Update: Senate passes HJR 6 (color me shocked!) 21-8. Madla and Lucio are the ones I know flipped, but who else that was on that letter of 11 that Hinojosa said he had? We'll need their names so we can decide who we are running against them in the next Democratic Primary.

So, it begs the question: Is the Senate full of the same that the House is? Are the Democrats smart enough to know this is a just a ploy to get the ultra conservatives to the ballot? Are the Republicans able to see any way past the two feet in front of them that this is short-sighted policy that is a bad direction for Texas?

Stay tuned. The eyes of Texas are upon you. If you feel like getting your call on, click here and just go down the list.

Does Saddam where boxers or briefs?

We've all wondered it since seeing him bang Satan up the ass in South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut. Well wonder no more because pictures of him in his underwear were published in the The Sun, Britain's top tabloid. Thanks to an anonymous leaker, whom the Pentagon is very angry with, we know that Saddam is a tighty whities man.

We now also know what was up his ass when he decided to gas all those Kurds: his underwear.

Our wonderful tips line informs us that HB 1167 (Talton's housing bill) and HB 3179 (King's telecom bill) have been snuck into other legislation.

Much like Lazarus rising from the dead, these two may be in SB 1341 ('from our new favorite senator Frank Madla' he says with great snark) and SB 408 to be debated Sunday. They just don't know when to quit.

That's right, Madla flipped. And, not in a good way. Senator Madla was on the list of 11 Senators to oppose HJR 6 and he's since changed his mind. Something cowards do a lot, or so we hear.

Without him, HJR 6 will come to the floor as early as Saturday and surely wind up on the November ballot. You know what it does? It brings all the ULTRA conservatives to the voting booth. It ensures Republican victories up and down the board.

Way to go you super dumbass cocksucker.

He says it was due to phone calls he's getting from his district. You lazy asses that think this is ridiculous better get to dialing quickly. Be sure to give Madla's office a ring and go, "ROWR, you weakling. Can't wait to vote for your opponent in the next primary."

If you think you've got the chops to help us cover the last week of the Session, email us and let us know. You, too, can be an anonymous blogger and skewer Texas politics.

My sibling just told me they heard a horrible ad on BOB103.5 (site has audio) paid for by the Texas Republicans. They were so disappointed to hear such a bigoted ad on their favorite radio station. I had to remind them that BOB is owned by Sinclair, and the station is in fact named for Bob Sinclair. I haven't heard the ad, but from what I was told, it tells listeners to call the the folks in the dome and complain about the ruination of marriage by those crazy liberal Dems. It mentions how the Democrats are blocking the nomination of good Texas judge Owen in the national scene. Those zany Democrats!! What will they do next?! Take over the world!!!

Dewhurst and Craddkick are facing off on the notorious tax bill. The DMN has the best article to date on this subject. Not because it explains the bill, or even gives a policy analysis, or a blow-by-blow of the positions of Craddick or Dewhurst. What does it give? Brilliant quotes we loved. "It was better than Cats, I'd read it again and again."

On Speaker Craddick's Negotiating Style and Outfoxing Dewhurst:
"In order to negotiate with someone, you assume they care about the hostages," he said. "When you're dealing with someone who doesn't care about the hostages, it's a whole different set of rules." State Rep. Pete Gallego telling us about Crazy Craddick. (Chew on this for a while and tell me: Good for Texas/Bad for Texas if this is your negotiating style?)

On Texas Redicstricing:
...the lieutenant governor likened the redistricting tug-of-war to "Iranian cab-driver negotiations"

On Differences Between the House and Senate:
"The House is much more of a rough-and-tumble place. We are ready to have sweaty arm-wrestling over bills," said Rep. Joe Nixon, R-Houston.
and,
Perhaps the difference is that the Senate has been bringing a tennis racket to a tractor-pull. Rep. Mike Krusee, R-Round Rock, said

Nice work Christy.

(Photo courtesy: ERICH SCHLEGEL/DMN)

Your nominations are still coming in. If you haven't already emailed me with your choice for Best and Worst Dressed, Most likely to be into S&M, or Worst use of Polyester email me today with the subject: Fashion.

Remember, photos are awesome and will be hilarious. Thanks for those you've already sent. So, who will it be? Suzanna Hupp and her obvious passion for the 80's? Will Fred Brown's use of Pink get him the Most Likely to be an Aerobics Instructor?

The thing about delaying HJR 6 is that it's given the one-man one-woman missionary position only please, thank you folks time to show up. Y'all the few of them that are here look SO scared to be surrounded by so many homos. The back of the Senate chamber is full of folks ready to testify, the chamber is slowly filling up and two charming old ladies outside asked right away if I was a blogger when I pulled out the cameraphone. What gave me away I wonder? View image

I'm sitting next to In The Pink, and guess what? She's actually in pink. Funny. Once HJR 6 comes up I'll post more photos and some liveblog action. In the Pink and I will race to see who makes the post first.

I'm in the Senate gallery, waiting for HJR 6 and the committee to start. On the way up, I noticed there are quite a few folks here waiting to testify, also making their presence known were the gaggle of DPS officers. I don't know what trouble they are expecting.

Will all the trouble even be necessary? Senator Hinojosa just sent us his release explaining his intent to block HJR 6 from a vote if it gets to the floor. Finally, a voice of reason.

Once the testimony starts, we'll be around to update you on any interesting tidbits. that is, until we get bored or need a drink more than we need to liveblog.

Full Hinojosa release after the jump.

There is a sudden opening in Senator Nelson's Health and Human Services committee for a staff position. Yipes. (So late in the session, too)

Two fat rednecks are getting flipped off on I-35 for holding up a banner that says, "Say No To Gay Marriage." (Uh, dufuses the decision-makers aren't on 35, they are in the Capitol. You're out there sweating in the heat for nothing.)

Senate Research Committee Staffers are starving and no lobbyists are bringing them anything. (They aren't supposed to accept any, unlike you other lucky dogs.)

And to those Ray Allen rumors he knocked somebody up. Sources say, not true...Ray's fish don't swim no more.

If you work in the House, that is. Working Sunday at 2? Gross. I'll barely be awake and over my hangover by then. We'll try to post a special Sunday sermon for ya poor souls.

Code Pink wandered around the House and caused quite a disturbance the other day. A tipster sent us some photos. The group of women were handing out pink slips to five Representatives for their oppressive legislation and stance on women's issues. Apparently, a Talton staffer asked them to strip for him. So, it's nice to see they were taken seriously.

Here they are off to the gallery. A Photo and a question about the staffer in the photo after the jump.

Here I am reading Keith Olbermann's blog (a good daily read) and currently he is posting on the Newsweek fracas. His entry from last night states that:

Congressman Randy Neugebauer of Texas today introduced a non-binding resolution condemning the magazine for quote "irresponsible and inaccurate" journalism â?? a phrase used seven times in the six-paragraph resolution. As a non-binding resolution (but a binding press release), its actual content by weight is something like 37 percent â??Whereases.â?? The primary one reads: "Whereas the prevalent media culture encourages journalists to 'get the story first' rather than to ensure that reports are accurate and factual..."

Phil King's telecom bill went up in smoke this week. Some folks claim that Phil is bought and paid fer by the SBC lobby. This got us to thinking....

If you had paid a whore for a service and the whore couldn't really meet expectations, would you leave a little something extra on the nightstand? Would you refer the whore to friends? Would you visit the whore again?

Someone get the SBC lobbyists to answer that one for us.

Oh, Mary Denny's office must be so glad we are onto Phil King this week and leaving her alone. Don't worry Mary...we'll be back!

NARAL Pro-Choice Texas, a state affiliate of NARAL Pro-Choice America, is seeking a dynamic leader to head the organizationâ??s efforts to promote reproductive freedom across the state.

See full job description after the jump.

If you have a job to post on PinkDome send us an email and we'll post it in our "Job Listings" category. Reach over 1,000 readers from state.tx.us every day!

Tomorrow, Thursday at 5 p.m. for the Senate Affairs Committee Hearing on HJR 6. Ellis was successful in his delay of the hearing until tomorrow night. The LGRL lobby asks that you show up to testify against HJR 6, if you cannot testify you can always sign a witness affirmation form. Find out more at the LGRL Action Alert.

Also, look for me to liveblog a little of the fracas. See you there.

Texas Democratic Party Chairman Charles Soechting pokes the sleeping bear today in a press release welcoming us the new political era of the Tax and Spend Republican. Referring, of course, to the taxes of historic proportions passed by a Republican controlled legislature.

Here's my favorite quote:
"In the House, Tom Craddick looked out over a roomful of nearly 150 members and selected the five who look most like him," Soechting said.

HAHA, you look like Tom Craddick! Ok, so none of the conferees are beauty queens (Kent Grusendorf, Dianne Delisi, Bill Keffer, Dan Branch, and Rob Eissler) except maybe Dan Branch, he could be a beauty queen maybe. But, wow...what a vicious taunt by Soechting.

(Full release after the jump)

Just a little tampering with the headlines on Statesman.com in the morning.

House Bill 2833 would force cities to compensate property owners when regulations strip away land value. With time growing very short this legislative session, cities around the state are urging their senators to strangle the proposal.

D'er the lobbyists that have been nagging you all session, that's who. The DMN's story about lobbyists buying dinners for legislators is reminiscent of the story we see every season on this subject. Yeah, it can look a little improper but hell y'all don't earn crap, taxpayers ain't givin' you a raise or a party, and nobody wants to celebrate the clusterfuck that was this session. So, let 'em buy you a drink. Hell, force 'em to for all we care. We're sure it doesn't have any influence.

Phil King doesn't think it's a big deal. "If somebody thinks they can buy my vote with dinner, they've got a pretty low expectation," Mr. King Said. "My vote usually requires at least two dinners and a handjob."

We're a wee bit hungover this morning, so in the meantime have fun with Phil King. (No, remarkably we've never uttered that sentence before.)

Ok, it's time for us to judge on the really important matters of the session. Who are the best and worst dressed elected officials this session. We know they don't all have the fashion stylings of a Martha Wong or the uptight yet screaming for acceptance of Rep. Bohac, but there are some cool customers and some fashion disasters. Send us your nominations and we'll post great photoshopped photos of the winners next Monday. You can email your noms to us at Tips@pinkdome.com with the subject: Fashion.

Mike, is that you posting on craigslist?

There are so many beautiful women at the Capitol - m4w
Reply to: anon-72398187@craigslist.org
Date: 2005-05-09, 10:08AM CDT

I see so many amazing women at the Capitol everyday... Too bad I never have a chance to talk to any of you.

* this is in or around Austin
* no -- it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

Some of you ladies, talk to this poor shy fella. Jeez, we thought there was supposed to rampant sex and booze flowing this close to the end of the session. We're so disappointed.

The Statesman tells us that Rep. King's durn telecom bill is going to be brought up in the Senate Business and Commerce Committee today. We'll keep you posted. . .

Rep. Pena's A Capitol Blog liveblogged the shameful debate on the Texas Medical Examiner's Bill yesterday.

4:25 p.m. Members distracted by a group in the gallery. Somebody with pink hair and others wearing pink startles some members.

PinkDome had nothing to do with that, sounds like something that In The Pink may have stirred up, though.

And just a note here: Rep. Thompson, we agree with your Point of Order as to the germaneness of abortions being tacked onto a bill about the Texas Medical Examiners. But, then again we have to ask what in the hell is the germaneness of this entire legislative session?

So far, most of y'all get a big fat F on policy and unfortunately, an A on laughingstock.

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee urged Gov. Perry to 'disinvite' the minutemen from coming to Texas. So that means they should be here any time now.

A senate staffer sent us this idea. We like it. The minutemen are going to come to Texas in, apparently, October. Our bright ideas (gleaned through prodigious intake of alcohol) was to get two groups of protesters.

Group one: young women with signs saying: Texas women don't like
Minute Men.
Group two: Native Americans with signs saying: Where were you 500
years ago?

The Texas Association of Homes and Services for the Aging has selected Rep. Debbie Riddle as their "Legislator of the Year" recipient. The selection most certainly was made by a group of Alzheimer's patients cause this is lacking in lucidity. (Did I just make up that word?) Oh well, it can't be as crazy as this is!

Press Release after the jump.

Senator Rodney Ellis (D-Houston) today released the following statement regarding his decision to "tag" HJR 6, a constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriages in Texas:

"Issues like this stir the deepest passions in people and, unfortunately, there are some on the extreme fringes like the Aryan Brotherhood who feel emboldened and would rather bully than engage in the process. While everyone who favors HJR 6 is not a bigot, there clearly are those supporters who are and they are vocal. To them, I say this: I will not be bullied, threatened or intimidated, so stop trying."

The Aryan Brotherhood made a threat to Senator Ellis and it is currently under investigation by the DPS. Yes folks, when we told you it was about hate we were right. If you're still standing with HJR 6 you are standing shoulder to shoulder with the Aryan Nation. Good for you. At least they come right out and let us know they are full of hate and they don't hide behind the bible.

Bill Zedler is wearing some sort of device today...is it a direct radio transmission from Pat Robertson or something? Is that why he keeps speaking? PD wants to know!

Speaking of crunch time, and the sneaky shit that gets tacked onto bills at the end of the Session...Will Hartnett gets our first Sneaky Legislator Award.

SB419,

relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, Texas State Board of Physician Assistant Examiners, and Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners and the regulation of health care professions regulated by those state agencies; providing administrative penalties.

What does this amendment do? See after the jump.
Before you do, why did Mark Strama Patrick Rose have to be the one to ask every woman in the Chamber to pay attention? Why are they not lined up at the back mic right now against this amendment that would prevent them from having a choice to abort a child EVEN in the event of physical impairment or threat to the mother. Hold on, my eyes just rolled out their sockets.

As someone who has donated some time and a little money to Habitat for Humanity, I'm not a fan of Sen. Madla's bill, SB1341. Here's the low-down from my Habitat e-mail:

FW Startlegram reports that air quality is just not a priority for the Legislature:

As the legislative session winds down this month, no significant piece of clean-air legislation has passed, though the state faces severe air-pollution problems, including ground-level ozone.

What's more, the Legislature has proposed significantly cutting a program that has helped remove some of the dirtiest off-road construction equipment, and it wanted to cut another program that has helped reduce emissions by some of the worst-polluting cars and trucks.

Rep. Joe Deshotel has a new blog! Go visit and welcome another legislator to the world of unfiltered access to constituents.

We know it's the end of the Session, but running down aides won't get us out of here any earlier.

Perhaps offer the most posh ambassidorship, ever. That's how. Rumor is President Bush may offer Kay the coveted U.S. Ambassador to the Court of St. James. Complete with 12 1/2 acre estate gifted to the U.S. by heiress Barbara Hutton. Sweet. We, for one, would totally say fuck off Austin for that gig. Speaking of, exactly who do we have to fuck to get a gig like that?

The Senate adjourned Friday, in honor of Diana Sue Browns' mother who will be buried on Monday. Everyone at the Capitol knows Diana Sue and we hope they help her through this loss.

The Senate is so jealous of the House getting all the attention they can't stand it! With the House being mocked twice on The Daily Show, and around the globe with the CPS amendment to ban gay foster parents, the anti-gay marriage amendment and the sexy cheerleaders, the Senate finally decides to take action.

But, not without trying to be subtle in the Senate way. They've decided to take up HJR 6 (you remember, the constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage) Monday morning at 8:30 a.m.

Well, on your way to work tomorrow stop by and grab a cup of coffee and run down to the Senate to watch the seasoned mature disappointingly-just-as-stupid-as-the-House members take up hate and place it on the agenda.

The LGRL says you can stop by and fill out a witness affirmation form, or stay to testify if you can. Guess we'll have to set the alarm and wander down to the circus tomorrow.

Damn you, Senate. And, Damn you, Todd Staples.

BB updates: PD just called to let me know that as of 9am, HJR6 has been postponed (not following the calendar) and will be on the calendar now for Thursday.

If Jesus came back, what would He think? Would He be a Republican or a Democrat? Click here for the answer--and the t-shirt.

The 'nuclear option' is becoming a reality in the effort to change the rules of the U.S. Senate regarding filibusters. The Christian Terrorists are using the confirmation of radical right-wing judges as a rallying cry in Washington. They have mobilized groups in national email, letter-writing, and phone-call campaigns. Pat Robertson (Chief Christian Terrorist) said, [activist judges are] "probably more serious than a few bearded terrorists who fly into buildings."

Rational minded people across the nation give respond with, "What the fuck?" and scramble to alert non-terrorist Americans nationwide to contact their senators.

"When you first get here, it's like putting your face in front of a fire hydrant," said Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, D-El Paso. "So much bad stuff happens in the last three weeks," he added.

The Houston Chron reminds us that there isn't much time left in the Session and some shady shit goes down from now on until May 30.

We can't possibly keep up with it all, so we hope you'll be shooting us emails to keep us abreast (hehe, we said breast) of what's slithering its way through.

Guess we'll have to cut back on the late night drinking because it's hard to do this with a massive hangover. That sucks.