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Dawnna Dukes Update

Save Texas Reps has a disappointing update on Representative Dukes:

Rep. Dawnna Dukes, who missed the vote on HB 2 because she took a family trip to France instead, issued a public statement regarding her absence and her deal with Rep.Jim Pitts. If you remember, Dukes had an agreement with Rep. Pitts to pair their votes, an agreement which Pitts broke at the last minute. So, when Dukes finally got a chance to have her say, what does she tell us?

I never attempted to hide that I was traveling for personal family reasons to France. I requested to be excused from the proceedings of that day to not mislead anyone about my presence or vote. As well in extra precaution, I arranged to pair my vote with my dear friend, Chairman Pitts, an honorable man whom I respect and whose friendship I cherish.

Its a sad day when an elected representative places her family vacation and personal friendship with a representative of the opposing party above the interests of her constituents. I agree with Representative Dukes' votes 90 percent of the time but her recent behavior is insulting. Voting is only a small part of a representative's responsibilities, after all. If I was a representative of a low-to-mid income community that stood to take the brunt of the burden for a proposed tax restructuring plan, my priority would be fighting tooth and nail for my constituents' interest, not fretting over the loss of a few thousand dollars in unused airline tickets. Besides, what rock has Dukes been hiding under?

My travel arrangements were made and restricted tickets purchased for this trip in April 2005 after the Education Bill and Appropriations Bill passed both the House and the Senate. There was no reason to believe the Governor would veto those measures triggering a Special Session in July 2005.

Really? The fact that the entire state has been gossiping about a special session since last November didn't give you cause for doubt? Governor Perry's long history of vetoing half the bills that cross his desk didn't provide any clues?

Representative Dukes owes her constituents an apology, not an excuse.