Texas GOP getting ready to Cave to the Chicken D"?

Associated Press (Pravda) | 7/22/03 | Kelley Shannon

[The South Texan]

Dewhurst says he prefers a break after session's end By KELLEY SHANNON Associated Press Writer August 22, 2003

AUSTIN- Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said Friday he would like to see the Legislature take some time off before entering a third special session on congressional redistricting.

Dewhurst didn't say how long he thinks the break should be after the second 30-day special session ends Tuesday.

But Dewhurst, who presides over the Texas Senate, said his preference would be for lawmakers to have some time to continue working on details of redistricting proposals _ such as the positioning of districts in West Texas _ and to see what action occurs Wednesday in Laredo in a federal court case filed by 11 boycotting Senate Democrats.

"I've suggested to the governor that there are a couple of different matters that need to be taken care of," said Dewhurst, confirming that he favors having a break between sessions.

Republican Gov. Rick Perry gets to decide when to call another special session. He has said he plans to, but has not said when that will be. His spokeswoman, Kathy Walt, would not say Friday whether the governor is considering a break.

"He will make the appropriate decision on what's best," Walt said.

Eleven of 12 Senate Democrats are waiting out the end of this special session in Albuquerque, N.M., where they been since July 28 to bust a Senate quorum and prevent a vote on a Republican-backed redistricting plan. They crossed the state line so Texas law officers would not be able to arrest them and bring them back to the Capitol.

In Albuquerque, the Democrats aimed more harsh words at Perry and said they'll remain out of state for further special sessions if necessary.

"You can see by standing here and seeing us united that we are stronger than ever," said Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo. "If we're going to be here until Christmas, some of us are going to learn to ski."

Democratic Sen. Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio said that even if Dewhurst wants a cooling off period between special sessions, Perry may not go along with it. Perry has indicated he will continue with "partisan power grabs and this divisiveness," she said.

Democrats currently hold a 17-15 advantage in the state's congressional delegation. Texas Republicans, citing GOP voting trends of the past few state elections, say they deserve more seats in Congress.

Dewhurst said he was continuing to encourage the Democrats to return and that he's optimistic they will come back next week. The current session ends Tuesday. He said the Senate needs to move ahead working together because it faces crucial work on other issues, including school finance.

"It's important that even if there are some bruises, we heal as quickly as we can and we move forward," he said.

One Republican senator, Jeff Wentworth of San Antonio, said he also favors a cooling off period before a new session begins.

"I think it'd be helpful and beneficial, cleansing maybe even," Wentworth said. "I think it'd be helpful if we all sat down and talked instead of these dueling news conferences with more and more strident language."

[The South Texan]

Bullcrap. As soon as the second session is over you call another one. Make it hurt for these 11 escapees.

[The South Texan]

For the bump list!

[Husker24]

The rich and powerful protect eachother, the Republicans will cave.

[bjcintennessee]

Nah. Call a recess and let the Donks feel safe in returning to Texas. When they cross the state line, arrest their sorry a$$e$ and immediately call another special session -- and haul them onto the senate floor!

[Squantos]

If a two thirds quorum must be present can Gov Perry officially dismiss or excuse for personal reasons , such as ......my goldfish drowned and I have to attend the funeral or ......my Prairee Dog has pneumonia and I have to take him to the vet ect ect ect.......:o)

Would officially excusing an identical like number of GOP reps be possible to bring the "offical" numbers in line for a legal vote ?

Stay Safe !

[hocndoc]

it's always easier to get forgiveness than permission. If they wait too long, the federal court may decide the Senate fleas can't be arrested, as they did for the House fleas.
I like your idea, but, it sounds more like a Dem idea than a Republican one.
(We need some backbone!)

[MeekOneGOP]

I think Perry will likely call another special session right behind this one.

We'll see ...

This is one of the Texas Chicken D's holed up in Albuquerque, N.M. He calls the fines 'Poll Taxes' and RUDELY hogs the conversation with this radio show host, then HANGS UP on him !!

G-r-r-r-r-r !!

Unbelievable Conversation with Senator Rodney Ellis
by Greg Knapp 08-13-2003
You’ve GOT to hear this to believe it ! (13 min., 47 sec)
http://mrgrumman.home.comcast.net/GregKnapp-Interview-SentatorRodneyEllis-081303.mp3

[MeekOneGOP]

Please let me know if you want ON or OFF my Texas ping list!. . .don't be shy.
No, you don't HAVE to be a Texan to get on this list!

[witnesstothefall]

Building a better mousetrap.....

[Diddle E. Squat]

Oh please, spare us the Eeyore fatalism. Having a break between sessions is not 'caving in'.

One, it gets them back in the state.

Two, it keeps them nervously looking over their shoulder, worrying, and having to keep in place and react around a plan to bolt again.

Three, and perhaps most importantly, it gives time for behind the scenes preparation before adding in other topics to the next special session. Perry has always said that sometime in the Fall he would likely call a SS on school finance. The committee preparing for that just started meeting this session, so they may not be ready yet to go into SS. But my guess is that they are close, and this has been the plan all along if the Senate ran. Its gonna really start to hurt the Dems if they run away again and begin filibuster a topic that every property owner is affected by, school finance reform that may reduce their property taxes.

Four, even if point three is not in the mix right now, a break allows time for them to get a ruling, which may be important in shaping their strategy. This is a chess game, and sloppy overreactions can backfire quickly. Be patient, Perry and Dewhurst have done a good job so far, they are proving patterns of behavior and dishonesty of the Dems to the average person, who otherwise might not ever learn just how far and hypocritical the Dems will stoop.

[Theodore R.]

Perry and Dewhurst have remained far more resolute than I thought that they would. However, I believe if either cave to the Democrat minority, they will be finished in the 2006 Republican primaries should they run again for any office. Of course, voters do have short memories and may no longer recall the redistricting controversy. Plus the Democrats may be revitalized by 2006. There was "talk" last week that Comptroller Strayhorn, a former Democrat, may return to the "democracy" and be their consensu gubernatorial standard-bearer in 2006, particularly if Perry run for a second full term. And there has always been "talk" that Senator Hutchison won't seek reelection in 2006 but will instead challenge Perry in a Republican gubernatorial contest.

[MissAmericanPie]

"I think it'd be helpful and beneficial, cleansing maybe even," Wentworth said."

If you want "cleansing" Wentworth, try Metamusal, you were hired to fight for your constituents. I don't believe they need a quorum to vote on a plan anyway.

[Dog Gone]

The Republicans are not caving in at all. A break of a couple days accomplishes all the things you said, plus it allows Governor Perry to make some recess appointments that need to be made, but couldn't while the Senate was in session and without a quorum.

However, if the Dems want to believe that we're caving, that would be excellent.

[Dubya]

I agree. Good post.

[Dubya]

Thanks for the ping.

[Eva]

No, wait until they are all back in the state, place a guard outside their homes and call another session. If they don't show up they will be escorted by a guard.

[GatekeeperBookman]

Failure to take stronger action against the Dems is a 'cave'-weakness in plain language. We did not elect Perry & Dewhurst to merely alow the Dems to make us look like fools & weaklings.