Legislative Update

We will start walking and talking on HB 706, the Equal Access Bill. It is time to write letters to your Representatives asking them to check out the Bill and please support it.
We also have a number on our helmet modification Bill. It is HB 727 by Rep. Chuck Hopson. No letters are needed on it right now but if you get the chance to stop by your Rep's local office talk to them about both Bills.
IT IS TIME TO ROCK!!!

I had to go for an appointment with the sleep disorder clinic and they told me I have Central Apnea. I will go back in March and stay at least overnight to allow time to determine the best treatment. I attended the Funeral for one of the Mystical Riders, daughter in Brazoria on Saturday and then came back to the office from there. Dee and Jeniffer had sent Emails to all the Representatives asking that they pull up HB 706, the Equal Access Bill and that we would be by to talk to them concerning the Bill starting Monday morning.

We went to the Central Texas COC Meeting Sunday, where we explained our proposed budget for 2007 and that we only needed 3000 members out of the nearly 400,000 registered motorcycles in the state to be able to meet that budget for the year. We signed up 12 new members and the Boozefighters Chapter 50 joined as a Supporter member. We told them that on Legislative Day the Patriot Riders M/C signed up all 20 of their members. The Veterans of Vietnam M/C from Shreveport, La, signed on as Supporter members. We have gotten 56 members during the past week.

When they learned we were trying to get a Laptop Computer they all began murmuring that Sputnik should have one. Once again the Austin COC came through for us in our time of need. They tossed nearly $500 on the pool table and the owners of Cindy’s Gone Hog Wild said get the one we need and they will pay the difference. Then a member of the Boozefighters Chapter 50 called me over and asked for our address. He said he had bought a Laptop that he doesn’t use very often and he will mail it to us for free.

As the meeting was breaking up several of them came by, shook my hand and said "Don’t worry Sputnik, we’ll get those 3000 members for you. Thanks Austin, you guys and gals are true Bros and sisters. That’s what being a Biker is all about.
I have to run back to my Lung Doctor on Tuesday but will be back in the capitol on Wednesday.

Sputnik

You can read HR 88 honoring the bikers on Legislative Day 2007 by going to WWW.capitol.state.tx.us and click on it.
Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make this event successful.
Sputnik

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/html/HR00088F.htm

Hello,It was a HUGE Success!!! If you were there, I'm sure you'll never forget it. We were recognized from the floor in a Resolution by Representative Norma "Da Lady" Chavez, in her Leather, along with (after an Ammendment) Sponsorship by the ENTIRE House!!! Senate District 22 was well represented too. ALL of the SD 22 Chapters were had Warriors present, both at the Sunday meeting, and Monday at the Capitol. Sputnik personally assigned Smiley (Asst Coordinator - Lake Granbury Liberty Riders) to guide people to their Representative and Senator's offices. When he made the assignment, she said, "...but I don't have a Yellow Ribbon...". To which Sputnik replyed, "...You don't need a ribbon; You're Smiley!...". Her and Momma (thank you Momma) walked up and down the Halls of the State Capitol, and into the offices, introducing people to their employees ALL day. She had an emergency at home, but she held off until she helped fill the gallery with every available biker we could find. We packed that place and made it ROAR!!! Several Standing ovations from the floor, and many fine statements. We'll have to hold them to those gracious words, and work WITH them to produce legislation that we need.

Rep Da Lady had a big cake (with Harley's on it) and personally invited several of the SD 22 Warriors to follow her to her office for some, and we did! My daughter still has blue fingers from the part of the icing, and we all had blue teeth and lips for awhile, but it was gooooood! I'll upload pics to the Legislative Day website asap. Special thanks to Sandy Duckett for helping my daughter Laena watch me. ;-) Representative Terri Hodge had some questions for Laena too, but she evaded them. :-D

Nobody from East Texas called today and said he's been swamped with calls about Legislative Day. They got TV coverage today, and said it all looked good. I didn't notice anything here, but if anyone did, let me know.

For everyone whether you made it or not, we'll need to be able to go back during Committee Hearings on our Bills that are making their way thru the system. Also, the Texas ABATE Confederation has their "Breakfast with the Bikers" coming up, and that's another good time to go en masse to the Capitol to visit your employees (Senators and Representatives).

Ride Safe and Free (while U steelcan)

Greg Bodovsky
Senate District 22 Advisor
Texas Motorcycle Rights Association
www.tmra2.org
LET THOSE WHO RIDE DECIDE

--
First they came for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me,
and by that time there was no one
left to speak up for me.
Rev. Martin Niemoller, 1945

Legislative Day was not as good as it should have been on Monday. Many of those who did show up didn't stay long enough to hear the Resolution read on the House Floor by Rep. Norma Da'Lady Chavez praising bikers as the defenders of the constitution and the right of the people to be heard.
Reps. Chuck Hopson and Borris Miles were Co-Authors.

We walked and talked from shortly after 7:00am until after 4:00pm telling the new legislators they were welcome to our House, only as long as they served the people and not the corporations. Our government has been for sale long enough. We told them that when being re-elected became their top priority we would have to take them out of our House and find someone to replace them. MOst of them appeared to take us seriously. We have two more members in the House. Rep. Terri Hodge and Rep. Borris Miles.

Dee, Robert of ABATE and I met with Senator Armbrister who is now a Legislative assistant to the governor. Equal Access and the Helmet Bill were the Bills we were most concerned with how the governor would treat them. SEnator Armbrister carried both these Bills for us when he was a Senator so he was quite familiar with their history. He said he would speak with the governor on our behalf.

Da'Lady, Mando and I met with Speaker Craddick concerning our Transportation Bills. After explaining the Bills we also pointed out that we could not get fair treatment from Chairman Krusee. He said that is no way to run an office and I will speak with Mr. Krusee. After a long day we finally got back to the hotel and saw bikers on all the news channels on the TV. It was very good coverage.

We watched "The Trailer Park Show" on channel 17 and Pokey gave us very good exposure during his show. He also praised our TV show as being the best show on TV. Tuesday Dee, Jenifer, Jerry and I went back and made the rounds again. I stopped in and spoke to Jim Pitts for a short time, just long enough to make an appointment with him for Monday morning. He asked if we were running the helmet Bill again to remove the insurance clause and I told him yes. He said I should talk to Senator Wentworth about it. I told him we had tried to talk to him about it but he wouldn't talk to us.

Jim said he talked to me and he said he hopes you do try to take that amendment off because then he will raise the amendment to $100,000 insurance. Guess we know where we stand on that. We spent a good deal of time discussing our options and decided "dam the torpedos, full speed ahead." If we can't get enough support to stop Wentworth then let' pay the price and put them back on.

Did get some good news though. The Equal Access Bill by Rep. Senfronia Thompson is HB 706. Pass the word around to all the riders it is time to start writing those letters. Ask that they pull up HB 706 and have the Representative look at it and read the position paper on it. Ask that they respond to you whether or not they will support the Bill. Then get in touch with the office and let us know where they stand on the Bill.

Pass it on.
Sputnik
--

EVERYTHING is looking good for the Best Legislative Day YET!!!The only problem is with the free camping. This tells it:

The J. Lorraine Ghost Town in Manor that we had reserved for camping thisweekend is under water and will not be, I say again, will not be availablefor anything.
Casey
True Few M/C

I wasn't camping anyways, I don't know about you, but I hope not. If so, let me know and we'll look for something for you. I do know that there haven't been ANY cancellations at the Austin Suites or the Red Roof Inn next door.

The weather forecast is good for Sunday, with a chance of rain then. The TMRA2 Temporary office should be open sometime after Noon, so check in there for all the latest. The meeting Sunday at the hotel is 5pm. I heard Dana was bringing heaters, so we're ready. Everyone is encouraged to come to the meeting, to find out what to expect on Monday at the Capitol, and get other information, including a couple of Guest Speakers. Lanore Dixon will give us information on a current Texas Law that gives Hospitals the OK to pull the plug, despite you or your family's wishes, for whatever reason they want. Learn more about this law and what you can do to protect families in Texas from involunary euthanasia at: http://texaspatientrights.org. Also Barry Cooper, a former LEO, who has come out AGAINST the prohibition of marijuana, will speak, answer questions, and hopefully have some of his new DVD's to sell. You might have seen Barry on TV lately, and for more information, check out his website at: http://nevergetbusted.com/.

Our Employees (i.e. Representatives and Senators) should all be in their offices, ready for us, until the House starts it's session at 2pm, at which time we want the House Gallery PACKED!!! The ride from Beverly's at 9:30am should be a good one, but if you ain't doing that, we'll have people at the Capitol when the Capitol Cafeteria (i.e. Sputnik's Office) opens at 7am. Be there then, and I'll buy you a cup of coffee!

There WILL be news coverage, so let's all be there and let them know, that WE are Standing Up and Showing Up, to Fight for OUR Rights!!! Please be there as early as you can, and STAY as long as you can. It makes a HUGE difference!!!

Ride Safe and Free (while U steelcan)

Greg Bodovsky
Senate District 22 Advisor
Texas Motorcycle Rights Associationwww.tmra2.org
LET THOSE WHO RIDE DECIDE

--
First they came for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me,
and by that time there was no one
left to speak up for me.
Rev. Martin Niemoller, 1945

For all you Warriors in Hill and Ellis County (and anyone else), I have a meeting setup with Rep. Pitts Office for 2:30pm. Hoping for a photo op for the local papers. The aide that will be free to help us is Jason Nelson.

We want the Gallery packed at 10am, and bikers lined out the door!!! The ride in from Beverly's, has been moved UP to 9:30am-Kickstands up, to make sure everyone can be in the Capitol and in the House Gallery by 10am.
(Note here is that the House Gallery meeting is now at 2pm not 10am as originally reported.)

Looking forward to seeing everyone there. Remember, this only happens once every 2 years, and makes a BIG difference in the session that is just getting started.

Ride Safe and Free (while U steelcan)
-Greg Bodovsky, Senate District 22 Advisor, Texas Motorcycle Rights Association

-----------------------------------------------
Info provided by Suds & bttrfly Newsletter
websitehttp://sudsandbutterfly.homestead.com/
Newsletter signuphttp://sudsandbutterfly.homestead.com/NewsletterSignUp.html

Updates have been coming by very fast. You have to sometimes go down the list in this blogger to keep up.
Here are two places you can go to and get only the updates on legislative day.

http://legislativeday.tmra2.org/

http://sudsandbutterfly.homestead.com/BikersInTheCapitol2007.html

Special thanks to Suds and Butterfly for their part on trying to keep everything straight for us.

this just in:

The J. Lorraine Ghost Town in Manor that we had reserved for camping this weekend is under water and will not be, I say again, will not be available for anything.

Casey
True Few M/C
--------------------------------------------------------------
Info provided by Suds & bttrfly Newsletter
websitehttp://sudsandbutterfly.homestead.com/
Newsletter signuphttp://sudsandbutterfly.homestead.com/NewsletterSignUp.html

Go to this address and learn who your Senator and Representative are. It will make it easier to get you where you need to be on Monday.

Thanks,
Sputnik

http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/

--

I have attached the talking points for three Bills to give you an opportunity to get familiar with them.

SAFETY IS #1 ISSUE THIS WEEKEND. This Legislative Day is very important but so is your safety. We each know our capabilities on a bike or in a cage. We each must determine whether we can safely make the trip.

Look forward to seeing those of you who make it. We will set up at the hotel around noon.
Sputnik

http://www.tmra2.org/images/equalaccess.doc

http://www.tmra2.org/images/failuretoyield.doc

http://www.tmra2.org/images/helmetbill.doc

I found our vehicle for the Insurance problem.
HB 634 by Rep Craig Eiland has the following article of coverage in it.
He is from Galveston and a very good friend. He was my Rep. for six years prior to redistricting and we still work very well together. I will speak to him and if this Bill goes anywhere get him to add us on it in an Amendment.

A health benefit plan may not exclude coverage for any emergency or other medical, hospital, or surgical expenses incurred by an insured as a result of and related to an injury acquired while the insured is intoxicated or under the influence of any narcotic, regardless of whether the intoxicant or narcotic is administered on the advice of a health care practitioner.

THe POker Run BIll is HB 653 by REp. Da'Lady CHavez.

You know Dee and I have an appointment with the governor's Legislative Aide, Ken Armbrister at 3:00pm Legislative Day. Jus learned Da'Lady and I now have a meeting with Speaker Craddick at 1:00pm on Legislative Day.
Dee has a meeting with Senator Wentworth at 1:30pm.

Due to the inclement weather they have taken off until 2:00pm Monday.
That is when we will be recognized on the Floor of the House. We want 500 bikers in the Gallery at that time. We will have three cameras filming the whole proces and they are really excited.
This looks to be gearing up to be a session to remember. Please make every effort to attend. Da'Lady has sent a press release to all media sources in Texas about Legislative Day.

Sputnik
TMRA 2 State Chairman

The Senate Amendment 20 has struck down the section 220 of S.1 in the Senate.

20. S.AMDT.20 to S.1 To strike a provision relating to paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying. Sponsor: Sen Bennett, Robert F. [UT] (introduced 1/10/2007) Cosponsors (13) Latest Major Action: 1/18/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 20 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 55 - 43. Record Vote Number: 17.

You can see who voted for or against this amendment. Both Texas Senators voted for the amendment which keeps grassroots organizations going.

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00017

Be sure to thank our senators and make sure you let them know how much you support this amendment. We need to make sure this amendment stays in until its passed out of the House.

URGENT
This is a very important read. Read it, save it, act on it.
Sputnik

http://www.lewrockwell.com/north/north504.html

If you have received a ticket as the result of a helmet stop this past year, including a warning ticket, please bring it with you or send it to Legislative Day. Turn it in at the temporary office set up at the hotel.
Thanks,
Sputnik

Subject: Sunday's DFW Meeting Update
The DFW Meeting this Sunday at Hoots in Rendon, Tx IS
**** CANCELED ****
The weather is BAD for bikes.
And BAD for Cages too!
Legislative Day is next MONDAY, and it is important that everyone that can attend to do so.
Please be SAFE this Week-End.
Texas COC DFW Region
Chairman Bandido Scott
Vice-Chair ROCA BIG KID

Texas Confederation Of Clubs
texascoc@coctexas.org
www.coctexas.org

UPDATE 1/11/07
You are all aware that Jim Pitts conceded the Speaker’s race to Craddick at the last minute on Tuesday. It is understandable that he did this to protect those who had agreed to vote for him from Craddick’s wrath after realizing the extent of the Democrats wrath. They did so seeking to either keep or get premium committee assignments from the Speaker. Jim did the honorable thing.
We once again have Bills introduced for the Recorded Votes. Now if that doesn’t pass this time then those who voted for the recorded vote in the Speaker’s vote will be branded as hypocrites. Something good may still come of this.
Dee and I arrived back at the capitol early Wednesday morning to find that the House was taking the day off to attend a past Speaker’s funeral that day so I told her to call Jennifer and let her know there was no need to come down that day. Figured we would just spend a little time and head for Houston where we would meet with the Southern Cruisers and explain to them what TMRA 2 was about. WE made a 2:00pm appointment with Senator Seliger and went to the cafeteria.
There were three Reps sitting a couple of tables over and Rep. Chism called me over to their table. He introduced me to the Freshman Rep. Darby who wanted to let us know there would be a Bill introduced saying no passengers younger than 16 could ride on a motorcycle and how would we feel about that. It is from the same divorced couple that the ex-wife got the Bill introduced last time and I gave him the whole run down. Without dragging it out here(I’ll save that for if he introduces it)I let him know we are more concerned with our kids safety than he is. We’ll watch for this one.
By a quirk of fate we were walking down the hall and met the class of new Interns for the upcoming session on their way to class. After a somewhat embarrassing introduction we were asked to come to the class and speak to them after it was finished to give the real low down on their new undertaking. They appeared to enjoy what I had to say more than the class and I was asked to teach the class next session.
We then started just hitting the offices and telling them about Legislative Day. We walked into the office of Freshman Rep Boris Miles who we hadn’t gotten up with yet. The ladies greeted us and then a man came rushing out of the back office and in a very loud and friendly voice shouted Sputnik, as he offered his hand. I know who you are man you are famous. I introduced Dee and he said I am State Rep. Boris Miles and I am a Biker. It got even better from there. He said he would bring his bike to the capitol on Legislative Day and wanted to know how he could become a "LAWMAKER". I explained how he had to earn that patch and he replied "I’ll be there Sputnik."
Senator Seliger and Reps Miles and Hopson have said they will ride their bikes to work that day. I would imagine that Da’Lady will do the same.
I want to publicly apologize to Jennifer for having Dee call her and say not to come down. This was an unusually exciting day for so early in the session. I will never ask that any one, especially Task Force members skip a day at the capitol again. Most days will be hard drudgery of walk and talk without stop for the first 2 ½ months but you never can tell. You have my sincere apologies Jennifer.
We attended the meeting in Houston and though it was a very large crowd it was hard to say how it went. We signed up two members and others said they would join but several of them didn’t even vote in the last election.
We can hope that they will come to Legislative Day. Despite continued requests to Houston riders and letting them know their participation is more important than most since they have 8 Senate Districts and 25 State Rep Districts we have received very little commitment from them. One can only hope that they get the message and make the ride on that very important weekend.
I’m taking a quick break at the house as the cedar pollen in Austin has really been hitting me hard. I am fixing to switch over and read the new Bill postings now so believe me it won’t be all play while I’m here. Just a different atmosphere and a different computer for a couple of days.
Sputnik

We met with Rep. Chuck Hopson today. He is going to introduce our helmet Bill and he has taken his name off of Tom Craddick's list for Speaker.

Also spent a good deal of time with Rep Senfronia Thompson. She gave her Legislative officer our Equal Access Bill and told him to drop it for us.

We also gave the Failure To Yeild Bill to Rep. Pat Rose but still haven't gotten him to change his mind about Craddick for Speaker.

Stopped by Rep Norma Chavez's office and they said the Poker Run Bill would be ready next week but I'm not sure we can count on her any more. We will probably look real hard at the Bill to legalize gambling. Rep. Kuemple told us he would support that Bill this time.

We had asked Rep Deshotel to carry the Signal Light adjustment Bill but that probably will not get any where so we will be looking fior another author for that one.

We also spent some time with Rep. Fred Hill and he said he would be giving his Bill requireing riders to wear a pink Flouresent vest to ride a motorcycle to a Freshman to file this session.

Tomorrow the entire Legislative Task Force will be in the capitol and we will watch the Floor fight for House Speaker and they will see the really dirty side of politics to start with.

Sputnik
State Chair

To whom it may concern;

This is to inform you that TMRA 2 has no connection to the Biker's Handbook put out by Bone Productions. We have made no contracts with advertisers and have received no money from the sale of Ads or from the sale of the Handbooks. We apologize to anyone who thought otherwise.
We have asked that our name be removed from the website advertising this book and not be used in any way to promote this book.

Respectfully'

Sputnik
State Chair
Texas Motorcycle Rights Association

This needs to be done before 10am Tuesday January 9th, 2007...

We need all bikers to stop what they are doing today and make at least one phone call to the representatives listed below and tell them to please support Jim Pitts for Speaker of the House. Jim has had a long history of supporting the bikers and introduced our helmet bill in 1997. We need him as speaker of the house.

Rep Patrick Rose 512-463-0647
Eddie Lucio 512-463-0606
Norma Chavez 512-463-0622
Joe Dehotel 512-463-0662
Kino Flores 512-463-0704

The Hillsboro Reporter Thursday, January 4, 2007
Election Complaint Under Investigation
by Art Mann
http://www.hillsbororeporter.com/default.asp?smenu=54&sdetail=7109&wpage=1&sc=10 12&hn=hillsbororeporter&he=.com

Affidavits alleging criminal conduct in Hill County’s November general election has apparently initiated an investigation.

In records obtained through the district clerk’s office, identical affidavits signed by G.W. Bodovsky and Henry Duckett were filed with District Attorney Dan V. Dent’s office last month.

Both the district attorney and District Judge F.B. (Bob) McGregor Jr. recused themselves in the case.

Dent cited the fact that he was a Democratic multi-term office-holder and felt that the attorney to review the complaint should not be a public officeholder with a party affiliation as his reasons for seeking recusal.

Although he was unopposed, Judge McGregor’s name appeared on the ballot, which could present a conflict.

Senior District Judge James F. Clawson Jr. of Temple was appointed to preside over any legal proceedings that might stem from an investigation, and Kerri Donica of Corsicana has been named district attorney pro tem to investigate the affidavits’ allegations.

Vote fraud and voter disenfranchisement are alleged, “perpetuated by, but not limited to, Elections Systems and Software (ES&S) in their use of secret, uncertified software code” on the electronic-voting machines purchased from the company and used by the county during the election.

It alleges that every 10th vote cast on a machine for a Democratic candidate was flipped to the Republican candidate in that race by the software.

Bodovsky said Tuesday afternoon, January 2, that the allegation was based on a pattern he detected while monitoring the recount in the county judge, treasurer and two commissioner races.

The affidavit alleges that if the 10-vote flip is proven true, Republican candidates could have gained a 20-percent advantage on machine-cast votes.

Bodovsky said that review of election returns showed the Democrats winning most precincts where paper ballots were concerned, but the trend was reversed on the machine ballots.

The affidavit also questions the lack of paper ballots ordered by elections administration officials, which forced some voters to cast ballots on the machines.

It alleges that some precincts were running out of paper ballots as early as 9 a.m. on election day.

While the affidavit admits it’s not a crime to fail to order enough paper ballots, “it was the intent of ES&S to have as many voters as possible use the machines to perpetuate their vote flipping with the maximum results being attained.”

The final section of the affidavit alleges logs from the computer running the Unity System Elections Reporting Manager, which were obtained under the Texas Open Records Act, were illegally altered.

Ms. Donica was reportedly scheduled to be in the county this week to begin looking into the allegations.

In the mean time, declared winners in the November election were sworn into office Tuesday morning.

FAIR USE NOTICE
This article contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I am making such material available in my efforts to advance understanding of democracy, economic, environmental, human rights, political, scientific, and social justice issues, among others. I believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in this article is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes.

--
First they came for the Communists,
and I didnt speak up,
because I wasnt a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didnt speak up,
because I wasnt a Jew.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didnt speak up,
because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me,
and by that time there was no one
left to speak up for me.
Rev. Martin Niemoller, 1945

Here's Reps McCall & Pitts press conference today.
Pitts says he's the next Speaker of the Texas House.
He could NOT be worse than Craddick!
http://www.house.state.tx.us/media/press.htm

--
First they came for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me,
and by that time there was no one
left to speak up for me.
Rev. Martin Niemoller, 1945

hdrider

NOTE CHANGE OF TIME:
Meet at the Austin Suites Hotel at 5:00pm Sunday, Jan. 21st. We will discuss issues, tell everyone what to expect at the capitol next morning and where to park in reserved spaces. We will also auction a few items to help defer expenses incurred for the event.

The Bills we will introduce are :
Bill to clean up the helmet law.
Equal Access to places of public accommodations
Failure to yield Right of Way and;
Calibrate signal lights to recognize motorcycles

Issue to be opposed:
Trans – Texas – Corridor

TMRA 2 will have a temporary office on site at the hotel. We can sign up members, sell membership shirts to anyone who needs one and answer any questions any one may have.

Anyone who has not yet got their room can call Red Roof Inn at 512-491-7272.
Prices for two full size beds $49.95 + tax or one king size bed $53.95 + tax.

Look forward to seeing you all there.
Sputnik

Long Read but gives you real idea of behind the scenes that I deal with every day at the capitol.
Sput
Peggy Fikac and Lisa Sandberg
Express-News Austin Bureau
AUSTIN — In the high-stakes race for the House speakership, where losers and their supporters often pay the price in lost power and perks, two challengers and incumbent Tom Craddick counted votes and plotted strategy well into the holiday weekend.
Republican Craddick and one challenger, Rep. Brian McCall of Plano, also a Republican, both said they have enough support to win a post that carries statewide influence although it's not on a statewide ballot. The other challenger, Republican Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, said he's "getting there." But the two challengers declined to identify any colleagues on their pledge lists for fear of retribution if their challenge falls short.
As McCall voiced confidence Saturday that he has enough pledges to topple Craddick, the incumbent marshaled supporters behind closed doors at the Capitol.
Several Craddick backers emerged from a meeting with the Midland Republican with a challenge for would-be speakers to release their supporters' names. The challengers so far have refused to do so in part because they don't want to put their backers in jeopardy with Craddick by releasing names prematurely.
The Craddick contingent sounded the common theme that there is a question of honor at stake in secretly pledging to support more than one candidate, which both challengers say is happening.
"Your word is important in this body," said Rep. Frank Corte, R-San Antonio. "I think it's important for the people of Texas to realize that we do have honor in the Texas House."
Rep. Norma Chavez, D-El Paso, said, "Veteran members know how important giving our word is in this process."
Pitts dismissed the idea that it's a matter of honor: "This is just politics and part of running for speaker."
Supporters of Pitts and Craddick expressed doubt that McCall has a solid list. Pitts said he believes there are lawmakers pledging support to all three contenders. McCall said his supporters include some on a list earlier released by Craddick.
Craddick most recently showed 84 supporters, more than enough to assure his re-election in the 150-member House, where there is currently one vacancy. But his list included Pitts, demonstrating the fluidity of pledges.
Pitts said Saturday that he is "getting there" on obtaining enough votes to win.
Lawmakers who met with Craddick in a room off the House chamber — voices, laughter and occasional applause could be heard by tourists and others wandering by — are calling those on his list to ensure they're sticking with the incumbent, said Rep. Warren Chisum, R-Pampa, who estimated there were 30 or more people at the meeting.
Chisum, Corte, Chavez and Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, called on the challengers to show their list of backers.
McCall voiced concern about the prospect of "bullying and strong-arm tactics" and said he is trying to attract more supporters, not release an exclusive list.
Corte said, "There's no fear and intimidation here." He and King said lawmakers who have changed their minds about supporting Craddick should level with him.
But history shows the importance of avoiding landing in the losers' camp when it comes to the speaker's race.
If you've ever wondered about the fate of politicians who run for speaker and lose, you might give Jim Rudd a call.
In 1992, Rudd ran for the top job against then-Rep. Pete Laney — and failed to lock in enough of his colleagues' votes. That pretty much ended Rudd's career as a public servant.
Rudd was stripped by the victor of his chairmanship over the powerful Appropriations Committee and was packed off to a committee whose name he can barely recall. His lieutenants were demoted. Rudd served out the remainder of his term — and called it quits.
"It was up or out. There was no reason to stay. I was finished," Rudd, now a lobbyist in Austin, said last week.
Support the losing candidate, or worse, be the losing candidate, he added, and "you're punished. You're put in the doghouse."
Such high stakes make the race for speaker a nasty, victor-takes-all battle of behind-the-scenes maneuvering and loyalties as solid as the numbers on a stadium scoreboard.
Republican strategist Royal Masset likened the battle for speaker to a divorce filing. "You may stay married," he said, "but it ain't the same afterward."
Craddick, according to one of his strategists, Bill Miller, was "deeply disappointed" by the entry into the race by Pitts, a one-time loyalist he named two years ago to his leadership team.
Craddick, known for his autocratic style, has only himself to blame for his predicament, opponents said.
Pitts said he experienced firsthand Craddick's penchant for retribution.
He found himself on the outs with Craddick last year when he defied him and voted for the failed Hochberg Amendment, a Democratic proposal that would have cut the school property tax rate less than what Craddick wanted but sought to use some new state tax money to give teachers a bigger pay raise and shift more tax relief to lower- and middle-class homeowners.
"We had a very heated discussion about it," Pitts said.
After that, Pitts saw his personal travel allowance slashed by $6,000 — a move he sees as retaliation for his vote.
When he has state business in Austin, Pitts continues to charge to the Appropriations Committee his round-trip airfare between Dallas and Austin.
In recent months, he said, his relationship with Craddick has deteriorated to such a degree that had he not thrown his hat into the ring, it is quite possible that Craddick, if he prevails, would strip him of his Appropriations chairmanship.
"People have no clue the things that I had to go through in the last six months," Pitts said. Although clearly bitter, he refused to discuss specifics.
Craddick, through a spokeswoman, said he didn't think the two had a deteriorating relationship.
Regarding Pitts' travel allowance, the spokeswoman, Alexis DeLee, said Pitts submitted spending requests higher than any other chairman.
Craddick's punitive, authoritarian style — or the perception of it — is clearly something that has his camp worried.
"He wants happy members," Miller said. "He's listening."
If Craddick had to put out a softer image, his opponents had troubles of their own.
Pitts, who entered the race Thursday, six days after McCall, had to convince critics there was still time to lock in votes. McCall had to convince Republicans he wouldn't be beholden to Democrats, even though the vast majority of his backers were members of that party.
With each side claiming a majority of votes, predicting a winner becomes virtually impossible in a race where the parts don't equal a whole.
"The big problem is everyone lies about their support," strategist Masset said. "Legislators lie about who they pledge to, and the speaker candidates lie about the legislators who support them."
For all the friendships forged in politics, the race for speaker is marked by flimsy alliances.
If you don't believe that, talk to Chisum. He swore this week that he was firmly in Craddick's camp. He had even signed his pledge card.
"I'm pretty much a man of my word," Chisum said.
Pretty much.
"I'm not in the market of looking elsewhere," he continued, "unless I believed Craddick didn't have the numbers."
Pausing for a moment, he added, "I don't want to be on the losing side.
Unless somebody proves to me his list isn't any good, I'm sticking with Craddick."