House nastiness. Rubio: Sit down, shut up, don't surf the net. Gelber: Read the bills in full. Don't drink water.
Annoyed that Republicans are using procedural moves to squelch debate, Democratic leader Dan Gelber and the Democrats successfully moved a procedural plan of their own: Read every bill in full. Full story here
House Speaker Marco Rubio told the sergeants to lock the chamber and find the members who aren't there. "We're going to be here a long time," Rubio said, saying that members could miss their planes for home, especially Jewish members who went to get home before Pesach.
With that, Miami Rep. Julio Robaina's 86-page condominium bill (HB 995) was up.
"I hope you guys like condominium law," Rubio said.
Gelber then told members: "Nobody drink water" so that they don't have to go to the restroom.
When the talking on the floor got so loud that it began to drown out the reader, and angry Rubio gavelled the House into a semblance of silence. He said if members didn't keep quiet, then he would order the sergeants to ensure "all the members are in the chamber and in their seats throughout the entire reading."
Rubio at 11:42 a.m. then gavelled the House quiet again, ordered everyone to take their seats and said he ordered the segeant to shut off Internet access. They haven't done it yet because they're trying to figure out how to do it without interrupting service throughout the House.
democrats are such babies
Posted by: | April 18, 2008 at 11:47 AM
and biotches too
Posted by: | April 18, 2008 at 12:02 PM
This is not a legislature - this is Kindergarten. What an embarrassment to the state of Florida!
Posted by: Disgusted | April 18, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Marco Rubio is my baby's daddy!
Posted by: | April 18, 2008 at 12:42 PM
The next logical move for the Dems in the House is to stage a walkout and set up a shadow House of Representatives somewhere in Georgia, where they can continue their kindergarten antics.
Posted by: Vince | April 18, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Give me a break. The republicans just didn't anticipate that the Democrats would actually stand up for their right to be heard.
Posted by: | April 18, 2008 at 12:55 PM
As a teacher I feel better: this is my day to day, telling students how to behave. The big difference is the age of the people involved here. They have not excuses and that " Don't drink water", what are they, babies?
On the other hand, if they don't know how to filter internet,
I wonder if they are paying for technical support, due to the inability to cut off Internet filtering: if the do, as many deals in Florida public office, this one sucks!
Posted by: Martha | April 18, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Just one more example of Rubio's House wasting our time and money.
Posted by: | April 18, 2008 at 01:28 PM
1:08 - It wasn't Rubio, you idiot, it was Gelber.
Posted by: Disgusted Republican | April 18, 2008 at 01:44 PM
good for the House democrats!! so Rubio finds debate inconvenient? then get another job Marco! why should the House cram through without discussion more nonsense to the detriment of the people of Florida? Use the rules to demand debate.
Posted by: comeuppance | April 18, 2008 at 02:37 PM
good for the House democrats!! so Rubio finds debate inconvenient? then get another job Marco! why should the House cram through without discussion more nonsense to the detriment of the people of Florida? Use the rules to demand debate.
Posted by: comeuppance | April 18, 2008 at 02:37 PM