Posted on 09/18/2003 6:28:03 AM PDT by Theodore R.
Good will frays in Senate as topic becomes fines Associated Press
AUSTIN (AP) — Some of the good will shown on the Senate floor a day earlier appeared to be cracking Wednesday as Democrats pressured Republicans about the fines imposed on them for the Democratic boycott of the last special legislative session.
"We're here. I'm here," an angry Sen. Mario Gallegos, D-Houston, said from the Senate floor. "I'd like to write my constituency back home and either, either somebody does something on this floor or I will. I will go to my parking space ... I want somebody to take me off of it."
Republican senators voted last month to fine the Democrats for every day they missed in the session. The fines totaled $57,000 and until they are paid the Democrats lose other perks, such as prime parking spaces around the Capitol and purchasing and mail privileges.
The Democrats skipped the second session when they fled to Albuquerque, N.M., in protest of GOP efforts to pass a new redistricting plan. The boycott brought the Senate to a standstill because it left the chamber without enough members to conduct business.
Republicans, who control the state Senate and House and hold every statewide elected office in Texas, want to redraw the state's congressional districts to gain a majority. Democrats have a 17-15 advantage.
"I'm very anxious to get this whole issue of the fines and penalties behind us," Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who presides over the Senate, said after the Senate adjourned.
No action has been taken to do that and Dewhurst said several Republicans feel that the Democrats broke state law and ought to pay something.
The Democrats have insisted they won't pay the fines.
"Hell no, I'm not going to do it," Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos, D-Austin, said.
Barrientos and several Democrats met privately with Dewhurst on the Senate floor during the morning session to talk about the fines. After the meeting, Gallegos piped up with his comments.
"I'd like to write my folks back home and let them know that there's a redistricting hearing on maps going on at this Capitol and I think I'm due that, governor. I think everyone on the floor is due that," Gallegos said. "You can't answer that?"
"Senator, I am not sure you want me to," Dewhurst responded.
Sen. Todd Staples, chairman of the Senate Republican Caucus, said he hoped the issue would be resolved Thursday, although he gave no other details.
When asked if he expected the Democrats would have to pay the fines, Dewhurst said: "I don't think that was the intent (of) any of the Republicans." from day one," adding the Republicans had wanted the Democrats to come back to debate redistricting at the Capitol.
Meanwhile Wednesday, the Senate Jurisprudence Committee began taking public testimony on a proposed redistricting map submitted by Staples.
The map, which the committee is expected to vote on Friday, could give the Republicans about 20 seats in the delegation.
The House voted early Wednesday to approve a redistricting map, but it differs from the map the Senate committee was contemplating.
Staples' map pairs two incumbents, U.S. Reps. Jeb Hensarling, R-Dallas, and Jim Turner, D-Crockett, in one district. The map also keeps all of Webb County in one district, all of McClennan County in one district and all of Cameron County in one district. Also, it splits Travis County into two districts, as opposed to three districts in a previous map.
HAHAHAHAHA.... this roughly translates to "I'm a Democrat, the rules don't apply to me! I'm not going to pay my fine, I'm going to pout until you forgive it, and I'm going to park illegally, and I DARE YOU TO TOW MY CAR AWAY"!!!
That's true overall but not in all cases. I know people in the Texas legislature that have no job but being in the Texas legislature. Which only pays a few grand a year. But these guys are rich.
The worse thing that has been happening is this special session after special session garbage. Texas is much better off when these bozos are not in Austin. They are already planning more special sessions next year to deal with the "education problem". Texas is not supposed to have an ongoing legislature. They are supposed to meet very two years.
Some people think that these special sessions are just for a particular topic. Like the redistricting situation. But they are basically mini-sessions and open the door to all sorts of mischief. Just look at all the Senate Bills and house bills" already filed.
It's scary that Rick Perry (a moron) can call these damn sessions over and over.
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