House Gambit: Pass the Cuts, Blame the Republicans When They Won't Vote for Revenue Later

The DNews (4.00 / 2)

... has a good summary of what has happened this morning. The Senate has until 2PM to pass the continuation, or some shutdown motions will start taking place-

The governor wants the Senate to give immediate effect to the continuation budget by 2 p.m. so the state can notify employees who work late shifts to report for work, Melton said. Also, draw bridges will be locked up and campgrounds closed down this afternoon if the 30-day budget is not finalized, he said.

"We're asking the Senate to take up the continuation budget so people can feel at ease state government will not shut down at midnight," he added.

This next part is the key to my post. I know they passed the Higher Ed budget with Republican votes, and I'm assuming they passed DCH that way as well.

The house passed the higher education budget, 57-51, one more than needed. The margin indicates that there is a large enough coalition in the Democrat-dominated House to pass tough cuts. The margin was closer on the vote for the Community Health budget, 56-52, but the budget bill passed.

The "Democratic dominated" House is passing these budgets based on the will of the minority. That's just plain wrong.  

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by: wizardkitten @ Wed Sep 30, 2009 at 12:18:07 PM CDT

I love the "leadership" rumor (4.00 / 2)

I won't get too excited but that would be great.  As you said, we voted for Democrats.  If I wanted a Republican bill, I would've voted for them.  

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by: blue_onyx @ Wed Sep 30, 2009 at 12:28:16 PM CDT

MSU Dems (4.00 / 1)

... are extremely disappointed. Their own Rep. voted against them.

"What a sad day for Michigan's future," stated Mitchell Rivard, President of the MSU College Democrats. "For our own Representative - who assured us he supported the Michigan Promise scholarship - to turn his back on the students he represents is shameful. Thousands of students in Representative Meadow's district who currently receive the Promise Scholarship will be negatively affected by this decision. Representative Meadows is completely putting his trust in the Republican controlled Senate to pass a supplemental bill to restore the Promise at a later date. This approach and apparent political tactic is juggling with the future of his constituents and putting the Promise Scholarship in jeopardy."

Perhaps a primary challenge is in order here? Surely they can round up a real Democrat by next fall...

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by: wizardkitten @ Wed Sep 30, 2009 at 12:47:59 PM CDT

Feckless Mark Meadows Does Not Deserve the Seat (4.00 / 3)

Of all the legislators no one has both a safer seat and more reason to vote for the Promise Scholarship and education than Mark Meadows. It is absolutely feckless what Meadows has done. Meadows should get a primary challenge and never be allowed near the Senate.  

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by: Steven T. Mason @ Wed Sep 30, 2009 at 13:25:36 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Meadows trying to pass it off (0.00 / 0)

What a jerk. He sent this out this afternoon.

The Michigan Promise scholarship is critical to the future of about 100,000 students who are working hard to prepare for 21st century jobs. Today the House has taken a number of procedural votes to move the budget process along. One of them eliminated the Promise scholarship. The House then voted to restore the funding to this vital program through a supplemental budget bill. I voted to restore the funding for the Michigan Promise scholarship and it passed the House 66 to 42.  

I believe the Michigan Promise scholarship is essential to ensuring our kids are prepared for future jobs and the chance to enjoy a decent quality of life. I remain confident that the supplemental budget passed by the House will be signed into law and will restore the Michigan Promise scholarships.

So, where is the revenue vote, Rep. Meadows? Hmmmm?

Like I said, House Dems that vote for this shit are planning on passing the buck later.

Don't fall for it, students.

The House Dems that vote with the Republicans on these budgets know exactly what is going on here. Maybe they are doing it to curry favor with Dillon, who knows - but they should be held accountable.

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by: wizardkitten @ Wed Sep 30, 2009 at 16:55:35 PM CDT

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Cuts to revenue sharing up now (0.00 / 0)

Same thing is happening - Dillon and Cushingberry immediately vote with the Republicans. Simpson is with them - although they can and do change their votes at the last minute, so don't take that as set in stone.

And my cable just cut off right at 2PM and went to local programming....

Good grief. Gotta switch to the internet. Watch the House here if you are so inclined.

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by: wizardkitten @ Wed Sep 30, 2009 at 13:02:58 PM CDT

Byrum just called Dems in for caucus (0.00 / 0)

Wonder what that is about.

Vote seemed to be stuck - hard to follow because they stream breaks up all the time, but it looks like they were stuck at 42 on passing revenue sharing cuts.

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by: wizardkitten @ Wed Sep 30, 2009 at 13:17:21 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Rick Albin (0.00 / 0)

... is now updating with Twitter, great source to follow.

(Thanks Rick!)

And yes, they couldn't pass the revenue sharing cuts. I noticed my favorite pet Republican Kevin Green even voted against it - so why would Democrats, right?

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by: wizardkitten @ Wed Sep 30, 2009 at 13:22:31 PM CDT

[ Parent ]