Perhaps we should take up a collection?
As 11 Democratic state senators from Texas fled here to New Mexico on Monday to deny their Republican counterparts a quorum, their priorities had more to do with staving off a Republican redistricting effort than with basic personal needs.One senator forgot his belt. Another had to leave a newborn daughter. A third left his two dogs unfed until a girlfriend came to the rescue.
Such is the life of political fugitives.
And you certainly hate to see this:
"We had to make a Wal-Mart run," Mr. Cook said, "because one of the senators' pants were falling down..."
I mean, heck, where do they think they are? The Kennedy family compound?
And, my heart doth bleed:
He and the other senators, who earn $600 a month for what is basically a part-time job, are paying their own way in Albuquerque, where their hotel rooms average $115. All said that while in New Mexico they were refusing per diem payments, which run $1,700 a month.
Source: On the Lam, Texas Democrats Rough It
Posted by Steven Taylor at August 1, 2024 09:30 AM | TrackBackWell, clearly, they should get reimbursed by the citizens of Texas for doing their patriotic duty and fleeing to other states, holding up legislative business, and creating the need for additional special sessions.
Wonder what the requirements are to change the idiotic quorum rule? Maybe the GOP should do it while the Dems are away. Even if it takes a Constitutional amendment?
Posted by: James Joyner at August 1, 2024 11:32 AMUm, so how are they supposed to create a new amendment? Any business the GOP Senators wish to take up requires a quorum.
The rogue legislators are also investigating what legal options they have. They're hoping to get a restraining order, to prevent any arrest, should they return to the state. This would allow them to just go back home, while still preventing a quorum.
Personally, I hope they can't get it. My hope is that the governor keep calling special sessions until the Dems decide to return.
Posted by: Tom at August 1, 2024 04:27 PM