Update 12:30pm: Dallas Morning News | House ends special session after anti-groping bill dies in big ruckus | By Robert T. Garrett – The Texas House adjourned for good Wednesday, ending the special session after tempestuous arguments over an "anti-groping" bill that died because it couldn't attract support from four-fifths of the House, as required for the bill to survive.
Texas Politics | Houston Chronicle June 29 2011 – The Senate took the proverbial early train out of town when they adjourned Sine Die on Tuesday, killing the ‘sanctuary cities’ ban, further jeopardizing the anti-groping/TSA bill (which the House will try to take up today) and seriously ticking off the House leadership, who wasted little time blaming the other body. Gov. Rick Perry joined in, releasing a statement that blamed the ban’s failure on Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock.
Texas Tribune | The End Game: Special Session Wraps Up Today | By Ross Ramsey and Thanh Tan June 29 2011 – The Texas Legislature on Tuesday passed several crucial bills to balance the state's budget, save money on health care, and reform the claims process for the state's insurer of last resort before hurricane season, but it will take a few more steps for the House to follow the Senate and adjourn sine die — once and for all — by the end of today.
By Gary Scharrer and Peggy Fikac | Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau
Read the complete story
AUSTIN June 28 2011 — The special legislative session nearly collapsed into disarray Tuesday when the Senate went home early and the House initially killed a must-pass school finance bill. But after first rejecting legislation imposing a $4 billion cut on public schools, House Republican leaders immediately called a caucus meeting and persuaded 16 colleagues to change their votes, salvaging the final hours of the special session, which ends today.
After voting against the bill, Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, asked for another vote, explaining to his colleagues that misunderstandings over the bill had been cleared up.
"Our understanding of the bill has changed," King explained.
House Democratic leader Jessica Farrar, D-Houston, joked that a few of her GOP colleagues suffered broken kneecaps after a 79-64 vote against the must-pass Senate Bill 1 miraculously turned into an 80-57 vote for it.
Farrar predicted a voter backlash in the wake of school funding cuts - in the range of 6 percent - and a companion bill allowing school districts to furlough teachers and to cut their pay.
"It's going to take time for people to see the ripple effect," Farrar said of the funding cuts that she expects will result in schools closing, teacher layoffs and larger class sizes.
"They will be shocked, and they will have buyer's remorse from the last election," Farrar said, recalling how voters elected 101 Republicans out of 150 House members.
Appropriations Chairman Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, disagreed about a backlash.
"People in my district didn't want to raise taxes. They wanted us to live within our means, and I think we have done that," Pitts said.
But Pitts, House sponsor of SB 1, conceded that voters might not support the legislation resulting in teacher furloughs and pay cuts.
"I heard an outcry from my district and constituents on that. We can't keep slapping our teachers," Pitts said.
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Susie's Experience with the TSA Pat Down from SusieCastillo.net on Vimeo.
22 comments:
I sure have remorse about the bills passed by this Reublican dominated "lege" of 2011. Seems they cannot get their work done on time, as well. Seems they might need to start meeting every year?
Those with buyer's remorse would be those who did not know who they were voting in? Maybe the "get it" now. Bill White always was "the ducatio candidate." Hope he again o clean up this 2011 "lege" mess.
"The Senate wasn't its usual good partner," Straus said after admitting that he shut out the Senate's messenger earlier in the day to prevent them from leaving. "They were in an anxious mood — ironically, I suppose — to hurry to the airport."
This is the bottom line of our Republican run State Legislature. They are government watchdogs who can't stand working. They are the welfare recipients of our tax dollars, hence raging hypocrites.
Let's hope the voters - especially the independents and voters or color can get rid of the Anglo government haters who claim they are looking out for our tax money but just use their salaries to run back to their plantations and pay the illegals minimum wage.
Scumbags!
Quatrune-oh, no-not yearly! We should limit their meetings to once every ten years, so they can do less damage! Our own state rep-Mr. Isaac-distinguished himself by locking a group of constituents out of his office, stating that his staff was "scared" of this group of educators. Then he had the nerve to claim, at yesterday's Chamber of Commerce luncheon, that the Leg had "actually raised school funding." Go figure. He thought it necessary to appear at this luncheon with uniformed, armed security. What did he think might happen at a C of C luncheon?
Seems like Mr. Isaac's fine tiny mind may once and for all have come unhinged. Armed security at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon? The Lege "raised funding for education?" Mayhap he'll resign his "dangerous" and mind-boggling job. Nah! He likes the free alcohol parties of all those crafty lobbyists who have him figured out....
It is both Republicans AND Democrats who continue to screw Texans and their children.
They needed to spend an additional $2 MILLION to screw them via a special session.
So, what was so special about the special session?
Our TX House Rep Jason Isaac did get/help some legislation to pass in the 82nd Lege. Some of his noteworthy "successes":
1. "Choose Life" license plates
2. special notation on driver's licenses of vets
3. candidate must include an email address on application for place on a ballot
4. abortion/sonogram bill
5. education legislation which greatly reduced funding for it; which can increase number of students in a classroom; which will
necessitate laying off of many teachers
6. speed trap for Martindale
7. at least 4 new MUDs in our district
8. split Hays County into 3 Congressional districts instead of leaving the whole County in one district as it now is
9. changed our House District 25 so that it now runs from western Hays County to Fort Worth.
Happily, Isaac's House Bill 3832 did not even make it to the Senate. That bill would have allowed the developers of Hays County Development District #1 to charge the residents of it for such frills as heliports, fountains, skywalks, etc.
Susie Castillo Pat Down @ Dallas Airport video is a powerful statement. Very emotional, a violation of her and all Americans 4th Amendment protection from undue search, seizure and groping. Clowns at the Legislature had a chance but blew it.
Peter says:
"It is both Republicans AND Democrats who continue to screw Texans and their children."
Peter, as much as I know you as a writer of integrity and balance, the comment you make above is, frankly, naive.
No party is like the Republican Party for being in the pockets of the greedy and socially insensitive (even mean-spirited) elite special interests, especially oil and gas companies, insurance companies, and the major polluters.
Moreover, the current crop of neoCON Republican governors have taken apart education and government service budgets that will have a major direct negative effect on children and seniors, always to benefit their masters of privilege and corporate abuse.
And of course I could also insert some of the policies of the blue dog Democrats and Obama's financial advisors in that group. But at least they have the sense to do it more slowly and at a pace that will not create massive unemployment and an increased failure rate for our children.
The only "workers" the Republican Party advocates for these days are corporate executives and the privileged elite.
At least the Democrats have a semblance of compassion for the middle class and the underclass.
Rocky... puh-lease... You really think "yeah, but better than the other guys" is a defense? The Republicans say the same thing. You're both wrong, because there is no "better than the other guys".
The parties are corrupt from the top down, and they wrestle for control of who gets to take your stuff.
Stop defending people that don't care about you. They don't. Gorman's pumping 20-something wells full-on into bear creek. Everybody in the county who needs to know about this knows about this.
Where is David Baker, Karen Ford, Will Conley. Where's Jimmy Skipton, Bert Cobb, Jason Isaac? What's the biggest issue this county faces these days? Perhaps, WATER. Silence.
Obama doesn't care about you. Pelosi, Doggett, Bill White... they don't care about you.
Stop defending them.
Isaac showed his true Tea Party turkey feathers during the session. There is nothing original or special about him. Hays County deserves better.
Rocky, I am not in total disagreement with your statements; however, as I said before, BOTH PARTIES HAVE FAILED THE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS.
You also know that I am far from naive.
Nothing you can say will change the above fact.
Both parties are corrupt and both live on by bleeding the American people, taking our tax dollars and more of our constitutional rights and freedoms.
And, if a strong 3rd party emerges, most likely it will become bought up by the wealthy corporate sector and/or rich individuals who will continue to direct our daily realities and living costs.
Is that naivety, Rocky? Really?
Peter and Mingfisa (whatever that is):
I do not need to defend or justify the Democratic Party. They are corporatists who are failing their rhetoric on most counts.
But to say the Republican Party has any redeeming values at this point in time is ludicrous. Other than being a worn out tired carcass of right wing social fascism and big money misapproptriation of working class labor and middle class economic values, they are out of touch to the core.
Just listen to the 2012 Presidential candidates. Except for Ron Paul, not one reasonable solution to anything. They even chastise Obama for his policies - which were their exact same policies just weeks, months or years before (attacking Libya, for example). Total hypocrisy.
All the Republican Party has are proven failure economic philosophies of trickle down tax cuts for the rich, castrating middle class teachers and government workers so their corporate crooks can privatize everything, and big government religious right legislative pandering to the extremist wing of the neoCON party.
I don't hear Democrats talking about Nazi-like medical procedures for women or attacking the weakest segments of society with police action because the party cannot admit they themselves are to blame for the current plight of the US economy - and our "white" culture.
Peter and "Vericose", give me specific examples of your "equally ignorant and corrupt" party comparison and I may be able to hear you both a little more. Not just talking points, but real examples.
And, Peter, maybe you are not not "naive". How about "wishful thinking", since you are a Republican (grant you, a good intelligent conservative Republican, one I mostly agree with).
Mingfisa said... "Gorman's pumping 20-something wells full-on into bear creek. Everybody in the county who needs to know about this knows about this".
Why hasn't Bob Ochoa printed an article about this and exposed the hypocrisy of the Democrats in Hays County and the inattention and complicity of the Republicans?
I remember Jon Cobb mentioning this at an HTGCD meeting and stating that Jack Hollon had "lied" in open Commissioners'' Court saying it wasn't happening. When confronted about lying about this after the HTGCD meeting, Jack claimed he did not hear the statement clearly. I still did not hear him admit that John Gorman was violating State Law by pumping millions of gallons of ground water into Bear Creek to keep his ponds full. Jon claims to have videos and photos of the violation taken from a helicopter. Can this man be so powerful that no one wants to confront him?
This is going on but a powerful Democrat is allowed to break the law with impunity. Isn't it funny that Charles O'Dell hasn't chimed in on this one.
Come on Bob or Charles, prove you care about our groundwater. I won't be surprised if this comment never shows up on the roundup or Charles O'Dell never reports on it.
Both Republicans and Democrats are bottom feeders in pushing for wealthy contributions. Both support upper crust judges and attorneys and the corporate sectors.
Both parties began corporate welfare programs that enabled more "stealing" of vast amounts of taxpayer dollars.
Both are corrupt in their actions. Men of both parties like Tom DeLay, 2 Democratic Illinois Governors are/will serve prison time, Rick Perry, former Texas double toll trouble dealing Rep. Mike Krusee. The list goes on and on.
Both parties continue to lie to the voters, telling them whatever it takes to get their votes. Obama made many promises, but failed or turned the other cheek to fulfilling them.
C'mon Rocky, you don't have to defend either party but they both suck.
And yes, currently the GOP are worse bastards, but both parties are guilty of hurting and corrupting the U.S. that we used to know and love.
BTW, I agree re: Ron Paul and will vote for him in the primary, but he won't win. The party does not support him and most Americans don't really know him.
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"(CNSNews.com) - President Barack Obama’s approval has hit an all-time low among the poorest Americans, according to the Gallup poll. Meanwhile, when compared to the other income brackets reported by Gallup, Obama's approval is highest among the richest Americans."
So much for the myth that the Democrats are the protectors of the poor or "little guys". Obama has certainly made a "Change" in that regard.
The Republicans are set to squander the opportunity to rid the country of him by not presenting a viable candidate for 2012. In the last election they didn't give us a good choice; I had to hold my nose and vote for them though. I sometimes wonder if that isn't on purpose? Has our country been taken over by extraterrestrials?
I will vote for Ron Paul as it stands right now. I don't see anyone on the horizon more acceptable.
Peter so clearly and generously states:
"And yes, currently the GOP are worse bastards, but both parties are guilty of hurting and corrupting the U.S. that we used to know and love."
That is all I was trying to say. Also, great examples, Peter.
And last Anonymous tries to twist the truth with:
"(CNSNews.com) - President Barack Obama’s approval has hit an all-time low among the poorest Americans, according to the Gallup poll. Meanwhile, when compared to the other income brackets reported by Gallup, Obama's approval is highest among the richest Americans."
This is a perfect example of right wing propoganda. Check out CNS News and their right wing Fox News apologist website.
The comment above is pure BS, created by another phony right wing news org pretending they are just "balancing" out liberal media.
Rocky, are you saying that the Gallup Poll is a bunch of right-wing hacks? Which are you complaining about, Gallup or CNSNews.com? The reported poll is from Gallup, or did you miss that part? I doubt you would say that if your boy BHO were up in the polls. (Not gonna Happen, Dude) When the polls tell you something you don't like, you bitch about them; oh so liberal!.
U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison will not seek re-election. Quite a few names have been tossed out as possible candidates for her spot:
Democrats: Tommy Lee Jones, Ricardo Sanchez, John Sharp.
Republicans: David Dewhurst, Tom Leppert, Ted Cruz, Elizabeth Ames Jones, Dan Patrick.
How about Rick Perry for Senator? That would be a better possibility than President. He'd be able to do what he does best, represent the interests of our State. I'd vote for him to take that seat and Ron Paul for President. Okay, now you Perry hating liberals can chime in with your usual diatribe...
Web site www.nationalpolls.com gives the latest national/state approval ratings and match ups against Obama. Considering GOP's failure at all costs strategy, Obama is faring pretty well. Go Obama!!
As the fact falsifying Anonymous of July 2, 10:32 AM states:
"When the polls tell you something you don't like, you bitch about them; oh so liberal!.
Well, when the so called right wing media and its gullible supplicants throw distortions out like this one about Obama, or any politician, I try to look at the real facts, like an intelligent liberal.
The Gallup poll referred to by the data gullible and fact distorting Anonymous for all to see is at:
http://www.gallup.com/poll/147920/Conservative-Republicans-Largely-Abstain-Obama-Rally.aspx
What the polls shows is that ALL income groups in the US - and they list four from bottom to top incomes - have a 4% to 7% increased approval rating of Obama in the April to May, 2011 time period.
In other words, more Americans from all income groups approve of Obama. Hence, he is not the rich vs. poor hypccrite that the right wing liars claim.
So, the lies and manipulation of the Gallup polt data by the CNS News.com website is as I previously stated:
IT IS MORE RIGHT WING PROPOGANDA MEANT TO APPEAL TO GULLIBLE NEO-CONSERVATIVES WHO WANT TO BELIEVE DISTORTED FACTS FOR THEIR OWN IGNORANT BELIEFS.
C'mon Anonymous fact twisters, show me I am wrong.
I love this stuff.
I just saw Cornyn on Fox Sunday and he was saying that in 2010 the voters said "no" to intrusive government and then went into attacking Obamacare. No mention of saving $$$ by cutting crapping federal programs like TSA. I was amazed to learn he was supporting Obama misadventures in Libya. I guess that doesn't count as big government
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