The Texas Supreme Court on Tuesday voided a lower court’s order that restricted Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan’s authorization to arrest and detain state Democrats who fled the state in July to block a GOP-backed voting overhaul bill. The high court issued a stay of Travis County State District Judge Brad Urrutia’s order, giving Democrats until Thursday to issue a court filing in response. …“Compelling the attendance of its members is a prerogative given to the House by the Texas Constitution,” the two Republican leaders said in their petition to the court. …Unlike other states, which have rules that require a majority for a quorum to start a legislative session, Texas’ legislature requires a two-thirds super-majority.
