Key fiscal bill passes... then fails... then passes

The primary bill of this special session, SB 1, includes necessary changes to law to balance the budget passed during the regular session, as well as school finance reform. Failure to pass SB 1 by Wednesday, the 30th day of the session, would virtually guarantee a second special session.

Today, the Senate passed SB 1 on a vote of 19-11, then adjourned "sine die" (final adjournment for the session).

But when SB 1 was taken up in the House this evening, observers were very surprised at the result: the bill failed on a 64-79 vote.

The House then stood at ease while the Republican caucus met privately, presumably to twist arms in the hope of obtaining a majority vote in favor of SB 1 and avoid a special session. (One Democrat later jokingly asked whether the new laws prohibiting bullying had been violated during the meeting.) Whatever the method, the caucus meeting served its purpose, and when the House reconvened a motion was made to reconsider the vote. SB 1 then passed on a 80-57 vote.

Wednesday is the final day of the special session, and the Legislature has completed the education-related portion of this session's agenda. SB 1, SB 8, and other bills passed during the special session must still be reviewed by Gov. Perry, who could call additional special sessions if he is unhappy with lawmakers' work.