Dutton issues challenge to Patrick

At the end of Monday’s meeting of the House Public Education Committee, Chair Harold Dutton issued a challenge to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. He adjourned the meeting without taking a committee vote on either the critical race theory bill or the bill addressing transgender students in UIL sports – both of which are priority issues for Patrick and Gov. Greg Abbott.

Dutton talked about the erosion of respect between the House and Senate in recent years. He said he had heard that Patrick would not allow the Senate to consider the restoration of legislative branch funding (in a bill that also includes funding for the 13^th check for TRS retirees) until the House committee voted out the CRT and UIL bills. He concluded by saying, “I want to see if he has his big boy pants on. This meeting is adjourned.”