I don't see how those don't fit together perfectly well. The first sentence describes the smooth operations of the Texas legislature, and the second sentence d

I don't see how those don't fit together perfectly well. The first sentence describes the smooth operations of the Texas legislature, and the second sentence describes the group that threatens this efficiency, and embarrass an otherwise-well-run state. You may disagree with the thesis and the choice of flowery language, but I dont' see anything incoherent about it.