GOP: "THE PUBLIC WANTS THESE BILLS TO BE HEARD!"

The House Republican leadership will make a final attempt to get Democrats to discuss bills previously pulled and sent back to committee without public debate. GOP leaders will request a meeting with members of Majority leadership this morning prior to the 9:00 a.m. House session in order to resolve the impasse.

"The public clearly wants us to debate and decide upon issues such as protecting 14 and 15 year old children and eliminating costly food, medical, and rent taxes on working people and retirees. We have a responsibility to the public to bring discussion of these key issues into the open," said House GOP leader Fox. "We will meet with the Majority to present a simple proposal, 'give the public a chance to hear discussion of important issues that the majority bottles up in committee like the age of consent or eliminating taxes on food and rent.."'

Previously, Speaker Say disallowed any discussion on the merits of bills to raise the age of sexual consent and eliminating portions of the general excise tax, with the Majority recommitting or tabling those bills without any floor debate.

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