Texas Democrats commended in Oklahoma House resolution

AP via Salina Journal (KS) ^ | 14 May 2003 | JESSICA DICKERSON

[Stultis]

Posted at 10:05 AM on Wednesday, May 14, 2003

Texas Democrats commended in Oklahoma House resolution

By JESSICA DICKERSON
Associated Press Writer

---

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma's Democrat-controlled House of Representatives passed a resolution Tuesday commending Texas Democratic House members who fled that state to stifle redistricting plans they opposed.

A Republican-supported resolution that would encourage Oklahoma officials to assist Texas officials in returning the errant lawmakers to Texas failed.

The resolution commending the lawmakers, by Rep. David Braddock, D-Altus, came after dozens of Texas Democrats fled Austin, Texas, after discussing ways to derail a Republican plan to redraw Texas' congressional districts.

The absence of 58 Democrats on Monday left the 150-member Texas House short of the two-thirds quorum needed to conduct business.

The rebellious Democrats holed up in an Ardmore hotel.

The House resolution commends the courage of the Texas Democrats who "have decided to defend the rights of the minority and the more pressing needs of Texas families."

The resolution charges that a Texas congressman and the majority leadership of the House are more concerned with adding Republican members to Congress than the educational, health and other needs of Texas families.

The Democrats earlier blamed Republican U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay for interfering with redistricting.

"I don't think they're breaking their oath of office," Braddock said of the Texas Democrats. "I think they're all fulfilling it by trying to meet the needs of those that have no voice."

Some House members were concerned that a similar move could occur in Oklahoma if the House supports the Texas lawmakers.

Braddock responded by saying members of the Oklahoma House are better at working together than their Texas counterparts.

The resolution, HR 1020, passed 47-44.

Another resolution, by Rep. Greg Piatt, R-Ardmore, requested that Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry, Commissioner of Public Safety Bob Ricks, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and other law enforcement officials assist Texas officials in returning the errant lawmakers to Texas.

Braddock commented that he wanted the Texas Democrats to stay in Oklahoma.

"This is economic development at its best," he quipped. "We want Texans coming to spend their money in Oklahoma."

The resolution, HR 1019, failed 50-46.

The resolutions do not have the force of law.

In a humorous moment, Rep. Ron Kirby, D-Lawton, read a proposal to grant Texas legislators political amnesty, welcome them to Oklahoma and grant them the honorary title of "Okie."

The proposal also called for a Cub Scout troop to be dispatched to the Red River to protect Oklahoma's border from Texas Rangers.

The idea met with laughter from most, with an occasional "boo."

Earlier Tuesday, Henry said he welcomed the Texas lawmakers, but was "not going to get embroiled in this political fight."

Republican State Chairman Gary Jones criticized Henry for allowing Oklahoma to become a safe haven for the Texas Democrats.

"These Democrat legislators south of our border are wasting taxpayers' money," Jones said. "They are behaving in an obstructionist manner and it's a publicity stunt, plain and simple. I'm embarrassed Gov. Henry and our Democrat-controlled House of Representatives would condone such a childish stunt."

[TLBSHOW]

Texas state House Democrats offer to return from exile _ if their demands are met



http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/05/15/national0539EDT0474.DTL

[TLBSHOW]

OH look the rats in California speak up too...


California Democrats back Texas brethren

http://www.oaklandtribune.com/Stories/0,1413,82~1865~1392749,00.html

[Stultis]

Texas state House Democrats offer to return from exile _ if their demands are met

O.K., say their demands are met. What will they be demanding next time they do this? And in the mean time, how often will the minority use the mere threat of quorum busting to achieve what they could not do by legal legislative means?

Sorry, 'Rats, this is not negotiable.

[maxter]

Please don't take this out on the good people of Oklahoma. We are embarrassed by the juvenile declaration made by the House. The people are watching this and will show their displeasure in the way it most counts. It is only a matter of time before Republicans rule here. We will hold the dems accountable for the black eye they have blatently chosen to put on this state in the eyes of others. Underneath the surface there is a storm brewing. Seriously, we are not laughing.

[PhiKapMom]

There was a different article in The Oklahoman yesterday based on this article:

Some Links:

Texans still on the lam in Ardmore -- http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/912054/posts

Red River Rebelry -- http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/912055/posts?page=1

And here is the article about our stupid OK Legislature which is run by RATS:

Runaways spark discussion in Oklahoma Legislature

2003-05-14
By Jack Money
The Oklahoman


Good-natured banter about runaway Texas House Democrats turned serious Tuesday in Oklahoma’s House. Rep. Ron Kirby, D-Lawton, wanted the House to consider a resolution bestowing an honorary title of “Okie” on Texas House members holed up in Ardmore.

Oklahoma House members on both sides of the political aisle then introduced serious resolutions for consideration.

One, by Rep. Todd Piatt, R-Ardmore, directed Gov. Brad Henry, the director of the Public Safety Department and Oklahoma law enforcement officials to work with their Texas counterparts to return the errant legislators to their home state.

House members voted that down.

The second, by Rep. David Braddock, D-Altus, commended the absent Texas lawmakers for taking a stand for constituents.

Braddock’s resolution commended the absent lawmakers for acting out of concern for Texas families by opposing efforts by Republican House leadership to focus on congressional redistricting.

Piatt, sponsor of the first resolution, asked Braddock whether Oklahoma’s House should be commending its Texas counterparts for breaking the oath of office.

“I don’t think they are breaking their oath of office,” Braddock said. “I think they are ultimately fulfilling it by trying to meet the needs of those who have no voice at their Capitol.”

This resolution was approved by a simple majority of House members present.

Braddock’s resolution does not have the weight of law.

As for Kirby’s proposed resolution, which was never formally introduced, the measure would have granted the Texas House members political amnesty. “I was just trying to have a little fun,” he said.

http://www.newsok.com/cgi-bin/show_article?ID=1024757&pic=none&TP=getarticle

[Charlie OK]

GOD I HOPE SO!

[mtbopfuyn]

Just like a bunch of 3 year olds stomping their feet and holding their breath. The heck with those whiney babies' demands. I, as a taxpayer and issuer of their paychecks, have demands and I better NOT have to foot their bar tab! Perry should NOT call a $pecial $e$$ion. They're AWOL so Perry should appoint new members. The only reason they're considering crawling back is because they woke up and realized '04 is drawing near and it's time for the campaign trail or they'd keep this going even longer. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

Actually, I don't care that they ever come back because we have too many laws anyway. Also, the longer this goes on the less they'll focus less on one bill that will take away my family's income when we're so very close to retirement. Let's secure the border and not let them back in!

[Ugly Truth]

Wait a second. If I was hired to do a job, then not only flat out refused to perform my job, but left the state to prevent myself from performing my job, I'd be fired.

Plus, these people are supposed to be paid to represent their consituents, how could they do so from another state, refusing to do their appointed and elected jobs?

Recall them, fire them, get rid of them, and send a clear message. Not only is it illegal in Texas, but it is important enough, that if they continue, they will be fired.

Recall them.

[erikm88]

And to all of you Texans remeber - 63-14, 14-3, 35-24, 1 National, 2 Big 12, and 1 Rose bowl Championship.

Them's fightin' words!

[I'm ALL Right!]

I despise Henry and the DEMS in OK. Steve Largent should have won, if it werent for the dumb a$$ "cock-fighting" issue, he would have. Nice trojan-horse issue to sway the vote away from those of us who actually CARE about REAL legislation. (As opposed to redneck sickos who like to watch poultry-mutilation and who never vote except when it comes to that one issue.) Can you tell I'm bitter?

[E.G.C.]

Here are my thoughts on this subject.

I must say that as an Oklahoman I'm really embarrssed by this stunt pulled by our legislature with regards to this B.S. and C.F. pulled by the fugitive Demorats in Ardmore.

I want to assure everyone that the vast majority of Oklahomans DO NOT share the sentiments expressed in this resolution.

What is going on is an absolute disgace and I for one am not too happy with it and I know a lot of you Texans down there feel the same way.

The voters of Texas made it very clear they want Republicans, NOT DEMOCRATS to set public policy for the state. I'ts obvious the Demorats do not how to be very good sports about this.

Don't let this B.S. and C.F. sour your perceptions of Oklahoma. We are still a great place to visit and I gurnatee you one day, The Republicans wil have the last laugh and become the source of law here and maybe sooner rather than later.
Regards.

[No Dems 2004]

Well, yeah. It's solidly Republican in presidential and most Senate and House races, but seems to still tilt Dem in state politics. However, I'm pretty sure that there's a pretty close split in the OK House and Senate (53-48 and 28-20, respectively) and Henry was elected by a whisker last year. I think that most of the state's constitutional officeholder, including lieutenant-governor are Reps.

Don't forget what happened in Texas, first federal -- then all they way (but not with LBJ).

[wasp69]

"I think they're all fulfilling it by trying to meet the needs of those that have no voice."

Uhmmm, wait a minute, I thought that was why representatives are elected. So those who "have no voice" do indeed have a voice in the government. What did I miss?

Then again, with the various dimwits now hiding in OK, I guess they really "have no voice".

[Mister Baredog]

How did Oklahoma get so Demoncratic?

[INSENSITIVE GUY]

I guess one group of deadbeat trash recognizes another.

[SerpentDove]

Forgive me if I'm late to the party and this has been mentioned, but on KLIF this morning, Darryl Ankarlo brought up the fact that Dallas mayor Laura Miller's husband is one of the "Chicken D's" who left the state.

I heard her interview, and she said while she disagrees with some of her husband's positions, she doesn't disagree with this one.

Subsequently, lots of callers said that even though they had voted for L, they wouldn't next time, because of this.

[strela]

(L)ots of callers said that even though they had voted for L (Laura Miller; ed.), they wouldn't next time, because of this.

Well that's big of them, but its a little late for that, isn't it? She won't be running for re-election for 4 more years. And, if these callers could vote for her in spite of her wild-eyed spittle-flecked support of the restaurant smoking ban that she and her little health nazis concocted, then I'm not sure I would care to count them as potential help come next election cycle.

People talk a good game, but in this case, it seems to be all hot air.

[SerpentDove]

Yeah, she should've been tossed on her can for that smoking ban alone.

But as an Irving resident, I say Dallas gets what it votes for (read, "deserves").

Although I've heard the tobacco Nazis are moving quickly to rid Irving of the Demon Weed.

Sheeesh.