes minor changes to the school-finance system. Some school districts will receive a nearly 3 percent funding increase under the bill, which also includes an $800 teacher pay raise. Hochberg also helped pass House Bill 3, which will slightly reduce Texas' reliance on standardized tests. Neither of these bills added up to comprehensive reform, and education groups were hoping for more from both. But in a legislative session in which very little got done, Hochberg was relatively productive.

Not surprisingly, the Observer's writeup is a pretty good distillation of what I like about the guy.

I can think of a lot of bad things to say about the 2002 State Rep map, but between producing districts in Harris County that saw four seats go from GOP-by-design to Dem-by-election and putting my homestead (such as it could be called that) within the boundaries of a district represented by Scott, I should probably just let that subject rest.

One other interesting note from the list is that Todd Smith makes their "Best" list. While much of their more favorable reasoning comes to the fact that Smith was one of only two GOP members to break on the Rafael Anchia high school voter registrar issue, I think there is maybe a bit more to lend to the positive side of Smith's reputation that when all is said and done ... that stupid Voter Restriction ID bill just flat out didn't pass. Maybe I'm just used to dealing with a few more shades of gray than others, but I tend to think that Smith's efforts make this a well earned honor.

Another Houston State Rep, Garnet Coleman, also gets a positive nod on the list. I like the guy, but I'll save the bragging for someone else.

John Zerwas does not make the cut, however. Call me old fashioned ... but I say if you save a guy's life, you should be an automatic.