Texas senate junks two thirds rule

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AUSTIN -- In an historic vote that could set the stage for a continuing partisan split, the Texas Senate on Wednesday voted 20-10 to junk a rule that required 21 votes before a bill could be brought up for debate.

Instead of a two-thirds vote, the change will require just three-fifths — 19 votes — enough to give the 20 Republicans much greater power over what legislation moves through the upper chamber.

The vote was mostly along party lines, with state Sen. Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville, voting for the change and Sen. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, not voting.

The two thirds rule, which had been in place since 1947, has enjoyed support from both sides of the aisle over the years, as a way to maintain the collegiality of the chamber, as well as provide political cover for lawmakers on controversial bills that fail to gain a vote.

Democrats warned that the change will breed partisan discord that will make the chamber do business more like Washington, where is a frequent target for criticism. They voiced opposed to the bill during a two-hour debate, the longest public discussion of Senate rules in decades.

Only one Republican, state Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, publicly spoke in favor of the change — which she said was needed because the Senate has become dysfunctional in recent years in fighting over 21 votes.

Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, was among who several cautioned that the change will affect not only the number of senators who are required to bring a bill up for debate, but it will also make it easier for the Senate to avoid public notices of hearings among other changes.

"This is a sad day for the Texas Senate and one that we will look back on and regret," Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, said.