Now that the House Democrats have fled to highly gerrymandered states to – checks notes – protest gerrymandering, here’s what’s not getting done during the special session:
Catastrophic flood response: Proposals that would provide funding relief for the hill country areas affected by the flooding, improve emergency communications and warning, and address natural disaster preparation and recovery have been left pending in the House Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding.
Property tax reform: The Texas Senate passed a measure to reduce the voter-approval tax rate from 3.5% to 2.5%. The change affects certain cities and counties, and will require local officials to get voter approval before adopting a tax rate that produces more revenue than that percentage. Texas taxpayers would very much like to see it get to the governor’s desk.
Eliminating taxpayer-funded lobbying: Just 7% of Texans support giving local tax dollars to lobbyists. The Senate has reined it in and it awaits action in the House. (By the way, check out www.stoptfl.com)
Protecting women’s privacy: Senator Mayes Middleton’s bill to keep men out of women’s private spaces has already heard testimony. The House version from Rep. Valoree Swanson has been cosponsored by a majority of the House, which means it would pass quickly if only the House could vote.
None of these priorities for Texas can move forward until the House is able to reconvene.
House Democrats have flipped the quorum rule on its head. Its purpose is to ensure that a minority of the body cannot ram through legislation that does not have broad support. But the House Democrats are instead abusing the quorum rule to prevent the passage of legislation that does have majority support. That doesn’t protect democracy, it obstructs it.
Eventually, the standoff will end, and the legislature will get back to work for the people of Texas.
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