Thank God for small favors.
Gov. Rick Perry tamped out rumors today that he would call a special legislative session to consider whether Texas should seek to exempt itself from federal health care law.
Harris County Republican Chairman Jared Woodfill has circulated a petition in hopes of prompting Perry to call a 30-day special session to consider “nullification” as it relates to health care. Nullification is a largely untested legal theory which holds that states can ignore federal mandates that they feel constitutionally overreach.
“I don’t think there’s any need for any of that,” Perry told The Dallas Morning News.
Nevertheless, he said, he’d listen to legislators wanting to advance the idea. So far, none has contacted him, he said.
“We’re so close to a regular session,” Perry said. “But if members call and say this, we’ll have a conversation.”
My guess is that what Perry will probably say in that conversation is “You do know that I can’t raise money while y’all are in session, right? How am I gonna beat Bill White if I can’t fundraise?” Doesn’t mean a special session couldn’t happen, but that’s the first hurdle to overcome.
Ten years is long enough. Really too long but even if we had term limits finishing an unfinished term and two four year terms would probably be part of the bill if it became law. I’m all for it. We need to elect Bill White and get someone to introduce term limits. Many legislators think they deserve to be there for life once they get there. Two four year terms for governor and no more than 12 years in the Texas Senate or House would be opposed by so many legislators we might have to add another constitutional amendment to get it done. The long “serving” incumbents are almost impossible to unseat because of the donations they accumulate over the long term.
I haven’t rewritten my website since the 2008 race but am working on a solution and am on face book but it is not completely public at this time. I need to work on that also because it is easily updated and can be interactive unlike my website.
Kenneth D. Franks
Candidate for Texas House District 9
I can be easily be found on the net: kennethdfranks.ccom