by David Safier Divided allegiances cause all kinds of problems, as beleaguered Senate President Bob Burns is learning.
Before the midnight hour ending the legislative session, Burns thought he could cut a budget deal by passing the Accidental Guv's legislation for a vote on the sales tax. It didn't work out that way. No one else on the committee voted with him.
His answer was to kick R Senators Verschoor and Gorman off the committee.
Americans for Tax Reform — founded by Grover Norquist, who famously said he wanted to shrink government "down to the size where we can drown it in the bathtub" – is not amused.
And remember, ATR's No New Tax Pledge, signed by lots of R legislators, trumps all other pledges expressed or implied, like what's best for the people of Arizona.
Arizona's right wingosphere is having a field day with Burns as well. The blogs are lighting up with condemnations.
What's Bob Burns to do?
In fact, that last time the Legislature adopted a tax increase in the early 1990s, Burns, along with Brewer, were among a group of Republicans who voted against that bipartisan effort.
These folks thought they wouldn't have to play politics this session, what with the House, Senate and the Governorship sewn up, and most of the moderates in the party voted out of office. Or "playing politics" would involve fun things like snowing Arizonans and steamrolling Democrats.
Things have gotten more complicated than they bargained for. Too many masters, I guess.
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