Democratic plan fails by one vote

[sonias]

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/shared/tx/legislature/stories/06/29finance.html
The Texas House turned back a Democratic proposal for a school finance overhaul by one vote today, barely avoiding what would have been a major change in the direction of the special legislative session.

The House defeated the Democrats' proposal with a 75-74 vote, with Speaker Tom Craddick casting the deciding vote after the rest of the House was tied. Speakers generally do not vote, although Craddick has regularly done so on major proposals this year.

The plan drew the support of every Democrat and 12 Republicans.

Well we can hang that failure on Craddick since he broke the tie. Way to stick together Democrats!

Sonia

[BrklynLiberal]

1. That is a crying shame...but a moral victory if not an actual one.

[sonias]

2. We'll claim the victory BrklynLiberal

Getting all our Texas Dems to vote together in one block is amazing, and to have 12 repukes join us is even more amazing. We are winning the hearts and minds of the almost moderate repukes. As one of my friends said recently "Republicans can be good human beings, if you can just start their hearts.
:evilgrin:

Sonia

[BrklynLiberal]

3. Well said.

:thumbsup:

[merci_me]

4. Here's a bit of detail of what the Bill was

This is from http://www.houtopia.com a blog by one of my favorite political sources, Keir Murray and an everyday "must read".

Mary

http://www.houtopia.com/archives/2005/06/hochberg_shows.html

June 28, 2005

Hochberg Shows His Quality, and Loses to Partisans

Today comes word that Texas House Democrats' plan to reform public school finance -- a plan authored by Houston State Representative Scott Hochberg -- fell just one vote short of passing.

The plan garnered every Democratic vote and the support of 12 brave Republicans. It was left to House Speaker Tom Craddick, that champion of public education, to cast the deciding vote to kill it.

The plan cut property taxes across the board, tripled the property tax homestead exemption, and gave teachers a meaningful pay raise. Hochberg said the plan would benefit the average homeowner in 144 of 150 State House districts, and raise funding for three-fourths of Texas school districts.

But the GOP would sooner shut the schools down this fall than see any "Democrat" plan become law. We especially enjoyed the quote from Pampa Representative Chisum -- whose sole effort to improve the everyday lives of Texas families this session has been to introduce a constitutional amendment making already illegal same-sex marriage more illegal -- now he's a legislator we can all be proud of.

House Democrats offer a real, substantive plan to fund public schools. The GOP -- Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker et al? They're looking for the next "wedge" issue to divide Texans and pick up a few votes. This is leadership, ladies and gentlemen, brought to you by the Texas Republican Party.

[sonias]

5. thanks Mary

That was a good blog post and a great effort by Representative Scott Hochberg. The local rag is now reporting they voted on a repuke
plan that passed the house late last night.

House OKs plan for school spending
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/shared/tx/legislature/stories/06/29special.html
The House approved a $2.5 billion education proposal Tuesday night that lowers property taxes and boosts teacher salaries but has been widely criticized by educators.

House leaders, meanwhile, tried to quietly revise a separate plan to swap billions in higher state taxes for lower school property taxes.

The education measure creates an expansive incentive-pay program for teachers, toughens oversight of the state's charter-school system and requires schools to start after Labor Day beginning in 2006. The Senate is expected to debate a similar proposal as soon as today.

Sonia

[sonias]

6. And even more detail from Rep Aaron Pena's blog

http://acapitolblog.blogspot.com/
HOUSE LEADERS SAVE SCHOOL BILL WITH EL PASO MEDICAL SCHOOL DEAL
Texas House Republican leaders made the El Paso delegation an offer its members wouldn't refuse - and it saved the school finance bill from going down in flames late Tuesday night after 13 hours of debate.

The House approved House Bill 2 on a 77-70 vote after three El Paso Democrats and the city's only Republican lawmaker abandoned their opposition to the measure amid promises of state funding for a four-year medical school in the border town.

El Paso Democrats cave!

Sonia