Posted on 09/16/2003 4:36:28 PM PDT by Libloather
Handshakes and hugs break out on Senate floor
Associated Press
Sept. 16, 2003, 6:12PM
AUSTIN - The bitter infighting in the Texas Senate for the past six weeks gave way to handshakes and warm embraces today as Democrats and Republicans appeared together on the Senate floor for the first time in a month and a half.
"Today was a wonderful showing of good faith on every senator's part," Sen. Chris Harris, R-Arlington, said after the Senate met briefly.
"All of us are professionals," said Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas. "We can disagree without being disagreeable."
During the last six weeks, the senators seemed to be anything but agreeable after 11 Democrats staged a boycott of the Texas Senate over GOP attempts to redraw the state's congressional districts. The boycott brought the Senate to a standstill during the second special session because not enough senators were present to make a quorum.
Republicans, which hold every statewide-elected post in Texas, say they should have more representation in the Texas congressional delegation, currently controlled 17-15 by Democrats. The Democrats have argued that the current districts should stand and have said that plans before the Legislature this year would hurt minorities.
The Texas Senate did not take up redistricting, or anything of controversy, on Tuesday. Instead, for several minutes before the session came to order, senators from both parties mingled and chatted pleasantly with each other.
That doesn't mean that they will agree on each issue as they move forward.
One outstanding issue pertains to the fines that the Republicans imposed on the Democrats during the second special session last month for every day the Democrats missed. The fines total $57,000 and until they are paid, the Democrats lose other perks, such as prime parking spots around the Capitol.
A senior Senate Republican that the fines assessed against the 11 Democrats who broke quorum should be forgiven so that the body could focus on the business of another special session on congressional redistricting.
"The important thing is to do away with (the fines) and get back to work," said Sen. Chris Harris, R-Arlington, who chairs the Senate Administration Committee and ranks third among Senate Republicans in seniority.
Harris' panel endorsed stripping future quorum busters of their Senate seniority rights, which include premium office and parking spaces and senior status in who acts as governor for a day, a mostly ceremonial position.
The panel put off making a recommendation on whether to forgive the fines. The fines and seniority rights will be discussed in a meeting of the Senate caucus, which includes all 31 senators and typically meets behind closed doors. The caucus will meet as early Wednesday.
Republican senators voted to impose fines totaling $57,000 for each senator who left the state in July in a move that prevented the chamber from doing business in the previous special session. The Republicans also stripped the Democrats of other perks, such as prime parking spots around the Capitol, unless they paid their fines.
One of those who went to Albuquerque, N.M., Sen. Juan Hinojosa, D-McAllen, said the Senate should rescind the fines "as a way to kiss and make up."
Another pending matter is redistricting itself. Republicans want to move forward with a plan but the Democrats say they will continue to oppose it.
*Sniff* - that's adorable. Now, double the fines...
Lemme know when the conservative party gets started, Im sick of the GOP (Gentlemenly over policy)
I just shot your damn dog Senator Roycester. Nothing personal you understand, afterall, we can disagree without being disagreeable.....
I have lost a lot of respect for Texas over the past couple months......
These arses need to pay the fines OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKETS !!! ...08-26-2003
MoveOn.org Aiding Fugitive Texas Democrats (Update!)
08-25-2003
Costs for Democrat exiles may hit $400,000 -
MoveOn.org, DNC, Texas 'RAT Party raise funds for them
08-21-2003
MoveOn.Org Supporting the Texas Chicken D's -
Letter from Senator Rodney Ellis
-PJ
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.