All of the attention today will be focused on Gov. Rick Perry's announcement that he's "thinking about" a run for president but another of the governor's remarks might draw interest among lawmakers and capitol staffers planning their summer vacations .
Perry answered reporters' questions following a ceremonial bill signing of legislation requiring voters show photo identification before casting a ballot at a polling place. When asked about whether he will call a special session on congressional redistricting, Perry didn't rule it out.
"The session's not over and any talk about special sessions is way premature regardless of what the issue might be," Perry said. "We've got a lot of work to do."
Any chance of lawmakers passing a congressional redistricting map died Wednesday night when a key deadline for passing bills came and went without a vote on a map. The two redistricting chairs in the Legislature, state Sen. Kel Seliger of Amarillo and state Rep. Burt Solomons of Carrollton, both Republicans, said Thursday they hope to finish redistricting in a summer special session.
On Sunday, US Rep. Joe Barton, R-Arlington, filed a lawsuit in Corsicana asking a state court to draw a map since the Legislature didn't appear likely to do so.
Other issues that lawmakers have said might be the focus of a special session include the budget and school finance.
-Aman Batheja
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