Eleven AWOL Texas Senators’ Behavior is Shameful

As jokes are circulating about them appearing on milk cartons, wanted posters and playing cards, the flight of 11 Texas state senators is a serious abdication of their responsibilities to the citizens of Texas.

First the House Democrats fled to Oklahoma and now the Senate Democrats have taken flight to more plush quarters in Albuquerque. They may be chuckling over cocktails now but will likely end up crying in their beer.

This is not just a foolish prank – it is an anarchist antic and an arrogant abdication of their responsibilities to the voters of Texas. And their little games are not playing well in grassroots Texas where citizens are getting hot!

We may hear talk around Austin that these AWOL legislators are exercising their rights to break quorum. The quorum rule is designed to ensure that a simple majority can’t gather in secret to conduct business. However, Texas founding fathers actually granted legislators who bother to show up the expansive power to COMPEL those absent to attend.

Let’s face it – there is no hidden agenda here. The Republicans have made no secret that they want the Texas congressional delegation to reflect Texas voting patterns.

Frankly, I’d like a redistricting plan which would not protect incumbents…competitive races are good for voters! But then I don’t always get my way. Some Democrats, spoiled by years of controlling Texas politics, need to learn they won’t either.

Voters should demand that legislators do their job, just like working Texans must do every day – whether we like the task at hand that day or not.

It may be redistricting today, it could be the budget or other reforms tomorrow. These Senators need to learn what they should have been taught years ago – throwing tantrums won’t work and holding their breath won’t help them get their way.

Democracy works when our elected officials work – and that includes casting their vote – win or lose. The citizens of Texas are the losers if we allow elected officials of either party to abandon us and hightail it out of the State to avoid a vote.

We elected them to do our business– how can our elected officials represent Texas if they’re hiding out in neighboring states?

It’s time they pack up their toys and come home to do the work we elected them to do – or it’s time we find someone who will!