The best and worst legislators from North Texas
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Rep. John Bryant in a conversation with Axios this month. Screenshot: Axios
Several North Texas legislators landed on Texas Monthly's list of the best and worst lawmakers of 2023 for their work during the state's legislative session.
The intrigue: The most noteworthy incidents in this year's regular legislative session involved two notable North Texans — the attorney general's impeachment and Rep. Bryan Slaton's expulsion from the House.
- Texas Monthly gave the former Royse City rep the nickname Cockroach and exclaimed in a headline: "The Cockroach (Exterminated!").
Details: North Texans stood out for pushing for a bill to end the tampon tax, breaking from their party to vote for bills they believed in and sponsoring the effort to expand parks and conservation in the state.
- Rep. John Bryant is the "most energetic new voice among Democrats," the publication wrote.
- Rep. Angie Chen Button served as a "voice of reason" among Republicans by countering a proposal to ban citizens and entities from certain countries, including China, from buying land in Texas.
- Rep. Justin Holland, of Rockwall, was one of two House Republicans to vote for a bill that would have raised the minimum age to buy certain semiautomatic rifles to 21.
- Rep. Toni Rose showed bipartisan leadership and authored the successful House Bill 12 to expand Medicaid coverage until a year after the end of a pregnancy. The Dallas Democrat pushed for the bill for years, ultimately negotiating it into law.
Yes, but: Texas Monthly did single out one North Texas representative in its worst category.
- Rep. Tony Tinderholt undertook an unsuccessful campaign to dethrone House Speaker Dade Phelan. The Arlington Republican also employed a staffer who tweeted that anyone who wants to take kids to drag shows should be executed.