Senate Dems discharge petition fails

Sen. Ernesto Scorsone, D-Lexington, tried a parliamentary procedure to force the Senate to take up a bill aimed at setting protections against bullying in schools.

Scorsone blamed Senate Republican leaders for letting the bill languish without a floor vote.

"It is irresponsible that we allow any more children in our schools to be afraid to get on the bus, to be afraid to go to recess," Scorsone said on the Senate floor.

The measure failed by a 15-21 vote along party lines.

Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, assured Scorsone and Democrats that the Senate will take up the House's bullying bill, sponsored by Rep. Mike Cherry, D-Princeton. He said they were working on amending the measure and it is expected to come up before the Senate Judiciary Committee soon.

- Ryan Alessi and Janet Patton