When the curtain went up on the 83rd Legislature, I thought the state was poised to have one of the best sessions ever. The treasury had oodles of money, there was a feeling that important issues needed to be addressed, and Speaker Joe Straus was in position to dominate the session because of the weakness of the lieutenant governor and the governor. Straus had made it clear that he wanted to do big things—in education, in water and transportation infrastructure, and in increasing transparency—and he had a team of veteran legislators who knew how to get it done.

Then came the vote two weeks ago on HB 11—funding the water plan—and the House leadership couldn't get the votes, and everything fell apart. Now, here we are at the end of the session, with fifteen days to go, and the House has accomplished ...nothing...and will accomplish...nothing. Instead of one of the best sessions ever, it was one of the most depressing.

Yesterday's scene at the end of the floor session in the House was all too familiar. The proceedings limped to a close. Members milled about in the aisles. A major tax-cut bill, HB 500, was on the calendar but hardly anyone knew what was in it. Or cared. This scene has been repeated throughout the Straus speakership as the end of the session approaches. I get that Straus wants the members to be in charge--we've known that since 2009--but at some point you have to get the votes for the things you want. The House and Senate are far apart on their approaches to funding infrastructure. The clock is running out on the session. I recognize the symptoms. The lethargy in the House is what you get when members start to resign themselves to a special session. I think that's where we're headed.