As the Legislative Session approaches critical deadlines, the emotions are running deeper. Most Legislators, with few exceptions, are not happy with the reduced budget they must balance and everyone has something important they do not want to see cut.

Over the weekend, emotions in the State House rose to such a level that the Speaker found it necessary to bypass longstanding traditions to move the majority agenda forward.

This process has also happened in the Senate this year and is likely to happen again.

I’ve been around long enough to watch both parties govern and be in power – in Texas and in Congress. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that dominant power today may not be dominant power tomorrow. Changing longstanding traditions and rules will cost either group in the long run.

The legislation that caused the House to erupt over the weekend was a “Loser pays” tort reform measure. Democrats believe it makes it impossible for those truly harmed by business to sue while Republicans think it will reduce the number of frivolous lawsuits which is good for business.

The bottom line is that this is also a budget measure. Fewer lawsuits will result in less time at the Court House. I am curious if we will consider reducing the number of Judges we currently have in order to deal with reduced demand. Now that would be a serious cost-savings.

We are all learning the true meaning of “representative government” this year. At all levels, we are watching our elected leaders make tough decisions. If you do not like what they are doing, you hold the ultimate power to vote for new leadership in 2012.