Today’s Votes On Accountability & Transparency Rules Changes
Posted on November 4th, 2009
Earlier today I live blogged the proceedings of the House Caucus meeting to consider rules changes that would bring some accountability and transparency to the rules of the Arkansas House of Representatives. Jason Tolbert had previously blogged about this meeting and the planned events. He will probably be posting updated information soon. [Jason Tolbert's report on the proposed rule changes (with flipcam video, of course) can be found here.]
[UPDATE]
I have added links below to the proposed amendments to the House Rules. Speaker Robbie Wills has weighed in and seems to indicate that several of the items will be implemented in “House Policy” rather than Rules. The Speakers argument that these items are more legitimately implemented via “House Policy” rather than “House Rules” (due to the fact that they are not directly related to Parliamentary Procedure) seems to sound rational enough, albeit significantly less weighty and less independent of future House Management whims. However, to place such items in “Rules” is not without precedent as our rules are peppered throughout with similar items, particularly the campaign finance restrictions (reimplemented due to Republican pressure) found on page 48 of HR 1034. Republicans cannot be faulted for following this precedent and seeking to place these more significant items in the relatively static and independently controlled House Rules. Furthermore, is there really any question that these items would have ever been seriously considered by the Democrat controlled “House Management” had Republicans not brought these issues to the fore via an attempt to amend the House Rules? I think not. Additionally, the Speaker’s direct reference to Rep. Clemmer’s and Rep. Greenberg’s choices to not to go before House Management Committee to potentially suffer additional partisan heavy-handedness reeks of pettiness and the type of poor sportsmanship common to “sore winners.”
Nonetheless, while the Republican caucus can in no way claim any victories in today’s proceedings they can hold their heads high in the fact that for the first time in a long time in Arkansas…. they are making a difference. As an outgoing term limited legislator, I am proud of the freshman and sophomore Republican legislators, they should restore your faith in the Arkansas GOP.
By the way, former Rep. Eric Harris (R-Lowell) can add a little loft in his step knowing that he set in motion something four years ago (and the Republican caucus has been fighting for ever since) has apparently FINALLY come to fruition. That being the implementation of web streaming and broadcast of all House floor proceedings and committee meetings via the web. Of course, you must know… ALL good ideas in Arkansas necessarily HAVE to come from Democrats. Such is life in a state where a single party has absolute power.
[/UPDATE]
I still cannot find electronic copies of these amendments, I may have to scan them myself and post them as I have time. In the mean time, [H]ere are the votes. Please note that “Not Voting” is the same as a “No” vote, however, some members were granted “Leave” and were not at the Capitol to vote today.
The full text of the Arkansas House Rules as presented in HR 1034 may be read here.
Amendment No. 3 to House Resolution No. 1034, which requires that all out-of-state travel by House of Representative members and staff shall be by the mode most advantageous to teh State of Arkansas when cost and other factors are considered. – VOTE.
Amendment No. 4 to House Resolution No. 1034, which prevents the House Rules Committee from overturning a rule change passed by 67 out of 100 members of the Arkansas House of Representatives. – VOTE.
Amendment No. 5 to House Resolution No. 1034, which requires that the House Communications Office provide independent and unbiased service to all members of the House of Representatives and requires that any information disseminated include in the body of the document the name or names of the House members on whose behalf the information is being disseminated. – VOTE.
Amendment No. 6 to House Resolution No. 1034, would insure that at least one person would be allowed to speak against a bill if they desire, and at least three people be allowed to speak for a bill if they desire before debate can be cut off by immediate consideration. – VOTE.
Amendment No. 7 to House Resolution No. 1034, which would make it easier to record the vote of the members of a committee by allowing any one member to request a recorded vote without regard to committee membership. – VOTE.
Amendment No. 8 to House Resolution No. 1034, which would require that a 48 hour waiting time be required before a bill may be voted on in the Arkansas House of Representatives. (Currently as a matter of course the rule is “suspended” to rush a bill through before most people have had time to learn about it and communicate with their Representative) – VOTE.
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