Session ends as 11 Democrats slip out (Dem's Flee state again!)

Star-Telegram ^ | 07/28/2003 | John Moritz

[DodgeRam]

Posted on Mon, Jul. 28, 2003

Session ends as 11 Democrats slip out Perry calls second special session By John Moritz Star-Telegram Austin Bureau

AUSTIN - Faced with the prospect of a second special legislative session being called on congressional redistricting, all but one of the dozen Democrats in the Texas Senate slipped away from the Capitol this afternoon and stalled all business in the chamber.

Republican Gov. Rick Perry immediately called a new one, but there was not a Senate quorum.

The Democrats' move came after a closed-door meeting with Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, the Senate's presiding officer, who told reporters that he held out hope that the Democrats would stay and finish the business of the first special session in Texas since 1992.

"I am going to encourage all of my Texas senators to be here and work through the process," Dewhurst said after leaving the meeting with the Democrats.

But those remaining in the third-floor conference room outside the Senate chamber slipped out of the Capitol and were not on the floor when Dewhurst called the chamber to order.

Only state Sen. Ken Armbrister of Victoria, perhaps the Senate's most conservative Democrat, arrived for the session. When it became clear that a two-thirds quorum was not present, Republican Sen. Jane Nelson moved to end the 30-day special session one day before its scheduled termination.

Asked if he disapproved of his fellow Democrats' decision to flee, Armbrister replied, "absolutely not."

"Each of us make our own mind up about what we try to accomplish for the people we represent," said Armbrister, the only Democrat who has not ruled out voting for redistricting and is prepared to offer an alternative to the Republican's redistricting plan. "If I leave, I don't get any shot at my map,'` he said.

Republican Gov. Rick Perry called lawmakers back to Austin on June 29 to redraw the state's 32 congressional district boundaries with the expressed intent of ending the Democrats' 17-15 advantage in the Texas delegation in Washington. Republicans control both state houses and hold all of the elected statewide offices.

In the early days of the special session, the House adopted its version of the new map. But the process stalled in the Senate. Even though they are outnumbered, 19-12, the Democrats were able to use the Senate rule that allows one-third of the members -- or 11 -- to block legislation.

They had warned that they might bolt in a second special session because Dewhurst had served notice that he would dispense with that rule if lawmakers were called back.

Nelson, the Senate's president pro tem, expressed regret that the Democrats decided to break a quorum.

"I'm very, very disappointed," she said.

It remained unclear Monday where the Democrats had gone, and their staff members expressed ingnorance of their bosses' whereabouts.

[Cachelot]

Time to put these animals in "protective custody" between votes, it seems...

[fortheDeclaration]

Yea, they can run but they can't hide-forever!

Redistricting is coming, along with some fewer Democratic State Senators and House members in the next election!

[CPT Clay]

I'd like to see Armbrister's map

[El Laton Caliente]

The voters WILL REMEMBER!

[Feiny]

This is just ridiculous. They were elected to serve the people of Texas...not to play hide & seek.

[chachacha]

To all those folks out there who vote and wonder what's wrong with this country. If your a Liberal and vote democrat use this post as an example of what you voted for.

SAD SAD SAD!

[fortheDeclaration]

Amen!

[Fiddlstix]

Ping

[grapeape]

It is simply amazing how powerless our Republicans really are. If we don't use our emergency provision then we are so guttless.

[I still care]

Exactly. This is the voter's business to handle.

The Republicans should just make it very clear how much money the Democrats are using with their little tricks to thwart the will of the people. Everyone expects them to fight for their constituancy, not to run away because it threatens their party.

[af_vet_1981]

They should simply change the rules on what constitutes a quorum. Put it to the citizens of Texas in a state wide referendum.

[writmeister]

Perry should keep calling special sessions so that the RATs have to stay out of the state indefinitely. Ultimately, it will hurt their pocketbooks or strain their family relations enough to stay in town.

[Recovering_Democrat]

For God's sake. This is absolutely ridiculous.

I swear, I cannot think of a bigger gang of crybabies than the Democrat Party from Election Day 2000 onwards.

No WONDER they are continuing to be a minority.

What is disgusting is that the press refuses to rip into the Democrat Party like they would if this were a group of renegade Republicans.

Democrat Party: the party of Perversion...of law, of life, and liberty.

[VRW Conspirator]

REMEMBER THE...er..Alamo!

[Digger]

Do these pubbies really think that being viewed as patsies is in their best interest? This is sad for everyone. Who wants to ride with the wimps?

[Im Your Huckleberry]

At what point do they simply throw them in prison? This is tantamount to revolution in my book. These tantrums are denying the democratic process. This is no different than if these Senate Dems took up guns and held the government hostage - it's the same thing - same tactic. This cannot be allowed. They lost, they're out of power. So when they lose and are out of power, they refuse to play but when they're in power, our side is expected to play along? Bulls---!

I'm so sick of these spoiled-brat, fascist pigs on the left. Now we see how they behave when they're out of power. Spoiled-brat b@st@rds.

The Governor needs to bring the hammer down on these p----s.

This is an outrage that they can behave like this and get away with it.

[demlosers]

Run Rats Run!

[Liberal Classic]

Brave Sir Robin ran away,
Bravely ran away, away.
When danger reared its ugly head,
He bravely turned his tail and fled.
Yes, brave Sir Robin turned about
And gallantly, he chickened out.
Bravely taking to his feet,
He beat a very brave retreat,
Bravest of the brave, Sir Robin.

He is packing it in and packing it up
And sneaking away and buggering up
And chickening out and pissing off home,
Yes, bravely he is throwing in the sponge.

[talleyman]

Is there any provision in Texas to declare the disappearing dems' seats vacant? Seems like a special election would be in order here.