Speaking for approximately 76 minutes, state Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, successfully filibustered a key budget bill, possibly forcing Gov. Rick Perry to call a special session on the budget.
Davis drew applause from the Senate gallery when Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst confirmed that Davis had killed a possible vote on the bill for the day. To pass the bill on Monday, the last day of the legislative session, senators will need 25 votes out of the 31-member Senate. State Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, said the votes might be there. State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, predicted the needed votes would not materialize.
In a press conference afterward, Davis said she hoped that a special session will lead to a better budget, as Texans will be paying more attention. She called on lawmakers to use more of the Rainy Day Fund and consider repealing a tax exemption on high-cost natural gas production to add $4 billion to the budget, the amount expected to be cut from public schools in the proposed budget.
-Aman Batheja
Good for Senator Davis. She has battled for Texas children the entire session.
Maybe Texas leaders will reconsider and use Rainy Day money to fund our schools adequately in a special session.
Posted by: Don Rogers | May 30, 2011 at 08:40 AM
I just want my job back. I was RIF'd by my district to save money. 20 years, out the door.
Posted by: jim | May 30, 2011 at 01:27 PM
Davis is a dolt. She's handed quite a gift to the repubs. Now that they're in a special session all that's needed is a simple majority to get a bill passed. The governor sets the agenda. Way to go Davis, you moron.
Posted by: biffula | May 31, 2011 at 09:33 AM