TRANSCRIPT
You’re listening to Red River Radio News.
Good morning, I’m Jeff Ferrell.
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INTRO:
The next Texas Senate will still have a Republican majority, even though a Democrat – Lieutenant Governor-elect Vikki Goodwin -- will lead the chamber.
As Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider reports, there may be an effort afoot among G-O-P senators to strip Goodwin of many of her powers in the chamber:
SOT:
“The Lieutenant Governor’s powers come from three sources: the state constitution, state statutes, and the rules set by the Senate majority. As of January, the GOP will hold 19 out of 31 senate seats. Garrett Fulce is a Republican political consultant based in Sugar Land. “So, they have the majority to do it, and there's little reason to let the Democrats control the daily business of the Senate.” But political scientist Cal Jillson of Southern Methodist University says exercising that power would be unwise. “The electorate decided they wanted Democratic governance, and for the rump Republican majority in the Senate to say, "No, we're not going to permit it," is a bad look that…they may have to pay for down the road.” Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa said in her first post-election press conference that Texas voters have said they want change and she hopes Republican leaders will respect that.”
<**** NEW STORY ****>
INTRO:
Louisiana voters approved seven of the ten constitutional amendments on the ballot Tuesday. Public Affairs Research Council president Steven Procopio says the amendments that were more straightforward were the ones that received approval:
SOT: “You’re looking at things like a post-conviction bail; I think people supported that. I think the term limits they can understand. I think people understood the water lines, that this was a way to increase water lines.”
TAG:
Procopio says voters likely did their homework on the amendments, as there was not a drop off in the number of people who voted on Amendment One compared to Amendment Ten.
<**** NEW STORY ****>
INTRO:
After a delay, the Associated Press has called the race for Arkansas’ 2nd Congressional District in favor of incumbent French Hill.
The longtime Republican congressman will return to Washington for a 7th term after defeating Democrat Chris Jones, with 51% of the vote, a margin of 44-hundred votes.
And Arkansas Democrats held a post-Midterm news conference Wednesday afternoon, after breaking-up the Republican supermajority in the state House. Democrats picked-up at least 10 seats in the Arkansas House.
As Little Rock Public Radio reports, some pundits speculate the Democratic surge was more of a rebuke of President Trump, rather than excitement for Democratic policies.
But State Party Chair colonel Marcus Jones said polling in Arkansas showed a different reality:
SOT:
“When asked, ‘are you excited about in this election?’ You know, almost two to one Democrats said they were and Republicans said they weren’t. Now I will also say that I absolutely believe that Democrats from the national level, Democrats at the state level, we’ve got to reinforce our message that we’re, we’re the party of working Americans and make sure that those people feel heard by us and are reflected in our values.”
TAG:
The Arkansas House has 100 seats. With Tuesday’s election results, the GOP will now control 70 seats, compared to 30 for Democrats.
<**** FORECAST ****>
The National Weather Service in Shreveport is calling for:
- Sunny conditions on this Friday, with a high near 74 degrees.
- For the weekend: the forecast calls for more sun and a noticeable cooling.
- Saturday’s high near 67 before dipping to 64 on Sunday.
- By Monday, we’ll see a gradual warming begin, starting with a high of 67, then rising to the lower and then mid 70s next week.
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