A Perfectly Cromulent Blog

HB 1919 - Passed!

I just left She Who Shall Not Be Named groggily wondering why Daddy was hugging her to the point of crushing her rib cage. The reason? It appears HB 1919 passed with Sen. Lucio's amendment intact. But let's back up a bit.

The Wife and I attended a couple of parties today with a sense of fatalism about the legislation in question. After all, no bills get passed on the very last day of the session. Especially those requiring a 4/5 majority to suspend House rules. I think we'd resigned ourselves to the worst.

So we get home from a birthday party around 3:30 this afternoon and see this:

Just found out that because of the historical events of last night, bills still have a wing and a prayer to be passed out of the House. The last day of the session is usually reserved for technical corrections, but this time, extreme events have changed the rules a bit!

Exhortations were made to call Craddick and our Reps to support HB 1919. I dutifully did so, but balked at posting another update. You guys have been great, but I didn't think making yet another plea on Memorial Day was going to have much impact. Honestly, I figured I'd done what I could, and it was mostly out of my hands.

We spent the evening playing trivia with friends while the kids watched The Lion King, then came home around 9:30. We put SWSNBN to bed, cleaned the house up a little, and checked e-mail.

Much to our surprise - and after reports that there weren't enough votes to bring it to the fall and against all apparent odds - HB 1919 passed the House with Sen. Lucio's amendment intact. Here's one of the many e-mails I received this evening:

I am watching the live stream of the House....Vicki Truitt of Keller ask to RECONSIDER the suspension of the rules...it was voted in favor...then the committee report on 1919 was APPROVED 105 to 32 from the House floor!!!! So, it was reconsidered for rule suspension, heard, and approved!

In other words, from Sen Lucio's office:

Congratulations!

Due to the hard work of all of you, Senator Lucio, Representative Davis, Representative Todd Smith, Representative Vicki Truitt, Senator Van De Putte, Representative Garcia, Representative Rose...and so many more...privately insured kids ages 3-5 with autism will now receive treatment. Thank you all so very much, this is a very special day and we couldn't have done it without all of your support!

I'm still in something of a state of disbelief. Sen Lucio has indicated they have confirmation that Gov. Perry will support the bill with the amendments intact. As always, I'll believe it when I see it, but if anyone wanted to give Perry a gentle shove in the right direction, he can be reached at (800) 252-9600, or you can click here to e-mail him.

For the first time since this whole thing started, I have actual hope. We owe every one of you who called, e-mailed, or shook your fist in anger a debt of thanks for this. If we can get this put into law, it means our daughter would be able to continue her treatment and Mom and Dad might not have to sell the house to make that happen.

Thank you - all of you - who took the time to contact your rep and let them know how important this legislation was. I'm emotionally drained right now, but believe me when I say I would bear all of your children were I physically capable.

UPDATE: Fox 26 is apparently running a story about the new law tonight (Tuesday, 5/29) at 9 PM, in case anybody (in the Houston viewing area) is interested.