Craddick responds to Keffer/Cook's request
From Alexis DeLee, press secretary for Speaker Tom Craddick:
"Speaker Craddick welcomes a review by the Attorney General. During the closing days of the session, Speaker Craddick sought the opinions of constitutional law and rules experts, and the advice was instrumental in the Speaker’s decision to move forward with the business of the session.
"The rules of the Texas House of Representatives do not provide for a motion to conduct a Speaker's race in the midst of a session’s business. Furthermore, the rules are clear with regard to the Speaker’s power of recognition.*
"Speaker Craddick acted correctly under the House Rules, the Texas Constitution, and was consistent with traditions of parliamentary practice. But more importantly, the citizens of this state were well-served in that the important business of the legislature prevailed over the internal politics of a speaker’s race."
*House Rule 1, Section 9 reads, “Responses to parliamentary inquiries and decisions of recognition made by the chair may not be appealed.” House Rule 5, Section 24 reads, “There shall be no appeal from the speaker’s recognition….[the speaker decides] if recognition is to be granted.”