After active week in New Mexico, boycotting Texas Democrats take a light weekend (Chicken Run)

SFGate.com ^ | 8/02/03 | NATALIE GOTT

[Libloather]

The weekend meant family reunions for many of the 11 Texas Senate Democrats who went to New Mexico to block Republican efforts to redraw Texas' congressional districts.

The boycott prevents a quorum in the 31-member state Senate, foiling a redistricting plan that probably would give Texas Republicans a majority in Congress. Democrats currently have a 17-15 majority in the delegation.

[Libloather]

The Democrats have given up the $125 a day they receive for expenses when the Legislature is in session...

Marriott rates go up when kids are involved - no?

[Paul Atreides]

Is it me or is the press treating this as if they are all on vacation? If it was Republicans doing the same, all we would hear about is government coming to a standstill, resulting in dying children, dying elderly, and the planet about to blow up.

[goldstategop]

Yes. They're liberals so they get a pass.

[oldtimer]

The salary for a Texas State Senator/Rep is $600 a month plus very nice retirement benefits, but the trial lawyers have VERY DEEP POCKETS as we all know! Don't kid yourself on who is picking up the tabs for these rats.

The Reps should vacate the quorum clause like Bullock did, and just rip the TNRCC, TEA, etc., for the money to fund another session...as in your ear libs - OUR TURN after 130 years of being in the barrel!

[Libloather]

The Reps should vacate the quorum...

How about having a few rich Texas Republicans flying to Albucrackie to hound these rich RATS until they cave.

I'm pretty sure Big Media would show up for that...

[Dog Gone]

The Reps should vacate the quorum clause like Bullock did

Neither Bullock nor Dewhurst nor anyone else can vacate that constitutional provision.

[lowbridge]

[lowbridge]

How about having a few rich Texas Republicans flying to Albucrackie to hound these rich RATS until they cave.

Hounding them untill they cave?(I think the Rats are holding out untill October. As I understand it, by then it will be too late for the 2004 elections for redistricting to have any effect, for at least 2004.) How about making a citizens arrest and dragging them back to Texas?

[hocndoc]

I went.
Hitched a ride with 2 of Senator Van de Putte's constituents. And, miracle of miracles, she actually met with us this morning for nearly an hour. Then we were interviewed by the press, who seemed to all be from the print media.
But, Senator Van de Putte is firm that none of this is the Dem's fault, that very few Republicans even want the redistricting anyway, and that she and the other dems will block redistricting any way they can.
We just got in from driving back, so I'm pretty much done in. Check back tomorrow, and I'll ping you to my more complete report, complete with pictures of the Van to Van de Putte and the Senator and the South Texas Repubican representatives. (Some how, we didn't get a picture of me - possibly because I was the photographer.

[MeekOneGOP]

Excellent ! I look forward to hearing more of your visit with Miss Van de Puke.

[Libloather]

RATS ...will block redistricting any way they can.

They're willing to let their own bank accounts dry up by paying for hotels? Fat chance. They'll cave, one way or another...

[woofie]

Thanks for the info,hope the trip was worth it..I posted it on the NM state board.Also should you or anyone else want to talk to or email the Albuquerque talk radio guys.....here is their site http://770kkob.com/

Larry Ahrens has given the Chicken Run a lot of coverage,and is the more right wing of the local guys

Jim Villanucciis the moderate