Liveblogging The House

Ok. Here’s an attempt to liveblog what’s going on in the House right now. Refresh frequently, as this post will be updated frequently. As of this moment (2:09 p.m.), nothing is happening, except milling around.

Ok. The gavel just went down and now some entertaining music is playing on the House live web feed welcoming me to the Texas House of Representatives…reminds me of a Star Wars movie…

Humm…John Stoker, who used to be pastor at First United Methodist Church in Van is giving the invocation…He’s a Methodist so it’s a pretty ecommunical prayer, he even invited people to pray as their faith dictates.

Now the pledges…should you stand when you watch it via a webcast?

They’ve excused the two reps who are overseas. A couple others were excused.

Rep. Pete Laney is now introducing the Dr. of the Day: Kevin Stennett from Lockney, Texas…Oh, my…they’re asking for order.

Craddick: “Members, if you could give your attention to Mr. Laney, he’s introducing the Doctor of the Day, and you may need him in a minute.” Ha ha!

Did Laney just say that Dr. Stennet is the doctor at Mango Memorial Hospital? Did I mishear?

Wow, Craddick is really trying to get some order. Telling members to have their conversations outside the rails. Now, the clerk is reading the Governor’s proclamation.

Craddick just said Sharp and TTRC members will be on the floor to talk to members after adjournment today. Also, he noted that the House will convene each day this week, and that committees will meet this afternoon, bla bla bla.
Ok…they just wished former Governor Bill Clements a happy 89th birthday.

Rep. Hilderbran has asked for suspension of the rules to accept HR 35 which will allow for Rep. Corte’s replacement (his wife, Valerie) to be seated as temporary Rep. in HD 122.

Rep. Jones has moved adoption of HR 36 to allow Rep. Issett’s wife to take his place in the same manner as for Rep. Corte.

They’re being sworn in now.

And now…More Ceremonial Resolutions!

Rep. Swinford has been recognized: It’s a ceremonial resolution (HR 12) honoring some firefighters who died in the 1956 Shamrock McKee fire. It’s been passed.

Rep. Branch has introduced HR 13, which honors the author of “One Nation Under God: The History Of Prayer In America.” Oh, my….the author is visiting the House today…Oh…the author will be speaking to the House Prayer Group at 7:30 a.m. in the Member’s Lounge….

Ok. Now Rep. Dunnam has been asked about what rules the House will be governed by. Craddick says same one as last session. Now, he’s been asked how to amend the rules. More questions if proposed rule changes can get out of committee before bills.

Rep. Dunnam notes he has filed HR-33, and is asking that the rules be suspended so some “open government” rules can be adopted for this session. Craddick would not recognize this. Couldn’t find this online.

Now they’re reading the bills. HB1-5 all sound like TTRC proposals. HB 11 by Pena relates to a pay raise for teachers, as near as I could tell by the brief reading. HB-14 is on apprasials, as is HB-15. HB-17 is on homstead exemptions. HB-18 sales tax exemption for school supplies. HB-19 is on crimes against public school employees. And on and on and on….More on these later…
House has now adjourned until 10 a.m. Tuesday.

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