Thread: Voter ID measure on the fast track in Texas

Voter ID measure on the fast track in Texas

Dewhurst puts it at the top of Senate agenda
By GARY SCHARRER
Austin Bureau
Jan. 20, 2011, 9:41PM


AUSTIN — Senators will meet Monday to begin considering a voter identification bill - a move sure to start this legislative session with a fierce partisan debate.

The voter ID bill was one of two items declared an emergency Thursday by Republican Gov. Rick Perry, prompting some Democratic leaders in the Texas House to say only the budget should get priority status. Some said they will urge their members not to support a plan next week allowing early debate on bills Perry has identified as emergencies.

Late Thursday, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst notified senators that he would bring up voter ID on Monday, with Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock, presiding over the Senate meeting as a committee of the whole. By doing so, it will allow the Senate to accelerate the process. Usually, a bill will go before a committee, which then takes testimony on the issue, followed by debate and then a committee vote taking it to the full Senate.

The goal is for the Senate to vote on the Voter ID bill by the end of the week, said Mike Walz, Dewhurst's spokesman.

Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, said Dewhurst's office had assured him that "we'll have ample opportunity to debate and discuss it," but added, "It's kind of a foregone conclusion what the outcome is going to be.

"I don't think it should come as a surprise to too many people that they have every intention of passing it. They've got the support and the numbers and the gavel to do so," Whitmire said. "I will assume it'll be a partisan vote."

Democratic leaders said putting voter ID on the fast track is another example of Republicans losing focus on more important matters, such as huge, proposed budget cuts that could end up closing community colleges and costing 100,000 education-related jobs.

Rule suspension sought
According to the state comptroller, Texas is facing a two-year budget shortfall of $15 billion. Others put the gap at closer to $27 billion, noting that the comptroller's estimate does not take into account the state's population growth when determining the cost of providing the current level of services.

"We need to deal with the budget before we deal with other matters," House Democratic Caucus leader Jessica Farrar of Houston said.

Democrats oppose a scheduled House vote on Monday to suspend a constitutional rule prohibiting debate on legislation during the first 60 days of a legislative session. It takes 120 of 150 House members to suspend a constitutional rule. Democrats, who hold only 49 House seats, could block the measure.

Lawmakers can debate and approve legislation in the first 60 days if the governor declares them an emergency. Perry has done that for several issues, including eminent domain and a call to end so-called "sanctuary cities," in which police don't check for the immigration status of persons they stop or arrest.

'Priority issues'
On Thursday, he added two more emergency issues: a resolution supporting a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution and voter ID.

"Why is voter ID an emergency? Why isn't it more of an emergency to figure out how to make sure kids can still go to college?" Farrar asked.

In his emergency declaration, Perry said it was important for lawmakers to address "these priority issues more quickly."

"Fiscal discipline, balanced budgets and the integrity of the ballot are critical to the people of Texas," the governor said.

Democrats have blocked Republican efforts in recent years to pass a voter ID bill. Republicans contend a more secure voting system is needed to make sure ineligible voters don't cast ballots. Democrats counter that a photo ID-based system would only make it harder for seniors and low-income Texans to vote.

Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, a House Democratic leader and chairman of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, said Perry's actions reinforce his belief that the governor is more interested in partisan politics than in solving a serious budget problem.

"Texans cannot afford to be distracted by either party's political agenda," he said. "We got a sobering reality (Wednesday) about the magnitude of this budget problem - with 192,000 children losing access to pre-kindergarten classes; a $1.57 billion cut in nursing home payments and the elimination of four community colleges."

Definition of 'emergency'
Democrats will vote to suspend the constitutional order of business only to take up the budget mess early, he said.

In his inaugural speech on Tuesday, Perry acknowledged that Texas is facing "substantial" challenges, but said legislators must balance the budget without raising taxes.

The official "emergency" status of those issues will probably mislead many Texans unfamiliar with the inner-workings of the Legislature, said Cal Jillson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University.

"To declare it as an emergency doesn't mean this the most important issue that we'll deal with this session," Jillson said.

It means those issues are "ready to be brought forward by these large Republican majorities and, to some extent, it's also partisan and ideological because (the governor) only identifies issues that make a particular Republican point, like sanctuary cities or Voter ID," he said.

The Republican Party platform identifies both issues as legislative priorities.

Nolan Hicks of the Houston Chronicle also contributed to this report.

gscharrer@express-news.net

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/pol ... 90453.html

Easy to see a liberal agenda. They cannot look past the short term benefit.

Stop voter fraud by those who shouldn't be eligible to vote keeps Americans in the ballots and non Americans out. That creates less need of pandering to illegals and less risk of getting those in office who pander to illegals against Americans wishes.

I do see dems making a small point, these issues aren't great enough to warrant major debate and issues. Least the ID one to prevent voter fraud should be a hands down win by any American standard. Can't prove your right to vote... you get no vote. That should be able to make it through the house and senate in one day and be signed the 2nd day.

Then move on.... only problem is Liberals have gone so far to become traitorous to the American people.

Am sure the Dems want to block the ID vote. Heck .... who has more past history and experience with illegal votes than the Dems do. They have the number one expert on it in the whitehouse already. I think that there should be ICE reps at the voting centers and have them check documentation there as well. See how many illegals the round up with have false IDs.

Highlights from around the Capitol Wednesday

By The Associated Press © 2011 The Associated Press
Jan. 26, 2011, 3:35PM

AUSTIN, Texas — Senate approval of a bill that would require most Texans to present a photo ID before being allowed to vote could come Wednesday.

The legislation, which passed along partisan lines in a committee late Tuesday night, was being debated Wednesday by the full Senate.

Debate had been expected to start Wednesday night, but Democrats agreed to suspend their layout rules to take up the bill earlier.

"The outcome is inevitable and our opposition remains firm," said Sen. Leticia Van De Putte, leader of the Senate Democrats.

Republicans say the measure is needed to prevent fraud. Democrats say it's more about keeping voters — their voters — away from the polls.

Republicans have made it a top priority and Gov. Rick Perry declared voter ID a legislative "emergency," a designation that puts it on the fast track in the 2011 session. The House has not taken up the issue yet, but both chambers have to pass it and Perry must sign it before it can become law.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"We're very much opposed to this bill, which you will get to witness in a moment." — Sen. John Whitmire, explaining why Democrats were allowing the Senate to suspend their layout rules to quickly take up voter identification legislation.

http://oneoldvet.com/

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/7399253.html

Voter ID Bill I see as a defecit reducer. If illegals can't vote politicians won't pander to them wasting more money and will be more likely to do things that the remaining legal voters support such as cutting funding to programs for illegals getting benefits.

I hate the idea of having to present a photo ID in order to vote.
In my opinion, it destroys the sanctity of voter privacy. There's
been way too much voter fraud in the past few elections so this has
become a necessary evil.

Thank you fraudsters for destroying the one thing in our country that
should always be pure.

Def

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Texas senators pass voter ID bill
By JAY ROOT
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jan. 27, 2011, 12:44AM

AUSTIN — Texas Republican leaders have scored their first major legislative victory of the 2011 session with Senate passage of a bill requiring most residents to present photo identification before being allowed to vote.

The legislation, which exempts certain disabled people and those 70 and older, passed the Senate along partisan lines after majority Republicans shot down one Democratic amendment after another. One last-minute change both sides could agree on in the pro-gun Texas Legislature: a provision adding a concealed weapons permit as a valid form of identification.

Republicans say tougher voter ID laws are needed to prevent fraud. Democrats say the effort is designed to boost GOP margins by keeping Democratic-leaning voters, less likely to have ID, away from the polls.

The bill now moves to the state House, where passage is considered likely. GOP Gov. Rick Perry supports the measure.

"We did what we think is good for the people of Texas," said Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, the author of the bill. "We're very confident that the bill we're passing will be fair to voters."

Democrats knew they were going to lose. The measure was approved 19-11, with all Republicans backing it and all but one absent Democrat voting no. Republicans also have a 101-49 House majority. Perry had already given the measure fast-track status last week.

Sen. Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio, leader of the Senate Democrats, predicted the U.S. Justice Department would block implementation of the legislation under provisions of the Voting Rights Act.

Tougher than 2009 version
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, leader of the Senate Republicans, said the U.S. Supreme Court has already blessed the kind of legislation passed Wednesday night. He predicted it would sail past any legal challenges.

The bill is tougher than a 2009 version that was blocked by Democrats. It requires voters to present a valid form of state or federally issued photo identification.

A driver's license, personal ID card, military ID, passport or concealed handgun permit would be accepted. Disabled Texans who present county election authorities with a doctor's letter would be exempt.

The ID change would cost the state about $2 million to pay for training elections officials and public advertising to announce the change. Democrats charged that's an unnecessary expense in a year when lawmakers are grappling with a budget shortfall of about $15 billion and facing deep cuts in education, health care and social services.

Dewhurst, who is expected to run for U.S. Senate in 2012, has pushed for the voter ID bill for two sessions. He said the $2 million could be covered by a federal grant.

"At the end of the day, there's nothing more important than protecting the sanctity of everyone's right to vote," Dewhurst said.

Democrats had laid out a string of proposed amendments to what some have called the most stringent voter ID bill in the country.

The votes fell along party lines, with Democrats attempting through nearly 40 amendments to relax the bill's strict requirements.

Citing testimony from civil rights activists and advocates for the disadvantaged, Democrats said the bill would negatively affect minorities, the elderly and the disabled.

Democrats tried gutting the bill first. Then, failing that, they fought to allow more forms of ID for voting purposes.

Fraser, the bill's author, rejected most of the proposals, including the addition of student IDs and Medicare cards. He allowed an amendment proposed by Sen. Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville, that would allow a 60-day window for expired driver's licenses.


http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/met ... 99652.html

I hate the idea of having to present a photo ID in order to vote.
In my opinion, it destroys the sanctity of voter privacy. There's
been way too much voter fraud in the past few elections so this has
become a necessary evil.

Thank you fraudsters for destroying the one thing in our country that
should always be pure.
----------------------------------------

i disagree because you are still having to sign your name so how is that private. and they know your signing the name on the card.
just the threat of voter fraud is enough to have most people worried.
The stories from last October involving HOUSTON VOTES should make you worried that elections could contain fraud.
and lets not forget ACORN from the 2008 election

Originally Posted by defaoite62

I hate the idea of having to present a photo ID in order to vote.
In my opinion, it destroys the sanctity of voter privacy. There's
been way too much voter fraud in the past few elections so this has
become a necessary evil.

Thank you fraudsters for destroying the one thing in our country that
should always be pure.

Def

I gotta disagree. Your voting privacy is still there. The ID is checked to get a ballot but they aren't tracking which ballot for whom matches which voter (even though you sign at times). Show valid ID to get in sounds very reasonable and as such still doesn't let others know you voted for that dipstick who just screwed you royally or whatever.

The only slight arguement is for those who send in absentee ballots which personally I think needs much stronger restrictions such as if your out of the country or seriously bedridden with a serious disease such as cancer treatment.

Unreported mostly but in small areas we have seen people dead for 10-20 years still voting from beyond the grave along with people voting in multiple different areas including different states.

The other arguement is only for illegal aliens who shouldn't ever be allowed into voting as they don't even know or understand our laws or our constitution and also don't even believe in our form of government.

We really need stricter voting requirements I believe and to protect our nation and our Constitution. How many times have we bad idiot presidents voted in by idiots, illegals, or foreign power supporters?

"After what Reid pulled in Nevada, screw it I want your thumb print too!"
See how many of them want to give they're print!
And since guys can stand outside polling stations with pool cues, I say we stand outside with ICE T-shirts/jackets on, that would be cool!

Originally Posted by defaoite62

The ID change would cost the state about $2 million to pay for training elections officials and public advertising to announce the change. Democrats charged that's an unnecessary expense in a year when lawmakers are grappling with a budget shortfall of about $15 billion and facing deep cuts in education, health care and social services.

Dewhurst, who is expected to run for U.S. Senate in 2012, has pushed for the voter ID bill for two sessions. He said the $2 million could be covered by a federal grant.

I can't imagine how it is going to cost anyone $2 to train election officials to take an ID whe people vote. The last few years I have voted they were already asking for ID's. I would are smart enough to pick up an ID and read it.