Bill Black has been demoted in the state legislature. Why? Because he did not follow party lines and vote the way he was "told" by party leaders. In my opinion, that is HOGWASH!!!
A representative of the people should vote the way his/her constituents want him to vote. They are the ones who are paying his salary, not the party leaders.
I guess if I would ever run for an office that required party affiliation, I would not run as either a Republican or a Democrat, Green or even Purple party, rather I would run as an Independent.
Tuck, you are correct. Bill Black has done a very good job in his post as assistant leader. The Repubs should be ashamed of themselves. Oh yeah ! I remember now, politicans have no shame.