Gridlock may kill critical legislation
May 24, 2009
AUSTIN - On the surface, the daylong debate in the Texas House of Representatives on Saturday looked dull. Two or three members at a time debated the merits of legislation called local bills because they are of interest only to a particularly city, county, utility district or hospital district.
But behind the scenes House Republicans and Democrats were negotiating an end to the two-day partisan gridlock triggered by a yet-to-be considered bill that would require Texans to show identification before casting a ballot. There is a lot at stake for the entire state if the delay to avoid the voter ID bill continues one or two days longer.