Proposition would allow removal of House speaker

Gattis files constitutional proposition.

Rep. Dan Gattis, R-Georgetown, has filed a constitutional proposition that would allow for the removal of a House speaker, a topic that almost shut down the 2007 session.

The House erupted last session over Speaker Tom Craddick's refusal to recognize a motion to remove him. The issue has simmered since then and is one of the undercurrents in the current speaker race.

The proposition by Gattis would require 100 of the 150 House members to agree to remove a speaker.

Gattis said his proposal tries to straddle two concerns: making the hurdle high enough to avoid a continuous speaker fight but also preventing the kind of standoff that occurred last year when Craddick, R-Midland, refused to recognize the motion.

"We don't want a speaker-of-the-week," Gattis said. On the other hand, he said, "You could have a speaker who shut down the process."

Gattis, who says he's uncommitted in this year's speaker race, said a constitutional amendment is necessary because the House rules can change every two years.

Meanwhile, the field for speaker got more crowded Thursday.

Rep. Edmund Kuempel, R-Seguin, became the 11th candidate opposing Craddick's re-election as House leader. The vote is Jan. 13, the first day of the legislative session.

Kuempel, a longtime critic of Craddick's iron-fisted leadership, promised to open up the legislative process: "There ought to be a voice for everyone in the Texas House."

lcopelin@statesman.com; 445-3617