Political roundtable: final thoughts

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Political insiders doubt a special session, but all agree members must be able to make some major decisions quickly.

Journalist Ross Ramsey, author of the online political newsletter TexasWeekly.com, said the biggest trouble in the two days could happen over the transportation bill. The conference committee has come to an agreement that reforms TxDOT, keeps red light cameras at intersections, does not allow counties to hold elections for local taxes and its keeps the Transportation commissioners as appointed spots instead of elected. Ramsey said there is a solid chance it could fail to pass in either the Senate or House.

Cook pointed out that the Transportation Bill has caused Republican Senator John Carona to speak ill of the Republican party and its stance on not allowing local tax to build more roads.

As far as the debate over voter ID, Black said the Democrats decision to block it could hurt them in the long run. “I think this issue will come back and bite the Democrats in the next election cycle,” he said.