Let the Sun Shine: Jackson could warm House to recorded votes

Dallas Morning News | Editorials:

"Requiring legislators to put their names next to their votes would make the whole process more accountable to the voter, Mr. Jackson said, 'and that's hardly a bad thing.'"

Kudos to DMN for supporting the requirement of recorded votes by legislators. First-term state Rep. Jim Jackson's support is also welcomed, even though what we learn of this legislator hints at bigger problems in the legislature than just voting procedures.

Mr Jackson has 30 years experience in local government but was surprised to learn that the "cattle auction" procedures of the state legislature result in measures often passing by voice vote without lawmakers knowing precisely what's in them. Mr Jackson also opposed recording votes, not on the merits of the proposal, but simply because the DMN favored it.

Let's hope that requiring recorded votes leads to Texans electing legislators who are less naive than Mr Jackson about the legislative process and who consider legislation on its merits, not just by who is for and against.