Texas Democrats Bolt Again

Houston Chronicle ^ | July 28, 2003 | Clay Robison

[wkcoop]

July 28, 2003, 3:08PM

Texas Democrats bolt again By CLAY ROBISON Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle

AUSTIN -- An unknown number of Democratic state senators abruptly left the state Capitol this afternoon after learning that Gov. Rick Perry planned to immediately call a second special session on congressional redistricting.

One Democratic senator who asked not to be named, told the Chronicle in a phone interview that senators were apparently on their way out of town.

"I have no idea where we're going. I just know in a little bit we will be out of pocket," the senator said.

He would not say how many senators had left but called it an "adequate" number to break a quorum and keep the Senate from conducting business.

The Senate requires two-thirds, or 21 senators, to be present to conduct business, meaning the absence of 11 senators could break a quorum. There are 12 Democrats in the Senate.

The senator said the action was precipitated by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst's decision to bypass a traditional Senate rule that requires a two-thirds vote to debate any bill.

That rule, which has been in effect during the current special session, has so far blocked redistricting in the Senate.

The senator said the Democrats fled because they feared Perry would immediately call a second special session and Dewhurst would lock down the Senate chambers and prevent members from leaving.

The first session was to end by midnight Tuesday, but the Senate adjourned at 2:30 p.m. and the House was expected to adjourn minutes later.

Dewhurst earlier had told reporters Perry was expected to call a second special session minutes after both houses adjourned.

Of the 12 Democratic senators, the only one to show up for a 2 p.m. session today was Ken Armbrister of Victoria.

In May, more than 50 representatives hid out for several days to block action on congressional redistricting, forcing the governor to call a special session.

[gsrinok]

This means they will probably be coming back here to Oklahoma again. Just what we need in this state -- more worthless dims.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Not yet(if that is even really possible), it would be portrayed, and be perceived by far too many, as a political coup. This isn't yet to a crisis stage in the public mindset, and I'm not sure redisctricting alone would be a big enough issue for the public to get fed up just yet. Now if there are a couple more attempts to call an SS that are stillborn due to Democrat hooky, and say the school finance SS is impacted, then public opinion may be swayed enough to allow for such drastic action, but it is going to have to be perceived as a governing crisis.

This is an early to middle act in a long, slow-moving play. No need to rush for the nuclear option yet. Someone made the analogy of Perry and Dewhurst slowly cooking a frog, and I think that may be the best way to portray this, or perhaps a chess game.

[anymouse]

The Chronicle article has been updated to say the Chicken D's are heading to Albuquerque, NM.

[Redbob]

Sen. Armbrister needs to be rewarded for his courage; perhaps we could find a place for him in the party of (most of) the people - the GOP!

[El Gato]

Did I miss anything? Even las cucaraches wouldn't scurry to Oklahoma? According to reports over the weekend, it's MY SENATOR Luticia VandePuke, that is leading the scurrying this time. To say that this displeases me would be the understatement of the eon.

[nickcarraway]

How long will the people of Texas put up with these games?

[El Gato]

Are we going to be subject to pictures of all those idiots celebrating again?

At least it's a different group of idiots this time. Senators this time, State Representatives last time. With the one man one vote rules from the US Supreme Court, why do states even bother with two houses of the legislature? Nebraska seems to get on just fine with only one.

[Prof Engineer]

How long will the people of Texas put up with these games?

As long as they keep saying " I vote democreep because my daddy voted democreep, and my grand-daddy voted democreep...".

[Ann Archy]

Gov. erry should keep calling special sessions and have the Demoncrats keep leaving...eventually even the stupid Dem. constituency will get sick of then leaving the job they were elected to do. Go Gov!

[RJL]

I guess Motel 6 will leave the light on for them.

Motel 6 is French owned company, so it's only fitting that the 'Rats would stay there.

[El Gato]

Latest from the San Antonio Express Snooze here

Says my Senator Ms Van De Puke has flown to Albequerque, but that the whereabouts of the others is unknown.

Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, chairwoman of the Senate Democratic Caucus, was flying to Albuquerque, N.M., aides said. It was unclear if other Senate Democrats were also leaving the state and if that city was their common destination.

[pogo101]

Not yet(if that is even really possible)

Oh, I agree. It is possible under the law, but it is a decidedly nuclear option.

[RJL]

Texans!!! Check your State Constitution!!! There is an emergency clause that permits less than the prescribed quorum to enact legislation. If member insurrection or defection is not an emergency, I don't know what is. These are not kinder, gentler pols. These are traitorous subverters of the legal process.

Get fooled twice, and the "fies" of Texas (and the rest of the country) be upon you. Lead, darn it! Don't follow!

Well said bump.

[gsrinok]

As long as they keep saying " I vote democreep because my daddy voted democreep, and my grand-daddy voted democreep..."

I go through this with my family. They are all pretty conservative, but they vote dim because everyone in the last three generations of my family did. It drives me absolutely insane.

[Pres Raygun]

Here's my solution. Gov Perry announces he was going to call a special session, but heard that the RATs were leaving the state. To save tax payers the money he will hold off on calling the special session, until enough of them return to establish a quorum. Perry should then state that he is willing to wait however long it takes, one week, one month or even one year. Many of the RATs will have jobs and businesses that will keep them from staying out of the state for more than a month or two. When they return have law enforcement escort them to the Capitol. Time is on our side. The RATs will lose in the end and at substantial personal as well as political loss.

[cspackler]

Sen. Armbrister needs to be rewarded for his courage

He was my little league coach years ago. Good man in my recollection.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

Xena, Rodney Ellis has a wonderful office in the Wells Fargo Bank Building in Missouri City. How about a FReep? How about a full blown protest? Call your buddy E. Thode.

[lilylangtree]

Why can't these turkeys be impeached or fired for abdicating their responsibilities? They were elected to do a job. By not performing, they should be fired at the very least, impeached at the most. Where's the governor and attorney general in all of this cowardice, sitting on their fingers and leaning back on their thumbs?

[MattGarrett]

"I (full name), being fully aware of the consequences of exceeding the authority of my office and being a Texas citizen holding allegiance to no other nation, do solemnly affirm that I will adhere to the Texas constitution in its entirety, and will perform the functions of the office of (name of office) to the best of my abilities."
- Oath of Office from the Texas Constitution

[shadowman99]