Search found 2 matches

by ELB
Wed Jan 09, 2019 11:14 am
Forum: 2019 Texas Legislative Session
Topic: Dennis Bonnen Elected Speaker of the Texas House
Replies: 10
Views: 3392

Re: Dennis Bonnen Elected Speaker of the Texas House

Flightmare wrote: Wed Jan 09, 2019 11:12 am
ELB wrote: Wed Jan 09, 2019 11:07 am
jason812 wrote: Tue Jan 08, 2019 5:47 pm 147-0? Sounds like a Cuban, Venezuela, or Russian election. Are the officials afraid of not voting for the winner and face repercussions like when Strauss was around?

I guess sometime this spring we'll see if this was good or not. Color me skeptical as I find it hard to believe that many people agree on the same thing. Especially given the current state of politics.
I have read in the past that the actual voting/decision making is done in private or closed session, and this where the real opposition happens. Once the horse-trading is over with and a Speaker is chosen, then they do an official vote in public and everyone votes for the already-chosen Speaker publicly. This puts everyone on the same side (publicly), gives a patina of goodwill and cooperation to start the session. It would take a lot of nerve to publicly vote no, because it would certainly paint a huge target on your back.
That is certainly what happened during Straus' tenure. People who opposed him publicly were known to receive poor committee assignments and had trouble advancing their legislation due to Straus allies slow rolling things. The unwritten rule was that you had to "play nice" to get anything done.
This is not unique to Straus's tenure. This is pretty much how it works in any legislative body. If Ted Nugent was elected Speaker of the House (wouldn't that be wild!) I'd expect him to fast track 2A legislation and squelch all those F-rated members.
by ELB
Wed Jan 09, 2019 11:07 am
Forum: 2019 Texas Legislative Session
Topic: Dennis Bonnen Elected Speaker of the Texas House
Replies: 10
Views: 3392

Re: Dennis Bonnen Elected Speaker of the Texas House

jason812 wrote: Tue Jan 08, 2019 5:47 pm 147-0? Sounds like a Cuban, Venezuela, or Russian election. Are the officials afraid of not voting for the winner and face repercussions like when Strauss was around?

I guess sometime this spring we'll see if this was good or not. Color me skeptical as I find it hard to believe that many people agree on the same thing. Especially given the current state of politics.
I have read in the past that the actual voting/decision making is done in private or closed session, and this where the real opposition happens. Once the horse-trading is over with and a Speaker is chosen, then they do an official vote in public and everyone votes for the already-chosen Speaker publicly. This puts everyone on the same side (publicly), gives a patina of goodwill and cooperation to start the session. It would take a lot of nerve to publicly vote no, because it would certainly paint a huge target on your back.

Return to “Dennis Bonnen Elected Speaker of the Texas House”