June 3, 2013 3:09 PM

HK: SPECIAL SESSION UNHAPPINESS—HAVE WHEELS COME OFF?

Dewhurst in France, lawmakers in unanticipated field hearings, no one clear on end game

Today we heard grumbling that Lt. Governor David Dewhurst forcefully advocated for a special session on redistricting and subsequently wrote a letter to the Governor seeking a catalog of red meat Republican issues be added to the call.

He then left for Europe on Saturday for a D-Day commemoration just as the wheels were coming off the redistricting effort. If the Governor did add Dewhurst’s laundry list of items to the Call went the grumbles, the Lite Guv would have to be notified overseas.

Spokesman Travis Considine told QR, “"Lt. Governor Dewhurst has chosen to honor his father's memory and heroics during D-Day by visiting the Normandy Museum he has helped build in remembrance of those brave men who gave their last breath in service to our country during World War II. Those in the Senate who feel that he should not honor his father or our World War II veterans have not expressed this sentiment to Lt. Governor Dewhurst.”

Announced GOP Lt. Governor candidate Jerry Patterson said, “While Lt Gov Dewhurst is in France at the Normandy museum, I'm in Montgomery, Alabama at the Hank Williams Museum. I don't think either of us would be of much help if we were back in Austin..."

But there is irony. Dewhurst endorsed a special session for redistricting yet all sides in San Antonio last week quickly agreed to take the Senate map off the table. So the senators find themselves in special session over House and Congressional maps.

By Harvey Kronberg