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?