Texas Monthly’s Paul Burka, hailed as best, scourge of ‘worst,’ retiring

[TexasTowelie]

Paul Burka, the dean of the Texas State Capitol press corps who has led Texas Monthly’s political coverage for 40 years, spearheaded its influential and closely observed roundup of the Best and Worst Legislators each biennium, and wrote the magazine’s widely-read Burkablog since 2006, announced Monday he is retiring March 1.

“I joined the staff of Texas Monthly on October 1, 1974, and after much consideration, I have decided to retire in March,” Burka wrote Monday on Burkablog, which will continue to bear his name. “I have had a rich and rewarding forty-year career as senior executive editor of Texas Monthly and have been enabled by my editors to do what I love most: cover Texas politics. I will continue to be engaged with Texas Monthly on several fronts, including coverage of the 84th Legislature.”

Read more: http://www.statesman.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/texas-monthlys-paul-burka-hailed-as-best-scourge-o/njmnS/ (subscription required)

His announcement at the Burkablog: http://www.texasmonthly.com/burka-blog/last-forty-years-and-future

[Paladin]

1. With Burka gone, "Texas Monthly" will devolve into a 110% Republican cheerleader rag.

Instead of the 95% level it has been maintaining for some time. Burka is about the last of the original group of talents that made the early years of the magazine such a success. Don't waste your time on the bunch of partisan hacks that comprise the staff, now.