http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/topstory2/2015694 July 28, 2003, 3:04PM 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.
Agreed. This is the only move they have to defeat this idiotic plan by DeLay. Now, Perry will waste another $1.7 million on another special session just so that the Republicans can point fingers during the next election cycle. Why can't they just accept that they got outmaneuvered this year and wait until next time? They will continue to waste my money on this partisan bickering and gerrymandering (yes, I know it happens on both sides, if it were the Dems pulling this crap, I would be just as upset about it) for no reason but their own perceived righteousness. I really wish that Texas politicians had more interest in what is happening in Texas rather than what DeLay is yelling from Washington.
Duh, gee Tennessee. If the Republicans were pushed up against the same wall, they would be doing the same thing. Pot and kettle.
Hey Stoner boy, the Republicans were faced with the same proposition, and they stayed and voted. Put down the bong and read a little.
When it was only done every 10 years. This is being done at a non-traditional time and the Republicans are trying to change the rules so they can get this passed.
Well because last year there was no majority of either party in the Congress and a court drew the lines. There is a clear majority of Republicans in the state of Texas, more accurate lines should be drawn. Although the Dems haven't done a wholescale redisticting at non-traditional times (nor did they ever need to), they have redrawn individual disticts at non-traditional times.
why? Why not live with it for the ten years? I did not know ahving a majority was sooo necessary Rocket River
Name one time they did it.....Andymoon. The sad fact is, the Repubs have never ran away like the little crybaby cowards. They stayed put and did the will of the people. I'm tired of these Democrats saying that their own political future is above performing the wishes of the people who elected them.
Why? Because the majority of our elected state representatives would like the opportunity to debate and vote on the issue. Why not live with it for 10 years? Because they feel it is the state legislature's responsibility to set our state's legislative districts -- which is what it says in the state constitution. Because the previous legislative session left this duty unfinished, causing the courts set the lines by defalut. Our legislature has yet to carry out this once every 10 year duty, and is trying to do so now. Why is having a majority sooo necessary? The democratic system. The majority of our representatives set policy, while safeguards (like the constitution & courts) protect the majority. The previous legislative session, with it's split houses, was unable to come to a decision on this issue. What bothers me the most is that these few political figures are abusing a measure which is intended to protect them! The quarum rule is in place to make sure that the minority has their say, and can give their input, even if they are out-voted. It is not there so that a small group (11 people!) can short-circut the legislative process.
If you cited evidence instead of throwing insults, maybe I could read a little. BTW, I haven't seen a bong for years and if you believe that I have, you have obviously missed my point on the drug war, moron.
Actually, there was not a redistricting passed by the legislature in 2001 and that is why the court drew the lines. And that majority continues to elect Democratic congressmen in districts that vote Republican in every other race. Come up with decent Republican candidates and they will win in those districts. Please cite. And this is really the point. The Dems have not ever even tried to redistrict at a nontraditional time, but now that the Reps have a majority in the statehouse, they think it is their right to redistrict because "There is a clear majority of Republicans in the state of Texas." That may be true, but that does not make it 2011 (the next time redistricting should be talked about).
Please note that I said that IF they were against the same wall, the same avenue would be available to them and they would use it. Breaking quorum is a parliamentary move just like filibuster (the main reason redistricting was done by the courts in 2001) is. If you don't like the rules, that is too bad, but those are the rules. These Democrats are walking out in order to carry out the wishes of their constituents. They are representing Democrats and doing what is good for Democrats. They are representing their constituents BY walking out. You may not like it, but the redistricting battle is over. Accept it.
I don't think running away from a job that they are paid to do because they don't like the way things are is the correct answer. It's proof positive that Democrats see an entitlement to power (which they've held onto in Texas for quite a while) and if they don't get their way, they will cry and take their ball and go home. It must be nice to still collect your paycheck for not doing your job. I personally think the Texas Rangers need to round up those absent legislators at gunpoint into the capitol to do their damned jobs. So I assume by your comment you think it is okay when your party is no longer in charge, to just simply sabotage the process even though the other party, in the minority for eons, never did so? Even though I'm for an inefficient, gridlocked government that gets nothing done, redistricting is mandated under the "one person, one vote" ideal of equal districts where voters are equally represented. Those Democrats are bunch of crybaby whiner b****es who need to be thrown out of office.....pronto!!!! They've made Texas a laughingstock.
Maybe the Republicans can abuse federal agencies again. Hopefully this time someone other than those involved can review it. I never heard how the last investigation that Ridge's organization was doing turned out. Anyone else know?
They are using the only move available to them. Breaking quorum is a way for the minority to make sure their voices ARE heard, because they won't be if they attend this special session. The majority will ram whatever they want down the Dems throats. They are standing up for the rights of people on the liberal side of the spectrum. They will almost certainly give their per diem back to the state just like the Killer ds did. Jawol, mein Fuhrer. Sieg heil! They filibustered and debated and never got pushed to the wall by an overreaching effort to redistrict outside the normal time for it. I maintain that in a similar situation, the Reps would do the same thing. People like you make Texas a laughingstock. There will be some major backlash against the right at the next election cycle. People are starting to be reminded again what Republicans do when they are in power.
It died or got buried. Last I heard (in the Chronicle I think) there was no investigation of any abuse of federal authority in conjunction with the Killer D - Ardmore fiasco.
