In the heat of the redistricting battle this summer, Ratliff advised Dewhurst not to drop the so-called "two-thirds rule" by which a supermajority of senators _ 21 if all are present _ must agree in advance to debate any legislation.
Concerned that redistricting would harm rural Texas, Ratliff had joined with 11 senators to block the legislation in the first special session. But Gov. Perry called a second special session and Dewhurst, saying it had been done before, dropped the two-thirds rule.
It is that change that Ratliff blames for the current meltdown in the chamber, and he said the quickest way to end the stalemate would be to reinstate it _ a prospect Dewhurst has already dismissed.