The Tolbert Report

In what was certainly one of the more eventful Arkansas House Caucus session in recent history, the House debated several proposed amendments to the house rules, approving one initially, then two more after first voting them down on the house floor.

The first amendment was offered by House Speaker Robbie Wills (D-Conway) regarding house member’s ability to receive campaign contribution during the session. Under prior rules, members have been prohibited from receiving campaign contributions for a period of 30 days before and after the legislature is in session. The original proposed rules for the new fiscal year session would have completely eliminate this rule altogether. Wills’ amendment reached a compromise that eliminates the 30 days window but prohibits contributions during the actual session. This amendment was approved by the house with only Rep. Clark Hall (D-Marvell) voting against it.

The second two amendments were offered by Rep. Ann Clemmer (R-Bryant.) The first amendment would have required members to travel in the most cost efficient manner available and was rejected with only 37 votes in favor (67 votes are required for the rules changes but see update below.) The second amendment would have prohibited a rules changed adopted from the floor of the house from beginning overturned by the House Rules Committee. Clemmer said during the debate that she believes these measures are “appropriate” and will “hold us accountability” however the house also rejected this amendment with only 22 members voting in favor of its adoption.

Rep. Dan Greenberg (R-Little Rock) then presented a set of two amendments. His first amendment would have required the newly created house communications office to be nonpartisan and to list member’s names on the press releases that it represents. This amendment actually drew Speaker Wills out his speaker’s chair to speak strongly against the amendment on the floor of his house. His what-don’t-you-trust-me speech was followed by the amendment’s defeat with only 14 votes (see update.) Greenberg also offered an amendment that would have allowed any member to request a role call vote in committee. This amendment drew support from only 11 members.

Rep. John Burris (R-Harrison) also offered an amendment that would have allowed for at least one member to speak against a bill or three members to speak in favor of a bill in committee before calling for immediate consideration of the bill. Rep. Mike Burris questioned Rep. John Burris as to why he would seek to amend Robert’s Rules of Order that normally governs debate. “Robert does not represent this body,” replied Rep. John Burris. “I represent my people and I think that they think this will be a good rule change.”  The amendment also failed with only 18 votes.

Rep. Andrea Lea (R-Russellville), having struck out early with the House Rules Committee, brought an amendment to the floor as well that would have increase the time from 24 hours to 48 hours before a bill could be voted on by the full house after coming out of committee. She said her constituents had asked her for additional time to review the bills coming up for a vote. Her amendment failed as well with only 30 members voting for its adoption.

UPDATE – While polishing up the finishing touches on this post, Roby Brock from Talk Business let’s me know that more went down after I left the capital. According to his report, the House Management Committee put their collective heads together and decided maybe those Republicans were on the something after all. They began the process to study how to implement Rep. Clemmer’s bill on utilizing the most efficient travel method and adopted Rep. Greenberg’s proposed rules on the house communications office. One can only guess whether this will lead to one of the Democrats admitting that they voted against this bill before they voted for it.

Also, of major importance, the House Management Committee began the process of putting all the house floor and committee proceeding online, as 47 other state legislatures have already done. Yes, it true – the Jason Tolbert Transparency Act of 2009 has new life!

For a completely different perspective, check out Robbie Wills take on the day’s events.  He discusses the adoption of proposed rules from Rep. Greenberg and Rep. Clemmer but not without taking some shots at them first.  He also takes a shot to me here in the comments section below. 

If you prefer the fellow edited “slanted bias” of the right, check out House Minority Whip Mark Martin’s take on the days events.  He has some very interesting comments.