Senators fuming as penalties hit home

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF ^ | Wednesday, September 17, 2003 | By Ken Herman

[Arrowhead1952]

Democrats stew as GOP talks about dropping sanctions

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Hold off on the Nobel Peace Prize nominations for anyone involved in bringing Texas Senate Republicans and Democrats back together.

After a day of reconciliation, things got testy Wednesday as who had fled to New Mexico demanded an end to sanctions that prohibit them from parking at the Capitol and bar their staffs from the Senate floor.

Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos, D-Austin, triggered the confrontation when he complained to Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst about the sanctions that remain in place until each of the senators who boycotted pays $57,000 in fines levied by Senate Republicans.

"My staff is stuck up there in the gallery, and I would like some information as to what will occur with regard to fines," Barrientos told Dewhurst, who invited the local senator to chat privately with him.

That chat could be overheard nearby.

"Let's be reasonable. Let's get on with business. Otherwise, let's get it on," Barrientos told Dewhurst.

Dewhurst told Barrientos that Senate leaders are "dragging our feet" while working on several GOP senators who remain intent on keeping at least a portion of the fines in place.

Barrientos backed down, for now, promising to get more aggressive later in the week if the fines and sanctions are not dropped.

But Sen. Mario Gallegos Jr., D-Galena Park, wouldn't let the matter drop. He was incensed about the sanction restricting postage privileges.

"We're here. I'm here. And I'd like to write my constituency back home, and either somebody does something on this floor, or I will," he told Dewhurst. "I will go to my parking space. And I want somebody to take me on over it."

After adjournment, Dewhurst predicted that the fines and sanctions will be resolved this week. Though he indicated a willingness to drop the penalties, Dewhurst said "several different Republicans" think the Democrats who fled to Albuquerque "ought to pay something."

"I believe that we're going to reach a consensus among the senators who voted on this particular resolution (ordering the penalties) to go ahead and put it behind us," Dewhurst said.

Asked about Gallegos' comments about being hampered in representing his constituents, Dewhurst referred to the 45 days the Democrats spent in New Mexico.

"Quite frankly, you know, Senator Gallegos chose not to be here to do his job. He decided to be someplace else to do his job," Dewhurst said.

The Senate Republican Caucus planned to meet today to discuss the penalties. Caucus Chairman Todd Staples of Palestine said he wants "to make certain that these type of shenanigans cannot happen again in future Legislatures."

The Senate Administration Committee has proposed the loss of seniority privileges for future senators who intentionally flee to break a quorum.

Barrientos remained angry about the as he left the chamber on Wednesday.

Dewhurst "said they were being worked on," Barrientos said. "I said, 'Please hurry, because I don't intend to be dropped off like an orphan by the Capitol anymore.' "

Barrientos said he wants a resolution today or he will seek legal advice on how to pursue the matter.

"I'll tell those Republicans who want us to pay $57,000, 'Good luck,' " Barrientos said. "Hell, no, I'm not going to do it."

Later Wednesday, map drawing continued as the Senate Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on a plan proposed by Staples and destined for Senate floor debate by early next week.

Like a map approved early Wednesday by the House, the proposed Senate version would give Republicans the majority they covet in the state's U.S. House delegation, which now has 17 Democrats and 15 Republicans.

The House and Senate maps, however, include significant differences that might be headed for a conference committee.

The major fights are intramural. Republicans have not been able to reach agreement on how to draw West Texas districts.

Both maps, still subject to change, make no major changes in Travis County, leaving it split in districts represented by Democrat Lloyd Doggett of Austin and Republican Lamar Smith of San Antonio.

In another indication that the unpleasantness stemming from the Democrats' trip to New Mexico is not over, The Laredo Morning Times reported Wednesday that Webb County District Attorney Joe Rubio is looking into Democrats' assertion that the penalties inflicted by their Republican colleagues amount to "official oppression."

[50sDad]

Make them go door-to-door in their home districts begging for pocket change.

[schaketo]

Let's be reasonable. Let's get on with business. Otherwise, let's get it on," Barrientos told Dewhurst.

Oh… wise guy huh? OK fat boy, take your best shot! This from someone that has a history of running from fights. I will be VERY disappointed if the Texas Repubs let these cowards off the hook. They talk tough and then run like h*ll when the fighting starts.

[lafroste]

Absolutely, I agree. What point are the sanctions if they just say "oh we didn't REALLY mean it" and let them skate. Some example that would set. The dems should pay every dang cent of the fine and get none of their privilidges until they do. I don't care that it seizes up the Texas senate through the election cycle.

OTOH, maybe I should just tell the judge next time I have to pay a speeding ticket :No, I won't pay it. Fat chance! And you can't make me." Yeah, that might work.

[yoe]

These are supposedly grown men and women who ran, thinking it a cute way to hold their colleagues at bay and I assume they knew there were penalties for such an action. It is my understanding they were going to repeat the trick, they were so happy with the first go round. Now Mr. Barrientos is unhappy that he can’t have his cake and eat it to.

If Mr. Barrientos doesn’t pay his fine by a certain date, simply double it or stop his salary until it is paid. Lordy, Lordy...imagine a Republican doing this, you would never hear the end of it. Democrats are such spoiled children.................

[lafroste]

That's the problem with republicans. We're just too dang reasonable. I think they should try being some unreasonable and confrontational SOBs for a change.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

I wonder if they will bring the fines issue up to a vote? It is only fair that the chicken-Democrats get a voice in how to sanction themselves. (sarcasm)

[Publius6961]

After adjournment, Dewhurst predicted that the fines and sanctions will be resolved this week. Though he indicated a willingness to drop the penalties, Dewhurst said "several different Republicans" think the Democrats who fled to Albuquerque "ought to pay something."

As someone who knew what he was talking about once said, when dealing with pathological behavior, rewarding it is the best way to assure an increased supply of it.

I suppose that banana republic behavior as described here is normal to start near the border and work its way north.

The losers who fled the state to avoid their duty better pay a price, or Texas will snatch the title of the "Land of fruits and nuts" from California.

[Arrowhead1952]

Mr. Barrientos is the state senator that was stopped by the DPS for a DUI some time ago. I know he had to do some public service, but there was a fine as well.

Wonder who paid that for him? His constituents? I hope not.

[Stallone]

Republicans, the pious and wimpy ones, will never be accused of being too nice.

These idiots are actually cowards, afraid to confront evil and vaquish it.

The new world belongs to Warrior Freepers, Crusaders who rule the Earth.

NEVER NEGOTIATE WITH EVIL. KILL IT.

[Stallone]

vaquish = vanquish

Break heads, Pubbies, or get yours broken.

Understand?

[Pan_Yans Wife]

KILL IT.

Would a can of raid work?

[tonyinv]

These whimpy appeasers are destroying this country by letting the democrats get away with crap like this. The chicken dems should have their fines doubled each day they dont pay up.

[Texan5]

Their big issue is parking spaces? Hell, I guess we know where their priorities are (most of us already knew, though).

[TexasNative2000]

Asked about Gallegos' comments about being hampered in representing his constituents, Dewhurst referred to the 45 days the Democrats spent in New Mexico.

"Quite frankly, you know, Senator Gallegos chose not to be here to do his job. He decided to be someplace else to do his job," Dewhurst said.

Bingo.

[Ron H.]

... who invited the local senator to chat privately with him.

Dewhurst told Barrientos that Senate leaders are "dragging our feet" while working on several GOP senators who remain intent on keeping at least a portion of the fines in place.

After adjournment, Dewhurst predicted that the fines and sanctions will be resolved this week.

I sure hope all of these quotes are nothing more than fabrication on the part of the writer but I somehow doubt it. I too wanted to believe that Dewhearst had somehow grown some real cajones over the Runagate 11 but alas it was too good to be true as it seems to be shaping up. If Dewhearst gives in to these Democrap "thugs", yes thugs because that is exactly how they're acting now, he will live to regret it. He will have to cave to pretty much whatever the Thugs-R-Us 11 wants from here out regarding the previous sanctions.

Dewhearst cannot afford to be seen as to caving in to the Thugs-R-Us 11. The Thugs-R-Us 11 need to be seen to be pay a price for costing tax-payers millions of wasted tax dollars and wasting everyones time on this. And Dan Patrick still wants to believe that this man will still carry his water for him on the property tax cap relief at C.L.O.U.T. after all of this and how Dewhearst shafted Patrick and Texas tax payers on this back in the regular session.

Always heard that it is hard for a Zebra to change its stripes.

[Sabertooth]

Barrientos said he wants a resolution today or he will seek legal advice on how to pursue the matter.

"I'll tell those Republicans who want us to pay $57,000, 'Good luck,' " Barrientos said. "Hell, no, I'm not going to do it."

I confess I sometimes envy the Democrats. They don't care if the Republicans like them or not. On the other hand, our GOP leadership wallows in political battered-wife syndrome.

After adjournment, Dewhurst predicted that the fines and sanctions will be resolved this week. Though he indicated a willingness to drop the penalties, Dewhurst said "several different Republicans" think the Democrats who fled to Albuquerque "ought to pay something."

"I believe that we're going to reach a consensus among the senators who voted on this particular resolution (ordering the penalties) to go ahead and put it behind us," Dewhurst said.

See what I mean?

[CougarGA7]

Hey Texas Dems! I've got a novile idea. Pay your flipping fines. You were the ones who skirted your repsonsibilities to you constituents by going AWOL. Pay the price.

And one more thing. Stay the hell out of my state!

[hopespringseternal]

After adjournment, Dewhurst predicted that the fines and sanctions will be resolved this week.

If they don't stick, they will simply not be an issue at all next time. The GOP will have neutered itself on the issue and given the democrats preemptive permission to do this again whenever it suits them.

[TADSLOS]

Unfortunately, so true. Personally, I'd like to see these clowns fined and locked up for time not served.