The Austin American Statesman reports that the feel-good era for GOP lawmakers in the Texas Legislature may be coming to an end.  A first sign of the possible schism involved a sign that Rep. Jonathan Stickland (TP- Bedford) placed outside of his Capitol office identifying him as a “Former Fetus.”  The sign was removed by Rep. Charlie Green (who enforces chamber rules) with a reminder that the Preservation Board prohibits such displays.  Strickland viewed the removal as the first shot across the bow signaling a coming war between the Tea Party diehards and the not completely insane wing of the Republican party.

At its root, the exchange between the two members actually might be a foreshadowing of stormy times ahead in the Texas House.

“I think the Kumbaya is about to be over,” Stickland said. “It’s time to start telling the voters where we stand. I think people are beginning to get anxious.”

The divisive speaker’s race of 2015 seems long ago, and the days of celebrating, back-slapping and getting reacquainted are coming to a close, Stickland said. And if some conservative bills don’t begin to get serious consideration in committees and on the House floor, then Stickland and his band of right-wing conservative members will be calling out the House leadership, he said. “We are about to start cutting each other to shreds,” he said.

Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano echoed the sentiment as he joined Stickland in his office early Wednesday to show solidarity. “Conservative legislation might die,” he said, “but it’s not going to die quietly.”

Good times indeed.