State Sens. John Whitmire, D-Houston, and Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock, debate the importance of voter ID, which Gov. Rick Perry has declared a legislative emergency. Perry's designation allows lawmakers to consider the measure during the first 60 days of the session.
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Comments (16)
Charles Hailey via Texas Tribune on Facebook
This seems to be the "normal" occurrence... ask a Republican a straight question ("do you think this is an emergency?") and you get a statement that doesn't address the question ("the timing is right"). I hate politicians, as I'm sure a Democrat would pander in the same fashion. They're all crap.
Greg M Schwartz via Texas Tribune on Facebook
What a crock, the state of Texas is pathetic
Aldo Merino via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Charles: Depends on the politician, honestly. Just like any other profession, really.
Even in the best of times, voter ID isn't a priority. Voter fraud just isn't much of an issue, as it's quite uncommon generally (this isn't Haiti). Republicans rule the roost thanks to the midterm elections, and they're going to actively pursue issues that appeal to the core 20% of their base, regardless of whether the issue is important to the electorate at large or not.
Texas is going to be in for a rough few years.
Marc Lippincott via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Like Bush they are spending their political capital ... disgusting ...
Ben Martinez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The repubs just want to pass meaningless legislation and crow about it to their bigoted base.
Maricela Gonzalez Rios via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I think voter fraud is an issue. I don't know anybody who voted for Perry, yet ther he is. I believe voter ID is just another way to nickel & dime us. It's not an emergency, it's how the GOP avoids the real issues (like where the heck is my tax money). PS. That's my brother taking pix in the background.
Greg M Schwartz via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The Texas Tribune should be reporting on how this issue is complete BS, instead of serving as stenographers to power.
Erika Holzinger via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Oh and Texans need to stop saying texas is great cause it wont be after this is all done with.
Aldo Merino via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Greg: Amen to that one, but the Tribune gives more depth and service to the issue than, say, just about any 'news' program you'll see on TV. So there's solace in that.
Marc: Spending political capital is one thing, but spending virtually nonexistent capital on elections with low turnout and on issues that are nonexistent in terms of importance to the electorate is worse. Spend the capital on tough issues like the various aspects of immigration, the deficit, and so forth....not these red herrings.
Aldo Merino via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Erika: California's issues stems more from its peculiar set of rules dictating how a majority of citizens can vote on new spending via a fairly low threshold on referendums, while tax increases require a supermajority...an issue complicated by the gerrymandered districts. Some of those issues have been addressed moving forward (including the gerrymandering), which should improve the state's political and financial fortunes in the middle and long terms.
California is in relatively bad shape, but it's not as horrendous as some make it out to be and, even then, Texas could only wish it was quite on par with a crippled California.
Michael Cosper via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Throwing red meat to their base.
David Moore via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I think the word of the day is: PANDER. Pander is the word of the day.
Maricela Gonzalez Rios via Texas Tribune on Facebook
If you didn't read the GOP platform, then this is a surprise. If you read it BEFORE you voted, you know where the GOP is going with all this hog wash.
The scariest part is. . . . Texas may be a red state, but it's got Tea Party written all over it!
Luis Vela Guevara via Texas Tribune on Facebook
It's not an emergency, it's a fabrication.
namoyer
What a bleeping waste of time and $$$. The Lege must clear its decks of all the rest of its crap legislation and focus exclusively on THE BUDGET!!!! The GNOP are just like a bunch of ADD afflicted children.
Erika Holzinger via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Aldo california will get better and texas will just get worse its just going on the path of california.