Texas Legislature may propose state constitutional amendment to lower the quorum requirement

WBAP-Gary McNamara Show | 9/16/03 | Me Own Hairy Ears

[Diddle E. Squat]

Rep. Dan Branch of the Texas House was just on Gary McNamara's show on WBAP and he mentioned that Rep. Chris Harris is looking into lowering the quorum requirement(with the blessing of Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst.) Said that currently only a simple majority is required for a quorum in 45 states. The change would be put into an amendment to the TX constitution, which must first be ratified by the voters(simple majority), just like Saturday's election.

[supercat]

What I would favor would be reducing the quorum, but requiring that any action for which there is neither 1/3 of the full body in favor nor 1/3 opposed must be tabled until such time as more members are present.

[AuH2ORepublican]

"What I would favor would be reducing the quorum, but requiring that any action for which there is neither 1/3 of the full body in favor nor 1/3 opposed must be tabled until such time as more members."

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With a 2/3 quorum, no law could be passed without over 1/3 of the total members being in favor, which is actually a good thing, so your suggestion is ideal. Under your rule, a minority cannot paralize the House or Senate by skipping town, but the people are still protected from a law approved by a small minority of a chamber.

[Redbob]

This is a good thing; it would compel those being paid to show up to do so.

[YankeeinOkieville]

The proposed solution is simple, and it makes sense. Therefore it will never fly. These are politicians after all.