Here comes Mario

While I was critical of Clay Robison for his characterization of the then-upcoming voter ID fight, he did identify an important issue:

If the Democrats stick together, they will prevent Republicans from mustering the necessary two-thirds vote to advance the proposal. But Houston Sen. Mario Gallegos' health will be key. Gallegos, a Democrat, has returned to the Capitol only twice since liver transplant surgery earlier this year.

The two-thirds vote is calculated on the number of senators present. Democrats can block the motion when all 31 senators are there, but the 20 Republicans, voting together on a strictly partisan vote, can run over Democratic opposition if one Democrat is absent.

Today, Sen. Gallegos informed Lt. Gov. Dewhurst that he wants to be notified in time to make it to Austin for this vote.

Sen. Mario Gallegos, D-Houston, who continues to recuperate from a liver transplant and is only attending legislative sessions part-time, said today that he has asked Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst to give him 24 hours notice before attempting to pass the controversial voter ID legislation.

[...]

In January, Dewhurst agreed in writing to give Gallegos 24 hours' notice "one time for a vote on a single piece of legislation."

But Dewhurst also told Gallegos, "I did not promise, and obviously, I cannot in good conscience promise to hold all votes during your absence."

The good news is that according to Patricia Kilday Hart, Dewhurst intends to maintain the two-thirds rule for this debate, something which was not a guarantee from the beginning. Of course, since this bill might wind up as an amendment to something else, Gallegos' presence may not ultimately affect its status. But it still matters, and I knew he'd step up. Thanks, Sen. Gallegos.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on April 25, 2007 to That's our Lege