Texas Monthly drops Lucio to ‘furniture' roster
In rating lawmakers following the Texas Legislature's 81st session, Texas Monthly dropped state Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr. from its "worst" legislators list and placed him on its "furniture" roster.
According to the Austin-based magazine's July issue, the term "furniture" refers to the least consequential lawmakers who have a low level of participation, rendering them indistinguishable from their desks and chairs.
"I just take it with a grain of salt. It doesn't hurt me," Lucio, D-Brownsville, said while pointing to his years in the Senate since 1991.
In the latest issue, the magazine released its lists of the "Best and Worst Legislators," "Honorable Mention," "Dishonorable Mention," "Furniture," "Rookie of the Year," "Schnookie of the Year," and "Bull of the Brazos."
State Rep. Kino Flores, D-Palmview, made the worst list while state Rep. Solomon Ortiz Jr., D-Corpus Christi, made the furniture list, also.
Lucio made the worst list in 1997, 2003 and 2007. In 2001, he was recognized for the "Most Dubious Argument."
For his part, Lucio said he had the best session ever this year, forwarding legislation to establish a health science center and medical school in the Rio Grande Valley, summer nutrition programs, and continued health insurance coverage for survivors of certain public servants killed in the line of duty.
The magazine has issued the "Best and Worst" lists since 1973. Magazine Senior Executive Editor Paul Burka and writer-at-large Patricia Kilday Hart compiled the ratings this year.
"I feel badly for this guy (Burka)," Lucio said. "(Burka) has never interviewed me one time, never asked my opinion. I don't remember seeing him this year on the Senate floor and that is the gospel truth," the senator added.
"The one time I saw him (during the past session), he went to sleep on the chair, outside the rail. This guy's sleeping. How can he evaluate? How can he judge the best and worst and furniture, whatever?" the senator asked.
Lucio indicated that he made the list because, "I'm not one of (Burka's) pet legislators that run up to him and caters to him. I don't care to be in his hip pocket, never have and never will."
Actually, Hart covered the Senate and Burka covered the House of Representatives. "I stand behind Patty's judgment on this," Burka said. "There is not a day that we were not covering the Senate," Burka said.
Burka didn't remember falling asleep, although he recalled falling asleep at around 2 a.m. on the House gallery waiting for his daughter, a page, several years ago.
While Lucio has been dropped from the worst list "some members think it's worse to be on the furniture list," Burka said.
eperez-trevino@brownsvilleherald.com
