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July 26, 2005
Oh So Special
Well, the Texas Legislature's second special session of 2005 has gotten off to a confidence-inspiring start, to say the least.
Today bedlam broke out in the House of Representatives, as HB2, the public school finance measure, went down in flames, making the accompanying tax bill, HB3, moot.
Today was remarkable because Speaker Tom Craddick, who has ruled his GOP rank and file with an iron fist, lost control. Houston Democrat Scott Hochberg offered an amendment increasing school funding, and a number of Republicans broke rank and passed it, including the powerful Appropriations Chair Jim Pitts (R-Waxahachie.)
The ball now moves to the Senate's court, where Lt. Governor David Dewhurst faces a range of unpalatable options, all of which require raising revenue in some way. No doubt, the good Lite Guv is dreaming of that U.S. Senate race that might have been, while suffering in Austin.
Meanwhile, the clock ticks on Judge Dietz's ordered closure of the public schools in October. The case is currently on appeal with the Texas Supreme Court. But what's the rush, right?
Perhaps not surprisingly, Governor Perry, who undoubtedly made all the legislators' "most popular" list by calling them back to session while offering no real guidance of his own, is nowhere to be found. He's out there doing the really important business of trying to get reelected -- public schools and taxes can wait.
Once again, the Texas GOP's finest hour. If only they had Democrats to blame. Whatever will they do, now that they're actually expected to govern? Just like President Bush says, it's hard. Leadership in action, ladies and gentlemen.
Posted by houtopia at July 26, 2005 10:38 PM