In thiis week's Second Reading podcast, we discuss the dynamics in the Texas Legislature in the wake of the resumption of business in the house now that quorum has been reestablished.
Part of the discussion touched on trends in ideological self-identification and intra-party politics. The data provides context for these dynamics, which seem to be contributing the fragmentation in the legislature, particualrly the house.
Sizable minorities in both parties think their parties are in sufficently ideologically committed.
The trend data on ideological idenfication in each party shows the established hegemony of conservatives in the GOP since 2008 (when the data set begins), compared to a more recent movement in a liberal direction among Democrats.
