Jay Root over at the Associated Press has become essential reading here at Texas Watchdog.

His latest piece takes a look at renovations at the Texas House of Representatives' private lounge:

Aides to House Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland, confirmed that state tax dollars are being used for the upgrade, which also apparently includes $30,000 worth of antique wood as well as new carpet and food-service improvements. They declined to provide cost figures immediately. ...

"That's completely inappropriate," said Michael Quinn Sullivan, president of Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, a taxpayer advocacy group. "Now is not the time to be engaging in extravagant dalliances. Now is the time for the Legislature to show leadership by restraining itself."

But that's not our favorite piece of the story. That happens to be the quote Root snagged from Rep. Tony Goolsby, R-Dallas, chairman of the House Administration Committee, who's overseeing the upgrades, which include two new TVs, a refrigerator and a new food service line.

According to Root, Goolsby said that he couldn't answer too many questions about the lounge's overhaul because he's back in his district and in the fight for his political life.

Indeed, in his district, Root points out, supporters of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama - and presumably his opponent Carol Kent - are highly energized.

And, drumroll, quote of the season:

"This is the only job I've got, and I'm trying to save it," Goolsby said. "Obama's got people coming from the rafters."