Black lawmakers walk out of Pa. House

[Kypt]

I hope they never come back...


http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-...,7212390.story


Black lawmakers walk out of Pa. House

HARRISBURG - Members of the state House's Legislative Black Caucus walked off the House floor this afternoon demanding votes on stalled gun-control bills.

The protest threatened to bring business in the chamber to a standstill because the 25-member caucus is a significant voting block, and could stand in the way of reaching the 102 votes need to approve legislation. The House has 203 members.

"There's no more blind loyalty to anyone," said Rep. Thomas Blackwell, D-Philadelphia, in an interview. "You have to respect us."




The black caucus, which hails largely from Philadelphia, staged its walkout just moments before the House was to begin voting on a proposal to overhaul the state's Right to Know Law.

Black lawmakers began by asking for what's known as "leave," which would excuse them from voting for the day. One by one, they stepped up to the microphone and left the chamber.

Later, Blackwell and other caucus members said they'd continue their protest until colleagues acted on gun-control bills.

Last month, Gov. Ed Rendell unsuccessfully lobbied the House Judiciary Committee to send three gun-control bills to the House floor for a vote. Those measures included a proposal limiting Pennsylvanians to one gun purchase per-month, and another requiring gun owners to report lost or stolen weapons.

"Philadelphia must be respected and listened to," said Rep. Angel Cruz, who like other caucus members, said he was tired of putting up votes for other bills while those critical to his constituents were being ignored.

"We'll vote on healthcare and all that," he said. "But what good is healthcare if people are dying."

-- reporting by John L. Micek, Call Harrisburg Bureau

[billamj]

Oh, good, a temper tantrum. I'll bet you guys from Philly really love your lawmakers now, as if you needed more of a reason. Of course since it was the entire Black caucus I'd wager more than a few of you from Pittsburg were also affected just as most of the folks from the "larger" cities. I think it is time for you guys to call YOUR reps and put them straight.

[MarcS]

don't come back.

[ChamberedRound]

WAAAAAAHHHHHH!!! We're going to take our ball and go home! WAAAAAHHHHH!!! It's amazing how this govt-please-take-care-of-me-from-cradle-to-grave mentality permeates every aspect of urban society, including the representatives they elect.
Let them hijack the House; they're not helping their cause ONE BIT when they're the source of a standstill in politics for the ENTIRE state.

[MarcS]

Not only am i for them leaving, i'm for the governmental gridlock they hope to cause doing so.

[Jelanen]

Originally Posted by ChamberedRound

It's amazing how this govt-please-take-care-of-me-from-cradle-to-grave mentality permeates every aspect of urban society, including the representatives they elect.

Because thats all they hear. I'm having a hard time finding outlets that are telling them any different ('cept the Cos, but I tend to think his spokesmanship for anything has been tainted in recent years)

[knight0334]

Since there is no strike laws protecting their jobs, can we fire them for failure to report to work????

[tes151]

Sorry. I don't see a down side to this.

[ChamberedRound]

Originally Posted by tes151

Sorry. I don't see a down side to this.

The only downside I see is that any property tax relief/elimination bills that may be introduced this session may be held up, or even get shelved because of these infantile games.

[MarcS]

Originally Posted by ChamberedRound

The only downside I see is that any property tax relief/elimination bills that may be introduced this session may be held up, or even get shelved because of these infantile games.

yeah, but think of all the other heinous shit that will be held up. The government invariably does more harm than good.