Post # 356, Bob McKnight's Florida Commentary
Knowledge of the chamber's Rules renders every member powerful...if they will study them.
Watching the U.S. Congress operate today prompts a thought back to The Golden Age of the Florida Legislature, the '70s and '80s. In both cases, the two political parties fought with strategic voting--not on the issue, but simply positioning. As a student of the lawmaking process, I tried to study how to navigate my interests in representing my constituents. All too often I saw members voting in self-interest rather than their district's interest. I remember seeing one member vote for an issue, and then ask the Clerk to record him voting for it, "spreading on the pages of the Journal" an explanation for his yes vote. He later told me, he owed a favor to vote for the issue, but now had a public record saying he voted no with an explanation. That actually happened.
How does a member survive in that shark-infested environment? As the distinguished Rules Chairman in the Senate, Dempsey Barron often said, "It's the Rules, Stupid." He counseled new members to say little or nothing and just study the Rules of the Chamber. He further advised that in addition to himself, the most knowledgeable source on the Rules was the venerable Clerk of the House, Dr. Allen Morris. I often sought the counsel of both.
One strength of using the Rules to your advantage is that they serve as precedents, as in court rulings. If you are able to find a ruling in the Rules favoring your position, it is a good strategy to cite it with a point of order. Your point must be germane to the debate at hand, but it will go a long way to evening the discussion on the floor. I recall using this tactic once as a freshman on a water management issue, and it won me a floor vote often the objection of the Rules Chairman himself. Again, study the Rules to level the playing field.
Another benefit of using the Rules is that any exception to them can be subject to a point of order from any member. The Point would then be referred to the Rules Chairman to rule on the point being germane. Since all rulings from the Chairman are public records, few outlandish rulings occur. This is a solution for any member, regardless of his or her standing or power. But it takes time, effort, and an in-depth knowledge of the rules.
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Announcing an enhancement to my Commentary.
Starting with the first post in September and
every month thereafter, I will release a bonus of Quorum Call
featuring a legislator from the Golden Years of the Florida Legislature.
Be at liberty to send nominations to
bob@flpoliticalcommentary.com.
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