Tx Capitol Report | A view from the Texas state capitol

Groups say compromise Voter ID bill still bad

State Rep. Todd Smith, R-Euless, might be thinking he just can't make anybody happy with his Voter ID bill. He's been working on a compromise version that phases in the photo identification requirements over two election cycles and allows voters to show two non-photo forms of ID.
Republicans said the compromise is too weak, and now some minority and other advocacy groups argue it's still too strict.
Here's part of a statement from the ACLU of Texas, MALDEF, Advocacy Inc., the Texas NAACP, the Asian American Justice Center, Common Cause Texas and LULAC Texas:

"The committee substitute forces the most disadvantaged Texans who do not have preferred
identification to rely on an unreliable provisional ballot, which may count if the signature
matches that on their voter registration card. There are numerous problems with this approach.
Many older voters and those with disabilities have non traditional signatures, which are less
likely to match. Also, the signature board is led by a political party official, not by an
independent individual trained in signature matching.  
"In the end, the legislation falls short of its objective of reaching compromise and consensus and
addressing access as well as security.  No evidence of any significant level of in-person voter
impersonation fraud in Texas was presented at the hearing, but the facts show our state is already among the lowest in voter turnout and participation and this bill would only add to that problem. For these reasons, the below groups continue to urge rejection of SB 362 as proposed in the House."

More House Republicans sign Voter ID priniciples pledge

The Republican Party of Texas sent out an updated list of House members who have signed on to their pledge to remain "fervently" committed to their Voter ID bill principles.
A draft of the Voter ID bill deviates some from those principles, but state Rep. Todd Smith, R-Euless, author of the bill, told the AP he'd make the measure stricter if that's what it takes to get it passed. The Elections Committee may vote on the measure tomorrow, and it could be up for debate in the House as soon as next week.
Here's the updated list of GOP names on the Voter ID pledge:

Charles Anderson
Jimmie Don Aycock
Leo Berman
Dwayne Bohac
Dan Branch
Betty Brown
Fred Brown
Angie Chen Button
William A. Callegari
Warren Chisum
Wayne Christian
Byron Cook
Frank Corte
Joe Crabb
Tom Craddick
Brandon Creighton
Myra Crownover
Drew Darby
John Davis
Joe L. Driver
Rob Eissler
Gary Elkins
Allen Fletcher
Dan Flynn
Dan Gattis
Charlie L. Geren
Mike "Tuffy" Hamilton
Kelly G. Hancock
Patricia Harless
Rick Hardcastle
Linda Harper-Brown
Will Hartnett
Harvey Hilderbran
Charlie Howard
Bryan Hughes
Todd Hunter
Carl H. Isett
Jim L. Jackson
Jim Keffer
Phil King
Susan King
Tim Kleinschmidt
Lois Kolkhorst
Edmund Kuempel
Jodie Laubenberg
Ken Legler
Tryon D. Lewis
Jerry Madden
Brian McCall
Doug Miller
Sid Miller
Geanie W. Morrison
Rob D. Orr
John Otto
Tan Parker
Dianne Patrick
Ken Paxton
Larry Phillips
Jim Pitts
Debbie Riddle
Ralph Sheffield
Mark M. Shelton
Wayne Smith
John Smithee
Burt R. Solomons
David A. Swinford
Larry Taylor
Vicki Truitt
Randy K. Weber
Beverly Woolley
John Zerwas

Draft gambling bill making the rounds

The Tigua tribe of El Paso would be able to resume gambling at Speaking Rock Casino under a draft gambling bill that is making the rounds in the Texas House.
The bill, which is a proposal to amend the Texas Constitution, would require approval from 100 of the 150 Texas House members. It is only a draft, so it could change before it comes to the House floor for a vote; if it comes to the House floor for a vote.
Legislators working on the bill have said that the Tiguas could be removed if keeping the tribe in creates more problems for the measure. Getting 100 votes is no easy feat, especially on an issue as controversial gambling. And the Tiguas this year have drawn sideways glances from lawmakers over their tradition of not allowing women to vote and over their Gov. Frank Paiz's criminal history.

House GOP lays down the law on Voter ID

Word around the Texas House is that the Elections Committee is getting ready to approve state Rep. Todd Smith's voter photo identification bill Thursday. And the word is that bill has significant concessions to Democrats compared to the version that came out of the Texas Senate.
This afternoon, the House Republican Caucus sent out a missive announcing they are "fervently" committed to passing a voter ID bill that does the following:

• Ensure a valid photo identification is needed to vote
• Take effect at the next possible uniform election date
• Be free of any registration requirements such as same day voter registration that dilutes the intent of the bill, which is ensuring fair and accurate elections
• Increase criminal penalties for voter fraud and registration

Sounds like more fireworks ahead for the voter ID bill.

Shapleigh: Wash your hands

In case you hadn't already heard enough warnings about protecting yourself from swine flu, here's one from state Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, D-El Paso:

EL PASO - Today, Senator Shapleigh urges El Pasoans to take appropriate health precautions in the wake of recent confirmed cases of swine flu in Texas.

Today, Dr. David Lakey, head of the Department of State Health Services, told the Texas House Committee on Public Health that his department is treating the swine flu as a pandemic. This follows the World Health Organization already raising its severity status for the swine flu from three to four on their six-point pandemic scale.

The virus has claimed more than 140 lives in Mexico. There have been at least six confirmed cases of swine flu in Texas.

Because of these cases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano have urged Americans to avoid non-essential travel to Mexico. At the U.S./Mexico border, customs officials will conduct passive screening of travelers and are prepared to isolate those who show signs of infection and are deemed necessary to refer to the CDC.

To keep yourself healthy, the CDC recommends:

• covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue in the trash after you use it;

• washing  your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hands cleaners, especially after you cough or sneeze;
• avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth; and
• avoiding close contact with sick people.

If you get sick, the CDC recommends staying home from work or school and limiting contact with others.

"We ask El Pasoans to just use common sense; wash your hands, cover your cough and avoid people who have flu symptoms," Senator Shapleigh said. "For information on swine flu in Texas, here is the hotline number:"

Texas' flu hotline is available daily from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 1-888-777-5320.

A week of firsts

El Paso's two newest legislators both passed their first bills in the Texas House last week, after some ritual ribbing from their colleagues.
State Rep. Marisa Marquez on Wednesday passed HB2835, which would allow county judges in cities along the border with populations of 600,000 or more (only El Paso County fits that description) to delegate their duties to an employee in their office.
State Rep. Joe Moody on Thursday passed HB2086, which would increase penalties for crimes involving gangs.

GOP celebrates Biden coming to TX

The Republican Party of Texas is getting geared up for Vice President Joe Biden's visit to the Lone Star State tomorrow.
They have launched a vote to see which Biden "gaffe" Texas GOPers think is the best. Here's the e-mail:

Vice-President Joe Biden will be visiting Austin tomorrow.  He's coming to town to raise some coin for the DNC among other events.

In honor of his visit, we've prepared some video highlights of Joe Biden's biggest gaffes during his political career.  The crazy comments and rude remarks are not something new during the 2008 campaign, this behavior dates back many years during Biden's political career.

We are asking you to help us determine the very best gaffe from Biden over the years.  You can watch the quick video and then vote on which comment deserves the "Laugh for the Gaffe" award.

Please feel free to forward this message to any friends and family that might want to share their thoughts as well.

Here's a link to the video.

Moody Minute, Episode 10

State Rep. Joe Moody released his 10th Capitol minute today. Again, it's all about the budget. He praises the leadership for a "bipartisan and respectful debate."
But, he warns us all that the budget process isn't done yet. The House and Senate have to negotiate between their two versions and agree on one. Passing a balanced budget is the only thing the Texas Constitution requires lawmakers to accomplish during the session.
Conflicts on the budget, Moody said, could result in Gov. Rick Perry having to call everybody back into a special session to get the budget done.
"All of us hope that doesn't happen," he said.
Amen.

EP road projects in jeopardy? Nah, says Pickett

Deirdre Delisi, chairwoman of the Texas Transportation Commission, today sent a letter the Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, chairman of the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee, letting him know the state of financing for Texas roads construction.
Ted Houghton, a member of the Commission from El Paso, called to alert me to the letter and its implications for El Paso.
The letter, he said, showed that the small $21 million increase in the agency's budget that lawmakers are proposing could mean big problems for Proposition 14 bonds and could force the delay or cancellation of other projects.
"All of those would have a devastating impact on El Paso and our $1 billion transportation plan," Houghton said.
El Paso received approval last summer of a $1 billion transportation plan that includes completing Loop 375 around the city, beautifying sections of Interstate 10, starting a bus rapid-transit system and launching two potential toll roads over the next three years.
State Rep. Joe Pickett, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, however, had a different take on the letter.
The sky, he said, is not falling. The letter was just an evaluation of the current situation, Pickett said.
The budget process is still underway, negotiations are continuing and El Paso's projects are not at risk.
"All this stuff is yet to be worked out, but our $1 billion plan is not in jeopardy," Pickett said. "I think you could take and read this anyway you want."
On that note, go ahead, take it and read it any way you want: Download 2009 04 23 Sen Transp TxDOT Funding

Latest episode in the EP Ethics bill drama

UPDATED

As promised, state Rep. Norma Chavez, D-El Paso, today delivered her much-anticipated list of concerns with the El Paso County ethics bill by state Rep. Marisa Marquez and state Sen. Eliot Shapleigh.
Chavez has said for weeks that she had major troubles with the bill but until now had only outlined general concerns. That has had Marquez and Shapleigh frustrated and left them wondering whether Chavez wanted to kill the measure, which is one of the county's top priorities given the dozens of public officials ensnared in the ongoing FBI corruption investigation. Chavez says she doesn't want to kill the bill, just make it better.
At about 7 p.m. tonight Marquez said she was just getting out of committee hearings and was starting to review the laundry list of 40 problems Chavez said she has with the bill. That's about one problem per page of the bill.

UPDATE: Marquez called and said she and her staff had briefly reviewed the nine-page list of problems from Chavez.
Some of the concerns, she said, would be worked into the legislation. Others, she said, not so much.
"I will take the initiative to incorporate the workable ideas into the bill and make sure it's consistent with a strong ethics commission," Marquez said.
Marquez said she expected the bill to come to the House floor sometime in the next couple of weeks. She said she had a positive conversation with state Rep. Brian McCall, R-Plano, chairman of the Calendars Committee, which decides which bills get to the floor when.
"He’s been very supportive and very accommodating," Marquez said.

Shapleigh wasn't immediately available to talk about the Chavez ethics bill treatise.
I'm posting Chavez's letter, her editorial, side-by-side comparison and her legal analysis.
Here's a teaser from the letter:
"It is the committee process and the respect by members of the process that helps us to review, amend and finally pass legislation. When lawmakers come together, we bring our best arguments forward. Sometimes we must reach a compromise in order to pass a good bill."
Download Rep Chavez Letter Re Ethics Bills-Final
Download EP lawmaker affirms, 'An Oath to El Paso' (2)
Download HB 2301 Side by Side
Download Legal Analysis of HB 2301