State Rep. Mark McElroy’s Meltdown

The state capitol was abuzz on Friday with swirling rumors on what exactly happened with State Rep. Mark McElroy (D-Tillar) in some sort of apparent meltdown on the House floor at the beginning of Friday morning’s House proceedings.

McElroy took to the House well shortly after the opening prayer and before formal business began in the Arkansas House of Representatives.  McElroy rose and asked Speaker Carter for a “point of personal privilege” and Carter asked him to approach the chair.  After a few minutes of discussion, McElroy took to the House well and delivered a rambling, incoherent speech.

McElroy discussed a variety of topics during the speech, but primarily discussed tensions that are mounting in the House chamber following Republicans taking the majority with 51 out of 100 House members.  McElroy then transitioned to an awkward praise of Gov. Beebe before finally being interrupted by fellow Democrat Rep. Tommy Wren who asked for a “point of order” and requested that the discussion end immediately.  Speaker Carter banged his gavel and asked McElroy to stop his speech. McElory plead for only five more seconds before he was escorted to his chair.  Later, he interrupted debate during a discussion of Rep. Charlie Collins’ guns on campus bill and was escorted from the building.

McElroy has a history of taking to the House well speaking frequently for or against bills during debate – sometimes with animated speech.  His speech-making began back in January when he sought passage of HB1025 – a bill dealing with the way taxes are assessed in a levee district (see video here.)  His bill was defeated by a vote of 21 yeas to 69 nays. He has addressed this defeat several times in subsequent speeches and even has gotten his vote expunged.  Here is video of him on Thursday speaking in for of an amendment for an amendment to an appropriation bill for GED fees for the Career Education.

McElroy’s history of uncomfortable outbursts goes back to his time as the Desha County Judge.  According to a report from last year, he became upset during a Desha County Quorum Court meeting last fall.  He later sent an apology via video tape, which was unclear and led to a rumor that he had resigned.  He later had to clear up that he had not resigned as county judge.

As far as Friday’s House events, we know that the first bill up for a vote  was Republican Majority Leader Rep. Bruce Westerman’s HB1041, which would seek to limit the growth of state government.  We know that Gov. Beebe’s office has been lobbying hard against this piece of legislation.  The bill was passed over following McElroy’s speech.

More rumors abound but an update on McElroy’s condition and status was unavailable on Saturday.  More as this develops…

 

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBxCf1IfM94]