Miers' time on Dallas City Council provides some insight

Dallas Morning News ^ | 10/7/05 | DAVE LEVINTHAL

[Ol' Sparky]

Miers' time on Dallas City Council provides some insight

BY DAVE LEVINTHAL

The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS - (KRT) - She may have no judicial record, but Supreme Court justice nominee Harriet Miers took firm stances on issues ranging from taxation to democratic reforms abroad as a one-term member of the Dallas City Council, a Dallas Morning News study of city records indicates.

For example, in 1991, Miers voted in favor of a council resolution reaffirming economic sanctions Dallas had imposed against South Africa, then under a white minority-rule apartheid government. The council adopted the resolution by a 6-2 vote with three absences.

At the time, President George H.W. Bush was considering repealing federal economic sanctions against the country.

A 1989 city ordinance prohibited Dallas government from buying goods that originated in South Africa or conducting business with firms that sold goods or services there for use by the police, military or prison system.

"As she goes through this nomination process, something like that should cheer the liberals and lead to gnashing of teeth among the very conservative social conservative," said Cal Jillson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University, Miers' alma mater. "Hers was the appropriate moderate Republican position of the day, but beating up on South Africa wasn't a way to win friends with conservatives."

It was one of several council votes that will be scrutinized as her court nomination moves forward. She served between June 1989 and November 1991.

Miers was one of 10 Dallas council members to unanimously approve a 1989 agenda item that revised minimum height, weight and vision requirements for Dallas firefighters to facilitate "promotion of certain ranks in the Fire Department," particularly women.

The agenda item's title: "Implementation of Fire Department Affirmative Action Plan."

In one of her first meetings as a council member, Miers sponsored a resolution "recognizing democratic aspirations of students and civilian population in Beijing, China." The council ratified the resolution 10-1.

"It's important for the city to let those people know we realize what they're going through," Miers said at the time, a few weeks after the Chinese government violently quashed pro-democracy rallies centered in Beijing's Tiananmen Square.

Records from council meetings during her tenure also indicate that she:

_Voted for a 1990 resolution requesting that Congress "pass legislation which would prohibit judicial taxation of local governments." The council unanimously adopted the resolution, which came at a time when courts in some places had seized control of floundering school districts and administered taxes. "This is a position that would be almost universally accepted by Republicans," Jillson said.

_Abstained from an otherwise unanimously adopted 1990 resolution urging Congress to pass legislation bolstering AIDS emergency treatment programs and provide funding to local governments for such programs. Before the vote, Miers said she had a conflict of interest, although no record detailing that conflict was available.

_Voted to ratify a 1990 resolution urging the governor to call a special session of the Texas State Legislature and consider a bill that aimed to limit state power and return regulatory jurisdiction over pawnshops to municipalities. The council ratified the resolution by an 8-2-1 vote.

_Voted in 1989 to levy property taxes on "business personal property temporarily located within the state." The agenda item passed 10-1, but the record indicates Miers directed Dallas' city manager to search for alternate revenue streams so that the tax could be repealed in 1991.

_Was absent when the council in 1990 unanimously resolved to install City of Dallas and U.S. flags within all municipal parks.

_Was absent in 1991 when the council formally urged Congress to pass the Brady Bill, which limited gun accessibility. The council adopted the resolution unanimously.

_Voted in 1991 to ratify a resolution urging the Texas State Legislature to observe the Rev. Martin Luther King's birthday as a state holiday. The council unanimously ratified the resolution.

_Voted in 1991 to ratify a resolution supporting passage of the federal North American Free Trade Agreement. The council ratified the resolution by a 7-2-2 vote.

_Voted in 1991 in favor of a resolution urging Congress to approve a presidential request for "fast track" trade negotiation authority. The resolution passed 5-2-3.

_Abstained from voting on a resolution urging Congress to allow toll road development along interstate highway right-of-ways. Records did not indicate why Miers abstained; the resolution passed by a 6-1 vote with three absences and an abstention.

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[Kryptonite]

That is one of her biggest selling points. I'd like to see a Supreme Court with at least one voice from the business sector.

[Howlin]

You certainly ARE mocking Stepin Fetchit. It's quite embarassing for the forum.

You do it all the time.

Why don't you call those Freepers; they can read your posts on this thread and see for themselves.

[Howlin]

You are incoherent now.

[flashbunny]

I don't know. I haven't researched her business instincts enough to comment on them.

And frankly, I really don't give much of a hoot about them.

Ben N Jerry had good business instincts. So did the liberals at google. Doesn't mean I want any of them on the supreme court.

I care about a nominee's judicial philosphy and any evidence that sheds light on it.

Unless the Supreme Court suddenly becomes a for-profit enterprise, I'm not sure why it really matters.

[flashbunny]

As incoherent as "You're continued mmocking of black people on this forum is disgusting."

let's see...wrong "you're", spelled mocking wrong, tried play the race card...yep, you've hit on all the points.

[flashbunny]

"I'd like to see a Supreme Court with at least one voice from the business sector."

Kelo, anyone?

[politicket]

Howlin,

Women do not belong as Firefighters for the same reasons that women do not belong in combat scenarios:

1.) Women do not have the physical attributes to do the neccessary job. God did not create them that way.

2.) When a woman firefighter or soldier gets into a situation that she can't physically handle then it is the INSTINCT of male firefighters and/or soldiers to rescue her from harms way - no matter the risk. Men will go to whatever length needed to rescue a woman from a perilous situation.

Both of these reasons can result in people being needlessly killed, all for the sake of "fairness". That is COMPLETELY ridiculous - I hope that you will agree?

[Kryptonite]

Unless the Supreme Court suddenly becomes a for-profit enterprise, I'm not sure why it really matters.

That explains your lack of knowledge of the impact of the Supreme Court on business interests.

Many thanks.

[RTINSC]

A big plus. Glad to see someone who agrees with that. Very little emphasis on this aspect of her background in the media, though. She also appears to be an energetic, enthusiastic person, in spite of her age.

[Uriah_lost]

If they can do the pass the tests and do the work there should not be any artificial height/weight requirement. I can lift more and carry it further than many men that are taller and heavier than I. Why should I be denied a job that I can demonstrate I am capable of doing?

[little jeremiah]

I wasn't mocking black people. I was - well, never mind.

[paulat]

So sorry, Madam. Awfully incorrect of me. Terribly sorry. The downstairs servants and I were wondering when you would like to have tea?

His Lordship specifically asked that you not be irritated.

[little jeremiah]

Energetic and enthusiastic mean less than squat. Hitler was likely energetic and enthusiastic. Howeird Dean is probably energetic and enthusiastic.

If energetic and enthusiastic are the standards or even the qualifications for being a Supreme Court Justice, we might as well give up right now.

[flashbunny]

"That explains your lack of knowledge of the impact of the Supreme Court on business interests."

Thanks for misinterpreting what I said. The supreme court has an impact on everything, not just business interests.

Think back to the roberts hearing. This is where I'm coming from.

It doesn't matter if miers will stand up for businesses or against businesses on its own. What matters that if a business issue comes up to the supreme court, she bases her decision not on what she wants done, but what the constitution says must be done.

THAT is what a supreme court justice is for. Not to be an advocate for business or government. But to be a defender of the constitution as it was written. I don't want a pro-business justice any more than I want an anti-business justice. I just want a pro-constitution one.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Twerp

[Ken H]

Let's say a State government orders a State-funded law school to lower its LSAT and GPA minimums in order to achieve a more diverse student body.

Would that be affirmative action?

[flashbunny]

Dangit, paula, now you've offended my english sensibilities!!!

[Howlin]

I agree about the combat, but not about the firefighters; but I don't think they should change the regulations; if a woman can pass the test that men pass, she should be able to work.

I don't believe in equal but special, period.

[paulat]

Twerp

Yep

[RTINSC]

If you don't like my comments to other posters, please don't read them or take up valuable bandwidth with your nonsense.