Texas Democrats Bolt Again

Houston Chronicle ^ | July 28, 2003 | Clay Robison

[wkcoop]

July 28, 2003, 3:08PM

Texas Democrats bolt again By CLAY ROBISON Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle

AUSTIN -- An unknown number of Democratic state senators abruptly left the state Capitol this afternoon after learning that Gov. Rick Perry planned to immediately call a second special session on congressional redistricting.

One Democratic senator who asked not to be named, told the Chronicle in a phone interview that senators were apparently on their way out of town.

"I have no idea where we're going. I just know in a little bit we will be out of pocket," the senator said.

He would not say how many senators had left but called it an "adequate" number to break a quorum and keep the Senate from conducting business.

The Senate requires two-thirds, or 21 senators, to be present to conduct business, meaning the absence of 11 senators could break a quorum. There are 12 Democrats in the Senate.

The senator said the action was precipitated by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst's decision to bypass a traditional Senate rule that requires a two-thirds vote to debate any bill.

That rule, which has been in effect during the current special session, has so far blocked redistricting in the Senate.

The senator said the Democrats fled because they feared Perry would immediately call a second special session and Dewhurst would lock down the Senate chambers and prevent members from leaving.

The first session was to end by midnight Tuesday, but the Senate adjourned at 2:30 p.m. and the House was expected to adjourn minutes later.

Dewhurst earlier had told reporters Perry was expected to call a second special session minutes after both houses adjourned.

Of the 12 Democratic senators, the only one to show up for a 2 p.m. session today was Ken Armbrister of Victoria.

In May, more than 50 representatives hid out for several days to block action on congressional redistricting, forcing the governor to call a special session.

[areafiftyone]

AAAHHHAAA No wonder I hate that motel!

[Athelas]

Dewhurst got played. He'll either get a grip and break this BS or we'll hold him equally responsible at the next election.

Dems and Pubs have for many years gone along to get along in this state because there honestly wasn't much difference between them. But the Texas Dem party has become infected by the National Dem Party.

Time to play hardball, at the state level as well as on the National level (judges). Dems don't play nice. We shouldn't either.

[ken5050]

I don't think the gov's threat to call another sessio will work..the Dems won't come..because this thime, once they're inside...he'd lock them in..

[Roscoe]

Bounty hunters.

[wasp69]

Says my Senator Ms Van De Puke has flown to Albequerque, but that the whereabouts of the others is unknown.

Maybe y'all should grab a couple hundred troopers from the 101'st Airborne, TOW missles, and the required small arms and go get 'em.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

I believe it's Texas Parkway, across from the fire station.

That is correct, and it must be done on a weekday before 1700.

[SpinyNorman]

The Texas Republicans should do what the NAACP does: show pictures of the empty chairs with the names of the Dems hung over the backs.

Makes for a nice commercial. (It (insert time here) in the statehouse. Do you know where your Senator is?)

[Reagan Renaissance]

Most of the cries of voting the bums out will fall on deaf ears. Democrats have controlled redistricting Texas since the civil war. There are enough iron-clad Democratic districts in Texas to allow walk-outs to go unpunished for as long as quorum calls are necessary.

This battle is shaping up to give a capsule view of what might be coming in Congress and maybe reflects what has already happened in the 2000 Presidential election. America is not actually made up of "united" states or people. America is in fact made up of Republicans and Democrats. Now that the combined number of "haves" and the "wannabe or looking forward to being haves" is roughly equal to the number of "have-nots and their government entrenched supporters" the inevitable clash of differing realities is beginning to take place.

The battle between socialists and capitalists is just getting started in America and other western countries. Odds are that it isn't decisively over in parts of the former Soviet Union. It's easy to build a utopian vision on something for nothing. But you can bet your bottom dollar that utopia, or anything that might resemble a utopia, will not be established on a foundation of socialism.

[Becki]

I go through this with my family. They are all pretty conservative, but they vote dim because everyone in the last three generations of my family did. It drives me absolutely insane.

If they are pretty conservative, did they vote for Reagan? If the Republican party was good enough for him..... Becki

[gsrinok]

If they are pretty conservative, did they vote for Reagan? If the Republican party was good enough for him..... Becki

No, they always vote for the dims. My dad is proud of the fact that he has never voted for a Republican, which means that he voted for Johnson, McGovern, Carter (twice), Mondale, Dukakis, Clinton (twice), and Bore. Egads! It is quite entertaining when I tell him that Reagan is the greatest American president in history.

[Becki]

It is quite entertaining when I tell him that Reagan is the greatest American president in history.

I'll bet!! < GRIN >

About the only thing I could do was point out where the Democrats were diametrically opossed to something a family member held dear. That was the only crack I could squeeze through.

Good luck!!

Becki

[gsrinok]

About the only thing I could do was point out where the Democrats were diametrically opossed to something a family member held dear. That was the only crack I could squeeze through.

I have tried and tried and tried. About the only response I get is "ain't gonna vote for no d@mned Republican!" This, of course, comes after a lengthy rant about high taxes. Go figure.

[Becki]

...the only response I get is "ain't gonna vote for no d@mned Republican!" This, of course, comes after a lengthy rant about high taxes.

Translation: Don't confuse me with the facts.

Been there. You have my moral support!

Becki

[Liz]

What are the Pubbies doing about it?

They need to charge the Dims with theft of government services.

The Dims took an oath to represent the citizenry. Instead they cut and ran rather than attend a legislative session.

The Pubbies need to play hardball.

[sweetliberty]

Isn't there some way to declare these dysfunctional crybabies unfit to serve by reason of mental deficiency or something. Seems that the RATs in Texas have decided to compete with the RATs in California for being the biggest bunch of losers in the country!

[mhking]

[quackpappa]

I'm no Texas Constitutional expert, but how about this...

Assuming the Texas House of Representative impeaches the truants, which is just for intentional dereliction of dutry with intent to obstruct offical state proceedings. After all...

Article 3 Section 10 of the Contitution Reads...

Two-thirds of each House shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner and under such penalties as each House may provide.

Article 15 Section 5 of the Constitution Reads...

All officers against whom articles of impeachment may be preferred shall be suspended from the exercise of the duties of their office, during the pendency of such impeachment. The Governor may make a provisional appointment to fill the vacancy occasioned by the suspension of an officer until the decision on the impeachment.

Have Gov. Perry appoint a replacement, which actually *shock* shows up for work! Anyone have any suggestions or other ideas?

[South40]

Interesting, isn't it?

That they would be the most effective when not there.

[vaudine]

LOL!

However, I think more like Marriott for such (self)important
spoilers.

The rest of the legislators need to do something. Or maybe constituents from the districts could bring suit for fraudulent behavior.

vaudine