Lenardson, Dewhurst, Laney, Masset, and KefferMaine campaign consultant Roy Lenardson, quoted in the San Antonio Express-News on public financing for campaigns: "Taxpayer dollars are being used to buy balloons, bumper stickers and tulips... It's cold here. People can't heat their homes. And we're handing out tulips." Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, when his gavel fell apart on Day One: "I hope that's not a reflection on the session." Former House Speaker Pete Laney, quoted in The Dallas Morning News on reports that allies to the governor are trying to raise $6 million to promote his tax plan: "If you have to spend $6 million to sell it, it means that this is not going to be easy." Republican political consultant Royal Masset, in The Dallas Morning News on the tension of other state officials waiting to see what Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn would say about the state's accounts: "They're like monkeys that can't do anything in the shock experiment. All they can do is wait for the shocks and hope they don't hurt too much." House Ways & Means Chairman Jim Keffer, R-Eastland, in the Austin American-Statesman after Strayhorn said Gov. Rick Perry's tax proposal won't work: "If people are looking for a reason not to be positive, that's a dang good reason right there."

Keffer, Hochberg, Bonnen, Gallego, Dewhurst, Perry, Riddle, Stanford, and AllenRep. Jim Keffer, R-Eastland, the author of the tax bill, after Rep. Bill Keffer, R-Dallas, spoke in opposition to it: "I love my brother. We disagree on this. But I certainly love him." Rep. Scott Hochberg, D-Houston, against that same bill: "This is not about our schools, it's not about our teachers, it's not about our kids. It's school finance without the schools and I'm voting no." The state representative from Angleton, describing his own amendment to cut taxes on small businesses by substituting a quarter-cent sales tax increase -- an increase not allowed under the rules of debate -- before he withdrew it: "This is Dennis Bonnen's Fairytale Land in terms of how we're going to pay for it." Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, questioning promises that education reforms and spending proposals could come up later, after tax reform has been passed: "Around here, mañana seems to be the busiest day of the week. We never get there." Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, quoted in the San Antonio Express-News on a former opponent's estimation that it's safe to use some budget surpluses to balance a school finance bill: "John Sharp also was telling everyone that he felt comfortable he was going to win by 10 points in 2002." Gov. Rick Perry, quoted by the Associated Press on a proposed $1-per-pack increase in the price of cigarettes: "If the choice is between taxing property or taxing poison, then I say let's tax cigarettes.'' Rep. Debbie Riddle, R-Tomball, in The Dallas Morning News: "My constituents are well-informed. They pay the taxes. They've been demanding property tax relief. And they carry guns." Chris Bell spokesman Jason Stanford, popping off in The Daily Texan about online polls where Kinky Friedman showed well: "Pac-Man requires more skill, and he has a better education plan than Kinky. Five-year-olds could come home after kindergarten and vote in this poll." Former Rep. Ray Allen, R-Grand Prairie, talking to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram about why the fancy state furniture in his office was replaced by lesser stuff when his replacement, Kirk England, R-Grand Prairie, took over: "That's what happens. As you gain seniority, you get access to more impressive furniture. Then they take it all back."