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June 2009
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Recently in Texas Senate CategoryGovernor Rick Perry on a special session due to lawmakers' unfinished business: How worried are you about bond ratings? Will Voter ID be part of a special session call? In his first term in the Texas Senate, state Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, took home Texas Monthly magazine's 'Rookie of the Year' prize. His sophomore year (despite the bizarre ending) was arguably even stronger, and Watson landed on the magazine's "Ten Best" legislators list in its July issue. Said Paul Burka and Patti Kilday Hart of Watson (the rest is available at Texas Monthly): He's the Galápagos penguin of the Texas Legislature. That rarest of birds--an effective liberal--Watson has adapted... Despite House Speaker Joe Straus' efforts to avoid "blame gaming" after the sudden Senate meltdown on the closing day of the session, the back-and-forth between the Senate, House and Governor's office continues on this morning after. "If I understood what happened last night, I would be an absolute genius. I thought I was watching an episode of Lost. I don't understand what they [the senators] were thinking," said Governor Rick Perry, in his post-session press conference. Perry says he worked with Straus mid-afternoon Monday to come up with the resolution idea that allowed state agencies to stay ali... For anyone who peaced out early on Sine Die, the Senate adjourned without clearing safety net legislation to continue five state agencies because Republicans were upset $2 billion in transportation road bonds went unapproved by the House. A special session could be necessary to keep the agencies alive, but some lawmakers say Governor Rick Perry could just as well issue an executive order to keep TXDOT, the Texas Racing Commission and Texas Dept of Insurance alive. But what of the $2 billion beef? Many questions in the air this morning. "Tonight's developments in the Texas House and Senate were dis... Texas House lawmakers adjourned on the eve of Sine Die after failing to pass the sunset safety net bill, HB 1959, which would keep half a dozen state agencies going until next session, when lawmakers will try once again to overhaul them. As state Rep. Carl Isett, R-Lubbock, was rushing his questioners on the floor in order to take a vote on the sunset safety net bill, state Rep. David Leibowitz, D-San Antonio, began questioning him and after the clock struck midnight, called a point of order for going past the deadline. Straus s... Why I Will Filibuster the TxDOT Sunset Bill, by Senator John Carona
Controversial State Board of Education Chairman Don McLeroy will return to the board, but not as its chair. The Texas Senate failed to confirm him in a 19-11 vote this afternoon. A two-thirds majority was required to return McLeroy to his post, so he needed the support of 21 senators. The R to D split in the Senate is 19-12. All 19 Republicans voted yes for McLeroy, all Democrats voted no, except for state Senator Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville, who abstained. During a sprawling speech which included scientific formulas and criticism of the fallacy of McLeroy's foes, state Sen. Steve Ogden, R-Bryan, co... State Sen. Mike Jackson introduced the nomination of controversial SBOE Chair Don McLeroy on the Senate floor by giving an extensive background on the Bryan, Texas denist, including teaching 4th grade Sunday school class every weekend. Jackson moved to confirm the chairman, but the vote won't happen without some senate speechifying, first. "My opposition has nothing to do with this man of faith," said state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, who rose in opposition. "My opposition has to do with his management and his leadership style." "We've all been amazed at the divisiveness and dysfuncti...
State Board of Education Chairman Don McLeroy's re-nomination is expected to come up in the Texas Senate sometime this afternoon. Whether he can garner two-thirds approval from senators is an open question. Earlier in the session, many lawmakers believed his nomination wasn't even going to get out of committee. Because McLeroy's been a stalwart social-conservative voice, the right-leaning Texans for Better Science Education is sending "URGENT" messages to its members, asking they call their senators to support McLeroy. The group's argument? "...He is being attacked NOT for anything done wrong durin... |
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Elise Hu is KVUE's Political Reporter and your dedicated blogger. There's too much politics in Texas to fit into a newscast, so the fun continues here. Email your ideas and feedback to ehu@kvue.com.
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