Texas House Speaker Rebellion Continues In Austin

(AP) AUSTIN Embattled House Speaker Tom Craddick clung unwavering to his leadership Sunday as he entered day three of a showdown with House rebels who want to kick him out of office.

The session ends Monday and if Craddick can maintain the post until then, he'll have won this round. But getting through Sunday could be tumultuous for the troubled House.

That's because they have to pass the $153 billion two-year state budget -- the only legislation they're legally required to pass. And anti-Craddick forces want to reject the budget when it comes up for a vote later Sunday, forcing 30-day special session to reconsider it.

"I believe we owe it to Texans to do that," said Rep. Jim Pitts, a Waxahachie Republican. "We're here to be conservative with the people's money."

Pitts, who has announced his candidacy to replace Craddick as speaker, says Craddick is using his power to insert pork in the budget to influence the speaker's race.

"This budget has grown our of control. It is full of wasteful and unnecessary spending," Pitts said.

The 150-member House elected Craddick to be their leader when the session started in January. But many have grown increasingly disenchanted with his win-at-all-costs approach to leading the chamber.

Tensions peaked Friday night when Craddick announced that he would not recognize anyone to make a parliamentary motion to vote him out of office 18 months before his third term expires. When Craddick cut off discussion, chaos broke out and sergeants-at-arms restrained insurgents trying to overtake the speaker's podium and the House parliamentarian resigned on the verge of tears.

Since then, proceedings have been a parliamentary battle of wills -- as long as Craddick didn't recognize opponents to kick him out of office, the 150-member chamber couldn't vote to do so.

That didn't stop opponents from trying again Sunday. Craddick listened to questions from the back microphone, but repeatedly cited the same House rule that he's been using since Friday to support his refusal to recognize lawmakers to make a parliamentary motion to oust him.

"I hope the speaker will reconsider his position on that," said Democratic Rep. Mark Strama, an Austin Democrat. It "undermines the fundamental principles of government in this country."

Craddick's supporters pleaded for an end to the gamesmanship, reminding House members that time was running out for them to finish passing legislation.

"Is there any way we can get on with doing the people's business as opposed to some people's personal agendas?" asked Rep. Bill Zedler, an Arlington Republican.

"That's up to the members Mr. Zedler," Craddick replied.



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