corrente

How childish.

Kelly Shannon of AP writes:

The Texas Senate dropped thousands of dollars in fines and restored parking and cell-phone privileges Thursday for Democrats who were punished for fleeing the state to block a Republican-led redistricting plan.

The Democrats instead will be placed on a probation of sorts until the start of the next regular legislative session in January 2005. They were told if they leave again to break a quorum, they would have to pay $57,000 apiece in fines.

If any of the senators are absent without a sufficient excuse for more than 72 hours when their attendance is required in the chamber, the fines and sanctions also would be reinstated.

Maybe they should be required to bring a note from Karl Rove?