by David Safier
I just opened a News Release sent last night by House Democrats Kyrsten Sinema, David Schapira and Olivia Cajero Bedford.
The House Appropriations Committee voted 7-4 to pass Sinema’s substitute motion that the Appropriations Committee remain open to additional options to reduce the revenue shortfall as they consider the 2009 budget solution.
Sinema called it "a bipartisan agreement that shows we are open to protecting education by considering options to decrease the budget deficit without raising taxes."
The 7 yes votes included the three Democrats along with Republicans Vic Williams, Rich Crandall, Russ Jones and Steve Court. Voting no were Republicans John Kavanagh, Nancy McLain, Andy Biggs and Rick Murphy.
Hmm. I seem to recall a post I put up a few minutes ago where Kavanagh said, "[The budget] we released were just possible options." And yet he voted against the bipartisan motion to consider additional options. That doesn't make much sense to me, but what do I know?
Speaking of things I don't know: If you do the math, the House Appropriations Committee is made up of 3 Democrats and 8 Republicans. I know the Rs have a majority, but it's not a 2 2/3 x 1 majority. I hear all committees have a similar imbalance. Can someone tell me how it is the majority can skew the committees like this? It sounds like in most cases, the Dems might as well not bother showing up for all the power they have.
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One legislator joked about just staying home this session, phoning in votes.. all NO, of course….
Sinema’s success gives me SOME hope… maybe the reasonable Repubs will end up joining with the Dems to keep budget negotiations from turning into slash and burn sessions..