Texas state Rep. Naomi Gonzalez named one of 'Texas Monthly's' worst of 2013

State Rep. Naomi Gonzalez (Times file photo)

AUSTIN -- State Rep. Naomi Gonzalez, D-El Paso, will be named one of the 10 worst legislators of 2013 by Texas Monthly magazine, Senior Executive Editor Paul Burka wrote on his blog Wednesday.

Burka didn't say why Gonzalez was on the list.

Texas Monthly would not immediately release its reason for listing Gonzalez as among the Texas Legislature's worst.

"All we're doing right now is releasing the names," said Cathy S. Casey, the magazine's vice president.

She said reasons will be released later in the week.

In March, Gonzalez was charged with drunken driving after an accident in Austin in which her BMW rear-ended a Fiat, which then hit a bicycle rider. Three, including Gonzalez, were taken to a hospital

with minor injuries.

Gonzalez, who was elected in 2010, couldn't be reached Wednesday for comment. The district she represents, 76, includes the area south of Interstate 10 from east of Downtown to the Socorro city limit.

A week after Gonzalez's wreck, two women in the car she hit criticized the lawmaker for not apologizing to them. In an affidavit, the police officer who interviewed Gonzalez at the hospital said she never asked about the others who were hurt in the wreck, but said she was upset that she had damaged a political career she'd worked so hard to build.

Police reported that a breath test indicated Gonzalez's blood-alcohol content was twice the legal limit. She is due in court for a preliminary hearing in

July.

It is likely that some legislators are on Texas Monthly's worst-of list because of their legislative activities. For example, Sen. John Corona, R-Dallas, was the subject of a lengthy piece by the magazine and the Texas Tribune about his personal connection to an industry that he helped pass laws to regulate.

It is unlikely the magazine has any problems with Gonzalez's legislative activity.

Known as a workhorse, she passed more bills in the legislative session that ended May 27 than any other member of El Paso's House delegation.

Her colleagues think so highly of her that many gave Gonzalez a standing ovation after she apologized on the House floor in March. The warm reception was widely criticized as inappropriate.

Marty Schladen may be reached at mschladen@elpasotimes.com; 512-479-6606.

Source: http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_23445072/texas-state-rep-naomi-gonzalez-named-one-texas?source=rss

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