A meltdown paralyzes the Florida House

Republicans have 76 of the 120 votes in the state House, but they resorted to a procedural tactic Friday reminiscent of the Johnnie Byrd era to prevent Democrats from prolonging debate on a bill that tweaks FCAT standards in schools. The GOP maneuver, which quickly backfired, blocked consideration of a proposal by Republican Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, that included broader FCAT reforms.

The move by Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, was to call the previous question, which limited debate to three minutes per side and denied Democrats a forum to call once again for FCAT reforms. Minority Leader Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, rose and said: "I don't know why we have to resort to unbecoming procedural rules to stop a full and fair debate ... if this is what this House has come to, it's something you all should be ashamed of, and I mean that."

A few minutes later, Gelber demanded that every bill on Friday's calendar be read in its entirety, an even more obscure and rarely employed procedure.

To defeat that motion required a two-thirds vote, but it barely fell short by a 70-41 margin. Sergeants-at-arms secured the chamber and House Speaker Marco Rubio ordered absent members rounded up and extra reading clerks brought in. "I hope you guys like condominium law," Rubio cracked, as a young clerk began reading a lengthy condo bill.

The meltdown threatened to prevent Jewish lawmakers from making afternoon flights to get home by sundown Friday, when Passover observances begin.

As the clerk read the bill, lawmakers clumped together in the middle of the floor, plotting strategic moves. After a few minutes, Rubio slammed the gavel. "I'd ask you respect the work this young man is trying to do," he said.

Comments

Now the real fun begins!

ahhhhh, session - you gotta love this stuff

f'ing awesome!!!

uhhhh doesn't Passover begin Saturday at Sundown? because it looks as though the house maybe here until then!

Turn the heater up on 'em, Rubio! A nice balmy 85 degrees should do...

Worst...Speaker...Ever

This is reminiscent of last year's "mistake" that magically exempted Miami-Dade County from the property tax cap.

Speakers should have the experience to ensure procedural tactics actually work. This is his 2nd Session.

gaveled sands back into his seat! classic!

he who has gavel wins

Democrats have no respect, concern, or compassion for people of faith.
It's Passover at sundown.

To the 11:55 poster--why do you say this tactic is ineffective? I don't really understand.

12:00 poster: over-generalize much?

Shalom!

RUBIO for Governor!
If they want to play games, play.
You reap what you sow.

Can anyone say meltdown? This next election cycle is going to be a bloodbath for the rank and file if the House leadership keeps up their Byrdist attititude toward every decision being made. Term limits and naming Speakers before they serve at least one full Session is the cause of this and I'm afraid will also put the Repubs in the minority sooner rather than later.

Let's see

A Republican Senator with extensive experience in K-12 educaiton management offers a proposal.

And the House's reaction is to quash debate on it and block it.

I think it's funny. Let the games begin! And please, before you dems out there start whining about it being childish and unfair, look in the mirror. ALL OF YOU - REPUBS AND DEMS - ARE CHILDISH.

Go Rubio. Again, I think it's funny....

About time Democratic Leadership did something. They have been letting the Republicans walk all over them.

Great move. Glad to see you are finally using your numbers.

Marco Rubio is GOD !

The rank and file Republican members of the House need to be extremely concerned about the policies of their leadership which is largely term limited out anyway. The budget for healthcare and public education will result in service changes large enough for citizens to really see and feel the difference. It won't be about lobbyists screaming in Tallahassee. It will be the parents at home changing policy with their votes.

[GOP hates Floridians!]

Jeb would be proud. So would George II, Rove and Cheney. Keep it up and we'll put FL in the blue column in no time!

12:19 with exactly one worshipper - you, Sancho.

It's Friday...what's Charlie Crist doing this weekend?

The House Rocks, way to go Ellen!

[Uncle Ricco]

You jokers are letting some little kid make you sit in your seats while I'm sitting in a hot tub with my soul mate....while she passing me the oil...you guys think about how and why you pick leadership...is this how Statesmen conducts themselves?

Let's not forget that this whole mess started bc leadership did not want to EVEN DISCUSS a proposed amendment. That's pathetic. Vote it down, if you don't like it, but to ignore it makes you look like Cuba.

Rubio is not the worst speaker ever. That distinction will always go to Johnny Byrd.

While they are listening to bills being read, they can't pass anything and can't do any hard. Keep reading.

Ellen Bogdanoff helping to make sure that Passover is messed with.

Cheeessh

Rubio is worser.

[kitty]

According to the Cashrut.com website, First Seder Night is Saturday, April 19, so your "Democrats have no respect, concern, or compassion for people of faith" comment doesn't fly 12:00 p.m. Even if it did, Speaker Rubio could override Representative Gelber, who BTW, is Jewish!

[kitty]

According to the Kashrut.com website, First Seder Night is Saturday, April 19, so your "Democrats have no respect, concern, or compassion for people of faith" comment doesn't fly 12:00 p.m. Even if it did, Speaker Rubio could override Representative Gelber, who BTW, is Jewish!

12:46 - Bogdanoff wanted a short debate, it's the D's who want every word of the bills read - get the facts straight

[kitty]

12:12 PM, what the (bleep) are you talking about? It was a dem who demanded the legislature do their job!

[kitty]

12:54 P.M., I like the idea of having EVERY WORD of the bills read. Otherwise, how can the full meaning be understood? Only reading part of the text leaves room for representatives to whine that they didn't understand what they were voting for, and thus aren't responsible for bad legislation being passed.

Rubio likes to listen to Condo legislation - all of his support comes from the "let's pave Florida" developer's lobby. Nobody else can stand him.

[Marc]

Why are there so many Republicans in office in Tallahassee? I though Florida was a blue state and somewhat left of center?

Jim Smith was right - we need adult supervision in Tallahassee. The GOP leadership can't lead.

Dean Cannon is the man! Go Gators!

1:00 - oh goodness, the "full meaning" is "understood" in the committees way before the bills get to the floor - every bill has an analysis that's available throughout the committee process - so reading every word on the floor is a time wasting gimmick, which is fine by me, but it has nothing to do with getting to know the bills

Uhm, that would be Jim Davis 1:06.

It's a bladderbuster in the House!

12:00...Passover begins TOMORROW night, not tonight. And further...last I checked, Dan Gelber is Jewish, and he's the one who made the motion...so maybe he has NO respect for his own faith.

Marco Rubio is trying to get these people to do their jobs but they are going to use religion to make it seem like that they are being discriminated against.

Boy oh boy. Where have I seen this before.

I have to leave at 3:00 PM today because I have to be home by 5:00 PM to get ready for preparting dinner and lighting candles.

That is the refrain heard in South Florida every Friday no matter what work has to be done (including the people's work).

Where's empty chair Charlie? Let's pass a gas tax break, or maybe extend the sales tax holiday. We need more pandering to save the day for the hapless GOP leadership in Tallahassee!

[Insurance Companies, Realtors and Big Business]

1:04 said "Why are there so many Republicans in office in Tallahassee?"

To keep us warm and comfy.

It's sort of an obscure rule, but when Passover officially begins Saturday night, it more or less starts a day before, at Shabbat, sundown Friday night.

[Ray]

The Republicans know that Bush's older brother - Neil - the one that was the S&L crook - has a company that gets all the money from making up and scoring the FCAT so they are going to keep the loot coming in even after the Bushes are gone.

1:28 A Bush doesn't grow without dirt.

[kitty]

01:08 PM, the problem is that so few legislators actually read these things PRIOR to voting, but thanks anyways for your condescension.

This is Gelber's doing, and Floridians are watching.
THey are watching the Bold and the Beautiful, that's what they are watching.

Note to the House: Can we not borrow some Emhof girls from the Senate to read these bills?

[kitty]

01:15 PM, why do you assume Rep Gelber has no respect for his religion? What's wrong with expecting our elected officials to do their job? And who is to say they won't be finished by sundown on Saturday - approximately 30 hours from now?

1:49...I was referring to the fact that someone said Democrats have no respect for faith and the irony of the fact that it was a Jewish member who's making these motions. I am sure Gelber does have respect for his religion...I just wanted to point out the irony of it.

-1:15

Nope, they can't starve people - but they CAN LAY OFF CHILD ABUSE INVESTIGATORS and LAY OFF FOSTER CARE WORKERS and ELIMINATE NURSING HOME INSPECTIONS!!!

Just as long as they Don't ELIMINATE $700 TO CSX or ELIMINATE $265 TO RUBIO'S FRIEND or ELIMINATE ANY OF RUBIO'S PORK!!

Oink, oink, oink!

[Larry Craig, Newt Gingrich, Bob Allen & Tom Delay]

1:49 is right - Democrats don't have respect for faith.

great move rivera and rubio! keep referring those d*** democrats' bills to rules.

[doug]

Get your faith out of MY government...keep it to yourself where it belongs! Just because it's friday doesn't mean you get to home early. Work, or don't eat!

re-elect nobody!

[jack]

FloriDUH!!

[Pat]

FloriDUMB - florida politicians as useless teets on a bull, or fake bulls balls on 4x4! Morons!

[Poor Leadership Coalition]

Of course...if House leadership had not lost 9 seats this would be a non-issue...they would have the votes to stop this non-sense....unfortunately the children in charge put personal ambition above the party and the House...

Remember this November - the GOP is counting on you forgetting.

Waive the rules, motion to not read bills in full, voice vote and don't recognize the 5 hands...

Problem Solved!

Bring back Johnny Byrd.

Problem Solved!

[Leeanne]

Hand in the pocket politics.....

[Liberal Democrats]

are very toxic. avoid like the plague.

[Keith]

It is time to vote all of them (dems & reps) out and start over. Egos and party mean more to them than serving the people.
Our two party system is obsolete and we really need a change. How about a party that represents working people and not special interests? What happened to term limits, insurance, taxes, the economy?
How short are your memories?

[Marc]

I love Rhonda Storms, she is sooo hot and a wild one to boot. Is she going to read any of the bills?

Is this leadership?

The problem is this is the first time many of them have even heard these bills.

[Marc]

I figured out the problem!!! If you look at the above picture with Dan Gelber in it, guess who is standing to the right of him.

It's Omarosa! No wonder they are freaking out! She is sowing her usual FUD. That's Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt for those of you that don't know. Somebody get the Donald to Fire Omarosa!

"MAN" CAUCUS UPDATE:

Rick Krise-man just owned Baxter Trout-man. No word yet on Wald-man, Alt-man, Ho-man, Needel-man,

[Donald Lance]

Be it ever so crumbly there's no place like Rome
Nero, he was the emperor and the palace was his home
But he liked to play with matches and for a fire yearned
So he burned Rome to ashes and fiddled while it burned!

It's time to vote out every democrats especially fat cats Dan Gelber & Steve Geller.

What a mess they have caused. They are one of the big reasons we have no meaningful property tax relief.

[Marc]

10:59, I think you read the article wrong, its those obstinate fat-cat Republicans at fault. Vote out all the Republican bastards. We need more even-keeled Democrats to balance out the system.

great job reagan! bet no democrap has the ba**s to get up there and read considering they are the reason this mess is going on

11:19pm, If that idiot democrat Gelber did not called for the childish reading of every word, this would not be happening.

VOTE OUT EVERY DEMOCRAT INCLUDING THE IDIOTS IN WASHINGTON LED BY NANCY PELOSI.

They have an approval rating much lower than Pres. Bush

Well, at least it keeps the idiots off the streets. What has the Common Man's party come to?

anyone besides me still watching this stuff?

10:59...

Ummm...

Did you happen to read the part of the story where they mention that it was the REPUBLICANS who initially pulled the "procedural tactic" to PREVENT Democrats from debating? And that this was the response?

Yet it's the Republicans who are exempt from fault here? Ummm, ok, sure.

[Bio Hazard]

How did this dumbing down of our society happen? Florida has to be the retard central headquarters for the United States. If breathing didn't come natural, most of the citizens of Florida would die for sure. Floridians should be made to purchase a license to pro-create. There are just too many morons in Florida and I feel if something isn't done pretty soon the rest of world might be contaminated by an inferior gene-pool of retarded Floridians. Dark ages here we come! Just goes to show you welfare along with the public school system doesn't work. The government has subsidized stupidity breeding for years and now the chickens have come home to roost.

[rick from Largo]

As to all Pope stuff and any religion which seems to be in vogue right now, the rule is pure separation of church and state. I think it's fine a person practices the fellowship of faith (on the off time) but leave it outside the door if you work for the federal or other high level government.

It is the basis of our constitution and for good reason. In the past seven plus years this administration has watered down everything. They forget the constitution in general and should think no single religion should be allowed to float around in essence on any official basis and mentioned by any high placed office holder. Religion has no place in government and visa versa. This is not to say I am against schools that like to say prayers, or states rights issues-states have individual rights past federal controls. If they express a demographic rooted in a faith based community-fine. But not in the Federal Government. Besides, I think this pope looks like a devil. I just can't understand Bush at all. I can only imagine that he wanted the pope around because the church is rich beyond belief. In the Boston area they had to sell off a lot to pay the bill for child molestation. I think the church is a sick and greedy thing. Used to be a one of them. Not any more. It's as annoying as Scientology. Sorry if I offended anyone. But I keep my religion to myself. I believe in Jesus as well. Just won't see me howling about it. End

[Char]

As it should be.

[MT]

Please. This is probably the most work the House has done in ages. Half of them mill about, not even paying attention and band together for stupid crap like this.

The legislative process in this state is a joke. I think everyone should go and watch how bills are passed. I think there'd be even more outrage. They're all a bunch of over-privileged children who can't string 3 intelligent words together, let alone figure out how to act mature, spend resources appropriately or make decent legislative decisions.

Throw them all out and let's get some intelligent people in there for once who actually care about the people of Florida and not their own selfish projects (that goes for both parties, incidentally).

[Rick]

Rubio may not be a Byrd, but he is a childish, partisan, "sound bite" driven lightweight whose political aspirations overwhelm sound judgment. His persona and style are polarizing and do nothing but damage to the republican party. Keep putting people like him in charge of the legislative sessions and Democrats will come back into power - and no gerrymandering will stop it.

[Jeb]

If the voters of Florida had any sense at all, they would vote straight Democrat and let them fix what's wrong with this backward, good-ole-boy system that has been in place since Lawton died.