CAPITOL LETTERS

But someone just said it on the House floor (off-mic). Why? Because Rep. Senfronia Thompson and Rep. Beverly Woolley just went toe-to-toe - I mean they were this close to throwing fists - in front of the speaker's desk over a bill that's gotten some SERIOUS tempers raised.

Inches from each others face and about to start talking loud enough for the press to hear, Bev and Ms. Thompson were separated by the sergeant at arms and Rep. Borris Miles (all three reps are from Houston). As soon as the refs stepped away, the two women started circling each other again, Woolley had her finger wagging in Thompsons's face this time, so they had to step in again.

It started over a Sid Miller bill making it really hard to remove memorial plaques and statues from state owned land. This would protect the confederate statues on UT, among other things.

The minority members are trying to get some amendments passed that would take exception for KKK, etc., and the supporters are having none of it. At which point Ms. Thompson said she had "a problem with you (Miller) and a problem with the speaker for letting this bill on the floor."

Woolley, Calendars chair, steps up to the mic and says that she let the bill on the floor, not the speaker. At which point Thompson said, off mic, that she begged to differ, apparently - and they were off.

It was tense. T-E-N-S-E.