The Texas Tribune reported the Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said at conservative conference that the Texas Senate may need to adopt a simple majority to bring bills up on the floor for discussion, if the theory comes to fruition that one or two potential seats could be lost during the November election. The Senate currently has 19 Republicans and 12 Democrats where 19 votes are needed to bring an item up on the floor for passage. Adopting a simple majority would require 16 votes in order to bring a bill to the floor for deliberation and possible passage. Patrick did later continue to express his confidence that Republicans will “be successful in November” up and down the ballot, according to the Texas Tribune article.
