Pol: Funds misused on Texans (Chicken Run Update)

Albuquerque Tribune Online ^ | 8/01/03 | Shea Andersen

[Libloather]

Pol: Funds misused on Texans
By Shea Andersen
Tribune Reporter

New Mexico Republicans say they've had it with the Texas Democrats who are staying in Albuquerque, and not just because of political disagreements.

Rep. Dan Foley, a Roswell Republican, wants the Legislative Finance Committee to investigate whether or not using State Police to guard the 11 wayward Texas Democrats is a misuse of state funds.

He has asked the committee to subpoena Secretary of Public Safety John Denko to get answers.

"I want to know how much, and who authorized this," Foley said at a press conference Thursday at the hotel where the Texans are staying. "I believe this violates the antidonation clause of the New Mexico Constitution."

The antidonation clause forbids the use of state money for the benefit of private citizens or institutions.

Gov. Bill Richardson's staff said Thursday only one state trooper is assigned to the Marriott Pyramid Hotel North, where the 11 are staying.

The 11 Texas lawmakers came to New Mexico on Monday to block a quorum in their state Senate. They are protesting Republican plans to redraw Texas congressional districts and suspend a rule requiring two-thirds assent to bring a bill to a vote.

The group has said it intends to wait out the entire 30-day special session unless the Republicans who control the senate meet their demands to reinstate a two-thirds majority rule for introducing bills.

There are 26 days left before the session expires.

Foley asked a rhetorical question Thursday: If anybody else from Texas came to New Mexico and said they were pursued by bounty hunters, as the Texas 11 reportedly once feared, would Richardson assign that person State Police protection too?

"This is a misuse of funds by the executive branch," Foley said.

Witnesses at the hotel Monday night, when the Texans arrived, said they saw as many as two uniformed officers and five plainclothes State Police officers.

Pahl Shipley, a Richardson spokesman, said the situation at the time warranted police presence, and not just because Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, then acting as governor while Richardson was out of town, came to visit the Texans.

"You have the possibility that a situation could have gotten out of hand," Shipley said. "There's a difference between taking precautions and assigning a detail to protect (the Texas Democrats)."

Sen. Ramsay Gorham, an Albuquerque Republican and the chairwoman of the New Mexico Republican Party, held her first press conference as chairwoman Thursday to likewise denounce the use of State Police.

Standing in front of State Police headquarters in Albuquerque, Gorham said the Texans were a Texas problem, not something worth spending New Mexico resources on.

"I think it's time for New Mexico to stay out of Texas' politics," she said. "This fight is between political entities in Texas and the state of New Mexico should not be involved."

Sen. Judith Zaffirini, one of the "Texas 11," called Foley and Gorham's allegations "ridiculous."

"Any governmental body, whether state or national, has the responsibility of protecting not only residents but visitors to their locales," said Zaffirini, D-Laredo.

She said the lawmakers promise to pay for any overtime incurred by State Police while watching over them.

While the bounty hunters story has been largely discredited, Zaffirini did say several of her colleagues have received threatening phone calls while in Albuquerque.

One of the 11, Sen. Rodney Ellis of Houston, who is black, blocked his cell phone after receiving calls from people using racial epithets.

"People that lower themselves to make calls like that might resort to other actions," Zaffirini said.

Overall, she said, their stay in Albuquerque has been pleasant.

"We feel quite safe in Albuquerque," Zaffirini said. "We are so impressed by the hospitality."

[Libloather]

"Any governmental body, whether state or national, has the responsibility of protecting not only residents but visitors to their locales," said Zaffirini, RAT -Laredo.

All Texans and visitors get individual police escorts and round-the-clock protection in Laredo? That could get expensive but it sure sounds like a neat place to live...

[neb52]

Damn I moving. I sounds like in the movie the Usual Suspects, were the diamond crooks use police for their private body guard service.

[MizSterious]

If they can't get enough votes to win, then they resort to this. If it were Republicans pulling this stunt (twice!), the howls from the 'rats would be deafening.

[shiva]

I'm hoping this all 'backfires' on these Democracts in their next elections. I'm wondering how the runaways were picked? Do most of them have a long time before re-election? They planned this way ahead of time and hand picked from thoes that wanted to go. Where can I find out out when they run for office again. I would find that very interesting.

[rightazrain]

Shiva, I'd be interested to know if there has been a Texas public opinion poll about this. So far, I've heard nothing of one. I wonder why?????

[neb52]

Texas State Senate site. Election next year.
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/Senate/Members.htm

Two threads regarding the redistricting and Dem flight to NM.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/955321/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/956073/posts

[neb52]

Senators are elected for 4 years with 15 senators elected 2 years from the other 16. For example Senator West of Dallas that is currently residing in NM will be up for election next year. My Senator Harris election will be in 2006.

[sam_paine]

Only thing I've seen is this summary from Stephenville.

A survey of 500 Texans conducted by Survey USA for Austin television station KVUE found 53 percent of those responding believe the walkout was not the right thing to do, while 37 percent thought it was appropriate. Ten percent were unsure. Results of the poll, distributed to news media by the Republican Party of Texas, had a margin of error of 4.4 percent.
-
Last week, a poll conducted by Montgomery and Associates of Austin which surveyed 1,031 Texans found 45.5 percent of those responding opposed to congressional redistricting at this time, 30 percent in favor, and 24.5 percent had no opinion. Among Democrats, 70.9 percent were opposed, while among Republicans, 47.9 percent were supportive. The poll found 55.7 percent of African-American and 51 percent of Hispanics opposed to redistricting. The margin for error is 3.1 percent.
-
The Montgomery survey drew criticism because the pollster has been used by Democratic candidates in the past, but the firm has also taken heat from that party. In the spring of 2002, it announced that Republican Gov. Rick Perry enjoyed a 25-point lead over Democratic opponent Tony Sanchez, a margin which was later proven accurate.

[deport]

There are only four of the 12 democrat senators up for election in 04....... Eleven of the twelve ran to NM and one has stayed behind. He is one of the ones up for election and may be in for a hard race. The other three are in basically safe districts. JMO.

[lilylangtree]

Hot diggity dog! Go gettim' NM Pubbies.

[optimistically_conservative]

Why hasn't anyone (especially FReepers) organized a demonstration by Texans and NM'ers in front of the hotel demanding the Dims go home? Make Richardson put a brigade of police out their 24/7 to "guard" them.

[sam_paine]

Why hasn't anyone (especially FReepers) organized a demonstration

Partly because it doesn't matter!!!

I have mixed feelings on this.

(1) Because DeLay is already doing fairly well keeping the House majority in order, soa a few more seats in this redistricting (1a) won't help immediately and (1b) isn't the critical holdup on the national scene right now....it's the US Senate.

And (2) because any day the Texas Congress isn't in session is a GOOD DAY as far as I'm concerned!!! They can't do redistricting, but they also can't screw anything else up!!!

I hate to admit it, but there it is.

[anymouse]

NM FReepers roasting the TX Chicken D's.

[Timesink]

Holding meaningless committee meanings isn't going to accomplish jack. Some New Mexico Republican - as far as I know, it can be any private citizen who lives in the state - needs to file a lawsuit immediately and get an injunction, followed by a trial. That's the only thing that works in today's society, and we need to learn to start using the legal system against them the same way they do it against us.

[Flyer]

not something worth spending New Mexico resources on.

We aren't fond of spending any Texas resources on them either.

[MeekOneGOP]

Thank you ! bttt for later.

Playing catchup. I was out most of yesterday ...

[MeekOneGOP]

If they can't get enough votes to win, then they resort to this. If it were Republicans pulling this stunt (twice!), the howls from the 'rats would be deafening.

Ain't that the truth !?!?!

Photos taken from the Texas Senators of the 78th Legislature website.

The 11 Obstructors:

Gonzalo Barrientos, Austin/Rodney Ellis, Houston/Mario Gallegos Jr., Houston

Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, McAllen/Eddie Lucio Jr., Brownsville/Frank Madla Jr., San Antonio

Eliot Shapleigh, El Paso/Leticia Van de Putte, San Antonio/Royce West, Dallas

John Whitmire, Houston/Judith Zaffirini, Laredo

---

The Lone Democrat that is staying:

Kenneth Armbrister, Victoria

[MeekOneGOP]

Here they are with costumes on:

Surely these ‘RATS are not true Texans??