Speaker Karen Minnis Does It Yet Again.
Are we really surprised at this point that Speaker Karen Minnis, yet again, shows gays and lesbians how strong her hate is for us? For the second time this session, Speaker Minnis has pulled a fast one on fairness for Oregonians. I am wondering where the democracy has gone. Here it is from the Basic Rights Oregon blog...
Click here to take action via the BRO blog.
Posted by Bryan Harding
SPEAKER MINNIS REWRITES RULES OF DEMOCRACY
In a second Mid-Day Massacre on fairness for all Oregonians, Speaker of the House Karen Minnis rewrote the rules of Democracy in Oregon, cementing her supreme rule over the Oregon House of Representatives and blocking a potential House vote on civil unions and anti-discrimination legislation.
This move comes just one day before the Speaker is required to assign HB 3508, the newest effort at enacting civil unions and antidiscrimination laws, to a House Committee. Once in committee, under the standard House rules, legislators could have --by majority vote -- extracted the bill from committee (bypassing the need for committee approval or the approval of the Speaker) and allow an up or down vote on the bill on the House floor.
As a result of the Speaker's outrageous move, such options are banned for the remainder of the legislative session. The rule of the Speaker now outweighs even a majority of lawmakers.
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle decried the maneuver as an abuse of power:
"This move flies in the face of the will of the majority and standard parlimentary rule," said Representative Steve March (D-Portland). "This is a tyranny move and I oppose such a move. It is not appropriate to do this."
"I want to note my concern about this rule change. I am very sorry that it had to come to this," Representative Billy Dalto (R-Salem)
Represenative Mitch Greenlick (D-Portland): "This is an absolute outrage and a pure affront to the rule of the majority and the minority. As it stands now, the leadership of the House has absolute ability to stop any bill or any vote from happening."
The rewriting of the rules is a done deal, but don't let this brazen disregard for democratic principles go unnoticed!
Click here to take action via the BRO blog.
Posted by Bryan Harding
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, August 02, 2005 at 7:02 PM.
Want to discuss? Leave a comment below.
ByOK it's definitely time for all House Democrats (and any Republicans similarly outraged) to refuse to do any of the House's business under these conditions. Remember last year when the Democrats in the Texas House bolted to Oklahoma during a redistricting fight? Why not get our people to not just talk the talk, but walk the walk ... and walk out the door of the Capitol and refuse to return until Queen Minnis and her minions capitulate on this obscene mockery of democracy.
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See next post...
Bryan H.
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worthless, the democrats as well as the republicans. my god, they would whimper, foul, yet go along with Hitler as long as they get theirs.
Look at Congress, cries of foul play, yet they do nothing. Roberts, sure, he'll get in. Delay, nothing, Rove, nothing. It's a sad game and we pay the price for supporting spineless politicians and unfortunately, they're democrats for the most part.
Kulongoski, I almost threw up when he spoke at the SB1000 rally in Salem. He has done nothing but mouth support. Yet, everybody, including BRO had tears streaming down their eyes, like it mattered. If he truly cared, he could have done something.
What do we do? Vote this shit out of office...Kulongsoski, Smith, Rosenbaum. These idiots have proved they are ineffective and damaging.
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I completely agree with your assesment although I think that your targets are a bit incorrect.
-Bryan H.
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