NO RESPECT

Senator Leticia Van de Putte's question on Tuesday Night speaks volumes. The San Antonio Democrat was selected as Senate President Pro Tem by her colleagues (made up of 19 Republicans and 12 Democrats) at the start of the 83rd session. She is the Chair of the Veterans Affairs and Military Installation Committee. Senator Van de Putte is an advocate for Veterans given that her recently deceased father served in the Army during The Korean War. One of the bills she passed during the 83rd regular session was to allow service members and their spouses to qualify for expedited occupational licensing in the state without any delays so that they can ensure a smooth transition from the military sector to the civilian sector.

I appreciate her office calling me back when I had a question about a bill when one of my fellow veterans asked me a question about and I was unable to give that person a satisfactory answer.

Senator Van de Putte has received many awards and recognition for her work in advocating for our veterans, children, the disabled, education, and helping to halt human trafficking. Texas Monthly recognized her as one of their Ten Best Legislators from the regular session. Texas Tribune readers voted her one the Top Five Best Legislators. If you calculate the difference between Best and Worst votes from the poll, Senator Van de Putte has the best score of 185.

Despite all the praise and work she has done, the Senator was shown a terrible amount of disrespect by her Republican colleagues. To them, the 14-year Senator is just another woman who should not worry her poor little ole head and let them do the thinkin' for her.

I think I know the answer to the Senator's question.

For her question to be recognized, it is probably going to take a newly elected Democratic Lieutenant Governor in November 2014.