The Buzz at Quorum Report posts:

Chair Rep. Kent Grusendorf (R-Arlington) has named Rep. Scott Hochberg (D-Houston) to head a subcommittee to address formula issues on House Bill 2.

The decision represents the most conciliatory effort House Republicans have made toward the Democrats since the discussion of school finance began last session. Democrats, and many in the education community, were incensed when Republicans shut Hochberg out of the select committee on school finance and all subsequent discussion. Few dispute that Hochberg is the best-versed lawmaker in the Legislature on the "ins" and "outs" of the current school finance formula.

The decision to woo Hochberg as an ally, rather than an enemy on the back microphone, could be a sea change in the efforts to get a school finance bill passed out of the House Public Education Committee or, in fact, the House. The move is not likely to mean more money, but it will probably guarantee far more buy-in from the education community.

Taking the Republican's lead, we're going to wander up to the Capitol and do a little 'reaching across the aisle' ourselves.

Smooches!