Perry threatens to veto Senate redistricting bill
I heard about the threat from a Democratic senator. The veto would be retribution for the Wendy Davis’s filibuster that killed the school finance bill and forced a special session, which Perry did not want. If the Legislature fails to pass a redistricting bill during the regular session, the task falls to the Legislative Redistricting Board, which includes the lieutenant governor, the speaker, the attorney general, the comptroller, and the land commissioner–all of whom, of course, are Republicans. The LRB would then be in a position to punish Democratic senators by relocating their districts to new constituencies, such as Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.
Democrats have been playing for time all session, in the hope that the public will become engaged (or enraged) by what the Legislature has done to education. They would like nothing more than to see the galleries and the hallways packed with vacationing school teachers. It would also be a thorn in the governor’s side to have a special session during the period when the governor must sign or veto bills–possibly giving lawmakers an shot to override vetoes. But teachers are not prolific voters, and the intensity of public engagement in recent years has been much higher among Republican voters than among Democrats. Which is why we have 101 R’s in the House.
The failure of school finance and other bills in the House last night was predictable. The House has operated with no sense of urgency all session. It stands at ease for long periods of time. The languid pace came back to haunt the leadership last night, as Democrats tried to kill the clock and Republicans, notably Bonnen, tried to circumvent the Laney rules, which were put in place to prevent sneaky things from happening in the closing days. Most veterans, myself included, think that the Laney rules, which are a series of deadlines, have changed the legislative process for the better and prevent a lot of mischief. Today is supposed to be for “technical corrections” only. Instead, there could be a frenzy of suspending the rules. I hope the speaker enforces the Laney calendar–although, I am told, even Laney violated his own rules at least once (in 2001). The rules exist to protect the members, not to provide a way to wire around the failure of the House to act in previous days when major bills endured postponement after postponement (see HB 400). I agree with Harold Dutton, who said from the back mike last night, “We are torturing the rules in this House.”
Tagged: legislative redistricting board, rick perry, wendy davis
anonymous says:
Dutton didn’t say that; Sylvester Turner did.
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Frayed Knot says:
Laney did not have 40 Tea Party crazies..
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Everybody Loves Ramen Reply:
May 30th, 2011 at 2:10 pm
Neither does Straus: more like twenty and dropping…
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Anon says:
Overrides of Perry vetoes are not very likely when you look at the numbers. So it’s not much risk for him to do the special now.
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Another Wilco Voter Reply:
May 31st, 2011 at 1:35 pm
No big deal really. Why would Perry veto anything before the deadline?
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Anonymous says:
When you talk about the pace of the House, and the basic lack of leadership, you are referring to Speaker Joe Straus, right? As Speaker, he is in charge, correct?
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Anonymous says:
I thought you were a lawyer??? The Legislature may not in a specual session override a veto of a bill passed during a regular session.
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Cow Droppings Reply:
May 30th, 2011 at 9:47 am
exactly: bills vetoed in a regular session cannot be over-ridden in a special session.
But bills that died in a regular session, can always be added in a special session (I’m thinking…oh, I don’t know…maybe sanctuary cities???)
If I was a Democrat, I would muster up the 25 votes today. Or Rick Perry will make life that much worse for you.
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Pri-ista Reply:
May 30th, 2011 at 9:55 am
It cannot possibly get worse for Democrats. There is no incentive to get along.
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anita Reply:
May 30th, 2011 at 12:33 pm
Technically, a bill from the regular that was vetoed could be introduced during a special, but if it is not in the call, it would be subject to a point of order at any time.
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Ausowl Reply:
May 30th, 2011 at 1:09 pm
empty threats – he’ll call a special session on wind insurance anyway and add on what he wants including immigration issues (that I’m sure the big money boys were glad died in the regular).
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Governor Toolshed says:
This Speaker has been sabotaged from within.
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Republican Patriot says:
Veto the Senate and House redistricting maps. The Legislative Redistricting Board can do a much better job.
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Soothsayer says:
House lines can’t really get any better – just endanger some seats long term. GOP has a solid 90 for the decade. Senate lines can get better, there IS a way to draw 21 Republican districts. Republican Senators just did not have the intestinal fortitude to draw 21 seats; members of the LRB would!
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Anonymous says:
Soothsayer, the only Dem they could go after is Whitmire, but since they will likely take out Davis next year you already have 20 seats. The dems save eiland are down to vra districts.
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JohnBernardBooks says:
Democrats have no one to blame except themselves. The state has been trending red since LBJ broke every rule of law in Texas politics.
ie in 1958 LBJ wanted to run for his senate seat and president at the same time. No problems said democrats and changed the law to pave the way.
The honest voter has left the democrat party in Texas and it will be years until democrats win anything.
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Lake Worth Monster Reply:
June 1st, 2011 at 12:22 pm
Unless my memory has failed me big time, I don’t think that there was a presidential election in 1958. Try 1960.
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Anonymous says:
JBB,
I’m sure Ron Paul thanks LBJ for that little rule. Maybe he’ll win the nomination and run for re-election.
Your view of history is a little off. Dallas County was already red in 1958. Bruce Alger represented the whole county in Congress. The Tower win in the 61 special started the GOP trend but it really wasn’t until Clements/Tower wins in 78 that the Dems felt their overwhelming majority was in danger.
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JohnBernardBooks says:
My facts are correct. Texas has been trending red every since voters in Travis County held their noses and continued to vote for LBJ.
Travis County countinues to be the last liberal county consisting of mostly state/UT employees.
The honest voters have left the democrat party.
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Another Wilco Voter Reply:
May 31st, 2011 at 1:38 pm
So you are saying that state/UT employees are dishonest voters? Better than being ignorant Republican voters.
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JohnBernardBooks says:
I know that republicans voters aren’t smart we hear that from liberal democrats everytime they lose an election.
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Lake Worth Monster Reply:
June 1st, 2011 at 12:23 pm
At least they don’t write run-on sentences.
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JohnBernardBooks says:
you’re serious, that’s what makes it so sad.
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