Note: 7:20 and we're still liveblogging. Been at it since the early afternoon. We'll give up by 8, so until then click refresh and watch the extended entry expand. (Or chat me up at PinkDomeTX (AIM) and we'll discuss the day's events. Watch out, I'm drinking wine.)
Are y'all watching the Hochberg v. Grusendorf debate on HB2? Hochberg is on the offensive and Grusendorf is doing a lot of 'ducking and weaving' during the debate.

Grusendorf is hilARIous, though. "I left my crystal ball at home," and "throwing money down a rathole." are gems!

Griggs was up next and it seems to me there are some pretty good questions, but it is SO hard to blog and sneak our flask out at the same time.

Scroll to the bottom for fresh updates

(2:25 p.m.)Grusendorf tries to smack down Luna on 'facilities' questions he feels are not relevant to HB2. Aren't schools...facilities? But, Luna should shut up...he's beating her down and she's just trying to get her agenda on record. BORING....we're going to get more ice. Be back in a bit.

(2:30 p.m.)"If we're going to change the net effect of HB 2 by HB 3 we have to do it today because of the rule imposed on HB 3." Dunnam says.

(2:40 p.m.) I love this sidestep on "that is not an issue in HB 2" and now Oliveira is just being so statesman-like in his butt-kissing. GrusenDORK is obviously tired as he sips on his water and utters the same tired 'talking-points' about caring for children almost like he's asleep.

Chat Conversation With a Wonk:
Wonk: ooh.. and Griggs is a Republican!
PinkDomeTX: it's GOOD
Wonk: I agree that Luna just needs to shut up about facilities.
PinkDomeTX: yeah she's off topic
Wonk: this is why some people hate D's
PinkDomeTX: she's just looking forward to her opp. to get her agenda on record
Wonk: yeah, but still.
PinkDomeTX: He's totally SMACKING HER DOWN
Wonk: lol, yeah
Wonk: ok, he's a D
PinkDomeTX: tax impact. oooo. interesting.
Wonk: hmm.... where to get that fiscal note?
PinkDomeTX: that rule on HB 3? has it just pissed off the dems?
Wonk: no, I meant the LBB fiscal note with these tax impacts that Dunnam is talking about.
Wonk: http://www.lbb.state.tx.us/
PinkDomeTX: class warfare debate?
(14:37:12) Wonk: I hate that term... they throw that out there anytime you point out any economic unfairness
PinkDomeTX: I love this sidestep on 'that is not an issue in HB 2"
PinkDomeTX: Oliviera so statesman-like with his butt-kissing to grusendorK
PinkDomeTX: GOD, now h's just being dismissive. He must be tired.

(3:23 p.m.) Point-of-order right in the middle of Kokhorst's question. Yipes!

Quorum Report Buzzes on the LBB the Wonk above mentioned:

March 8, 2005 3:12 PM LBB SAYS HB3 RAISES TAXES ON MOST TEXANS $100,600+ Incomes only group to see net tax decrease, poorest see biggest increase

A new analysis of the Committee Substitute to House Bill 3 by the Legislative Budget Board shows that low income Texans will see a bigger percentage increase in their taxes than those on higher incomes.

The LBB says that for fiscal year 2007 families earning between $13,415 and $22,833, the percentage increase in taxes will be 5.16 percent. For families earning between $31,735 and $41,463, the percentage increase in taxes will be 4.95 percent.

For families earning between $64,325 and $79,271, the percentage increase in taxes will be 2.66 percent. For families earning between $79,271 and $100,593, the percentage increase in taxes will be 1.65 percent.

Families earning between $100,593 and $140,853 would see a net tax decrease of 0.43 percent. Families earning over $140,853 would see a net tax decrease of 2.88 percent.

The figures are included in a Tax/Fee Equity Note released today by the LBB. The reports final tax incidence shows that for the lowest income level (0 to low $10,000 income range), there is a $111.9 million increase, or 5.6 percent, in fiscal year in 2007.

For the middle income level (low $40,000s to low $50,000 income range), there is a $175.4 million increase, or 4.3 percent, in fiscal year in 2007. For the highest income level (low $140,000 and above), there is a $400.5 million decrease, or 2.9 percent, in fiscal year in 2007.

In other words, the property tax reduction envisioned in HB2 will cost most Texans more taxes than it saves them.

(3:34 p.m.)Hochberg is our new hero: Shaky? Are you talking about the pizza parlor? HAHA. We love Lege humor. Also love he just pointed out that HB2 is null and void if HB3 doesn't pass. Now he's going to give Warren a chance to correct himself.

(3:56 p.m.) Live-blogging is hard for a few minutes text on the whole site went italics on our ass. All because we tried to quickly add a link to Rep. Pena's blog after we noticed his comment. Sheesh.

(4:05) Hochberg is closing on his amendment. His time is out, and he's closing with a difference on philosphies. Hell, we're drunk and that's been clear to us all afternoon. This debate has been like watching our two old biddy aunts argue--Kinda civil but really quite bitchy.

(4:07) Hochberg amendment tabled. What the hell? Did Dora just want to appear interested in HB 2? Why'd she not withdraw that before she got up there?

(5:30) Back again, Delisi cares about what Olivo is trying to do, but manages to successfully table it. I knew she cared. Kisses Dianne...you know we love you.

(5:36)Dutton's amendment to the amendment (Just typing that makes us tingle in our funny place a little) looks like Saturday school for those kids failing instead of waiting to summer school. Maybe if this had been around when we were in school it wouldn't have taken us that extra three years to get out of 10th grade.

(5:46) Amendment 20. UGH. But who the hell was that tall handsome man giving what's his face wrong numbers? YUM. Knew whe shouldn't have left. dammit.

(5:56) Rep. Turner says he wants to put forth two points. Yeah, right. Let's see how long before he gets to them.

(6:00) You can take the Rep. out of the Baptist Church, but you can't take the Baptist Church out of the Rep. Good points, but I hate it when I feel the need to stand up and say Praise GOD on an amendment.

The bell broke and won't be fixed until tomorrow. Y'all out there chatting need to pay attention.

(6:38) Helen Giddings, says we're strangling somebody. Is it us? Point of Order..time expired!

(6:43) JESUS...Chisum is back. This man is a one man brain trust, that's for sure. We're getting loopy on wine now. I see the reps milling about...you know they are BITTER! We're still talking about 'windfalls' for rural districts. It's a potat-oh/potahto argument now.

We disagree with Chisum that a bus with 2 people on it is the same cost as a bus with 20 people on it. No it isn't. Because you'd have to drive and pick up 18 more kids and that's extra gas...at the very least.

(6:50) Does McReynolds remind anybody else of the 'bachelor' uncle? Just me? ok. GOD...we're so tired of hearing about buses. And...aren't they trying to determine a 'formula' not a 'formulary'??

(6:58) Amendment adopted. What was it about again? Transportion formulas?

(7:00) Craig Eiland. Remove the word 'independent' from the school districts reference. Well, thank God..finally some substance!

(7:10) Hilldebran your amendment is totally tabled. We can see that. If you lose a student, you lose your funding..right? Makes sense to us. We're going to give up on this soon. BORING. TABLED.

(7:14) Hochberg is back...and against Chisum again. These two are FUN to watch. Hochberg just scares the crap out of Chisum you can tell.

WTH? Grapefruit introductions? They're getting as batty as we are now.

(7:22) Hochberg is all over this bill and every amendment.

(7:30) Pitts makes verbal love from the back mike. Equity and fairness are the themes. Highland Park School District is the lightning rod for every argument. Loved the fear that synchronized swimming programs there may have to be cut. DANG...quit yelling!

(7:39) Todd Baxter takes the mike. "The numbers do not lie" he says. But, that seems as if all the numbers have been doing since this debate started.

7:47 OK, I'm out. LORD, I'm needing many drinks.