Bathroom Bill Gets First Thumbs Up From Texas Senate

AUSTIN — The Senate on Tuesday easily passed the so-called bathroom bill, a controversial piece of legislation that has divided lawmakers and caused an uproar in the LGBT community.After more than four-and-a-half hours of debate, the bill was passed by a vote of 21-10 along largely partisan lines. One Democrat, Sen. Eddie Lucio of Brownsville, broke with his party and voted in favor of the bill. Because of a procedural requirement, they must wait one more day to formally pass the bathroom bill to the House, which is also dominated by Republicans but whose members are far less eager to take it up.“Don’t think I don’t pray about this and make sure we’re making the right decision,” said Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, the Brenham Republican who is sponsoring the bill. “I think it is incumbent upon us to give guidance.  Continue reading...