Patrick Grassroots Board Dissolves amid Tea Party Grumbling

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) – The grassroots advisory board Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick set up as a sounding board for his tea party constituency is dissolving after a legislative session that left the leadership of that constituency dissatisfied. In a joint statement issued Friday, Patrick and board chairwoman JoAnn Fleming said they mutually agreed to dissolve the board and work together on a less formal basis. Fleming (pictured) is a state tea party leader who heads Smith County-based Grassroots America – We the People. Patrick said the decision came after several board members “expressed a desire for greater independence” from Patrick and the Legislature. The Texas tea party network is the nation’s strongest with four dozen major conservative groups representing thousands of active members. The recent legislative session left movement activists openly unhappy.