Texas Senate rescinds Democrats' fines (impose probation)

[Nambe]

AUSTIN (AP)

The Texas Senate approved (13 - 10) a Republican-backed proposal today to drop fines and other sanctions levied on Democratic senators who fled the state to prevent congressional redistricting. Democrats instead will be placed on a probation of sorts.

Under the proposal by Sen. Kyle Janek, R-Houston, the sanctions would not be enforced and the 11 Democratic senators would be placed on probation until the start of the next regular session in January 2005. If any of the senators are absent without a sufficient excuse for more than 78 hours, the fines and sanctions would be reinstituted. ---

Democrats quickly voiced objections to the proposal.

"In no way do I plan to vote for a motion to put myself on probation," said Democratic Sen. Rodney Ellis of Houston.

[Flubadubya]

1. Probation my ass...

The Texas Republicans ought to be fined AND jailed for subverting Democracy! Probation... indeed. The Dems are not even the guilty party! OOOHHH these thugs chap my ass, but good. :grr:

[last_texas_dem]

2. Haha

For a split second I thought the Re:puke: scumbags in the Texas Senate were actually doing something "nice". I suppose that's all up to one's definition of what "nice" is. Worthless bastards...

[Mithras61]

3. Well, they had to do SOMETHING...

since the "fines" were passed without a quorum, they would have been thrown out anyway, if they had been challenged in the courts. Now, the problem is that, since Whitmire came back, they have a quorum, so anything they do now is legal and binding. That means that if the Dems bug-out again to prevent consideration of the constitutionally questionable issue of redistricting, they are on the hook for the fines. That means that the redistricting will likely pass, and we'll have to take it to the courts (again) to prevent this miscarriage that they call a redistricting plan from going into effect. They know that they will almost certainly loose in the courts.

I'm not sure that the redistricting was the real issue anyway. What they are successfully doing is starving the various state agencies for funding in any way they can. That includes these bogus special sessions, which cost us several million for each one, and the estimated $16 million to try the issue in the court system (since we the people get to pay lawyers on both sides). That means we are now coming close to $25 million in the hole, and STILL haven't begun to address the REAL budget issues that face our state.

Think "drown it in a bathtub" if you wonder where my thinking is leading...

[bambo53]

4. Any legal professors here?

Is there some way to get this to the supreme court and force them to either show their true colors, or to admit that there's a hostile takeover of this country by the far right?

I've seen republican dirty trick campaigns since Nixon, but these bastards are ruthless.

[mbperrin]

9. Not a professor, but I can read plain English:

Texas Constitution is here: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/txconst/toc.html


No arrests allowed except for treason, felony or breach of the peace. Leaving the state means everything is quiet. The screaming from Pubs could be a breach, though.


The Texas Constitution
Article 3 - LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT
Section 14 - PRIVILEGED FROM ARREST
Senators and Representatives shall, except in cases of treason, felony, or breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during the session of the Legislature, and in going to and returning from the same. (Amended Nov. 2, 1999.)

And a person "NOT a member" of the legislature can be arrested for obstructing proceedings.


The Texas Constitution
Article 3 - LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT
Section 15 - DISRESPECTFUL OR DISORDERLY CONDUCT; OBSTRUCTION OF PROCEEDINGS
Each House may punish, by imprisonment, during its sessions, any person not a member, for disrespectful or disorderly conduct in its presence, or for obstructing any of its proceedings; provided, such imprisonment shall not, at any one time, exceed forty-eight hours.


Nope, looks like any other meeting, no quorum, no authority, and no authority under the Texas Constitution to imprison its own even for obstruction. Can't do ex post facto laws under the US Constitutiom, which supercedes the states on civil rights.

Nah, looks like the rat-fucks as usual have exceeded themselves, proving the only thing lower than their morals is their IQ's.

[sonias]

5. Repukes are punishing the minority voters

(snip from story above)
"It is an extreme disservice not to me personally, although I realize these sanctions were put on to punish me personally, this is punishing my constituents," Van de Putte said about the loss of mail service and other office-related sanctions.
--------------------------

These puke bastards are targeting the voters as well. It makes the lives of these Senators harder but not being able to communicate with your constituents because they have cut off your mail and shut you out of your office is Fascist.

In an interesting almost related side story below, if we could only get the Latino population to vote solidly, we could run these repuke bastards out of the state. This is where the Democratic party needs to keep putting money, time and effort to mobilize. This will be the repuke downfall someday. It happened in CA and it will happen in Texas too.

Hispanics lead state in growth
They account for almost 70% of increase since 2000, census data show
http://www.dallasnews.com/latestnews/stories/091803dnmetpopestimates.63fdc.html (registration required -free)
Hispanics accounted for almost 70 percent of the state's population growth since 2000, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released Thursday. During the same period, the number of non-Hispanic whites dropped in more than half of the state's counties, including Dallas.
------------

Sonia

[Gman]

6. The Dems should just laugh in their faces

like the GOP even has anything remotely resembling authority to impose anything coming close to fines.

Just give 'em the finger and start laughing at them.

[Trek234]

7. I suggest you read the Texas consititution

They have FULL authority to place fines - even with out a quorum

The writers of the constitution planned for such an event, and it is VERY open regarding what they can do.

[mbperrin]

8. So when will WE fine the

Republicans who walked out in 1993 to prevent a quorum?

The fucking interest on that oughta be impressive by now!

[David__77]

10. A chance worth taking!

I don't think they would attempt to impose them. No way. If they did, the long run benefits to the Democratic Party would outweight the financial loss. Further, I believe that it would be difficult to obtain liens, etc., to enforce payment.

[mbperrin]

11. They don't have the authority.

No quorum, no meeting. No meeting, no business. That's enough.

But there are specifics within the Texas Constitution that protect members from arrest. (See further up)