Rhee’s “political contributions” in MO and the key votes for her anti teacher bill

[proud2BlibKansan]

Only one Missouri House member who received her “political contribution” voted against her bill.

A watered down HB 1526 eliminating the use of seniority in determining teacher layoffs passed by an 83-78 margin, one vote more than necessary, with (Mike) Talboy (Democrat - minority leader), who received a $1,000 contribution from Students First on March 27, and Penny Hubbard, D-St. Louis, who banked a $500 check the same day, voting on the winning side.

How the winning majority was obtained was described in a legislative report issued today by Missouri NEA:

The bill initially did not have the required constitutional majority of 82 votes, but the voting board was held open for nearly fifteen minutes while House Majority Floor Leader Tim Jones and other caucus leaders walked the floor, pressuring representatives to change their votes. Eventually, enough votes were changed to pass the bill by a vote of 83-76, one more than the required majority and the board was closed.

Tim Jones also received a $1,000 campaign contribution from Students First.

“Of course he did.

more . . . http://www.rheefirst.com/

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. In an email from a member of the House:

When the bill came up for a second vote on Thursday, the same disgusting procedure took place. I watched as some members that did not support the bill voted no, and almost ran out of the chamber so as not to have to endure the pressure. It was interesting to watch this play out. You could see the group supporting the bill surround individual members, when the voting board indicated that member had just voted no. If you wanted a few moments, after the supporting group surrounded the member, looked at the board again, you could see the individual member switch their vote to yes. Then the gang of supporter would move on to their next target, another member who dared to vote no.

Many members who stood up to the leadership came out of the chamber and said things like, “I guess that vote killed any chance of me being a committee chair,” or “they came to me six or seven different times asking me to switch my vote.” In the end, there were many members who stood up to the bullying tactics employed by the House Leadership, but not enough.

[DCKit]

2. Why do MO politicians hate children? nt

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. They hate teachers more

After all, they're putting students first.