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There was a lot of hair pulling between Burrows and Rep. David Cook. Cook was selected by the Republican Caucus, and the caucus said that the Speaker should only be chosen ONLY by the party in power*. Burrows cobbled together a coalition from both parties, and was able to get a majority of the membership (49 Democrats and 36 Republicans) to vote for him. He’s also been involved in multiple business dealings with former Speakers Phelan and Bonnen.

The new rules for the House, which were passed yesterday ban Democrats from chairing committees. Republicans hold a 88-62 majority. The new House rules were passed 116-23, which means 28 Democrats voted in favor of the rules. I read that Burrows refused to acknowledge Rep. Troy Tinderholdt, who wanted to make a motion to wait on voting for the rules, because nobody had had an opportunity to read them…the rules were emailed out Thursday morning, and were voted on that day (you have to pass the bill to find out what’s in the bill?). The fact that 28 Democrats were willing to vote in favor of them NOT being able to chair committees tells me they know something the rest of us don’t. Also, while Democrats can’t be a chairman, they can be vice-chair, and will have leadership positions on all committees.

The Republican Caucus also said that anyone who refused to follow their guidelines (Speaker should be elected by only Republicans) can expect to be primaried in the next election cycle.

I think only time will tell how much progress we will see this session.