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May 26, 2007
Chaos
In what can only be described as surreal (if not unanticipated) developments last night, the Texas House of Representatives descended into chaos last night as insurgent members tried unsuccessfully to "vacate the Chair" and remove Tom Craddick as Speaker of the House.
As members rose to move to vacate the Chair, Craddick simply refused to recognize them. He then abruptly recessed the House until 11 pm. Business resumed until adjournment at about 1:30 am this morning, and resumed about 11 am.
Craddick's behavior is nothing short of stunning, and resulted in the immediate resignations of the two House parlimentarians. Craddick quickly replaced them with former Reps. Ron Wilson and Terry Keel. (Houstonians will note with interest Wilson's prominent reappearance in the House after the former Craddick lieutenant was defeated in the 2004 Democratic primary.)
Today, attempts resumed to move Craddick, but were once again denied. Meanwhile, at least some of the House's remaining business proceeds.
The session ends on Monday, so stay tuned -- this is going down to the wire.
Posted by houtopia at May 26, 2007 03:39 PM