Lawmaker risks health to stop voter ID bill (Sen. Mario Gallegos, Democrat)

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

May 22, 2007, 1:50AM
Lawmaker risks health to stop voter ID bill
A hospital bed was set up for Sen. Mario Gallegos in case he was needed


By GARY SCHARRER
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

AUSTIN — Sen. Mario Gallegos spent part of Monday resting in a hospital bed but was ready to spring into action if necessary to stop a controversial voter identification bill. And the Houston Democrat wouldn't have had to go far.

Colleagues set up a hospital bed for the ailing lawmaker in the Senate sergeant's office, about 100 feet away from Gallegos' desk on the Senate floor in the Capitol.

"If I wasn't the swing vote, I wouldn't be here. I promise you, I wouldn't be here," said Gallegos, who's fighting complications from a liver transplant he had four months ago.

Gallegos said he faced the potential of his body rejecting the liver and came to Austin against his doctor's wishes. He said doctors have warned him that he's risking his health by staying in the Capitol instead of resting at home. Doctors in Houston took a biopsy of Gallegos' liver on Friday because of complications and elevated enzymes.

But the Democrats need Gallegos to block legislation that would require Texas voters to provide a Department of Public Safety photo ID or two other pieces of identification.



Read more: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/4824361.html

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http://images.chron.com.nyud.net:8090/photos/2007/05/21/6359005/311xInlineGallery.jpg

State Sen. Mario Gallegos, right, greets Sen. John Whitmire from his sickbed in the Capitol.
JAMES NIELSEN: CHRONICLE

[LiberalFighter]

1. Too bad they can't pass a poison pill amendment to kill the bill.