Democrats re-grow a backbone...alternately, Holy Shit, it's come to this

This is like something out of a Simpsons' episode

AUSTIN, Texas — State troopers found Democratic lawmakers in Oklahoma after they brought the Texas House (search) to a standstill by going into hiding, but the legislators declined to return to the state Capitol.
( Read more... )

follow-up to the Texas Dems story

Explanation of why the state troopers are hunting down the absentee Democrats

From the Austin American Statesman, House Rule 5, Section 8:
"When a call of the House is moved for one of the above purposes and seconded by 15 members (of whom the speaker may be one) and ordered by a majority vote, the main entrance to the hall and all other doors leading out of the hall shall be locked and no member permitted to leave the House without the written permission of the speaker.
The names of members present shall be recorded. All absentees for whom no sufficient excuse is made may, by order of a majority of those present, be sent for and arrested, wherever they may be found, by the sergeant-at-arms or an officer appointed by the sergeant-at-arms for that purpose, and their attendance shall be secured and retained.
The House shall determine on what conditions they shall be discharged. Members who voluntarily appear shall, unless the House otherwise directs, be immediately admitted to the hall of the House and shall report their names to the clerk to be entered in the journal as present.
Until a quorum appears, should the roll call fail to show one present, no business shall be transacted, except to compel the attendance of absent members or to adjourn. It shall not be in order to recess under a call of the House."


The Democrats are staying in a Holiday Inn in Oklahoma; they have been invited to the Oklahoma Democratic Convention Dinner on Friday and will be attending.

Here is the contact info to show support (from what I understand the reception staff will not cop to having them there officially, but will pass on phone messages and emails)
( Read more... )

one more

I know I keep posting about this, but I just realized it has been so long, SO FUCKING LONG since I have read a news story that did not make me want to cry, vomit or bang my head against the wall.


Dallas Morning News Reports


At least 35, led by former House Speaker Pete Laney, D-Hale Center, made their way 310 miles north, to Ardmore, Okla. In interviews with The Dallas Morning News at an Ardmore hotel, they disputed Republican complaints that they were renegades, and they vowed to continue to work on their legislative agenda.

Despite an initial statement by Speaker Tom Craddick that troopers could arrest the lawmakers even if they fled the state, his staff later conceded that the runaways would be beyond the reach of authorities if they left Texas.
New Mexico Attorney General Patricia Madrid said it appeared her state had no authority to arrest the lawmakers if they show up there, despite being asked to do so by the Texas governor.
"Nevertheless, I have put out an all-points bulletin for law enforcement to be on the lookout for politicians in favor of health care for the needy and against tax cuts for the wealthy," said Ms. Madrid, a Democrat.