Malfunctions & Absenses
UPDATE: Apparently, those pesky machines weren't working. The vote was actually 70 to 69. BOR has the story of these voting machines and "chaos" than ensued after 71-66 was announced.
Well, HB3 was given final passage today by a vote of 71-66. During yesterday's vote, there was much confusion because of a few Democrats missing. Apparently, one of our Dem state reps, Dawnna Dukes (one of my favorites), entered into this "gentleman's agreement" with a Republican which called for both to not vote in order to cancel out each other's votes. Dukes was out of the country and made a deal with Rep. Pitts. But Craddick's people put pressure on Pitts, and thus, the outcome yesterday was HB3 passing by one vote.
All of this "horse trading" on the House floor is just sickening. A state legislator is asked to serve 140 days, plus 30 days every now and then, if work is still needed. Sure, the pay sucks, but they get one hell of us a retirement check at the end of their careers. So, if dangerous legislation is being threatened, one would think that one would serve all 140 to 170 days or more without having to go out of town, right? I mean, it is your job, right?
Maybe I'm being too hard on elected officials, but as some of us begin to make inroads into the 18-30 demographic and they find out people aren't showing up--especially Democrats--then selling the Party becomes an even tougher sale! Safe district or not--and this is for everybody--get to work and fight for your people! Believe it or not, they are actually watching!
We need a full-time legislature with nice month-long breaks every now and then so that reps. can plan ahead for any trip!
Well, HB3 was given final passage today by a vote of 71-66. During yesterday's vote, there was much confusion because of a few Democrats missing. Apparently, one of our Dem state reps, Dawnna Dukes (one of my favorites), entered into this "gentleman's agreement" with a Republican which called for both to not vote in order to cancel out each other's votes. Dukes was out of the country and made a deal with Rep. Pitts. But Craddick's people put pressure on Pitts, and thus, the outcome yesterday was HB3 passing by one vote.
All of this "horse trading" on the House floor is just sickening. A state legislator is asked to serve 140 days, plus 30 days every now and then, if work is still needed. Sure, the pay sucks, but they get one hell of us a retirement check at the end of their careers. So, if dangerous legislation is being threatened, one would think that one would serve all 140 to 170 days or more without having to go out of town, right? I mean, it is your job, right?
Maybe I'm being too hard on elected officials, but as some of us begin to make inroads into the 18-30 demographic and they find out people aren't showing up--especially Democrats--then selling the Party becomes an even tougher sale! Safe district or not--and this is for everybody--get to work and fight for your people! Believe it or not, they are actually watching!
We need a full-time legislature with nice month-long breaks every now and then so that reps. can plan ahead for any trip!
posted by Dos Centavos at 9:57 PM
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