As PD mentioned in the previous post, the Senate pushed through the second reading of HB 2 tonight on a 21-10 partyline vote (does anyone consider Armbrister or Madla Ds at this point?) They then took on HB 3, which, whaddayaknow, passed second reading, too - this time 18-13.

The three Rs that voted against HB 3 were Janek, Eltife, and Jackson. Apparently Janek would rather see the sales tax raised than support the new business tax. I guess that having the fifth most regressive tax system in the U.S. isn't sufficient for Mr. Janek - he wants that highly-coveted top spot. Go team!

HB 3 passed without amendment but with an assload of cockiness by Ogden, calling the potential passage of the bill "historic" by allowing the Lege "to cut property taxes by the greatest amount in the history of Texas." School children across the state reportedly farted in his direction.