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Maybe the contentious stuff is back loaded I'd guess, but it seems like the Gun/2-A stuff is always handled late in the session. With apparently super-majorities in both houses, is there a practical reason the Bills we all care about couldn't be handled almost routinely and without drama earlier in the session?

ralewis wrote:Maybe the contentious stuff is back loaded I'd guess, but it seems like the Gun/2-A stuff is always handled late in the session. With apparently super-majorities in both houses, is there a practical reason the Bills we all care about couldn't be handled almost routinely and without drama earlier in the session?

Unfortunately, the State of Texas has a lot more issues than just 2A, or LTC. While those of us here on the forum, and other gun owners, and LTC holders may want to "go ahead and get these done". The legislature has to work through a myriad of issues. Budgets, Highway Appropriations, Taxes, School Funding etc.etc. All of these issues are just as important to the constituents of the legislature as what we want. Also although we have a majority, in the House, Senate, and even in the Governor's office, not all Republicans are as "gung ho" on gun rights as others. There is drama, in all phases of legislation, because all of the representatives have constituents to answer to. Also, there must be broad support for bills before they will even be introduced, if a senator or house member knows he won't have the support of even others in his party, the bills will linger a lot longer, so timing is key. Members may have to "bargain" for support, by agreeing to support other member's bills. This is not new, but it does tend to make for boring commentary sometimes, and may push a particular piece of legislation further down the docket. Then the bills will have to be sent to committee where changes may be made, or the bill will simply die. We got a lot of things passed in the last session, most notably, Open Carry, and Campus Carry, so the receptiveness to removing more restrictions will probably be lower, especially, if there are other key pieces of legislation, that are more compelling for them to work through. JMHO

Jusme wrote:

ralewis wrote:Maybe the contentious stuff is back loaded I'd guess, but it seems like the Gun/2-A stuff is always handled late in the session. With apparently super-majorities in both houses, is there a practical reason the Bills we all care about couldn't be handled almost routinely and without drama earlier in the session?

Unfortunately, the State of Texas has a lot more issues than just 2A, or LTC. While those of us here on the forum, and other gun owners, and LTC holders may want to "go ahead and get these done". The legislature has to work through a myriad of issues.

...birthdays, useless resolutions, noting that the 22nd dog choir from outside cool Texas is visiting today, bringing in and recognizing donors, etc. etc. Make sure to remember all this when someone says "we just ran out of time."

steveincowtown wrote:

Jusme wrote:

ralewis wrote:Maybe the contentious stuff is back loaded I'd guess, but it seems like the Gun/2-A stuff is always handled late in the session. With apparently super-majorities in both houses, is there a practical reason the Bills we all care about couldn't be handled almost routinely and without drama earlier in the session?

Unfortunately, the State of Texas has a lot more issues than just 2A, or LTC. While those of us here on the forum, and other gun owners, and LTC holders may want to "go ahead and get these done". The legislature has to work through a myriad of issues.

...birthdays, useless resolutions, noting that the 22nd dog choir from outside cool Texas is visiting today, bringing in and recognizing donors, etc. etc. Make sure to remember all this when someone says "we just ran out of time."

Yep all part of the dog and pony show that is the Texas Legislature.

While it's frustrating to watch good bills languish in committee and often have the clock run out on them, I'll take our part time legislature over a legislature that strips freedom full time.

Even in Texas, take a look at all bills passed this session and lump them into one of three bins: Bin 1, all bills which further restrict the freedom of average citizens or increase regulatory requirements. Bin 2, all bills which limit the size and scope of government or increase freedom for law abiding citizens. Bin 3, all bills which have no effect on regulatory compliance.

Metaphorically speaking, if Bin 1 were the size of a 747, then bin 3 would be about the size of a Volkswagen beetle, and bin 2 would be the glove box of the beetle.

canvasbck wrote:While it's frustrating to watch good bills languish in committee and often have the clock run out on them, I'll take our part time legislature over a legislature that strips freedom full time.

Even in Texas, take a look at all bills passed this session and lump them into one of three bins: Bin 1, all bills which further restrict the freedom of average citizens or increase regulatory requirements. Bin 2, all bills which limit the size and scope of government or increase freedom for law abiding citizens. Bin 3, all bills which have no effect on regulatory compliance.

Metaphorically speaking, if Bin 1 were the size of a 747, then bin 3 would be about the size of a Volkswagen beetle, and bin 2 would be the glove box of the beetle.

I'd say pass everything in Bin 2, shred everything in Bin 1 and put everything in Bin 3 off until 2019!

steveincowtown wrote: ...birthdays, useless resolutions, noting that the 22nd dog choir from outside cool Texas is visiting today, bringing in and recognizing donors, etc. etc. Make sure to remember all this when someone says "we just ran out of time."

I was just flabbergasted last session, watching that first couple of weeks on TV. Some Pink Pajamas Poodle Club would travel clear across Texas to be "honored" in the legislature. Some rep would get up and read a little 1-minute speech about them, while EVERYBODY in the half-empty chamber completely ignored him, often even standing around chatting with each other. It went on for days and days and days, while vital legislation waited.

ralewis wrote:Maybe the contentious stuff is back loaded I'd guess, but it seems like the Gun/2-A stuff is always handled late in the session. With apparently super-majorities in both houses, is there a practical reason the Bills we all care about couldn't be handled almost routinely and without drama earlier in the session?

With Strauss as Speaker, republicans never really have a supermajority.

as of today there are well over 800 bills already filed just in the house. while there are a few that will be given a bit of a priority, the rest are handled as they are processed.
as I go through the bills filed each day, probably 70% of them have to do with the education system in some way.

canvasbck wrote:I'll take our part time legislature over a legislature that strips freedom full time..

Indeed. As the saying goes, the lege meets for 140 days every two years. It would be even better if it met for two days every 140 years.

Straus is moving bills through the house exactly as fast as he wants them to move. Especially in his Calendars club.

he just finished assigning committees about a week ago. Most are meeting now. Give it time, it all works out.