Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Senate's Prized Civility Under Fire (Texas)
The Austin American Statesman ^ | Monday August 18, 2003 | Ken Herman

Posted on 08/18/2003 8:32:26 AM PDT by hocndoc

Senate's prized civility under fire Bruises from redistricting battle will heal, some say; others see lasting damage

By Ken Herman

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Monday, August 18, 2003

Eventually, one must assume, the Texas Senate will meet again.

Unknown, however, is exactly what it will look and feel like when the 11 boycotting Democrats now based in Albuquerque, N.M., return to the floor after what has been three weeks of interstate unpleasantness.

For generations, the 31-member chamber has prided itself on collegiality and, far more often than not, a brand of cordial bipartisanship foreign to the halls of the U.S. Congress.

A Senate session is always a lot of "I'll yield to my good friend from (fill in the blank)" and has a generally congenial tone no matter how hot the debate gets.

Even during the ongoing separation, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and the Senate Republicans have always talked about the missing Democrats as "friends and colleagues."

The fines imposed by the Republicans on their "friends and colleagues" soon will hit the $35,000-a-week level, a level that can tend to put a strain on friendships.

As a result of the Democrats' flight to Albuquerque to block congressional redistricting — and the Republicans' decision to fine them — there's increasing talk that the collegial feel may be on the endangered species list.

"It's getting to a point now where it has become very personal," said Eddie Lucio of Brownsville, one of the Democrats-in-exile. "These wounds may not heal in this generation."

Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, said the additional penalties approved Friday, which included cutting off Democrats' cell phones and taking away Capitol parking, amounted to "pettiness personified" and betrayed the GOP senators' claim that all they really want is the return of their Democratic friends.

"You can't extend both hands in welcome when you're holding a knife in each," she said.

Dewhurst, adhering to the party line, says the redistricting battle is a particularly partisan one fought out in a way that does not have to leave a shadow on the Senate.

"There's no question in my mind, after countless conversations with Republicans and Democrats, that when redistricting is over there'll be some bruised feelings," he said. "But we will get back to business as usual."

Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, certainly hopes so. She is deeply involved in the Legislature's next major task: finding a new way to pay for education.

"I am very fearful that what has happened to this body over this redistricting issue will spill over into school finance decisions," said Shapiro, co-chairwoman of a special committee laying the groundwork for a planned special session on school finance next spring.

GOP Gov. Rick Perry, who called the special session on redistricting and other topics and promises to call more if needed, is confident the Senate can get back to a cordial tone.

Perry, who served as lieutenant governor for one legislative session, said the Senate has dealt with "a host of issues where you see senators very passionate, up to and including fisticuffs through the years."

"And people seem to come back and work together," he said.

But another former lieutenant governor said it seems the Senate has passed a point of no return on the road to partisanship.

"Civility is gone," said Bill Hobby, a Democrat who served as lieutenant governor from 1972 to 1990. "It's very sad. It's moving more toward the congressional model where everything is partisan. When you start trying to impose penalties you've crossed some kind of a line."

The Texas Senate and House are nothing like their federal counterparts. There is no seating by party, and committees are headed by members from each party.

But as this impasse dragged on — and Dewhurst was accusing the Democrats of violating the Texas constitution — he declined to commit on continuing the practice of appointing committee heads from each party.

"I'd rather not go there at this time," Dewhurst said when asked whether he would have any qualms about making a Democrat a chairperson when the Legislature convenes for its next regular session in 2005.

Despite the harsh rhetoric on both sides — with Democrats accusing Republicans of trampling on minority rights and Republicans accusing Democrats of not playing fair — the leader of the Senate Democrats said she can come home and work with the other side.

"I will go back and work in a professional manner," said San Antonio Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, who has gotten in as many good digs as anyone (she called the penalties "official oppression.") "My mother always told me that you treat people well even if they treat you miserably."

On Friday, as Senate Republicans approved additional penalties for the Democrats, Sen. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, had kind words for the missing colleagues "with whom we had close and dear friendship" during the regular session.

"With God's help, we will heal the wounds of this chamber and move to brighter days," Estes said.

God help us, indeed, one top Senate staffer said that day.

"We've gone from a nice place to work to D.C.," he bemoaned privately, hard-pressed to come up with a kiss-and-make-up scenario that would get the Senate back to collegiality.

"Maybe we don't," he said. "Maybe this is it."

kherman@statesman.com; 445-1718


TOPICS: Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: New Mexico; US: Oklahoma; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: etiquette; killerds; manners; newmexico; oklahoma; redistricting; smoke; texas
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-45 next last
I'm not quite sure how the dem's rhetoric became equal - in the eyes of the Stateman - to that of the Republicans. But, at least someone noticed that the Dems might be rude, too.
1 posted on 08/18/2003 8:32:26 AM PDT by hocndoc
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: hocndoc
The Austin Anti-American Staziman should fly a little red flag on it's masthead every morning. At least with Killeen Daily Herald, you can laugh at the punctuation mistakes.
2 posted on 08/18/2003 8:36:59 AM PDT by .cnI redruM ("any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." - Arthur C. Clarke)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: hocndoc
The real solution for the absentees is simple: they should resign their seats since they do not want to serve. It's really not a hard decision to make.

If there has been no partisanship in the Senate and it led to this, then maybe partisanship is in order.

I hope the Senate imposes more penalties on the exiles. Force them to resign!

3 posted on 08/18/2003 8:41:15 AM PDT by KellyAdmirer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: .cnI redruM
How is it Austin became a mecca for the left(sigh)?
4 posted on 08/18/2003 8:43:59 AM PDT by MEG33
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: MEG33
I'm not sure, but Al Quaeda should claim credit for Austin's municipal newspaper.
5 posted on 08/18/2003 8:46:02 AM PDT by .cnI redruM ("any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." - Arthur C. Clarke)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: KellyAdmirer
Surprised the Dems that the fines were indeed "enforceable." The Senators made the fines enforceable by adding the penalties, and by taking care *not* to block the Dem Senator's ability to serve their constituents as best as they can from New Mexico.
Watch the rhetoric: there is no action to prevent the Dems from coming on to the Senate floor to vote, or to fire their personal staffs, as they have accused.

The penalties are against conveniences, not necessities.

Who needs parking slots in Austin when you're out of state, any way? As for the staffers, let the Democratic Party pay for a parking garage somewhere or rent some of those buses they used to transport the paid protesters sent to the redistricting hearings in Corpus Christi and Del Rio.

Here's a companion piece from the Dallas Morning News:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/965846/posts?page=1
6 posted on 08/18/2003 8:48:15 AM PDT by hocndoc (Choice is the # 1 killer in the US)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: hocndoc
Well, we have now created a situation where any minority party can stop the Legislative branch of gov't from voting, debating or even considering anything. All that has to happen is to have 11 members decide to take a taxpayer paid vacation instead of working.

Now, the Dems are in an uproar because the Republicans are 'thinking' of laying off the missing Democrat's taxpayer paid support staff. I mean, as a taxpayer we are paying an untold number of support staff to come to work and do absolutely nothing for the past 3 weeks, because the people they work for have deserted their posts.

Can you imagine this crap working in the private sector?
7 posted on 08/18/2003 8:49:10 AM PDT by Hodar (With Rights, comes Responsibilities. Don't assume one, without assuming the other.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MEG33
I'm afraid that the political climate of Austin is due to the UT campus and imported faculty.
Add in a few sessions each at Hippy Hollow (although there's nothing inherently leftist about nude bathing, smoking an unprocessed herb or drinking alcohol- it's the company you keep while you're doing it, and the willingness to break the law in order to do the second), and there you have it.
8 posted on 08/18/2003 8:52:20 AM PDT by hocndoc (Choice is the # 1 killer in the US)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: hocndoc
The dem's in Texas are working as hard as possible to not be around for a generation or two. With the state now voting around 2/3 Repub you would think they could get a clue.

They have put themselves in the front of talking points in church lobbies and Sunday diner and the ice houses (Texanese for Pub/Bar/Saloon) and the analysis is not looking good for them. Throwing money at social problems, gun control, gay rights, radical feminism, etc. just doesn't sell in Texas outside of Austin (five collages and high tech) and Montrose (the homosexual district of Houston).
9 posted on 08/18/2003 8:54:08 AM PDT by El Laton Caliente
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Hodar
"We"? It's not us, it's them.

And "they" are the same ones who *have* used this same tactic in the private sector. That's why the media call the actions of the Dems a "strike" or a "walk out."

10 posted on 08/18/2003 8:54:11 AM PDT by hocndoc (Choice is the # 1 killer in the US)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: hocndoc
Austin does have some lovely areas to "hang out"!
11 posted on 08/18/2003 8:55:25 AM PDT by MEG33
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: hocndoc
Who gives a rat's *ss whether the atmosphere is no longer "cordial" in the Texas Senate. This is right in there with asking how "Tim McVeigh was feeling." The question is whether the people elected to govern actually do their job, and what consequences there are for those who fled the state, and their jobs.

For a better take on this, click below:

Congressman Billybob

Latest column, "Texans for Sale or Rent" posted on FR, other publication to come.

12 posted on 08/18/2003 8:56:43 AM PDT by Congressman Billybob ("Don't just stand there. Run for Congress." www.ArmorforCongress.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: hocndoc
Is there No Democrats in Texas who are mad at their Dem. Senators for RUNNING AWAY FROM A FIGHT???

Democrats are dumb....they look like imbeciles by sticking up for what would have NEVER been tolerated pre-Clintn. This is indeed the Clintonization of America.

13 posted on 08/18/2003 8:59:33 AM PDT by Ann Archy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: hocndoc
After this special session ends we should allow the Rats to come home triumphantly. At the moment they step off the plane, call the next session and great the triumphant Rats with some hired thugs from the Sergeant at Arms office.
14 posted on 08/18/2003 9:02:46 AM PDT by Dog Gone
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MEG33
Austin does have some lovely areas to "hang out"!

True, but some of what "hang's out" isn't so lovely.

;-)

15 posted on 08/18/2003 9:03:12 AM PDT by zlala
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Dog Gone
I'm really looking forward to the end of this session.

It should be interesting. (As in the Chinese curse,"May you live in interesting times.)
16 posted on 08/18/2003 9:06:21 AM PDT by hocndoc (Choice is the # 1 killer in the US)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: zlala
I know..I haven't visited in many years.
17 posted on 08/18/2003 9:07:35 AM PDT by MEG33
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: hocndoc
For generations, the 31-member chamber has prided itself on collegiality and, far more often than not, a brand of cordial bipartisanship foreign to the halls of the U.S. Congress.

Yes, the Republicans in the minority were very much gentlemen.

Now the Republicans are in the majority and the Democrats will not behave in the same civil and respectful manner.

The Democrats are showing their true character to the people. If they had any shame they would be very embarrassed.

18 posted on 08/18/2003 9:19:26 AM PDT by RJL
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: hocndoc
For generations, the 31-member chamber has prided itself on collegiality and, far more often than not, a brand of cordial bipartisanship foreign to the halls of the U.S. Congress.

Maybe because for generations, the Dems were the majority and the Pubbies don't stoop to childish temper tantrums such as what we have recently witnessed from the Dems. The voters have decided...and placed the majority with the Pubbies...the Dems need to grow up and deal with it.

19 posted on 08/18/2003 9:22:17 AM PDT by ravingnutter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MEG33
Austin - the mecca for all old '60s hippies.

Oh, boo hoo, Van Putte and her mama says to treat people well buloney. Obviously, mama failed to teach her duty and responsibility. How about treating the people of Texas well and showing up for work?
20 posted on 08/18/2003 9:26:33 AM PDT by mtbopfuyn
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-45 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson