DALLAS — State Rep. Sheryl Cole, D-District 46, says instead of being common like some would have you believe, quorum breaks are actually quite rare.

The Austin-area Democrat says there have only been four quorum breaks in the last 50 years in Texas.

And after dozens of Democrats left the state again this summer to stall redistricting legislation , just like they did in 2003, Cole said she expects Republicans to punish them in more ways than one.

“I’m expecting them to try to silence the voices of the minority. And the only thing, Jason, that we’re required to be here to vote on is the budget,” the Democrat told us on Inside Texas Politics . “It (breaking quorum) is a tool that is time honored for people in the minority party to utilize to stop legislation that’s going forward.”

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