The Week in Quotes (Jan. 8 – 14)

Here are some of the week’s most notable quotes culled from news reports from across Texas, and beyond.

San Antonio-born author Rick Riordan, declining an invitation from the Texas Legislature after senate Republicans filed a bill which would bar transgender people from using public restrooms consistent with their gender identity.

Just turned down an invite to be honored by TX state legislature as a Texas author. If they want to honor me, they could stop this nonsense.

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State Sen. José Rodriguez, D-El Paso, on the 85th Texas Legislature.

The Legislature is much more partisan than it used to be, and that has affected how we do business, and not in a good way. I don’t think most Texans see a lot of these issues as priorities, when the state has so many needs and a large shortfall in the budget.

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President Obama, in his farewell address before leaving office.

It has been the honor of my life to serve you. I won’t stop; in fact, I will be right there with you, as a citizen, for all my remaining days.

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Phillip Jones, president and CEO of VisitDallas, speaking against the anti-LGBT Senate Bill 6 that Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has made a priority.

Discrimination of any kind is wrong.If passed, this legislation will have devastating consequences on our economy.

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Ben Carson, when asked if he would protect the rights of LGBTQ Americans as secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

Of course, I would enforce all the laws of the land. Of course, I think all Americans should be protected by the law. What I have said before is I don’t think anyone should get ‘extra rights.’