PREMIER BERNARD LORD IS NOW TRULY KING BERNARD LORD!!!!!!!!!!

bernard1000, originally uploaded by Oldmaison.

Shame...shame...shame!!!!!

Tories propose rule changes to pass budget
Last updated May 9 2006 04:14 PM ADT
CBC News
The Lord government has introduced changes to the rules of the legislature designed to pass its budget estimates even though it doesn't have a clear majority vote in the house.

The government says the changes are necessary because the opposition is obstructing business.

* FROM MAY 8, 2006: MLAs lament members' bad behaviour

The changes, which have not passed yet, would see budget estimates and new legislation referred to small committees of MLAs where the government has clear majorities and can get its agenda approved.

Two committees made up of all sitting MLAs consider estimates and legislation, making it difficult for the government to pass them with its one-seat majority.

Presently, the house standings are deadlocked, with 26 Liberals, one independent and 28 Tories, including the Speaker. It means the Speaker, Conservative MLA Michael (Tanker) Malley, must cast a tie-breaking vote on virtually every motion.

The opposition claims the changes will restrict the democratic rights of MLAs, but government house leader Bev Harrison says the public wants the budget estimates passed and doesn't care about rules.

"They just understand business, they understand budgets, they understand their pocketbook, they understand life going on. That's the only thing people out there really care about. Rules? What are rules?"

But opposition house leader Kelly Lamrock says the Liberals have been easy to get along with lately, and warns that will change along with the rules if the government's motion is passed."It's been pretty minor so far. I guess we will maybe demonstrate the difference between what we have done and what we could have done."

It's not clear yet when the legislature will vote on the proposed changes.