Thank you Laura. In Tenn., there were initial efforts, besides unseating, to silence the legislators. I understand microphones were turned off and legislators were not recognized to speak. Comparable silencing of opposition is already happening with Senators no longer answering questions on floor debate. Fast track of bills, including approps bills missing $ numbers, also limits discussion. More nuanced, R leadership has turned off the voices of hundreds of thousands of Iowans with passage of questionable bills. R's have power to do this; but the net result is not even considering concerns of the opposition; thus, acting if dissenting R and D legislators are not present in the chamber.
Thank you for the deep dive, Laura. I always learn so much when I read one of your columns.
Thank you Laura. In Tenn., there were initial efforts, besides unseating, to silence the legislators. I understand microphones were turned off and legislators were not recognized to speak. Comparable silencing of opposition is already happening with Senators no longer answering questions on floor debate. Fast track of bills, including approps bills missing $ numbers, also limits discussion. More nuanced, R leadership has turned off the voices of hundreds of thousands of Iowans with passage of questionable bills. R's have power to do this; but the net result is not even considering concerns of the opposition; thus, acting if dissenting R and D legislators are not present in the chamber.