by a 19-12 vote - 2 votes shy of the required two-thirds to bring...

by a 19-12 vote - 2 votes shy of the required two-thirds to bring a measure up for debate - senators refused to suspend a rule that would have allowed Senate Bill 60 to be considered for initial approval. The legislation would allow those convicted of capital murder to be sentenced to life in prison without parole. Opponents of the law said it would result in fewer death sentences. The Senate's failure to pass the bill means that Texas and New Mexico remain the only two death penalty states in the nation to not offer life without parole as an alternative sentencing option.