AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- For the sixth consecutive time the Texas House failed to reach the 100 member quorum needed to conduct business Friday morning, falling five members short as Democratic lawmakers remained out of state to block Republican redistricting plans.
True to their word, Republican leadership officially ended the first special session after just minutes and immediately launched a second special session Friday afternoon, with Gov. Greg Abbott expanding the agenda to include youth camp safety measures in addition to the 18 original items.
"Do not go very far," House Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, warned lawmakers before ending the first session, signaling the quick turnaround that followed.
The failed first special session leaves significant business unfinished, including re