I was hoping against hope that the legislative quorum here was not actually specified in the Constitution but was set by the Rules of each House. Damn it.
Article 4, Section 11. Two-thirds of each House shall constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may meet, adjourn from day to day, and compel the attendance of absent members. A quorum being in attendance, if either House fail to effect an organization within the first five days thereafter, the members of the House so failing, shall be entitled to no compensation, from the end of the said five days until an organization shall have been effected.
Whyinhell did we do this to ourselves? Even the idiot Congress is only a simple majority.
Clearly we need a Constitutional amendment to lower quorum to a simple majority. Either that or Mitch needs to go lock the doors of the Statehouse like Oliver P. Morton (PBUH) did, and run the state by executive fiat until the Democrats come to their senses.
Yeah, I know. Silly me. Democrats coming to their senses. What was I thinking?
Unfortunately the Dems came, organized, stayed five days or more before they left. They have received their entire pay for the Legislative session. We are paying them to sit in a crappy motel in Illinois.
When the Dems return we will need a special session to do the People's work, and they will get suppllimental pay for that. The Democrats are just a bunch of thieves.
2012 can't get here soon enough.
Actually, we need an amendment that declares his office vacant when a legislator is AWOL for more than x consecutive days.
Works.