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Tue Feb 17, 2009 at 03:47 PM CST
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This past Sunday Democratic State Representative, Rafael Anchia, of Dallas struck a delicate tone of praising new Republican Speaker Joe Straus on his committee assignments as far as rewarding Democrats some Chairmanships, but then sharpened his criticism when it came to committee assignments such as those for Elections. Anchia drew a very clear line in the sand when discussing Voter Identification legislation, which would originate through Elections, with WFAA's Brad Watson: [about 3:30 into the video link]
When I looked at the [committee] assignments on the Elections committee, the speaker didn't really follow through on bi-partisanship in that committee. He didn't even put a veneer of bi-partisanship. Most of the committee's you have a Democratic Chair with a Republican majority-he didn't do that here.
He put a Republican Chair in place and a Republican majority-including people who have voted for the worst kind of voter disenfranchisement Bill in the past.
So that's a place of concern. If you've got a grandparent at home who might be a Korean War veteran, and 85 years old without a driver's license they are going to be required to bring their voter registration card and their driver's license as well. I think that's going to disenfranchise a lot of people.
So if they want to move a partisan disenfranchisement Bill then they're going to have a fight on their hands. |
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| It is refreshing to hear tough talk from a Democrat, especially regarding unnecessary and divisive legislation like Voter Identification. In a fight I'll take Anchia on my side any day of the week. Anchia signaled some very important caution that we must take note of. There has been some praise for Speaker Joe Straus and his overtures of bi-partisanship. Some of that praise is deserved. Some have pointed out last week's committee assignments and the awarding 16 Democrats various chairmanships as evidence that perhaps a new day has arrived in Austin. I say slow your roll and examine the facts.
The facts are, and Capitol Inside breaks this down, that Democrats Chair 16 out of 34 committees with Republicans holding the majority on 2/3rds of all standing committees in the House. More importantly, the committees where Republicans hold a majority, if not outright Chair as well, they are some of the most important committees where in the past, some important, and sometimes highly divisive legislation has originated.
The Lone Star Project has a very effective critique about this subject as well. Straus has thrown Democrats a bone with some of these committee assignments in hopes of dampening opposition, but clearly the new speaker and his Republican colleagues still control the flow of legislation on some of the most pointed, contentious, and divisive pieces of legislation likely to be heard in committee, and debated on the floor, during the 81st Legislative session. Straus stacked the deck in order to push forward key partisan legislation for the Republican Party. He has fulfilled his partisan duty.
Democrats must not be lured into complacency by Straus' olive branches. Democrats WILL have to take a very strong and united stand in order to stop legislation such as voter suppression. I believe that with folks like Anchia and others in the Caucus you can expect solid opposition. But any thoughts that Straus has nothing but bi-partisan intentions should fall to the wayside now. Buck up your spines and get ready cause it's going to be a bumpy session. |
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