Posted on 09/05/2003 9:15:09 AM PDT by Diddle E. Squat
AUSTIN -- State Sen. John Whitmire plans to hold a news conference today in a Senate room he is barred from using until he pays $57,000 in fines levied against him by Republican senators.
Whitmire, D-Houston, broke ranks with fellow Democratic senators earlier this week by announcing he was quitting a Senate boycott. He said he would return to Austin from Albuquerque, N.M., in an effort to negotiate a deal to end a stalemate in the congressional redistricting battle with Republicans.
Whitmire's staff announced the news conference without booking the Lieutenant Governor's Press Conference Room.
But Senate spokesman Mark Miner said that unless he pays his fines, Whitmire will be told he cannot use the room when he shows up.
"The press conference room is not available," Miner said.
Senate Republicans passed a resolution last month issuing fines and sanctions against 11 Democrats who fled the state July 28 to break the Senate quorum and kill a Republican congressional redistricting plan.
The resolution specifically banned the missing Democrats from booking news conference rooms until after they had paid their fines for deadlocking the second special session.
"No reservations for conference rooms, press conference rooms or meeting rooms will be allowed," according to a letter Senate Secretary Patsy Spaw sent to the boycotting senators Aug. 15 after the Senate vote.
"These suspensions will continue in effect after the close of the second called session of the 78th Legislature until the penalties are paid in full," Spaw's letter said.
Whitmire did not return phone calls seeking comment Thursday, but Wednesday he said the Democrats considered the fines "play money" that they did not intend to pay. He predicted Republicans would be forced to back down on the fines.
The boycott lasted until the second special session ended Aug. 26. The Republicans have not rescinded the fines.
I believe someone has mis-calculated badly.
Yes, just like they do with our tax dollars.
Let's keep that rumor going, and hope the session actually gets called for the 9th.(The prey relaxes after no call on Monday the 8th, then BAM!)
LOL !! What a deal ! I guess he assumed that the GOP would just let him walk back in and it would all be forgotten and forgiven just like that. What a maroon for calling a press conference before checking with the adults first ...Ching! Ching! ... Ching! Ching! (Whitmire dropping coins in the Austin Capitol pay phone) ...
Hello, Tish ?? Hey, they won't let me back in until I pay the fine. Now what we gonna do ?? ...
Thanks for the post and ping !! ...
Whitmire said during a press conference Friday that he hopes to restore civility to the Senate and get the ball rolling on the debate over congressional redistricting. The senator hopes to meet with republican colleagues during the process.
Whitmire, the north Houston and north Harris County senator, is the longest-serving leader in the Texas Senate. However, he said he feels like he is being treated like a traitor after being a part of the Texas 11's extended boycott against the GOP's redistricting plans.
Whitmire's parking space was gone and other Senate privileges were revoked when he returned to Austin Friday.
"It's a sad day when a senator can't use the press room," Whitmire said. "But the good news is ... I feel very good on the Senate floor."
Whitmire defended his decision to leave Albuquerque during the press conference.
"It is very obvious that it is a concerted effort to attack my credibility. They are my friends. I know they are under a lot of stress," the senator said.
Whitmire said that he believes the battle of congressional redistricting will eventually be decided in a courtroom.
Ah, yes - the Demonrats' favorite forum.
"It's a sad day when a senator can't use the press room," Whitmire said. "But the good news is ... I feel very good on the Senate floor."Well, cry me a river! Responsibility for one's personal actions (running away to N.M. to avoid their constitutional duty as legislators) seems to be lost on Liberals. They have to blame someone else ... the mean ole Republicans are a convenient target ...Whitmire defended his decision to leave Albuquerque during the press conference.
"It is very obvious that it is a concerted effort to attack my credibility. They are my friends. I know they are under a lot of stress," the senator said.
Thanks for the update. I can't wait until September 15th. Texas SS3: The Final Chapter (I hope) ...
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