The Texas Lege went into special session yesterday.  For you folks from outta town, the Lege only meets every other year for a few months.  That’s all the punishment we can take.

The purpose of the special session is redistricting.  Michael Li explains all the foreign language involved in redistricting – including CVAP, preclearance, and coalition district.  For the average citizen in Texas, redistricting is like God – nobody understands it, you can’t see it, and you have to accept it on faith.

Redistricting is supposed to be the only topic in the special session but rumor has it that 60 GOP Legers have written a letter to the Gov wanting to have more anti-choice on abortion bills during the special session.  It seems that Democrats – although in the minority – did surprisingly well during the regular session on women’s issues.  Republicans just now noticed it.  When ya hit them on the head with a hammer, it’s at least two days before they say ouch.

Pray for us because by law Rick Perry determines what issues can be discussed in special session.  The downside is that he’s crazy.  The upside is that he can’t remember more than two things at once.

And, for those of you keeping score, Rick Perry has now hacked off his own party and made money laundering legal in Texas politics.

The measure, SB 346, would have required 501(c)4 social welfare groups that spend more than $25,000 in a calendar year on political expenditures to disclose contributions above $1,000.

Even fellow Texas Republicans are calling it shameful and it passed overwhelmingly in both the House and the Senate.  We can only guess when and where Rick Perry wants dirty money.