Anti Federalist
06-29-2011, 09:41 PM
Lawmakers Call it Quits, Leave Unfinished Business
http://www.texastribune.org/texas-legislature/82nd-legislative-session/lawmakers-call-it-quits-leave-unfinished-business/
The Senate's version of a bill to criminalize intrusive pat-downs by federal agents with the Transportation Security Administration has died in the House, after the chamber couldn't get the four-fifths vote needed to suspend the rules.
The 96-26 vote meant the measure couldn't pass before the end of the special session, so House lawmakers adjourned sine die.
That leaves two of Gov. Rick Perry's special session priorities — TSA and sanctuary cities — incomplete, but the governor doesn't seem compelled to call lawmakers back again.
“Although I am disappointed lawmakers did not finalize legislation that would have banned sanctuary cities, I commend the Legislature’s work to pass measures that further strengthen our legal system through loser pays lawsuit reform, uphold the integrity of the ballot box by requiring voters to present photo ID at polling places, protect unborn life by requiring an ultrasound before an abortion, strengthen private property rights, and increase penalties for individuals who participate in human trafficking," Perry said in a statement. "And although the airport pat-down bill did not pass, it did initiate a public discussion and some changes in airport security procedures."
While Democrats argued the TSA bill was political in nature and unfairly targeted at federal agents doing their job, Republicans in the House were more angry at the Senate's decision to adjourn early yesterday without passing HB 41, the House's version of the bill they said had been vetted by the attorney general's office. The Senate version was more strict, and House lawmakers had lingering concerns over whether it could withstand a challenge from the Department of Justice, which warned the state last month about the possibility of shutting down airports in Texas if TSA officers could not conduct screenings.
http://www.texastribune.org/texas-legislature/82nd-legislative-session/lawmakers-call-it-quits-leave-unfinished-business/
The Senate's version of a bill to criminalize intrusive pat-downs by federal agents with the Transportation Security Administration has died in the House, after the chamber couldn't get the four-fifths vote needed to suspend the rules.
The 96-26 vote meant the measure couldn't pass before the end of the special session, so House lawmakers adjourned sine die.
That leaves two of Gov. Rick Perry's special session priorities — TSA and sanctuary cities — incomplete, but the governor doesn't seem compelled to call lawmakers back again.
“Although I am disappointed lawmakers did not finalize legislation that would have banned sanctuary cities, I commend the Legislature’s work to pass measures that further strengthen our legal system through loser pays lawsuit reform, uphold the integrity of the ballot box by requiring voters to present photo ID at polling places, protect unborn life by requiring an ultrasound before an abortion, strengthen private property rights, and increase penalties for individuals who participate in human trafficking," Perry said in a statement. "And although the airport pat-down bill did not pass, it did initiate a public discussion and some changes in airport security procedures."
While Democrats argued the TSA bill was political in nature and unfairly targeted at federal agents doing their job, Republicans in the House were more angry at the Senate's decision to adjourn early yesterday without passing HB 41, the House's version of the bill they said had been vetted by the attorney general's office. The Senate version was more strict, and House lawmakers had lingering concerns over whether it could withstand a challenge from the Department of Justice, which warned the state last month about the possibility of shutting down airports in Texas if TSA officers could not conduct screenings.