Posted on 09/15/2003 5:45:59 AM PDT by Libloather
Legislators to return to trenches
By W. Gardner Selby
Express-News Austin Bureau
Web Posted : 09/15/2003 12:00 AM
AUSTIN — Legislators convene again at noon today amid a host of unknowns, including where to park, why a renegade Democrat bought drinks for a chief Republican leader and whether — after fighting to a draw three times this year — members will pass a bill designed to solidify GOP control of Congress.
The Republican leadership expects enough members in attendance to redraw U.S. House districts so the Democrats' 17-15 edge in the delegation yields to a GOP advantage of 20-12 or more in the 2004 elections.
"This is the real deal. It will happen in this session," predicted Jim Ellis of Americans for a Republican Majority, a political action committee steered by U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Sugar Land, the House majority leader.
Republicans now hold 229 House seats, Democrats 205, with one member an independent.
"If we can get a fair map here, our chances of holding the House for several more terms increase greatly," Ellis said.
Gov. Rick Perry on Tuesday called the third 30-day special session of 2003 after Sen. John Whitmire of Houston quit the Democratic walkout to New Mexico and said he would fight redistricting in debate rather than continue to delay it from a distance.
Eleven Democratic senators fled the Capitol on July 28, just before the second special session began amid fears they would be locked into the Senate chamber, outnumbered and powerless to stop redistricting.
From Albuquerque, they deprived the 31-member Senate of the two-thirds quorum required to do business while protesting Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst's decision to suspend a Senate custom of requiring a two-thirds majority to debate measures.
The Democrats, joined by Republican Sen. Bill Ratliff of Mount Pleasant, had used the requirement to block redistricting in the first special session.
Republicans responded to the walkout by fining the Democrats and slapping on other sanctions, including cutoffs of office supplies, travel, subscriptions, cell phones and floor passes for staff members left at the Capitol. At the end of the stalemate, the Democrats owed $57,000 each.
"It's not going to be kissy, kissy, kissy," said Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen. "Not when we've got those fines hanging over our heads."
GOP senators approved language stating the fines had to be paid before Democrats voluntarily returned. But leaders said last week the prepayment requirement expired with the end of the second session Aug. 26.
Yet the holdouts no longer have Capitol parking spots.
Hinojosa, planning to use his old space anyway, said: "If they tow my truck, I'll sue."
Sen. Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio, chairwoman of the Senate Democratic Caucus, said: "Somebody can just drop me off at the Capitol steps or I'll take the bus."
Dewhurst, who presides over the Senate, said: "The problem doesn't have anything to do with parking. The problem is that our 11 Democrat colleagues broke state law, they broke the decorum, they've been increasing the political rhetoric. It's over. This matter is over. We need to come together, move forward, as we've done in the past."
Sen. Bob Deuell, R-Greenville, expects awkwardness in the reunion.
Deuell, who earlier sent each Democrat a copy of "Last Bus to Albuquerque," a collection of columns by humorist Lewis Grizzard, said, "This is going to be a little nasty, like a spousal fight. I don't like what they did, but I care about them."
Democrats plan to let Whitmire give the Republicans their quorum after Dewhurst gavels the Senate to order. Then they will enter.
Some of the ex-absentees were upset after Whitmire was seen socializing with Dewhurst on Sept. 5, his first day back in Austin. Witnesses said the two were sipping cocktails or possibly champagne.
Dewhurst said Whitmire and a companion were coincidentally guided to an adjoining table at Eddie V's Edgewater Grille in Austin. Whitmire later joined him at the bar.
"I don't drink champagne," Dewhurst said. "And he bought."
Aides preparing for the session don't know whether to expect disruptions.
Staff sergeants-at-arms, enforcing rules against demonstrations, plan to watch visitors in the overhead gallery for signs, noisemakers — even sock puppets like those brandished in the House gallery after 51 Democrats stopped the first push to redraw districts in May.
The House Democrats stopped the measure in May by breaking quorum and staying in Oklahoma for four days. Their Senate counterparts kept redistricting from passing in August, but Whitmire's defection forced them back to Texas last week after 45 days.
With a sigh, one aide said: "We've got to get over this thing."
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wselby@express-news.net
RATS finally beginning to "feel" what its like to be taxpayers?
This was one of the subjects I wrote on, this week. Click below.
Congressman Billybob
Fighting to a draw??? The rats ran away twice violating their Constitutional duty in order to hang on to the "shrewdest gerrymander of the 1990s". Can you say bias?
From the local progressive site:
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Monday, September 15, 11:15 a.m Showdown at High Noon
The third special session is set to begin at "high noon". You and as many of your friends and family as can make it, should be in the Senate Gallery at the Texas State Capitol in Austin to watch the proceedings. Plan to take your seat at the Senate gallery by at least 11:15. Gallery Captains will be wearing red bandanas on their arms. They will give you further instructions on this respectful show of support.
When the ten Senators enter the chamber, we should clap. The chair will no doubt pound the gavel and ask for silence. We should respect his wishes.
Do we bring white socks this time?
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Sounds like they will try to behave themselves. You gotta expect some type of little hissy fit walk out or other demonstration.
If you have the time today, you know where to be.
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