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Democrats use 'chubbing' stalling strategy

By KELLEY SHANNON Associated Press Writer © 2009 The Associated Press

May 22, 2009, 1:11PM

AUSTIN, Texas — Talkative House Democrats used stalling tactics Friday to prevent passage of a voter identification bill they oppose that's scheduled for debate this weekend.

Democrats — who'd warned they would put up a fight to stop the voter ID measure — began talking at length on non-controversial legislation to use up the clock. The Legislature adjourns June 1, and a number of bill passage deadlines are arriving in the next few days.

The Senate already passed a Republican-pushed bill requiring voters to show a photo ID or two non-photo ID alternatives when they cast a ballot. Democrats say that would prevent people without those forms of identification from voting and suppress turnout. If Democrats are going to stop the legislation, it will have to be in the House, where the chamber is almost evenly divided by party.

Veteran Rep. Delwin Jones, R-Lubbock, said Democratic opponents of the voter ID bill were trying to pressure fellow lawmakers to negotiate the legislation, in turn threatening scores of unrelated bills. The delay tactic, using the rules to eat up time, is known as "chubbing."

"In lieu of the filibuster, the House chubs," Jones said. "It keeps a lot of bills from being considered, which puts a lot of pressure on the members who have bills they want to pass."

The House gaveled into session 30 minutes late Friday. Then, after the usual prayer, pledge and welcoming remarks, legislators started in on a long "local and consent" agenda. It's supposed to be a non-controversial agenda of bills that usually breezes along.

But Democrats made it clear they planned to ask lots of questions on those bills and use up all the time permitted — 10 minutes per bill — to slow down the House's work pace.

One Democratic lawmaker during his questioning about a proposed municipal utility district in Waller County brought up a House leadership scandal from the 1970s. Another, questioning a Republican doctor representatives on his legislation, asked about the best remedies for nasal congestion.

Rep. Sid Miller, R-Stephenville, raised a technical point to try to prevent the whole local and consent agenda from being considered so that the House could return to major pending bills, like changes to the top 10 percent college admissions law and, potentially, voter ID, slated for Saturday. He later temporarily withdrew that technical challenge.

"Hopefully we can get back to the people's business and see less chubbing," Miller pleaded, to no avail.

Republicans huddled to talk strategy at the back of the House chamber and in an adjoining conference room, where former Speaker Tom Craddick joined them. The Republicans told news reporters to leave the room.

Rep. Mike "Tuffy" Hamilton, R-Mauriceville, said Republicans were taking a wait-and-see approach, for now.

Speaker Pro Tempore Craig Eiland, a Galveston Democrat, presided over the House early Friday instead of Republican Speaker Joe Straus, as is usually done for a local bill agenda. Eiland reminded lawmakers they had a full three minutes to explain their bills if they wanted to take all the available time.

At one point during the morning stalling, Democratic Rep. Mike Villarreal of San Antonio asked Eiland with a smile: "Mr. Speaker, are we going to break for lunch?"

Lawmakers were told there would be no formal lunch break; there was complimentary shrimp waiting for them in the recently remodeled legislators' lounge.

___

Associated Press writers Jay Root and Jackie Stone contributed to this report.

GaryAdrian wrote:And as they drag their feet, we are sitting ducks!
On Wednesday May 20, 2009 at approximately 9:50pm, two UH students were robbed by an unknown male at gunpoint. The incident occurred at different times and locations on the UH campus, in a continuous episode, in which both of the victims described the suspect as the same person. In the first incident the student reported that at about 9:50pm the male suspect approached him in UH Lot 1E and displayed a small frame semi automatic pistol and demanded his wallet. The student stated that he surrendered his cash from inside the wallet and the male suspect went to a waiting vehicle and entered into the passenger side, at which time the vehicle left the immediate area. The second student reported that the male suspect approached her in the Bayou Oaks Apartments courtyard, at about ten minutes later, and demanded her cellular phone and personal tote (containing a small amount of cash and a debit card). The second student advised that she observed the male suspect approach an awaiting vehicle in the Bayou Oaks North Parking Lot and left the immediate area. Neither of the students were injured in the incident.

This has got to stop! UH has done everything it can to stop these continuing crimes but it has not abated!
Chas,
Is there anything we can do?
Gary

BREAKING NEWS: UTPD investigate knife-robbery

UT Police officers are investigating a knife-point robbery that took place early Tuesday morning but have yet to identify the assailant.

An unidentified student was assaulted from behind, forced onto the ground on Inner Campus Drive between Gebauer and Painter Halls and robbed at knife-point.

The suspect, in his 30s, stole $425 in personal possessions including the student's backpack, cell phone, iPod and some textbooks, said Rhonda Weldon, a UTPD spokes woman.

Police officials are unclear as to who the assailant is, but are confident the person is not a UT student, Weldon said.

"UTPD typically would tell me," Weldon said. "That would be part of the description."

The student alerted UTPD officials using a police call box and informed them the robbery took place at around 3:45 a.m.

An investigation has been launched and UTPD investigators are working with the student to identify and locate the assailant. The exact circumstance in which the assailant found the student remains unclear.

The student was on their way to study early in the morning at which point the assailant either followed the student onto campus or saw him on campus. The assailant then grabbed the student from behind, displayed a knife and robbed him, Charles Bonnet, a UTPD Srgt overlooking the investigation, said.

"We are following all sorts of leads," Bonnet said. "We are looking into any surveillance footage as well as any witnesses."

In a campus-wide alert released around 6:20 a.m., the male assailant was described as dirty and dusty, being of medium build, having brown hair and wearing a camel colored jacket.

"The procedure is to notify the campus of the description and heighten awareness," Weldon said.

William Pieper, a crime prevention officer with UTPD stressed the importance of being aware of ones surroundings at all times. While there is no guarantee everybody on campus is a student or a UT faculty member, Pieper said he recommends students pay attention to their instincts, walk with others when moving around campus and being aware of all one?s senses.

Pieper said being distracted by listening to music, texting or talking on a cell phone can increase the ease with which an assailant can assault you. If assaulted or threatened, Pieper said it is best if one complies rather than resist.

"Nothing is worth more than your life," Pieper said.

Owens wrote:As one 'statesman' said:
"Madam chair, could we now consider anything past page 5 on the general calendar now a memorial resolution?"

Charles L. Cotton wrote:Rep. Farrar, F-rated Democrat who wants to lower the penalty for murdering your less then 12 month child to a State Jail Felony under a grossly ambiguous standard raised the point of order. It deals with subject matter. The amendment and the point of order were withdrawn.

It's not over.

Chas.

hheremtp wrote:

Charles L. Cotton wrote:Rep. Joe Driver has pre-filed an amendment to HB 2730, the DPS Sunset bill, which would de-criminalize the carrying of a concealed handgun by a CHL on the campus of public or private college or university. It would not affect the ability of institutions to adopt administrative policies regulating CHLs.

So basically the amendment would not prevent colleges from posting the buildings 30.06 or puting in the student handbook that they do not allow CC. Is that correct?