The Texas Tribune’s Evan Smith (left) interviews Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (right) Tuesday in Austin. Patrick told Smith he is “not playing small ball on tax relief,” even in light of plunging oil prices. (Source: Texas Tribune screenshot)
AUSTIN — Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Tuesday flatly denied a downturn in oil prices has tempered his hopes for tax relief this session, rebuffing a Republican colleague who had suggested major cuts would be difficult.
“I’m not playing small ball on tax relief,” Patrick said during an interview with the Texas Tribune’s Evan Smith.
Smith had asked Patrick about recent comments by a freshman senator close to him — Paul Bettencourt, a Houston Republican — that said the upper chamber may have to focus on “small ball” tax cuts instead “grand slam home runs” amid plunging oil prices.
Weighing in on more recent news, Patrick elaborated on his decision-making process for committee appointments, saying they reflected his belief that freshmen should have a “bigger role.” The upper chamber convened earlier this month with eight new members.
That was one factor Patrick said he considered when he named freshman Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, to lead the agriculture panel, a previous iteration of which was chaired by Sen. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls. Estes was the only Republican who did not vote Wednesday on a package of rules changes championed by Patrick.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a coincidence, but it wasn’t the sole and only reason,” Patrick said when asked about a potential connection between Estes abstaining to vote and losing a chairmanship.
The committee appointments capped an inaugural week during which Patrick presided over the Senate as it fulfilled one of his campaign promises and eliminated the two-thirds rule. But just in case anyone saw the flurry of activity as evidence of a hankering for higher office, Patrick made clear he would like to spend more than one term in his current position.
“I hope to run and win again and return as lieutenant governor,” Patrick said while discussing his long-term vision for the structure of committees.
Patrick was less certain on another topic related to the future: whether he would support former Gov. Rick Perry or U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, for president in 2016. Patrick said he is rooting for “best conservative president we can have and it’d be great if we can have a Texan.”