Jack Fowler of Milford, the publisher of the National Review, is urging Republicans in the state Senate to stall next week’s expected budget vote by preparing a boatload of amendments (minimum of 200), demanding a roll call vote on each, and, for good measure, refusing to waive the reading. That means requiring the clerk to read aloud each amendment before it is debated.
At the Capitol, this is akin to taking hostages. Refusing to waive the reading violates the unwritten rules and customs in Hartford. One reason it is not employed by the minority, it likely would provoke an effort by the majority to limit debate, another step allowed by the rules, but forbidden by custom. Both things nearly happened last year at 3 a.m. in the House until each side backed off.
Jack is OK with that.
“Legislators must not quibble or quiver over their right to use these methods. Those who can avail themselves to employing these tactics – and don’t – will be operating as if in opposition to the needs and interests of Connecticut taxpayers,” Fowler writes in today’s issue of the Review.
“You must … engage. You must … buy time. You must … slow this thing down. You must … make those senators who support this outrageous threat to Connecticut squirm.”
The headline on the column is “No RINOs Need Apply in Connecticut.”