TexasCHLforum.com

Sidro wrote:Senator Craig Estes (Rep) declined to vote on this issue, wonder where he really stands on bills important to us?

He's a huge friend of Texas gun owners!
Chas.

mojo84 wrote:Absolute honest question here. Wouldn't it be better if there were consistent rules in place regardless who has the majority? Seems like the rulesshould be the rules and not be made up as in sandlot games. Why should the majority be able to adjust the rules to make it better for them?

I think some rules should be set in stone, but only those that require public disclosure and public access to the process. I don't think that a minority should be able to block bills. Otherwise, elections are far less important.

Chas.

MeMelYup wrote:When the opposing party gets the majority it will apply with them also. Look what happened with our Federal Senate and the judicial appointments before Christmas.

You're right. However, Democrats would change the rule to accomplish their legislative goals just as Harry Reid did in the U.S. Senate, if they get the chance. Democrats argue that the rule had been in place since 1947 and that too is true. However, what they don't want to talk about is that, prior to the Republican surge, the Democrats controlled the Texas Senate with sufficient votes to easily get the 21 needed to bring a bill up for debate. The 21 vote rule was never an impediment to Democrats.

Any rule that can be changed provides no protection whatsoever. For the 2/3 "rule" to be meaningful, it would have to be in statute or a constitutional provision. I would oppose either. Tyranny is bad, whether it is majority or minority tyranny. Yesterday's speeches by Democrat demigods was sickening. No Republican bill has ever been improved by Democrat meddling. In fact, the 21 vote rule actually resulted in more "bad" bills coming to the floor because Senators had to trade "blocker" votes to get their own bill to the floor.

I was especially disgusted, though not surprised, by Sen. Ellis essentially saying that a Senator should lie to his constituents to get elected, then do what they want in session. Austin Democrat Sen. Watson agreed with Sen. Ellis. If anyone doubts this, listen to the debate, if you can stomach it. http://www.senate.state.tx.us/avarchive/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Chas.