Janek says he will filibuster the budget, ensuring a special session and more high drama at the capitol. Today's proceedings have been interrupted by points of order and inquiries, but nowhere near the drama of last night. As a matter of fact, Craddick has been mostly MIA today. (Someone did email me his cell phone number if any of you would like to ring him up.)
It continues to be embarrassing watching Terry Keel feed lines to Turner and Gattis. I always thought Gattis was a pretty smart fella, but to see him up there with a blank stare waiting to repeat what Terry Keel says word for word is just mind boggling. How humliating for all involved. Except Terry Keel, that bastard has no shame.
WHAT IS THE PHONE NUMBER?????
ILL CALL!
there is no way janek - republican extraordinaire - will filibuster and kill a republican budget, all over $70m. there's just no way.
plus, why would he announce it more than 24 hours in advance?
because it's all just a power play to try to get the house to bend to the will of the senate - and more specifically, senator janek.
unless, of course, janek actually does intend to resign after session, and this is just his way of saying "FUCK IT! I'M OUT BITCH!"
OK, here's what I heard at the Capitol (and thought was a brilliant plan). No secret that Crad and Dew don't like each other---and if there's a special session, Crad will be voted out. So Dew convinces Janek to filibuster HB1, which throws them into a Special. Janek's a short-timer anyway, and Dew gets what he wants--Crad out of the Speaker's Chair. Only missing piece, why announce it early?
Nobody, your scenario sounds good, except: why would Craddick recognize someone to declare the chair vacant in a special session when he's refusing to do it in the regular?
I'm not so sure about Crad leaving either. He's not going to recognize the motion to adopt new house rules... so no election. The precedent has already been to use the adopted rules from the regular session. It will take a judge and Texas Trooper to move him out of the chamber. Correct me if I'm wrong about the rules.
The issue is whether Craddick can continue this naked display of power through a whole special session.
It's one thing to tamp down dissent for a few days at the end of the Session...running the business of the House for a few weeks is another matter entirely.
As much as I was looking forward to a summer vacation, a special session could give us a few weeks to get some judicial releif, at least. The gentleman's time has expired.
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I'm sure Craddick is talking with the real power--his money guys--about the situation. Hopefully someone will eventually tap hom on the shoulder and tell him he has to go.
This is beyond ridiculous.