Talton withdraws point of order, budget debate resumes
Rep. Robert Talton says he wanted to make the point that we're a nation of laws and rules, then withdraws his point of order that might have forced a special session.
House Speaker Tom Craddick's allies applaud.
"Thank you, Mr. Talton," says Rep. Warren Chisum, R-Pampa, the House's chief budget writer. "That was the gentlemanly thing to do."
Another Craddick ally speculates that the dissidents got to Mr. Talton and persuaded him that a vote to appeal the chair's ruling would be a poor test vote: There are members who'd vote to oust Mr. Craddick who don't want to vote against the budget.