Forgotten but Not Quite Gone

The Austin Chronicle: News: Forgotten but Not Quite Gone: "Don't think for a moment that you've seen the last of the lawmakers, what with all the hints this week of a possible return engagement for another crack at school finance – or rather, property tax reduction. So enjoy the reprieve while you can. As with most sessions, the 79th Legislature had its share of highs and lows – the lowest point, the night Democratic Rep. Joe Moreno was killed driving back to Austin from a Rockets-Mavericks playoff game in Houston. As for the high points, that depends on where you stand. Many of us are still relishing that five-hour debate leading up to the death of private school vouchers. It provided one of those rare moments (these days) of Republicans and Democrats teaming up to defeat bad public policy. Another unpredictable alliance had reformist Dems and social conservatives coming together to successfully thwart persistent efforts (mostly from the GOP leadership) to expand the state's gambling footprint."