Will the Texas Legislature Have a Special Session Because of a Dan Patrick Phone Call?

AUSTIN — Did a late-night call from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick sabotage must-pass legislation that could have thwarted an expensive taxpayer-funded special session?As a key deadline to pass bills out of the Texas House approached last month, a small group of ultra-conservative legislators ensured the demise of a measure that would have prevented the shuttering of several state agencies. In a text message to a lobbyist, Rep. Kyle Biedermann, a member of the self-styled House Freedom Caucus, said Patrick called the group and asked them to stall long enough to keep the bill from passing.  Continue reading...