The final day of the 1st special called session was scheduled to begin in the senate at 11:00am. It actually began at almost noon. After consideration of CSHB1the senate recessed until 2:30pm.
We dropped by Senator Seliger’s office to chat a bit and were told that they would go back on the Floor at 2:30pm and the Lt. Governor would arrive about 3:15pm and recess until 6 at which time they would have the votes to move csHB 2. Asked about a filibuster Senator Seliger said he had heard rumors about a filibuster but he didn’t think it would happen. We left there prepared to sit through the upcoming filibuster until midnight. They finally reconvened and had a one vote majority to bring csHB3 to the Floor.
Senator Shapiro laid out the Bill and then the questions began. Sprinkled with Parliamentary Inquiries. Senator Barrientos, Austin Dist. 14, began serious opposition by making a Point of Order. After several minutes the Point of Order was denied. Senator Shapleigh, El Paso Dist 29 resumed the questioning of the Bill. Senator West, Dist 23 Dallas and Senator Gallegos Houston Dist. 6 both made Parliamentary Inquiries. At 8:15pm Senator Gallegos offered a six prong Point of Order at which time the Senate recessed until 8:30 pm to give the Parliamentarian time to research each prong. They didn’t come back to order until nearly 9:30pm.
Senator Shapiro, Plano dist.8, made a motion to pass csHB 2 and at which point Senator Whitmire, Dist 15 Houston, was recognized to speak against the Bill. The die was cast and Senator Whitmire would have to stand at his desk mike in hand and talk continuously against the Bill for the next 2 ½ hours stopping only to answer questions. The aforementioned senators joined by Senator Lucio, Dist 27 Brownsville and Senator Van De Putte, San Antonio Dist 26, aided Senator Whitmire by asking questions. Senator Fraser, Dist 24 Horseshoe Bay, tried once to break the filibuster and failed.
Later Senator Brimermade a Parliamentary Inquiry concerning the proper composure of a senator during a filibuster. When told the rules he draped himself across his desk and ask the President “then what do you call this?” He did not even receive an answer as the President gave the Floor back to Senator Whitmire.
During his filibuster Senator Whitmire very eloquently laid out points of csHB3 that were good and points that were bad. He gave the very most thorough explanation of the Bill we have heard during this past six months. He said quite simply that the Senate started a good Bill and could do even better but must stand fast for what is right and give educators an opportunity to express their concerns rather than pass an 800 page committee report out at 3:00am one morning and expect it to be passed the next day without being read.
Finally Senator Gallegos asked a Parliamentary Inquiry into the correct time and was told it was Midnight. Senator Whitmire then asked that the senate adjourn Sine Die and at 12:04am it was over.
The governor knowing the Bills were not going to pass had already announced to the press that he was calling another special session starting in ten hours. Nearly $2,000,000 and thirty days and not one Bill was signed. This process is a very difficult task and one that requires total concentration to the job at hand. Some very good legislators were put on the spot by the leadership this session. The personal failures may well be the fault of over zealous men at the top on ego trips with no reason to have any ego at all.
We spoke with severl legislators from both sides of the aisle This special session just may well return the legislators to the job at hand and have them join together to push those leaders aside and do what is right as we know them capable of doing.
A note of interest: Lt. Governor Dewhurst started the session then turned the gavel over to Senator Armbrister and left the room. He returned in time to gavel the meeting into adjourning Sine Die. I have ideas about someone who would abdicate his role as leader at such a crucial time but the are my own personal opinions.
Going to grab a bite to eat, take a bath and shave, grab a nap and head back that way in a few hours for another 30 days.
Ride Free,
Sputnik
