Senator Judith G. Freedman (R 26) today called on the General Assembly’s Legislative Management Committee to address the erosion of the legislative committee process which led to partisan arguments over the rules governing the debate of legislation recently acted upon by the legislature’s two budget-writing committees.

“This is a huge problem. I appreciate that the Democrats have the majority, but we still have to debate and vote on proposed legislation according to agreed-upon rules. The rules say one thing one day, and something else the next day, depending on what the majority wants to see happen. These are bullying tactics, and if we do not do something soon to correct this situation, the public will become increasingly aware of this sorry situation and lose trust in the fairness of the legislative process. This is in no one’s best interest, Democrat or Republican,” said Senator Freedman.

Senator Freedman was referring to recent meetings of the legislature’s Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee and of the Appropriations Committee (she is a member of the Appropriations Committee), both of which adopted state budget bills now subject to further consideration.

“Controversial provisions, some of which were rejected during the committee process and others not even considered by other legislative committees, miraculously showed up for a vote. Republican amendments were deemed out of order according to rules that changed day-to-day, according to whatever suited the majority’s wishes. In essence, all debate was stymied. This was a horrible abuse of power,” said Senator Freedman, noting that an example of this abuse is a nursing home bill that would give more money only to unionized nursing homes.

Senator Freedman said she believes the Legislative Management Committee, of which she is a member, is the correct forum in which to address this issue. However, the Democrat leadership of this committee declined to take up an issue not on the day’s agenda, though promising that the issue would be addressed.

“I am going to take leadership at its word that this issue will be addressed. Of course, I plan to keep bringing it up until it is. We need clear rules governing the legislative committee process, rules that everyone understands and follows  - regardless of which political party has the most votes,” said Senator Freedman.