A Total Farce
Yesterday, a bill was improperly gaveled out of the House Education Policy Committee by Acting Chairman Rep. Terry Spicer, in clear violation of the House Rules. The instrument before the committee was a bill to ensure the post-secondary education system, which employs Rep. Spicer, would be placed under the oversight of the Legislative Council, (Rep. Spicer is also a member of the Legislative Council).
During the meeting, Rep. Joseph Mitchell made a motion to commit the bill to a subcommittee. As Ranking Minority Member on the Committee, I was sitting beside Rep. Spicer and calmly asked him for a recorded vote on Rep. Mitchell’s motion. He calmly ignored my request and gaveled through the vote to deny’s Rep. Mitchell’s motion.
For the remainder of the meeting the Chairman did not recognize me for anything. As the bill was rushed to final passage, I arose from my seat and stood directly in front of him, waving my arms, asking for a recorded vote, as several other members joined me in the request for a recorded vote. Rep. Spicer gaveled the bill through. Needless to say, I was outraged.
Rule 75 clearly states: “The chair of a standing committee shall take a recorded vote on any motion if requested by a committee member and sustained by one additional committee member.”
I understand that I am a member of the minority party and as such, will often be out-voted in committees and on the floor. In this instance, I believe I had the votes to block this bill and Rep. Spicer’s actions would lead me to believe that he also thought I had the votes.
It would be an understatement to say that I am frustrated by the shameless abuse of power by the Chairman of the Committee, in clear violation of the House Rules. I don’t know whether the Chairman was motivated by ignorance of the rules, arrogance, greed, revenge, or some other factor. I’m just trying to figure out why I should even attend committee meetings if I my vote only counts if the Chairman wants it to.
I suspect we’ll be hearing a lot more about this issue.
Comment by Anonymous
You can watch the video of Spicer’s actions by clicking on the camera icon at this link on WSFA’s website: http://www.wsfa.com/global/story.asp?s=7936403
Comment by Del
Is there some procedure to follow when a member violates House rules? Paul Hubbert says the Board of Education acted brusquely; that may or may not be the case, but no one is claiming (as far as I know) that there was any rule violation in what they did. But this is different: there is a rule, and he clearly ignored it. To paraphrase what you said, what’s the point of having rules, if no one enforces them?
Comment by Anonymous
The board of education listened to all those who wanted to speak and then took a RECORDED VOTE. That is the difference between what the board did and what Spicer did.
Comment by Anonymous
So according to Hubbard two wrongs make a right. What a bunch of little children.
Comment by Dan
That video is awesome. I wish I could figure out a way to embedd it in the post.
Comment by Susan
I call for a Special Prosecutor to investigate!
Comment by Margaret
And Anon 4, the first wrong didn’t really happen.
Comment by Dan
By the way, I should take this moment to mention that Rep. Mitchell from Mobile is not only one of the most hilarious members of the legislature I’ve ever met, but also tends to impress me every time I ever hear his name mentioned.
Comment by Mike Ball
And as long as Rep. Mitchell is in the legislature, I have no chance of being the best musician in the legislature.
Comment by Don
I learned to appreciate Representative Mitchell personally in 2005 when I went to the State House to speak in behalf of Representative Ball’s Initiative and Referendum constitutional amendment before the C&E committee. The first time it was just a subcommittee and after I said my little piece Mitchell sought me out, shook my hand, and thanked me for what I was doing. Later, in late April, I went back to address the full committee but it wasn’t necessary because the members had already decided to approve Ball’s bill unanimously. (A copy of the text I had prepared for the second visit is @ http://www.doctoriq.com/myspeech.htm)
Since that time I’ve read numerous articles Mitchell wrote in the Mobile Press-Register which demonstrated what a learned and articulate gentleman he is.
Comment by FireMarkGottfried
I agree anon:
“The board of education listened to all those who wanted to speak and then took a RECORDED VOTE. That is the difference between what the board did and what Spicer did.”
Comment by Don
A natural question in my view is what possible recourse is there when House Rule 75 is ignored?