87th Texas Legislature

[Brisketexan 106625]

10 minutes ago, DDD Dad said:

SIAP but this seems significant.

Judicial gerrymandering? Or is this a legitimate attempt to improve the intermediate appellate court system?

 

It's hot garbage.  It's pure judicial gerrymandering, AND it has the added benefit of ensuring that our courts of appeal get utterly gummed up and even more inefficient.  It's a "solution" to a problem that literally nobody practicing in Texas appellate courts thinks exists (except Ken Paxton and his pals....which is why it's going to pass, and utterly fuck up our court system for their short-term political gain).

[pyrohornIII 4844]

From what I am reading, it will reduce the strength of urban centers and enhance that of rural.   Part of it is to protect the new voter suppression laws when they get challenged in courts.  Diminish the left voice in the courts.  

State courts played an outsized role in the 2020 election as former President Donald Trump and his allies pushed dozens of baseless lawsuits alleging election fraud without any evidence. They could play an even greater role in the coming months as Republican state lawmakers push more than 360 bills to restrict voting in 47 states, according to an analysis by the Brennan Center, including more than two dozen in Texas. Republicans are also gearing up for a new round of legislative redistricting that could cement GOP minority rule for the next decade after the Supreme Court ruled that federal courts had no jurisdiction over partisan gerrymanders.

The Texas bill offers few details but is ultimately expected to include some version of reforms proposed by Texans for Lawsuit Reform, according to Gutierrez and news reports. The group released a lengthy report proposing a plan that would shrink the state's 14 court districts to seven, along with three other plans to reduce that number to just five.

"We're fairly sure it will be one of those proposals, or something closely modeled there, and generally what people expect is taking the current composition of the court and reducing it, probably almost in half, to create these mega-districts where you would have maybe one Democrat. But the majority of those court of appeals districts would then become completely controlled by Republicans," Gutierrez said.

https://www.salon.com/2021/04/02/texas-gop-moves-to-gerrymander-state-courts-after-democrats-sweep-key-judicial-elections/

[cactusflinthead 27626]

 

[Voldemort86 2259]

3 hours ago, cactusflinthead said:

 

Stuck behind a pay wall

[Bama Chick 28596]

Hey! I found a unicorn!

A Texas Republican who is sane, tells the truth, and isn’t scared to say it.

(I’m sure he’s done horrible stuff but I don’t know about it yet so I’ll praise him for this waiting for the other shoe to drop.)

[cactusflinthead 27626]

10 hours ago, Voldemort86 said:

Stuck behind a pay wall

Texas’ election laws might need fixing, but not this way.

The Texas Legislature is making the Lone Star State look as bad as Georgia, taking up election bills that are not as blatantly unfair but still make voting tougher than in 2020.

Catering to the 52% of Texas Republicans who think the national election results were “very inaccurate,” Texas lawmakers have swashbuckled into action to plug leaks in the system.

But some of the fixes don’t fix anything. They just deter voters.

For example, the Texas Senate passed a bill last week that will make long voting lines even longer.

Among other changes, Senate Bill 7 by state Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, does away with big early-voting and election day locations and prevents county officials from shifting machines to, say, Keller or Southlake boxes to meet demand.

Basically, it’s socialism for voting machines.

Every part of Tarrant County would get the same number of locations and machines divided along Texas House district lines, regardless whether voters actually go there or elsewhere.

Mansfield’s polling places already have long lines. They would be cut to the same number of machines as Azle or Benbrook.

And forget voting at work in downtown Fort Worth. The courthouse is in state Rep. Nicole Collier’s sprawling district, so those machines would have to be spread to serve residents in Morningside Heights, Forest Hill and Handley.

"They’re trying to make sure everybody gets the same number of machines, and the intent is good, but it’s going to be difficult to actually do in practice,” said Dallas County Republican Chairman Rodney Anderson, a former House member.

If there’s a problem with the way Harris County (Houston) allots machines for Republican boxes, that can be addressed without forcing all polling places to be equal, Anderson said.

“I like how they’re trying to protect the integrity of our elections,” Anderson said.

“This is going to take some tweaking.”

State Rep. Stephanie Klick, R-Fort Worth, is a former chair of the House elections committee.

That section of Hughes’ bill is meant to make voting more convenient, she said.

“I know there’s a push to go to voting centers,” she sad, “but if you live in a poor, older neighborhood, it’s easier to vote close to home.”

Fine. But dividing machines equally doesn’t work unless you can divide the long lines equally.

Some cities and voting locations always have a crowded turnout. Some don’t.

Hughes’ bill would move more machines to locations with fewer voters.

It’s ridiculous,” said Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley, a Hurst Republican.

“You’re going to have to reduce the number of machines at the main locations. People will have to stand in line longer.”

If it’s not voter suppression, it’s at least voter inconvenience.

“To me, the goal is to get people to vote,” Whitley said.

“We just went to voting centers — everybody said they loved them. The [Senate] just killed them.”

Whitley had one more comment for his fellow Republicans in Austin:

“We’re in the middle of a pandemic. We’ve had problems with our electric grid. And they’re screwing around with how many machines we can have in a polling place?”

Oh, that’s not all.

 

[TwiceHorn 31987]

13 minutes ago, Bama Chick said:

Hey! I found a unicorn!

A Texas Republican who is sane, tells the truth, and isn’t scared to say it.
 

 

(I’m sure he’s done horrible stuff but I don’t know about it yet so I’ll praise him for this waiting for the other shoe to drop.)

 

Until fairly recently, at least, the more local the official, the less partisan they tend to be.  Mayors, councilmembers, county judges and commissioners, even the judiciary had party affliliations that blew with the prevailing winds.

For example, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins spent most of his time as a registered Republican, but is a Democrat for current purposes as an expedient.  And he has been a voice of Covid reason in the region.

So a guy like Whitley can be nominally Republican without being at all Trumpy or jackassholey.

[StassneyHorn 6755]

Texas Senate has fulfilled its one requirement by unanimously passing a budget today. I’m sure House won’t be complicated. Redistricting will most likely be done in a shit flinging special session. 

[StassneyHorn 6755]

Over the last few days the House has quietly passed in committee bills decriminalizing possession of marijuana statewide to a class C misdemeanor for 1 oz with no jail time, but possible fine. possession of 2oz of concentrates (weed pens and edibles) a Class B misdemeanor, and loosens medicinal marijuana requirements to include cancer patients, Veterans with PTSD, and chronic pain (my personal favorite excuse for absentee voting).

State Senator Bryan Hughes continues to be the biggest shitheel of session. Coming off SB7 for voting integrity (lulz) he is a big star on the internet for his anti trans bills that are coming up. Any parent that allows gender-confirming procedures to take place would be labeled a child abuser. There’s a video, probably already posted in the trans topic, with a 4th grader responding to his God made us in his image trope today. NCAA said they will fuck around if states want to find out when debating trans athlete participation by removing championship sites in states that advance legislation.

ERCOT earlier today issued a call for conservation, but did not expect outages. So that’s fun

 

Edited April 13, 2021 by StassneyHorn

[Michael Knight 13187]

 

[Js1 86941]

On 4/6/2021 at 3:37 PM, StassneyHorn said:

Texas Senate has fulfilled its one requirement by unanimously passing a budget today. I’m sure House won’t be complicated. Redistricting will most likely be done in a shit flinging special session. 

Has to be.  No way the block-level census data will be released before sine die.  Like, 0.0% chance. 

They will have to re-convene in October when the data is released on September 30. 

[mchookem 16729]

39 minutes ago, Michael Knight said:

 

 

[Mrs Whiggins 13050]

Article says the city will lose $4.5 million if it goes through.

[Woland 755]

 

Does anyone know from where they get their utilities?

[David Dennison 19441]

What a bunch of assholes.

[Woland 755]

So, Austin has been providing services. I hope these people have a plan in place if the bill becomes a law.

[WBT 20884]

I bet they'll manage

[Updawg 2378]

I remember reading about it years ago. It’s a weird situation. I don’t think they get all city services.

But that’s a bitch of a headline for the day property taxes were released

[bluto 4980]

There was a write up in the chronicle last wk about it. Lotta bitching about emergency services.

[MC Fresh Breath 4075]

Oh my buddha.

 

Tearful mom begs Texas lawmakers not to throw her in jail for supporting her trans child / LGBTQ Nation

 

[StassneyHorn 6755]

Constitutional Carry passed the Tx House today. Into the Senate now. Anyone with no federal or state restriction would be able to carry w/o a concealed license. 

Edited April 15, 2021 by StassneyHorn

[Brisketexan 106625]

Constitutional Carry passed the Tx House today. Into the Senate now. Anyone with no federal or state restriction would be able to carry w/o a concealed license. 

A bunch of people walking all over with guns. What could go wrong?

Gonna be interesting how the cops deal with “he had a gun.” Seems the answer is “so the fuck what, what’s it to ya?”*

* note: this offer not valid for people with lots of melanin.

[Js1 86941]

20 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

A bunch of people walking all over with guns. What could go wrong?

Gonna be interesting how the cops deal with “he had a gun.” Seems the answer is “so the fuck what, what’s it to ya?”*

* note: this offer not valid for people with lots of melanin.

Funny enough when this came up 2 sessions ago, Danny P didn’t think it was a good idea 

[StassneyHorn 6755]

Yea, Patrick has an out if he wants to take it. Just need some police chiefs or a union to come out against it and he goes full “we support the blue” and doesn’t take it up. Seems like a “primary” move largely for Republicans in the House that will need to introduce themselves to new voters post redistricting.

[bluto 4980]

Yea, Patrick has an out if he wants to take it. Just need some police chiefs or a union to come out against it and he goes full “we support the blue” and doesn’t take it up. Seems like a “primary” move largely for Republicans in the House that will need to introduce themselves to new voters post redistricting.

Big chief (not tablet) showing in front of the capitol recently talking up opposition to const carry.

[kevwun 16269]

I'm gonna start practicing quick draws if folks want to recreate the Wild West.  There's a few people I'd like to invite out on to the street at High Noon.

Edited April 16, 2021 by kevwun

[ChuckNorrisActionJeans 2692]

4 hours ago, MC Fresh Breath said:

Oh my buddha.

 

Tearful mom begs Texas lawmakers not to throw her in jail for supporting her trans child / LGBTQ Nation

 

That is a bill that needs to die a quick death. I would be enraged if I had a trans kid. Whoever wrote the proposed bill should be forced to listen to hours of real life testimony. 

[Satchel 6982]

 

This will help reduce gun violence a lot:

The Texas House on Thursday gave an initial OK to a bill that would allow handguns to be carried without a permit, marking a win for gun rights activists who have for years pushed the measure at the Legislature but a blow to El Paso Democrats who have been fighting for gun safety measures since the 2019 massacre in their hometown.

The 84-56 vote came after several hours of some of the most emotionally charged debate yet this legislative session, with Democrats pleading to their colleagues to reconsider their position on the legislation.

House Bill 1927, spearheaded by state Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler, would nix the requirement for Texas residents to obtain a license to carry handguns if they’re not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a gun. Texans under current state law must generally be licensed to carry handguns, either openly or concealed.

https://www.texastribune.org/2021/04/15/texas-constitutional-carry/

 

[El Diablo 4232]

Don't cops already approach every scenario assuming the public is armed? "Armed and polite!". My new t-shirt. 

[StassneyHorn 6755]

Hopefully this is a sign that Dems and the Biden admin know Medicaid expansion is popular everywhere. Force the issue

 

[Updawg 2378]

Hopefully this is a sign that Dems and the Biden admin know Medicaid expansion is popular everywhere. Force the issue
 

Yeah, that gonna have an impact.

Love how we are so separate and free from fed over reach yet Paxton and all of them are constantly suing the feds for handouts etc. the rest of the US has to be getting sick of our shit. I certainly am

[MissingInAction 25478]

I was once proud to tell people about my Texan heritage. Now I am embarassed. We are now in the same bush league as Alabama, Mississippi,  etc.

[StassneyHorn 6755]

On 4/15/2021 at 6:42 PM, StassneyHorn said:

Constitutional Carry passed the Tx House today. Into the Senate now. Anyone with no federal or state restriction would be able to carry w/o a concealed license. 

Dan Patrick has said he does not have the votes in the senate for this to pass. Kel Seliger sounds like he’s in the way, or at least he’s publicly said he’s uncomfortable with it. Patrick meeting with law enforcement officials tomorrow that hate it and then some idiots at the NRA.

[Updawg 2378]

Changes to the pension plan coming https://www.texastribune.org/2021/04/19/texas-senate-pension-overhaul/



The proposal would only affect state employees hired after Sept. 1, 2022. New workers would be required to contribute 6% of their pay to the retirement account, down from the 9.5% required of current state employees. It would guarantee 4% annual interest with a gainsharing provision that could boost interest as high as 7%. Gainsharing is a method by which employees receive additional compensation if they meet certain, predetermined benchmarks. The current state pension plan has a return target of 7%, but senators pointed out that it has fallen short of that goal in recent years.

Law enforcement employees and custodial workers would contribute an additional 2% of their earnings to a separate fund, as current workers in those roles do. They would also be eligible for the 4% guaranteed interest.

At the time of retirement, Texas would match the value of an employee’s account at 150% of its value. The supplemental fund for law enforcement and custodial workers would be matched at 300%. Both matches are the same as are available under the current pension plan, Huffman said.

[safe sex 11914]

Just now, ChuckNorrisActionJeans

4 hours ago, MC Fresh Breath said:

Oh my buddha.

 

Tearful mom begs Texas lawmakers not to throw her in jail for supporting her trans child / LGBTQ Nation

 

That is a bill that needs to die a quick death. I would be enraged if I had a trans kid. Whoever wrote the proposed bill should be forced to listen to hours of real life testimony. 

It wouldn't matter because they don't care. The cruelty is the point

[StassneyHorn 6755]

Royce West on Fox 7 now saying his George Floyd bill in the senate has gone nowhere because of the name in the bill. Really forward and to the point.

[cactusflinthead 27626]

More on Medicare

 

[Updawg 2378]

Medicare is all fed

Medicaid is a state/fed partnership

I guess they know they need to do something or come back for an emergency session to deal with it.

[kevwun 16269]

They done been outsmarted by that dastardly Biden.  Not sure how he managed to do it what with the dementia and need for constant naps.

[Js1 86941]

 

[cactusflinthead 27626]

3 hours ago, Updawg said:

Medicare is all fed

Medicaid is a state/fed partnership

I guess they know they need to do something or come back for an emergency session to deal with it.

Yeah. Mea culpa. I have a bad habit of that one.

[Guest Lobo]

I bet the majority of Texans couldn't answer this question correctly:

"The largest category of the Texas budget, above primary education, above law enforcement, above transportation, above retirement plans, above border security...is Medicaid.  True or False?"

And then the riots can truly begin

[Updawg 2378]

I bet the majority of Texans couldn't answer this question correctly:
"The largest category of the Texas budget, above primary education, above law enforcement, above transportation, above retirement plans, above border security...is Medicaid.  True or False?"
And then the riots can truly begin

True. But probably true for all states

[Guest Lobo]

Yes, it is probably true for all states.  But ours likes to pretend its special when it comes to shit like this.  

[StassneyHorn 6755]

House budget day today. They voted no on the amendment for Medicaid expansion 80-68 

[Biff Tannen 46061]

If Biden and the Dems were like Republicans, they would not allow red states who refused Medicaid expansion before now to do it. Sorry, you had your chance. 

Edited April 22, 2021 by Biff Tannen
Caid, care. Whatever the fuck.

[Mrs Whiggins 13050]

1 minute ago, Biff Tannen said:

If Biden and the Dems were like Republicans, they would not allow red states who refused Medicare expansion before now to do it. Sorry, you had your chance. 

But the 'no' vote means they aren't going to do the expansion, correct?

 

[Mrs Whiggins 13050]

This is fascism:

Briscoe makes an appearance, too.

 

 

 

[Updawg 2378]

Yay, more regulation

[Js1 86941]

1 minute ago, Updawg said:

Yay, more regulation

Texas: look how business friendly we are*! Relocate your companies here! 
 

*only if you don’t say mean things about our regressive legislation

Edited April 23, 2021 by Js1