Talton and Turner and Craddick, oh my
House Speaker Tom Craddick used two words to describe the blow he dealt to friend and ally Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston: "Harsh ruling."
The harsh ruling came down on a point of order that Rep. Robert Talton, R-Pasadena, had brought up against the cause dearest to Mr. Turner's heart - restoring the System Benefit Fund, which helps poor people with their electric bills by charging customers in competitive areas (DFW among them) about $1 a month in fees.
The Legislature hasn't actually spent that fee to help the poor people - at least not in that way - since 2005. They haven't spent the entire fee since 2003. And Turner has fought a long, hard battle trying spring that $400 million balance from the Land of Fuzzy Math (where it's sitting, unspent, as a sort of overdraft account for the budget).
Why did it suck to be him on the floor today?
Because Craddick's parliamentarian (and by extension, Craddick) upheld the point of order, sending the bill back to committee.
Because Craddick, after much teeth nashing and animated back-and-forth with Turner - and Talton - on the dias, couldn't seem to come up with a way for them to strike it down and move ahead with the bill.
Because Turner has stuck his neck out to stand with Craddick and has been rebuffed a couple of times this session - perceived or otherwise - and has to be getting sick of not getting any benefits from making his own party seriously P.O.'ed at him for several session.
And because the point of order that Talton brought against was only PARTLY motivated by the fact that Talton doesn't think the state should be collecting fees for this type of program.
The rest of it was motivated by a strong, uhm, motivation to drive a wedge between Sly and Craddick - bec, in case you've been LIVING UNDER A ROCK (or worse, not reading this blog) and didn't notice, Talton (and some other House Ds) are not Craddick's best friend these days. Because the Ds and anti-Craddick Rs need all the help they can get, and it would be a pretty big coup for Sly to defect and join them.
My theory: It sucked to be Sly Turner on the House floor today because he realized that if he turns in his allegiance to Craddick, it'll be to join forces with Talton et al.
Rock, meet hard place.
Comments
Grrl, you're not afraid to lay it down are you? Kick ass post.
Posted by: Marie | April 3, 2007 1:32 AM
I don't understand the comment "Talton doesn't think the state should be funding this type of program." The state is NOT funding the program - everyone that buys electricity in Texas funds this program - the state is diverting this money from its intended purpose.
Posted by: Wayne | April 3, 2007 7:54 AM
Ms. Brooks--
One small point. Speaker Craddick makes the rulings. The parliamentarian's advice is pretty conclusive--but it's only advice.
Posted by: Bubba Galt | April 3, 2007 8:57 AM
Wayne - Yeah, meant to say collecting fees for a program like that. Clarified above, thanks.
BG -
In the interest of CYA, I put it on the parliamentarian with a caveat (by extension the speaker). But yeah, everyone knows who wears the pants on the dais.
Marie - thanks babe!
Active readers today.
/Nurse!!
Posted by: Brooks | April 3, 2007 10:50 AM
As a new reader of your blog, I must say you have a very sharp insight into what is happening on the floor.
Posted by: Sake | April 3, 2007 5:26 PM