Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Perkins' parole nomination scuttled!

What a shocking outcome: On Sen. Whitmire's motion, with Sen. John Carona's vocal, bipartisan support, the Senate rejected Shanda Perkins' nomination to the parole board on a 27-4 vote, calling her unqualified. Whitmire said he respected Perkins but she should not be on the parole board, which literally considers matters of life and death. Texas has increased pay for the full-time slot, he said, to $95,000 per year to attract the most qualified candidates possible and she didn't fit the bill. He suggested the Governor appoint Perkins to a different slot, possibly a university regent. Watch the debate here beginning at the 2:42:30 mark; here's initial AP coverage.

Senators Whitmire, Carona, and Shapleigh deserve huge credit for speaking out to oppose this nomination. I've never seen a vote quite like that!

MORE: From the Austin Statesman, where Mike Ward reports that "The four votes to confirm the nomination were Sens. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls; Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay; Mike Jackson, R-La Porte, chairman of the Nominations Committee, and Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound." Several senators who voted for Perkins in the Nominations Committee actually changed their votes. AND MORE: The Fort Worth Star-Telegram says, "It was the first time in decades that a gubernatorial appointee has been rejected on the Senate floor."

21 comments:

Jarrod said...

I am speechless. Kudos to Senator John Whitmire and the Texas Senate. I didn't think they had it in them.

Anonymous said...

"The dildos led to her defeat".

Michael said...

OMFG. That's the second wacko to go down since Saturday.

Anonymous said...

Yipee!!!!!!!!!!!

x4livin said...

A surprise...kudos Senator Whitmire...can we make this guy Governor yet??

Jacob In Houston said...

I like John Whitmire when he is mad and somewhat indignant over nonsense in Texas. I loved his grilling of Brad Livingston and especially his telling it exactly like it is in today's case of dildo queen.

Whitmire needs to continue to show leadership and really needs to consider a run for Governor.

doran said...

University Regent!!!??? Is he kidding? How about the beautician's regulatory agency?

But still, Whitmire showed some backbone. Good for him.

Diamondback said...

From her pictures, she doesn't appear qualified for the beauticians board either. ROFLMAO

Rick Perry is probably livid right now. Governor Good Ole Boy got slapped right in the face over this one. About time!

Dildo Lover said...

They had better keep an eye on her. She had the dildos thrown in her face and now the Texas Senate has rejected an unemployed Rick Perry crony. She may be suicidal.

Mark#1 said...

I too, am speechless. Though I wish it had appeared a few years sooner, I am very impressed with the backbone the Texas Senate displayed today. It's not an easy calculation to intentionally get crosswise with the thumpers in Texas. . .

Anonymous said...

Could Whitmire be Governor and sit on the Parole Board too?

No, probably not.

One can only dream!

Anonymous said...

Michael said...

OMFG. That's the second wacko to go down since Saturday.

---

Sorry Mike, but gonna call you out on this one.. what a truly terrible (yet funny as hell, thinking of Perkins) way to put it..

123txpublicdefender123 said...

Wow, I'm shocked. But, way to go, Sen. Whitmire for leading the charge! No way in hell that woman was qualified to sit on the Pardons and Parole Board, making life and death decisions.

sunray's wench said...

So perhaps now Texans will realise that people power can and does achieve things. So many have been vocally opposing this appointment, directly to their representatives.

Well done Sen. Whitmire and well done Texas.

Anonymous said...

I must admit I'm wondering what they are slippin' in the drinking water. Reasonable things being done? That just isn't the Lege we know and love.

Anonymous said...

anon 3:28: maybe the good lady legislator's and the ones with wives own such property.. 8)

Gordonsmom said...

Too bad they don't vote on probation officers....lol Way to go Sen. Whitmire!!! My hero!!!

Anonymous said...

YEA!!!!! I LOVE IT! THANKS SEN. WHITMIRE! GO FOR GOVERNOR! BYE BYE PERRY AND TAKE YOUR DILDO FREIND WITH YOU!

Anonymous said...

Whitmire is full of crap. There are a few other board members that are unqualified as well if we are to use his yardstick. Some of them are lawyers.

Jacob said...

Come on 11:58, dont just slam Whitmire, he was just 1 of 70 or so who voted against Dildo Queen. On the other hand, share with all of us why you are so fond of Governor Perry, after all, that really is what all of this is about.

Michael said...

Why can't Perkins serve on some other Texas agency? I'm sure the dildo queen can fill a void somewhere.