Paul Burka
Texas Monthly
Austin, TX, United States
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Past articles by Paul:
The Ken Paxton Problem
As bad as it is, it goes beyond any possible criminal wrongdoing. → Read More
Out of Step (And Falling Behind)
The recent decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court show how far Texas has fallen from the mainstream. The recent reactions by our leaders only make it worse. → Read More
What I’ve Learned
Paul Burka bids farewell to Texas Monthly—and wonders what happened to the Texas he once knew. → Read More
The End of the Two-Thirds Rule
On the first full day of the Dan Patrick era, he makes his mark on the Senate. → Read More
What If They Held an Inauguration (And Nobody Came)?
It’s the turnout, stupid. → Read More
The Last Forty Years--and the Future
I joined the staff of TEXAS MONTHLY on October 1, 1974, and after much consideration, I have decided to retire in March. I have had a rich and rewarding forty-year career as senior executive editor of TEXAS MONTHLY and have been enabled by my editors to do what I love most: cover Texas politics. I will continue to be engaged with TEXAS MONTHLHY on several fronts, including coverage of the 84th… → Read More
Red State
There were a few moments when it seemed that the governor's race might produce some excitement, but reality quickly settled in. Greg Abbott buried Wendy Davis beneath piles and piles of money and videos, and there was nothing Davis could do to counter him. Texas is a Republican state and nothing is likely to change that in the foreseeable future. Davis didn't run a bad race. She raised a lot of… → Read More
The Problem With Prop 1
I'm sorry, but I just can't get excited about voting for Proposition 1, which provides a meager amount of funding, around $1.7 billion, for new transportation projects. The amount to be spent is so small that it is hardly worth the effort of putting the proposition on the ballot. This is typical of our state's approach to governing: It won't solve the problem. Well, it might be enough to build a… → Read More
Voter ID Struck Down
A federal judge in Corpus Christi called the state's voter ID law "an unconstitutional poll tax" → Read More
Davis for the Win
The final debate in the 2014 governor's race is over, and the winner was clear-cut. → Read More
The Fallout From the Enterprise Fund
When one looks at the wheeling and dealing that went on with the Texas Enterprise Fund, my question is this: Why is it not an impeachable offense? These folks used the Enterprise Fund for their private playground. They awarded $222 million to entities that, according to the Dallas Morning News, never submitted a formal application or agreed to create a specific number of jobs (all of which is… → Read More
The Dumbest Thing You Can Do
Smearing the prosecutor is just about the dumbest thing a defendant in a criminal case can do. The second dumbest thing is to threaten the prosecutor. → Read More
The Politics of Chili
With a little luck--and some perfectly smoked brisket--the 84th Legislature will correct a longstanding wrong and make barbecue the official state dish. → Read More
Wendy Davis Emerges
Wendy Davis jumps into two contentious issues--not a moment too soon for her campaign. → Read More
MQS and Those "Terribly Liberal Republicans"
Michael Quinn Sullivan looks to be a main protangonist in the Republican Civil War. → Read More
Bowl of Dread
I was aghast when chili was first anointed our official state dish. More than 35 years later, my feelings about this greasy mush haven't changed. → Read More