Dewhurst: I'm honoring tradition and precedent

Houston Chronicle ^ | July 31, 2003 | LT. GOV. DAVID DEWHURST

[deport]

The Senate has rules regarding attendance or not being absent without an approved okay. However I find no penality specified in their rules for failure to attend. They do provide for expelling a member for misconduct with a 23rds vote.

[deport]

23rds s/b 2/3rds

[Coop]

That is one powerful retort!

[deport]

The argument as presented by the Lt. Gov. regarding redistricting.... Sorry I left you off the pings above.

[grapeape]

This is what our press line needs to be:"We are doing what three Democrat Lt. Gov's done before." If they don't relent then say Hobby, Bullock, and Barnes have don't.

[Brownie74]

Contrary to what our Senate Democrats say, there is no right in the Texas Constitution for legislators to break a quorum.

What ever happened to the good old "tradition and precedent" of putting the bums in jail?

[Dog Gone]

It appears that we're trying to divide and conquer. If we can entice one Rat to return, we have a quorom. Promise a committee assignment or some pork.

Or go the dirty route and create a family emergency for one of them.

Do something.

[Dog Gone]

By the way, I actually do know how to spell quorum, but somebody forgot to tell my fingers.

[MeekOneGOP]

I supposed. In the interest of fair and balanced, I'm sure ! lol !

[Brownie74]

I read somwhere that it was costing them $159.00 a day to stay in the motel. Where are they getting the money?

[Dog Gone]

Supposedly, the money is coming from the campaign warchests that each of these senators has.

Whether that's true or not, I don't know. I'm quite sure that Rat contributors will make sure that these lawmakers are not paying out of pocket.

[CyberAnt]

"declare seats vacant and call for a vote"

ARE YOU SERIOUS - CAN THEY DO THAT ..??

If they can .. I'd do it - just to watch them scramble.

[CyberAnt]

"legislation introduced next session to provide the basis for an office to be declared vacant if these tactics are used again"

Excellant! Time for HARDBALL!!

[Bobsat]

Excellent!

[Brownie74]

If the money is coming from their campaign warchest isn't that illegal?

[Dog Gone]

I don't know, but I have to assume that the GOP is looking into it.

[No Truce With Kings]

"When this is all over, I expect there will be legislation introduced next session to provide the basis for an office to be declared vacant if these tactics are used again."

And they will prevent the law from being passed by skipping the state.

[Tex_GOP_Cruz]

Dewhurst had me worried a couple of months ago; he was not on my favorite list. But since the special sessions began, he has been an articulate defender of the Republican position. I think he was playing good cop, bad cop (now we need really bad cop). Redistricting will happen on our terms if we hold our ground. The Dems will embarrass themselves before that portion of the electorate which even remotely follows the news and which hasn't already swallowed the Kool-Aid.

The drawback in Dem tantrum part deux is that the Dems are setting a horrible precedent DENYING Texans (with likely copycats in the future) representation and embarrassing the state, even as those same cowards take one from the crybaby victimhood liberal playbook. I called John Whitmire's office yesterday, though I doubt it will do any good.

[Dog Gone]

I really don't understand this stunt by the Rats. This has gone way too far for the Republicans to cave in now. They can't stay in New Mexico forever, and eventually the Republicans are going to win. They might as well admit it.

[justlurking]

And they will prevent the law from being passed by skipping the state.

As I noted to someone else, I don't expect it to pass. But, it will put truant legislators on the hot seat.

Quorum requirements are there to prevent a minority from enacting legislation. It was not intended to be used by a minority to prevent action.

The alternative is for the House and Senate to put some teeth into their own rules about legislators absent without permission.