New Democrats Hope For a More Bipartisan Texas Senate in 2019
When the Texas Senate convenes in January, Democrats will have one more senator in their ranks.
But the reality is that Republicans and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick are still firmly in control of a chamber that has been pushed far to the right in recent years. Even with newcomers Beverly Powell and Nathan Johnson beating out GOP incumbents Konni Burton and Don Huffines in the midterm elections, Democrats only increased their numbers from 11 to 12 in the 31-seat Senate. That’s because Democrats flubbed a special election in September to replace convicted felon and longtime San Antonio Senator Carlos Uresti. Republican Pete Flores beat former Congressman Pete Gallego in the district that Democrats held for 139 years.
Under Texas Senate rules passed by Patrick in 2015, any legislation must have the approval of three-fifths of the lawmakers to be brought to the floor. With 19 Republicans in the upper chamber, the GOP has just enough of a majority to control legislation next session.
On the other hand, Democrats — if they vote as a bloc — now only need one Republican ally to block legislation. Harold Cook, a longtime Democratic strategist in Austin, said the new makeup means there is a much higher probability that the Senate will return to its bipartisan roots, including more cooperation from the lieutenant governor.
Read more: https://www.texasobserver.org/new-democrats-hope-for-a-more-bipartisan-texas-senate-in-2019/
