Interview: Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer on School Choice, Border Efforts in Texas Legislature

Want to support reporting on Texas politics that doesn’t include the spin? Subscribe at https://thetexan.news/subscribe/ 

Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, the chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, joined The Texan’s reporter Brad Johnson to discuss the start of the new special legislative session.

Martinez Fischer discussed his views on two of the top issues that Gov. Greg Abbott included on the special session call, efforts to pass school choice and border security legislation.

The caucus leader for Democrats also weighed in on the speculation that some members might attempt to oust Speaker Dade Phelan from his position amid the tensions between Phelan and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. 

“We have to remind everybody that the Speaker of the House is not the speaker of the Republican Party, it’s not the speaker for the MAGA wing of the Republican Party, it’s the Speaker of the House. He’s elected by House members, men and women, both sides, both parties” said Martinez Fischer. 

“The speaker has been a very fair presiding officer on how we administer and interpret our House rules,” said Martinez Fishcer. “That being said, there a lot of bad ideas that come across the floor — a lot of bad ideas, more bad ideas than good ideas.”