a message from State Rep Randy Weber about Voter ID

Here is a letter that State Rep Randy Weber sent out about what is going on in the house about Voter ID.  Basicaly the Dems are blocing the bill.  RPT and the SREC are working on moving this but keep calling your reps and the Dem reps to let the will of the people be done.   Thanks Dennis Paul SREC SD11     Here is what is happening in the Legislature. We take bills up in the order that they are put on our Calendar. The Democrats don't want us to get to Voter ID, which by the way, 70% of Texans are in favor of. They have begun to do what is called "chubbing" which could better be understood by saying it's the same as filibustering. They get at the front and back microphones and talk up to ten minutes per bill. Since there is over 200 bills on the Calendar, they will effectively tie up the House's Calendar for over 2000 minutes which equates to well over 34 hours, not even counting the time in between. Many bills are being delayed by this tactic, and are in jeopardy of dying when the last day of the Session rolls around. They could stop all the meaningless conversation at the front & back microphones and let the Calendar proceed. Then, all bills would come up on the floor for discussion, and that would include the Veterans Bill, the TWIA Bill, the Top Ten Percent Bill, and the Voter ID Bill. There is an attempt underway to paint the Republicans (who refuse to let the calendar be used to hold bills hostage) as "anti-veteran." Well, because the Democrats are basically filibustering the Calendar, does that mean that the Democrats are "anti" every other bill and every other group of people on the Calendar? Of course not, at least I hope not. This is simply an attempt to block our efforts on behalf of voter integrity and it is a tactic to try to make Republicans look bad.   Message to D's: stop stalling and let EVERY bill come to the floor!   If we give in to this ploy, it will set an extremely bad precedent.  The Calendar of the House of Representatives will be turned into a form of the "Blocker Bill" and used every session to those who want to hold the majority hostage and hold up legislation. We Republicans are committed to standing strong and stay the course while they do their stalling tactics. We will be here night and day if necessary.  I don't believe that our Vets would want us to be held hostage in this manner. Too many of them fought, sacrificed and even died to preserve our way of life. Giving in to blackmail and "hostage taking" is NOT part of our way of life. I believe that of all people, our Vets, would understand. House Republicans will stand strong to prevent such future hostage taking.   Here is an article one of our Members, Will Hartnett sent to the Quorum Report.    Blessings…. Randy Weber     From: Will Hartnett Sent: Sun 5/24/2009 2:37 PM Subject: The current Calendar crisis     More than the Voter ID Bill is at stake in the current political crisis.  The greater question is whether we will allow the Local and Consent Calendar to be turned into a blocker bill and, more importantly, a chronic hostage.  If the House Republicans give any concession to free up the Local and Consent Calendar, we will create a precedent that will haunt all future Legislatures.       Because the large majority of bills each session pass through the Local and Consent Calendar, it is imperative that we keep it as free from partisan politics as possible.  We face a historic test.  If we do not stand firm, the Local and Consent Calendar will be abused every session to hold the entire legislative process hostage.  Any concession will effectively create a Super Calendar Committee composed of whatever group of Members are brazen enough at any particular time to seize control of the Local and Consent process.       Since the inception of the Ten Minute Debate Rule in 1975, the Local and Consent Calendar has never been abused like what we are seeing now.  We must send a loud message of "hands off."  As all know, paying one kidnap ransom inevitably fosters more ki