Texas Monthly is announcing the annual Best & Worst Legislators right this very minute. We hadn't given it much thought, but we'll let you know what we hear. The issue should be on newstands next week.

The full list is in the permalink. This year was again a lot easier to pick the 'worsts' and there was no shortage. My most bittersweet moment is that Rep. Nathan Macias was given the honor of 'furniture' for being a do-nothing. Just so you folks in that district no, Rep. Carter Casteel was never 'furniture' and you dumbasses that elected him should still be hanging your heads in shame. (No, I won't just let it go.)

THE BEST
Rafael Anchia, Democrat, Dallas
Sen. John Carona, Republican, Dallas
Byron Cook, Republican, Corsicana
Sen. Bob Deuell, Republican, Mesquite
Scott Hochberg, Democrat, Houston
Lois Kolkhorst, Republican, Brenham
Jerry Madden, Republican, Plano
Sen. Steve Ogden, Republican, Bryan
Sylvester Turner, Democrat, Houston
Sen. Tommy Williams, Republican, The Woodlands
THE WORST
Lon Burnam, Democrat, Fort Worth
Warren Chisum, Republican, Pampa
Speaker Tom Craddick, Republican, Midland
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Republican
Sen. Troy Fraser, Republican, Marble Falls
Charlie Howard, Republican, Sugar Land
Sen. Eddie Lucio, Democrat, Brownsville
Sen. Dan Patrick, Republican, Houston
Gov. Rick Perry, Republican
Debbie Riddle, Republican, Houston
Honorable Mention

Rob Eissler Republican, The Woodlands

Senator Kevin Eltife Republican, Tyler

Dan Gattis Republican, Georgetown

Fred Hill Republican, Richardson

Senator Juan Hinojosa Democrat, McAllen

“The Insurgency” Jim Dunnam, Robert Talton, et al.

John Smithee Republican, Amarillo

Burt Solomons Republican, Carrollton

Mark Strama Democrat, Austin

Senfronia Thompson Democrat, Houston

Senator John Whitmire Democrat, Houston
Dishonorable Mention

Kino Flores Democrat, Mission

Pat Haggerty Republican, El Paso

Linda Harper-Brown Republican, Irving

Sid Miller Republican, Stephenville

Mike O’Day Republican, Pearland

Chente Quintanilla Democrat, El Paso

Bill Zedler Republican, Arlington
Rookie of the Year

Senator Kirk Watson Democrat, Austin

The former Austin mayor (and once and future statewide candidate) instantly earned respect for his intellect and diplomacy—and for knowing enough to let his elders take credit for his accomplishments.
Furniture

The concept of “furniture” originated in the early years of the Legislature to describe members who were no more consequential than their desks, chairs, inkwells, and spittoons—the equivalent of backbenchers in Parliament. Today the term is only mildly pejorative; the sin lies not in being furniture but in failing to recognize it. Here is the furniture for the eightieth session:

Alma Allen Democrat, Houston

Roberto Alonzo Democrat, Dallas

Wayne Christian Republican, Center

Senator Craig Estes Republican, Wichita Falls

Joe Farias Democrat, San Antonio

Jim Jackson Republican, Carrollton

Senator Mike Jackson Republican, League City

Nathan Macias Republican, Bulverde

Armando Martinez Democrat, Weslaco