House fumbled an opportunity for real reform
DallasNews.com | News for Dallas, Texas | Opinion: Editorials: "Time ran out this week on efforts to pass permanent voting reforms for Texas legislators, a regrettable missed opportunity considering the unmistakable public support.
In an unprecedented vote, the Senate approved the idea unanimously two weeks ago. That left it up to the House to adopt the proposed new requirement that all bills get on-the-record votes – not just voice votes – before final passage.
In the end, stubborn House leadership infected too many members with the jitters over parting with traditional voting habits. Critics of the proposal argued that a new internal rule adopted by the House shed enough new light on members' often-murky voice votes. Their message: That's enough of a reform for now.
And so with arrival of a lawmaking deadline earlier this week, Texas remains one of 10 states with no requirement that all bills get a clear vote for the record."
In an unprecedented vote, the Senate approved the idea unanimously two weeks ago. That left it up to the House to adopt the proposed new requirement that all bills get on-the-record votes – not just voice votes – before final passage.
In the end, stubborn House leadership infected too many members with the jitters over parting with traditional voting habits. Critics of the proposal argued that a new internal rule adopted by the House shed enough new light on members' often-murky voice votes. Their message: That's enough of a reform for now.
And so with arrival of a lawmaking deadline earlier this week, Texas remains one of 10 states with no requirement that all bills get a clear vote for the record."
posted by Unknown at 10:02 AM
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