How Are The Missing Democrats Paying For Their Oklahoma Stay?

KLTV ^ | 5/15/2003 | Morgan Palmer

[Roscoe]

Thomas Stauss of Gilmer asks, "Who is paying for the hotel that the Democrats are staying in? Is it tax money?"

We spoke to the press officer for House Speaker Tom Craddick. She says every indication is that the Democrats are paying for their stay in Ardmore, Oklahoma out of their own pockets. That is also what Jacksonville Representative Chuck Hopson's office says. He's one of the Democrats up there.

[Roscoe]

I don't believe for a second that this is out of their own pockets without reimbursement.

[Always A Marine]

PROBLEM: These fugitives from Texas law are being protected from arrest by Oklahoma's Democrat governor, effectively barring Texas Rangers from arresting them and hauling them back to Austin.

SOLUTION: The Governor of Texas should place a $25,000 BOUNTY on each fugitive legislator -- and let private enterprise quickly work its magic.

[alnick]

I understand that they recieved their per diem pay for the time as well.

[BooBoo1000]

It would be the first time the Dems ever paid for anything out of their own pockets..

[Congressman Billybob]

Let's assume that the fugitive legislators are paying their own expenses in Oklahoma. I think the question is, what will they pay for the Special Session the Governor will have to call, to make up for their absence now?

Normally in a Special Session, the legislators get a per diem for expenses and another for attendance. Why should the 51 legislators who fled the state receive ONE DAMNED DIME FOR attending a Special Session that NEVER WOULD HAVE BEEN NECESSARY IF THEY HAD DONE THE JOB THEY WERE ELECTED TO DO?

It's hardball time. The Republicans should make damned sure that none of these fools receives a penny in benefits from that Special Session. And if the Republicans won't do it, a group of citizens should sue these people for ALL the money wasted on the Special Session.

IMHO.

Congressman Billybob

Latest column, now up FR, "News Unfit to Print."

[Blood of Tyrants]

Or have the Attorney General declare them non-residents of Texas and vacate their seats and replace them with Republicans.

[Sacajaweau]

You can bet Hitlery dipped into the "kitty" and is paying these Dems to disrupt "Texas". It's PERSONAL!!!!!!

[liberalnot]

the amazing thing is how the democrats ran the show for decades and the republicans never whined or pulled this kind of sideshow.

of course, the media would not take kindly to the republicans doing this. it's only heroic when the dems do it.

[AntiGuv]

Well, unless I'm mistaken, it's over now since today was the deadline for legislative action in the regular Texas session.

[PhiKapMom]

I am with you -- Hillary is behind this and would bet her PAC or DNC are reimbursing these turkeys!

[Mo1]

Thomas Stauss of Gilmer asks, "Who is paying for the hotel that the Democrats are staying in? Is it tax money?"

Hmmmm .. isn't this what I was asking about just this morning???

[visualops]

from CNSNews.com:
"The State of Texas will have to trim an additional $650 million from its budget to make up for revenue lost as a result of bills that died in committee after the Democrats refused to show up for work this week. Despite that loss, the Democrats are trying to capitalize on the publicity surrounding their walkout to raise money for their party."
"Get Your Historic Killer D's T!" proclaimed an email message from the email address yellowdog@txdemocrats.org, which is listed as the "general questions/comments" contact on the Texas Democratic Party website. The message advertises the shirts for "$15 each (including tax) ... A portion of the proceeds will be contributed to the Texas Democratic Party."


Losing money for the people of Texas and putting cash in their own pockets at the same time. Nice, very nice.

[PhiKapMom]

I thought of you when I saw this! Wonder if the person reads FR?

[Mo1]

If so, all the better ;0)

[upchuck]

Betcha when they get back and all the hubub dies down they'll submit vouchers for "travel expenses."

[Dahlseide]

Does Texas have an extradition treaty with Oklahoma?

[Roscoe]

If there are any reporters worthy of the name, a good place to start would be with the hotel. How was it paid? Individually? Group payment? Cash? Check(s)?