For whom a quorum waits
Sometimes, Republican lawmakers aren't as powerful as they think they are. Or maybe, it's just that the Democrats show up.
A meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday was shut down when Republican Sen. Mark Madsen left the room. Already short two other Republican senators, the committee lost its quorum, the minimum number required to have a meeting. Republican Sens. Greg Bell and Dave Thomas and Democratic Sens. Patrice Arent and Mike Dmitrich scrambled.
The room was full of people waiting to testify about a bill requiring parental consent bill for abortions, funding for inmate drug treatment and a resolution supporting Utah Highway Patrol memorial crosses.
At first, Dmitrich questioned whether Buttars should be counted to determine the quorum, since he is ill.
"Unfortunately, we have people waiting and we don't have a quorum," Dmitrich said.
But rules would not allow any fudging. So Arent and a trio of interns went searching for Republican Sens. Al Mansell or Lyle Hillyard or Madsen.
They returned empty-handed.
Someone made a motion to adjourn. Thomas wondered if the committee could even do that without a quorum. Bell said they could.
Finally, Bell suggested changing the rules on the Senate floor Thursday to lower the number legally required for a committee
meeting.
"It's too important. With Sen. Buttars ailing, we've got to do something," Bell said.
How about attending your meetings?
|--Rebecca Walsh
A meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday was shut down when Republican Sen. Mark Madsen left the room. Already short two other Republican senators, the committee lost its quorum, the minimum number required to have a meeting. Republican Sens. Greg Bell and Dave Thomas and Democratic Sens. Patrice Arent and Mike Dmitrich scrambled.
The room was full of people waiting to testify about a bill requiring parental consent bill for abortions, funding for inmate drug treatment and a resolution supporting Utah Highway Patrol memorial crosses.
At first, Dmitrich questioned whether Buttars should be counted to determine the quorum, since he is ill.
"Unfortunately, we have people waiting and we don't have a quorum," Dmitrich said.
But rules would not allow any fudging. So Arent and a trio of interns went searching for Republican Sens. Al Mansell or Lyle Hillyard or Madsen.
They returned empty-handed.
Someone made a motion to adjourn. Thomas wondered if the committee could even do that without a quorum. Bell said they could.
Finally, Bell suggested changing the rules on the Senate floor Thursday to lower the number legally required for a committee
meeting.
"It's too important. With Sen. Buttars ailing, we've got to do something," Bell said.
How about attending your meetings?
|--Rebecca Walsh
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