Controversial legislation prohibiting "sanctuary city" policies in Texas appeared dead Monday after a House committee refused to report the measure out and Senate conferees on a separate fiscal matters bill refused to let it be included as an amendment. As the special session headed toward its last day on Wednesday, there was no other avenue for the sanctuary cities measure to get legislative approval despite the fact that it was a priority for Gov. Rick Perry and legislative leaders.
Senators balked at adding the bill to the separate fiscal matters legislation, pointing out that the Senate had passed a sanctuary cities measure several days ago, only to see it delayed in the House. The bill would bar cities from having a policy that prohibits their police officers from asking the immigration status of persons they detain. Currently, there are no sanctuary cities in Texas, although supporters of the idea contend that some urban police departments have informal policies that keep their officers from asking about immigration status. The law already provides for police departments to ask the immigration status of persons who are arrested for crimes.
Although Perry designated the proposal an emergency issue in the regular legislative session, Senate Democrats blocked consideration under the long-standing rule that requires at least two-thirds of senators to concur before any bill can be brought up for debate. Supporters of the idea thought they had a better chance in the special session that began in early June when the two-thirds Senate rule was no longer in force, but the legislation stalled in the House after passing the Senate. In addition, prominent GOP campaign contributors - including Houston homebuilder Bob Perry - came out publicly against the measure, further contributing to its problems.
Source: http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/06/controversial-legislation-proh.html
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