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Let's see... Texas Legislature meets for 140 days every two years.

The 85th Legislature officially began on January 10, 2017.

Since then, there have been 3 concurrent resolutions filed granting permission for the legislature to adjourn for more than 3 days.

SCR 7 Author: Whitmire Sponsor: Kuempel
Last Action: 01/18/2017 S Signed in the Senate
Caption Version: Introduced
Caption: Granting the legislature permission to adjourn for more than three days during the period beginning on Wednesday, January 11, 2017, and ending on Tuesday, January 17, 2017.

HCR 47 Author: Geren Sponsor: Whitmire
Last Action: 01/18/2017 S Adopted
Caption Version: Introduced
Caption: Granting the legislature permission to adjourn for more than three days during the period beginning on Wednesday, January 18, 2017, and ending on Tuesday, January 24, 2017.

SCR 10 Author: Whitmire
Last Action: 01/24/2017 S Filed
Caption Version: Introduced
Caption: Granting the legislature permission to adjourn for more than three days during the period beginning on Wednesday, January 25, 2017, and ending on Monday, January 30, 2017.

When are they actually planning on doing any work this session?

SMH

I think this is pretty typical
This is why it gets so chaotic in March-May

TexasJohnBoy wrote:I think this is pretty typical
This is why it gets so chaotic in March-May

Yep. Going back the last two, I've noticed a similar pattern. Most of the floor work is done in April and May.

84th Legislature (2015)
January 15-20
January 22-26
January 29- February 2
February 5-9 (February 4-9)
February 11-17
February 18-23
February 25- March 2
March 4-9
March 11-16
March 25-30
April 1-7

83rd Legislature (2013)
January 9-14
January 16-22
January 23-28
January 30- February 4
February 6-11
February 13-18
February 20-25
February 27- March 4
March 6-11
March 13-18
March 27-April 2

I thought it was two days every 140 years.

(they'd do less damage that way)

I have always been pleased that the TX leg only meets once every two years. I frequently brag about it to the handful of Yankees I know.

IMHO the the TX leg will (as they always have) get done exactly what they want to in the time allowed. If something doesn't get done, it is because they didn't want it to get done.

The "we ran out of time" line is 100% myth.

It's aggravating and a little surprising that the Republican majority goes along with this...but hey, they can do no harm while not in Austin.

Papa_Tiger wrote:Let's see... Texas Legislature meets for 140 days every two years.

SMH

As far as I'm concerned they can just get a budget passed as required by the constitution and then not pass any bills (unless the bills are to dismantle, get rid of, or clarify current regulation)

steveincowtown wrote:I have always been pleased that the TX leg only meets once every two years. I frequently brag about it to the handful of Yankees I know.

IMHO the the TX leg will (as they always have) get done exactly what they want to in the time allowed. If something doesn't get done, it is because they didn't want it to get done.

The "we ran out of time" line is 100% myth.

I tend to agree with this line of thought. The real deals and work happen behind the scenes.

Pig Renter wrote:As far as I'm concerned they can just get a budget passed as required by the constitution and then not pass any bills (unless the bills are to dismantle, get rid of, or clarify current regulation)

Agreed. I've often said I wish they'd just vote for any bills that remove more text from statute than they add. You want your new law passed? Fine, but you have to go find something else that needs cleaning up.

Oversimplification, I know, but still...

Papa_Tiger wrote:Let's see... Texas Legislature meets for 140 days every two years.

The 85th Legislature officially began on January 10, 2017.

Since then, there have been 3 concurrent resolutions filed granting permission for the legislature to adjourn for more than 3 days.

SCR 7 Author: Whitmire Sponsor: Kuempel
Last Action: 01/18/2017 S Signed in the Senate
Caption Version: Introduced
Caption: Granting the legislature permission to adjourn for more than three days during the period beginning on Wednesday, January 11, 2017, and ending on Tuesday, January 17, 2017.

HCR 47 Author: Geren Sponsor: Whitmire
Last Action: 01/18/2017 S Adopted
Caption Version: Introduced
Caption: Granting the legislature permission to adjourn for more than three days during the period beginning on Wednesday, January 18, 2017, and ending on Tuesday, January 24, 2017.

SCR 10 Author: Whitmire
Last Action: 01/24/2017 S Filed
Caption Version: Introduced
Caption: Granting the legislature permission to adjourn for more than three days during the period beginning on Wednesday, January 25, 2017, and ending on Monday, January 30, 2017.

When are they actually planning on doing any work this session?

SMH

The House can't hold committee hearings until committee assignments are completed, which typically doesn't happen until around February 1.

Per the Texas Constitution, most bills can't receive a floor vote before the 60th day of the session (that's why both chambers are currently only voting on concurrent resolutions). The governor's emergency items can receive a vote prior to that, but those won't be announced until Gov. Abbott's State of the State Address on Jan 31.

Basically, this is the way things work. If you want things to work faster, you're gong to have to amend the Texas Constitution.

steveincowtown wrote:I have always been pleased that the TX leg only meets once every two years. I frequently brag about it to the handful of Yankees I know.

IMHO the the TX leg will (as they always have) get done exactly what they want to in the time allowed. If something doesn't get done, it is because they didn't want it to get done.

The "we ran out of time" line is 100% myth.

Several times I've explained how our legislature meets for 140 days every two years to Californians, and the reaction is always one of incredulity. I've been asked, "how do they get things done?" When I try to explain that it (A) keeps them from burying us under too many laws, and (B) forces them to focus only on the important things, and (C) we Texans are all much happier for it, they just shake their heads. They can't believe that a state the size of ours (or theirs, for that matter) can actually function by restricting the legislature's sessions that way. I point out to them that they have no liberty there, and we have a LOT of liberty. Their economy is in a shambles. Ours is not.

TAM, They will never accept the premise government is the problem and not the answer.

They DID pass legislation the other day creating 'Oyster Day' in Texas...who says they don't get anything done?

mojo84 wrote:TAM, They will never accept the premise government is the problem and not the answer.

You got that right. My mom's late boyfriend was a confirmed old-school european socialist. When I told him about it, he literally asked how on earth Texas could be so prosperous without massive gov't oversight and management. I must have tried three different ways to explain it, and he just couldn't wrap his mind around it.......especially the part about how we're all happier for it.