Considine disappointed in House Rules voting
St. Paul, Minn. – Following voting on Permanent Rules of the House of Representatives, Rep. Jack Considine, DFL-Mankato, released the following statement:
“In our voting concerning Rules for the House Thursday, my DFL colleagues offered several amendments that would bring more accountability and improve our governance practices; those amendments were voted down by the Republican majority.
One of the amendments would have regulated the use of a ‘mute’ button Speaker Daudt took it upon himself to have installed at his podium. The button gives the Speaker the ability to cut the microphone of a member speaking on the House floor. We were given no advance notice it had been installed until it was used to cut DFL microphones during debate on the last night of session last year. There are already procedures for controlling the floor that have been sufficient for all previous Speakers to manage debate. It is apparent that Speaker Daudt feels he is unable to carry out his duties in a similar manner and has instead resorted to this option.
Those of us on the floor can shout to make ourselves heard. But the viewing public – both in-person and online – rely on the sound system to hear proceedings. Circumventing it arbitrarily is a direct threat to legislative accountability.”
Rep. Jack Considine can be reached by phone at 651-296-3248 or by email at rep.jack.considine@house.mn.
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