TexasCHLforum.com

Coogan wrote:

BrianSW99 wrote:I just read an article that said they've revived the statewide smoking ban bill yesterday in the special session. Was that specifically added to the call?

It wasn't specifically added to the call by Gov. Perry, but they are going to argue that it is a state "fiscal matters" bill since (they say) it will save the state money with health care costs.

CSGV CSGV
Congratulations to @sgfstexas and @gunfreeschools for defeating the insane #NRA guns on campus bill in #Texas & saving lives in the process!

CoryBooker Cory Booker
Yes, and we all must find more ways - even if small - 2 b a part of the solution RT @NJoiYaWorth: Glad to hear. The violence needs to stop.

flickingtail New Thoughts
by mohawkjohn
With no guns on campus, we can at least say we are better than Arizona. Not by much, but still better. #txlege #texas

gunfreeschools SGFS
Way to go Texas! us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=21153b83953… #nogunsoncampus #peace #highered #p2

KeepGunsoffCamp Andy Pelosi
Guns on campus goes down in Texas http://fb.me/Z5QF6Lbz" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

sgfstexas TX Gun-Free Schools
by gunfreeschools
We did the impossible. We defeated guns-on-campus in Texas when everyone said it was a "slam dunk." http://eepurl.com/d4mGP" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; #p2 #highered

CSGV CSGV
IT'S OFFICIAL. Students, faculty & law enforcement defeated the #NRA gun on campus bill in #Texas! #TX #Highered #p2 http://fb.me/ZTPfFpDz" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"It's up to the Governor's call what he wants to include in there, but we sure will be lobbying. And even when he starts the special session he can add things to that call, and I'm sure we'll be working on the types of issues that we'd like to get done."

Dear Governor Perry,

Unfortunately, despite the very hard work and determination of the majority of Members of both the House and Senate, the Legislature was unable to pass a number of important bills, including SB 1811 needed to fund the budget, before the deadline of midnight last night.

Still, there is still an outside possibility that SB 1811 could pass the Texas Senate today with the bipartisan support of four-fifths of the Members. However, if this vote should fail − forcing us into Special Session − I believe that it would be in the best interest of all Texans to start tomorrow and ask you to consider including the following bills in your call:

SB 1811 – Relating to certain state fiscal matters and making necessary appropriations; providing penalties;

SB 8 – Relating to improving the quality and efficiency of health care;

SB 23 – Relating to the administration of reforms, efficiency, cost-saving, fraud prevention, and funding measures for certain health and human services and health benefits programs;

HB 5 – Relating to establishing an Interstate Health Care Compact;

HB 12 – Relating to the enforcement of state and federal laws governing immigration by certain governmental entities;

HB 272 – Relating to the operation of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association and to the resolution of certain disputes concerning claims made to that association;

SB 12/HB400 – Relating to the flexibility of the Board of Trustees of a school district in the management and operation of public schools in the district and theflexibility for public schools to administer primary and secondary education efficiently;

HB 1937 – Relating to prosecution and punishment for the offense of official oppression by the intrusive touching of persons seeking access to public buildings and transportation; and

HB 900/SB 308 – Relating to the composition of the congressional districts for the State of Texas.

As you know, certain Senate procedures – such as the two-thirds tradition – exist to bring Democrats and Republicans together, encouraging Members to work in good faith in order to achieve positive outcomes for the people of Texas. Given that a small number of Senate Democrats have demonstrated their unwillingness to find consensus on these important legislative items, I can see no other alternative than to operate under a simple majority vote in the Special Session.

I look forward to working with you and Speaker Straus to finish the important business Texans elected us to accomplish.

Send some cookies

Dewhurst asked Perry to consider a number of other issues, which he listed in his letter: His healthcare bill, SB 8; a Medicaid reform bill considered essential to the state budget passed last weekend, SB 23; interstate health compacts, HB 5; a ban on sanctuary cities in Texas, HB 12; the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association reforms that died during parleys between tort reformers and trial lawyers, HB 272; higher class sizes and other loosened state mandates on public schools, SB 12/HB 400; legislation restricting "intrusive touching" by security personnel at airports and other buildings, HB 1937; and congressional redistricting, HB 900/SB 308. The bill numbers are from the regular legislative session; those issues would get new numbers in a special session.

Dewhurst told reporters Monday that the Senate won't put a "blocker bill" in place during the special session, erasing the normal requirement that two-thirds of the Senate agree to something before it can be debated. That will make several of those issues easier to pass, should Perry agree to add them to the call.

"Given that a small number of Senate Democrats have demonstrated their unwillingness to find consensus on these important legislative items, I can see no other alternative than to operate under a simple majority vote in the special session," he wrote in his letter to Perry.

The governor has talked to legislative leaders about including several items in the special session, but not all at once. Instead, they're talking about trying to pass legislation in series, moving quickly and adding items to the call as each item wins passage, according to sources.