In Session, In-Depth roundtable

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Mike Ward of the Austin American-Statesman, Shelley Kofler of KERA Radio in Dallas and Brian Sweaney of Texas Monthly joined KXAN Political Reporter Josh Hinkle's "In Session, In-Depth" roundtable Sunday to review the first week.

Kofler, who was based in Austin for several years as a television journalist, said Governor Rick Perry's call for landed "like a thud" with many lawmakers.

"I hear a lot of them saying we've got to pay our bills," she said.

Ward, who's been covering state government for some two decades, agreed. He said budget cuts are easier said then done. Shrinking government, he said, means cutting jobs in places like schools and prisons. The question is, Ward said, is "who's going to get shrunk?"

Sweany, who is new to Texas Monthly's legislative lineup, said Speaker Joe Straus' re-election by acclimation signals that he's graduated from "presiding over the House to leading the House."