Dewhurst plans to fine missing Democrats (Texass Lt. Gov.)

[Nambe]

KVUE News (free reg req)

- Tuesday afternoon, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst plans to strike back at the eleven Democrats who have been hiding out in New Mexico for two weeks. -

Tuesday, when the Senate convenes at 2 p.m., Dewhurst will ask the senators who are still in town to assess fines against those who are not.

It's the latest step in this constitutional crisis over congressional redistricting.

Depending on how you read the state constitution, they may or may not have the power to do that.

Article 3 Section 10 says: "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."

That paragraph will come into play this afternoon.

The Republican senators still in town say it gives them the authority given to force those eleven Democrats to come home. -

[Redbear]

1. No way.

That reads that the smaller number can only act upon rules already passed, not pass new ones. They can't pass new ones without a quorum.

[sonias]

2. Yes Dewhurst a repuke Nazi

Here's another link that does not require registration
http://www.statesman.com/legislature/content/coxnet/texas/legislature/0803/0812redistrict.html
After court rejects lawsuit to compel 11 to return, Dewhurst says Senate will act
(snip)
Austin lawyer Renea Hicks, who represents the 11 boycotting senators, disagreed that fines can be assessed.
"There's got to be a Senate rule to fine them," Hicks said. "They just can't make the rules up as they go along. I don't understand how the Senate can be so lawless as not to follow their rules."
(/snip)

Again they're changing the rules as they go along. The TX Constitution does allow for penalties, the Democrats are not denying that. However, the rules must be determined by each house. No law or bill setting those penalties has been proposed or passed, we only have Dewhurst and his party creating a law all by themselves. You can bet when this gets resolved that there will be a new law in both houses making these penalties as exorbitant as they are now trying to make them. Whatever amount the few members in town set will be challenged, after all they don't have a quorum to begin with. They can not pass laws that will stand up in court without that quorum to begin with in my opinion.

Nazi bastards!

Sonia

[Flubadubya]

8. Changing the rules...

Didn't Dewhurst first try to get the 2/3 quorum rule changed so that they could get on with their dirty deed without the democrats? This vile lot will apparently stop at nothing. :grr: :grr:

[Rose Siding]

3. The Dems response

(I hope): What's that, a gnat buzzin' round my head? Get me a flyswat!

[Bridget Burke]

4. A little background on Dewhurst:

This Austin Chronicle article, written before Dewhurst became Lt. Governor, shows just how much he cares about democracy.

www.austinchronicle.com/issues/dispatch/2001-11-16/pols_capitol.html

He was with the CIA in Bolivia at the time a legally elected government was overthrown; a military dictator was installed. The candidate supplied no details on his participation.

[Rose Siding]

5. How do these crumbs get elected?

It is as though all of America has no ears or eyes. (brains and hearts also void where prohibited)

[underpants]

6. "hiding"? they aren't hiding

SPIN

[David__77]

7. Bring on the crisis, fascists!

This will be met be a reinvigoated Democratic Party of Texas.