Rep. Pens “Akshually” Memo Explaining Personal Snubs Were Technicalities

TXLEGE in damage control.

As we reported previously, Chair of the Committee of Local and Consent Calendars Rep. Jared Patterson, rejected resolutions honoring the doctors who saved Rep. Shelley Luther’s life, and the late activist and Texas GOP official Jill Glover. Many people were saying his motives were 100% personal and based on social media drama.

Many People Are Saying (2/21/25)

For those wondering, early last year Shelley Luther had a brain aneurysm and strokes, nearly dying in the process. Thanks to the doctors she sought to honor, she miraculously lived. Of those serving in the 89th session, her story is the most inspirational.

Jill Glover was a beloved Texas GOP official who lead the Legislative Priorities Committee, serving with honor and distinction. Some even called her “Texas’s Phyllis Schlaffly.” Perhaps her most notable feat was leading the fight to ban child gender mutilation in Texas. Sadly, she died after a four month battle with aggressive breast cancer.

Remembering Jill Glover

Of course, with this in mind and the resulting controversy, Patterson put out a memorandum about the supposed rules.

“Cultural significance” is the buzzer phrase here. These words are quite vague, and subject to whatever hormonal whims the Chair feels when receiving them.

After searching through past resolutions honoring and memorializing people, we concluded Patterson isn’t 100% accurate here. We looked at last session, and found that much of those with memorial resolutions were people who were just local pillars of the community. Here’s some examples:

• HR 6: A pastor and missionary from Dallas.

• HR 11: A normal grandmother from New Braunfels.

• HR 12: A veteran and school principal from San Benito.

• HR 32: A volunteer in the Dallas-area, who was involved in the local Republican party.

• HR 41: A rancher and community member in Leon County

If these, along with similar profiles this session, possess cultural significance, why not the doctors who saved a representative’s life, and a beloved activist who helped end child mutilation?