Never let it be said that the state GOP let the GOP in the U.S. House of Representatives get ahead of it in the tightening department.
Earlier this morning I did a post entitled "GOP Tightens Grip on House (this post is about the U.S. House; but less drastic tightening has been in the works in the Ga. House as well)."
Had I read today's PI prior to doing my post, I would not have added the parenthetical about being less drastic tightening that has been in the works in the Georgia House. This is because the PI reports that much tighter controls may be on the agenda for today.
The 01-10-04 PI reports:
The Dome's golden rule: Now that we've done unto you, we'll be darned if we'll let you do unto us
[Another] order of business [in Georgia's House today] will be another partisan bout, this one over the obscure rules that govern business on the House floor.
Republicans came to power in part because they were able propose "gotcha" legislation and amendments guaranteed to split Democrats — think gay marriage. On Monday they may try to prevent Democrats from pulling the same trick.
Several Republicans have told us the House's new guardians intend to make it harder for individual lawmakers to propose amendments — perhaps adopting rules similar to those used in Congress, which require all changes to be cleared by both the bill's author and the House rules committee.
Such a rule would give Republicans unprecedented control over both the flow of legislation, and the debate. "There are going to be some changes to the rules and how we deal with bills on the floor," said Rep. Mark Burkhalter, the Alpharetta lawmaker who will be named speaker pro tem on Monday.
The rules were still being printed Sunday. One House Republican wryly noted that they would be required to vote on the rules package Monday, but that a caucus meeting to explain the new guidelines wouldn't be held until Wednesday.
As with the race for speaker, the outcome of the rules fight isn't in much doubt — in part because of the carrots being dangled ahead. Chairmanships and committee assignments won't be known until Tuesday. Parking spaces won't be doled out until Wednesday.
Republicans may come, Democrats may go, but the rules of power are eternal.
Had I read today's PI prior to doing my post, I would not have added the parenthetical about being less drastic tightening that has been in the works in the Georgia House. This is because the PI reports that much tighter controls may be on the agenda for today.
The 01-10-04 PI reports:
The Dome's golden rule: Now that we've done unto you, we'll be darned if we'll let you do unto us
[Another] order of business [in Georgia's House today] will be another partisan bout, this one over the obscure rules that govern business on the House floor.
Republicans came to power in part because they were able propose "gotcha" legislation and amendments guaranteed to split Democrats — think gay marriage. On Monday they may try to prevent Democrats from pulling the same trick.
Several Republicans have told us the House's new guardians intend to make it harder for individual lawmakers to propose amendments — perhaps adopting rules similar to those used in Congress, which require all changes to be cleared by both the bill's author and the House rules committee.
Such a rule would give Republicans unprecedented control over both the flow of legislation, and the debate. "There are going to be some changes to the rules and how we deal with bills on the floor," said Rep. Mark Burkhalter, the Alpharetta lawmaker who will be named speaker pro tem on Monday.
The rules were still being printed Sunday. One House Republican wryly noted that they would be required to vote on the rules package Monday, but that a caucus meeting to explain the new guidelines wouldn't be held until Wednesday.
As with the race for speaker, the outcome of the rules fight isn't in much doubt — in part because of the carrots being dangled ahead. Chairmanships and committee assignments won't be known until Tuesday. Parking spaces won't be doled out until Wednesday.
Republicans may come, Democrats may go, but the rules of power are eternal.
posted by Sid Cottingham | 7:08 AM
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