After a grueling 23-hour hearing, the Senate passed SB 362, requiring that voters present a photo identification. No big surprise there.
The AP reports,
No one was surprised that a special Senate panel, which includes all 31 senators and Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, approved the legislation along straight party lines in a 20-12 vote just before 10 a.m. It was, as one Democratic senator observed, a “foregone conclusion.”
Wednesday’s vote all but assures it will pass and be sent to the House as early as Monday.
Andy didn’t make it back to testify, he had to head off to Dallas before his turn came up. Lots of people didn’t make it to testify… though as many as 150 folks signed up, only around 25 made it through the night to actually speak.
I’m not sure on the official numbers of how many people dropped cards for or against the bill, but I heard through the grapevine that more people commented against it than for. Thanks to everyone who made it out — get ready to do it all over again in the House!
Reports Vince Leibowitz at Capitol Annex,
The bill is all but assured a similar party-line vote when it comes up before the full Senate as early as Monday for final passage. The bill will then go to the Texas House, where it will likely be assigned to the House Elections Committee.
Sorry my fellow Good Government watchdogs… our work is never done. And even then, who will watch the watchmen?
