It was the Revenge of the Conservatives in the Texas House, as members of the Freedom Caucus went on a rampage which is now known as the 'Mother's Day Massacre,' killing as many as 100 bills in revenge for that they see as disrespect at the hands of Speaker Joe Straus (R-Alamo Heights) and his leadership allies, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
"In the current House of Representatives, if your voting record is too conservative, you will not be allowed to pass legislation," State Rep. Mat Shaheen (R-Plano) said to a stone-faced Straus.
Conservtives have never made a secret of their disdain for Straus, who they see as a 'RINO' and a pro business 'Chamber of Commerce' lawmaker who stands in the way of true conservative legislation. In previous sessions, the Freedom Caucus has run a challenge to Straus for the Speaker's job, and even primaried him in his home district in San Antonio, all unsuccessfully.
"What's happened to us has been personal retribution," said Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Plano). "Its been personal attacks, pesonal retribution, petty personal politics, and this caucus has had enough of it."
Many Freedom Caucus members cited Straus and his ally State Rep. Byron Pitts (R-Corsicana), 'slow walking' the 'Bathroom Bill' through the House to the point where it died in committee due to a deadline last week.
Most of the bill that were killed in the Mother's Day Massacre were what are called 'local and consent' bills. They are mainly things like renaming highways for local celebrities and other measures which have little importance to anybody except to the moderate lawmakers who saw their hometown bills killed.