TCAN Denounces House Speaker’s Dictatorial Rulings
The Texas House of Representatives has always been known as the people’s house. The Speaker of the House is supposed to preside over the meetings of the House in a fair and equitable manner. This Speaker has not been fair and equitable.
As the legislative session drew to a close over this long weekend, Representatives from both sides of the aisle became more and more frustrated by the heavy-handed methods that Tom Craddick employed in managing the business of the House. As the speaker claimed absolute power, our democracy was severely threatened, and hundreds of pieces of proposed legislation, opportunities to improve the lives of millions of Texans, were lost because of one man’s desire to maintain his own personal power.
Members exercised their frustration through calls for change in the House Leadership. Whether it be the first day of business or the last day in the session, when there is a failure of leadership, the House members have the right to vote for change. Tom Craddick abandoned the rules of the House, the commonly accepted practices of diplomacy, and the guardian rules of parliamentary procedure in order to circumvent the efforts of many House members to return democracy to the Legislative process in the Texas House.
It is time for the people of Texas to speak up and to say NO MORE. This is not a partisan issue. No man is above the rule of law and the rules of order; no man stands alone as dictator over the will of the elected Representatives of the people of Texas. No matter who becomes speaker for the next legislative session, we must not let Mr. Craddick’s behavior be condoned or set a precedent for future speakers.
We are asking you, the people of Texas, to contact your state representatives, thank them for their service during the 80th Legislative Session, and tell them how you feel about Speaker Craddick’s undemocratic actions in the House. Let them know the people’s business comes first and the political interests of all others come last!
John Courage, Chair
True Courage Action Network
Posted: May 29th, 2007 under Actions, Open government.
