Texas Democrats in Washington say they're not budging, but it's likely negotiations are ongoing.
SMU political scientist Cal Jillson says they aren't coming home anytime soon. He does believes there are phone calls between Democrats in Washington and Republicans in Austin about circumstances in which
the democrats might come back. "What could be done to what the Republicans call the Voter Integrity Bill that led the Democrats to leave Texas. But I doubt the Republicans would be willing to make enough changes in that bill, or as another example to stand down on the transgender athlete ban bill the republicans also have up. But those conversations are undoubtedly happening. But I don't think the Democrats are coming home anytime soon."
He says several provisions in the republican backed voting bill in the regular session that have been taken out for the special session. One that remains allows partisan poll watchers have free access to polling places. "They used to have to stand 15 to 20 feet away from voters. The claim was they couldn't see what was going on and they needed to hear so they needed to have more access. This bill gives poll watchers the ability to roam around. That really should come out of the bill because it is a violation of voter's rights." He says the democrats will point at that provision and say it has to go. Jillson says there are other provisions the democrats don't like, but many are provisions that make things slightly more difficult but don't prohibit voters from casting their ballot."
Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan tweeted that he has chartered a plane on standby in Washington DC on Saturday. He wrote "I am demanding all of our colleagues in Washington, DC to contact my staff immediately in order to secure their seat on the plane and return to Austin to do the state's business. The State of Texas is waiting." Jillson says "it's more messaging, more posturing, it's more attempts to win the news cycle and the information wars than any expectation that the democrats are coming home."
Phelan also stripped El Paso Democratic state representative Joe Moody of his title of Speaker Pro Tem. Moody is in Washington, DC. Jillson says that was unexpected. Moody has served as Speaker Pro Tem under the last two Speakers. "It's taking a title away, and it's taking a title away from the highest ranking Democrat. It is showing a further deterioration of the relationships between the two parties."
Lt Governor Dan Patrick sent a letter to Governor Abbot asking he change the quorum requirement, via a constitutional amendment to a simple majority. Jillson responds "No, not at this time. The quorum rule is set and a quorum is lacking. Next time they have a quorum, they could change the requirement to a simple majority. The Dems in Washington could also change the requirement for passing a bill in the Senate to a simple majority. Careful what you wish for."
Related
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow NewsRadio 1080 KRLD