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Tag Archives: budget

Denny Hoskins (r): sleeping through school as an aspirational model for life

23 Wednesday Jun 2021

Posted by Michael Bersin in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Senate

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Tags

21st Senate District, budget, critical race theory, CRT, Denny Hoskins, Federal Reimbursement Allowance, FRA, Medicaid, right wingnut, sleeping through history class

It’s there. In ink.

The first page of the United States Constitution [1787] – National Archives

The first page of the United States Constitution [1787] – National Archives – detail

[….]
Article. I.
[….]
Section. 2.
The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.

No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.

Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons. The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitledFederal to chuse three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three.
[….]

“…Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons…”

Free Persons. Three fifths of all other Persons.

Denny Hoskins (r) [2017 file photo].

“Useless laws weaken the necessary laws.” – Charles-Louis de Secondat, baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu (1689 – 1755)

Today in the legislative special session which is supposed to address the right wingnut controlled Missouri General Assembly failure in the regular session to continue the legislation enabling the previously non-controversial Federal Reimbursement Allowance [FRA] program for Missouri:

FIRST EXTRAORDINARY SESSION
SENATE BILL NO. 5 [pdf]
101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR HOSKINS.
2833S.01I ADRIANE D. CROUSE, Secretary
AN ACT

To amend chapter 160, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to public school
curriculum and instruction.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows:

1 Section A. Chapter 160, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto
2 one new section, to be known as section 160.2550, to read as
3 follows:

1 160.2550. 1. For the purposes of the provisions of
2 this section, “divisive concepts” shall mean concepts that:
3 (1) One race or sex is inherently superior to another
4 race or sex;
5 (2) The United States is fundamentally racist or
6 sexist;
7 (3) An individual, by virtue of his or her race or
8 sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether
9 consciously or unconsciously;
10 (4) An individual should be discriminated against or
11 receive adverse treatment solely or partly because of his or
12 her race or sex;
13 (5) Members of one race or sex cannot avoid treating
14 others differently with respect to race or sex;
15 (6) An individual’s moral character is necessarily
16 determined by his or her race or sex;
17 (7) An individual, by virtue of his or her race or
18 sex, bears responsibility for actions committed in the past
19 by other members of the same race or sex;
20 (8) Any individual should feel discomfort, guilt,
21 anguish, or any other form of psychological distress on
22 account of his or her race or sex;
23 (9) Meritocracy or traits such as a hard work ethic
24 are racist or sexist, or were created by a particular race
25 to oppress another race;
26 (10) Promote any form of race or sex stereotyping,
27 including ascribing character traits, values, moral and
28 ethical codes, privileges, status, or beliefs to a race,
29 sex, or an individual because of his or her race or sex; or
30 (11) Promote any form of race or sex scapegoating,
31 including assigning fault, blame, or conscious or
32 unconscious bias to one or more members of a race or sex and
33 including claims that, consciously or unconsciously, any
34 person is inherently racist, sexist, or inclined to oppress
35 others by virtue of their race or sex.
36 2. It shall be the policy of the state board of
37 education not to promote or allow divisive concepts in
38 public school curricula or instruction.

What a pandering ahistorical fool.

Uh, in 1787, at the founding of our nation and in our Constitution there were those who were not “free Persons” who were defined as 3/5 of a person. If that isn’t fundamentally racist, what is?

The Red Lily, Anatole France

…For the poor it consists in sustaining and preserving the wealthy in their power and their laziness. The poor must work for this, in presence of the majestic quality of the law which prohibits the wealthy as well as the poor from sleeping under the bridges, from begging in the streets, and from stealing bread…

Previously:

“The buck stops…somewhere over there” (June 22, 2021)

On the mark (June 22, 2021)

Now what? (June 22, 2021)

Too stupid to remember to breathe (June 23, 2021)

About that state budget – very bad tidings

28 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri House

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budget, General Assembly, missouri, revenue, SB 509

Representative Crystal Quade (D) [2018 file photo].

This evening:

Crystal Quade @crystal_quade
Democrat Budget Ranking member @Kip_Kendrick on the revenue estimate #moleg
[….]
5:06 PM – 28 Dec 2018

Representative Kip Kendrick (D) [2018 file photo].

Revenue estimate shows Missouri in for yet another rough budget

The official revenue estimate released today for FY 020 shows Missouri has yet another rough budget year ahead and again proves [the] folly of attempting to tax-cut your way to prosperity. While the estimate reflects an expected $193 million in revenue growth, it is silent on the $320 million in revenue Missouri won’t collect next year due to the next phase of implementing an ill-advised 2014 tax cut [SB 509] As House Democrats warned then, this tax giveaway for [the] rich is resulting in serious consequences for everyone else.

State Rep. Kip Kendrick
House Budget Committee, Ranking Democratic Member
D-Columbia

Everyone knew this over four years ago.

SB 509: the moment when all hope for the future of Missouri died (May 6, 2014)

The final vote to override Governor Jay Nixon’s veto of SB 509. Representative Jeremy LaFaver (D) (left) – bearing witness, Representative Keith English (center) – casting the 109th vote necessary for the override, and Representative Ron Hicks (r) (right) – his escort on and off the House floor. May 6, 2014.

Representative Martha Stevens (D) [2018 file photo].

Kip Kendrick @Kip_Kendrick
Replying to @MBersin @Martha4MO
3 years into 5 year phase in and conservative estimate is $320 million this year. Year 4 and 5 will basically double this year’s cost.
6:13 PM – 28 Dec 2018

What, a $640 million shortfall the year after that?

No hope. It died on May 6, 2014.

Chuck Ambrose: investing in higher education

25 Thursday Jan 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Governor

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budget, Budget cuts, Chuck Ambrose, Eric Greitens, General Assembly, governor, higher education, missouri, University of Central Missouri

University of Central Missouri President Chuck Ambrose [2016 file photo].

The following is an op-ed written by Chuck Ambrose, the President of the University of Central Missouri:

State Support for Higher Education an Investment in Missouri’s Economic Future

As Missourians, we all have a stake in our state’s economic success. As such, we should be cognizant of critical factors that contribute to stronger communities which also mean better public schools for our children and services to improve the quality of our lives. While our state faces budget challenges, higher education continues to be an exceptional asset in helping to meet economic as well as social goals, and citizens deserve a strong public policy in support of colleges and universities as an investment in the public good required to drive Missouri’s future forward. Continued reductions in appropriations for higher education are only hindering the opportunity to maximize the potential these institutions provide the state, and most importantly, directly to its people.

Growing jobs and creating an environment that stimulates the economy for all Missouri residents is the goal. Studies show the value of a college degree includes an enhanced lifetime earning potential of $1 million more for graduates versus those without a degree. Additionally, a well-educated workforce is good for local businesses seeking to broaden their consumer base. Amidst a growing need for the state to be more competitive on a global level, we must consider who is going to provide training for a workforce that is well prepared to seek out new markets for home-grown goods and services overseas. Evidence of Missouri’s desire to enter this realm includes a recent bid to bring Amazon’s second headquarters to Kansas City. A globally competitive environment for business requires a globally competitive commitment to higher education, and public higher education institutions are ready to respond.

Some 359,492 students are currently served by post-secondary education throughout the state. Collectively, we must ask ourselves how do we value these students’ place and the impact 27 public and 25 private campuses hold within Missouri’s public policy agenda? If they are important, then the current divestment trend must be reversed.

In order for higher education to achieve its full potential as an economic driver, there must be a stronger commitment to funding Missouri’s colleges and universities to ensure that students are not priced out of the opportunity to earn a degree. Institutions themselves also have a role in exploring and implementing new initiatives to help meet accessibility and affordability goals so that students do not bear the burden of rising educational costs and an escalating college debt load. But higher education institutions can’t do this alone.

During the past two decades, state support for public higher education has decreased dramatically, from 65 percent of Missouri public institutions’ total revenue to about 35 percent currently. Using the University of Central Missouri as an example, the net state appropriation for Fiscal Year 2018 was $52.7 million, considerably below the $57.9 million budgeted net appropriation for FY17. This is almost a $400 decline in funding per student in one year. Unfortunately, maintaining an accessible, affordable education will not get easier as the Missouri governor’s recommendation for FY19 funding dips to the 2004 state appropriations level.

While the decline in state funding presents a financial challenge, at UCM the focus on student success has meant finding ways to keep students from shouldering the impact of these revenue declines. This means keeping tuition below the consumer price index while still maintaining a quality education; an aggressive completion agenda; maximizing opportunities to create public K-12-higher educationbusiness partnerships such as The Missouri Innovation Campus and Innovation Track programs that reduce the time to degree completion and students’ debt; and becoming the first institution to implement the 15-to-Finish Scholarship concept to keep students on track for timely degree completion.

By contributing to a better economy, higher education can help break the cycle of poverty across the state. Meeting this goal also includes serving many first-generation, low-income students who are pioneering the education trail for their families.

Considering the benefits of a higher education, it is hoped that future public policy will recognize the value proposition Missouri colleges and universities represent for the state. Public institutions are positioned to deliver opportunities that will drive local economies, but more state support is needed to ensure costs are not passed onto Missouri families and that access to college and its affordability remain attainable goals.

Dr. Chuck Ambrose, President University of Central Missouri

Not that Eric Greitens (r) particularly cares.

Crocodile Tears

17 Tuesday Jan 2017

Posted by Michael Bersin in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Governor

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budget, Caleb Rowden, cuts, Eric Greitens., governor, higher education, Kansasfication, Misouri, SB 509

Caleb Rowden (r) [2016 file photo].

Caleb Rowden (r) [2016 file photo].

Governor Eric Greitens (r) has ordered significant budget cuts, with higher education taking a significant hit. Over the years the republican controlled General Assembly has cut back the possibilities of revenue, creating a death spiral of diminishing revenue and continuous cuts in public investment.

Via Twitter from Tony Messenger at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

messenger011717

Tony Messenger ‏@tonymess
‘Nobody was more disappointed about what happened yesterday than I was,’ says Sen. @calebrowden on @EricGreitens higher ed cuts. #moleg
2:37 PM – 17 Jan 2017

On May 6, 2014 the republican controlled General Assembly overrode then Governor Jay Nixon’s (D) veto of SB 509, an ill conceived bill which further exacerbates these same budgetary shackles and insures the Kansasfication of Missouri.

Then Representative (now Senator) Caleb Rowden’s (r) disappointment over the hits the University of Missouri (in his district) would take wasn’t evident (r) on May 6, 2014 when he voted [pdf] (Journal of the House, 1578) to override Governor Nixon’s veto.

Spare us the tears.

Previously:

SB 509: the moment when all hope for the future of Missouri died (May 6, 2014)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): Yes, about your vote to fund the government…

20 Sunday Dec 2015

Posted by Michael Bersin in social media

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

4th Congressional District, budget, facebook, missouri, social media, Twitter, Vicky Hartzler

Nothing seems to upset right wingnut constituents more than than the concept that government functions for somebody other than themselves.

Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) on her vote on funding the government, via Twitter:

Hartzler121815

Rep. Vicky Hartzler ‏@RepHartzler
It’s not perfect, but today’s legislation gives America more conservative policies than the alternative. [….] 11:43 AM – 18 Dec 2015

From Representative Hartzler’s (r) press release, with some of the goodies she likes:

Hartzler Votes to Fund the Government, Turns Gaze to 2016

WASHINGTON—Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.) today voted to pass H.R. 2029, a bill to fund government activities through the end of the 2016 fiscal year.

“Missourians and Americans across the country want to focus on the holidays and spending time with their families,” Hartzler started. “They do not need to worry that the government isn’t going to be available when they need it. This package provides the certainty Americans need that their social security checks will go out on time, the Department of Homeland Security will have the resources it needs to keep them safe as they travel to see loved ones, and Congress will be able to focus on other American priorities as it goes forward.”

[….]

….does not fund the President’s climate change initiatives within Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and National Protection Programs Directorate (NPPD) within DHS.

[….]

….cuts EPA funding by $452 million below the President’s request, holding the agency to its lowest funding levels since 2008 and its lowest staffing levels since 1989;

….provides local schools increased relief from whole grain and sodium nutritional standards in school lunches.

[….]

….prohibits funding for the “light bulb” standard regulations, allowing Americans to continue buying affordable incandescent light bulbs.

[….]

….maintains existing protections that prohibit the use of federal funding for abortion….

….increases funding for abstinence education.

[….]

Because climate change isn’t happening? Because we all want to breathe crappy air and drink poisoned water? Because whole grains are bad for our children and more salt in their diet is so very good for them? Because incandescent light bulbs equal freedom! Because abstinence only education works so well?

Priorities.

Some of the social media replies, from unhappy right wingnuts:

Cowan121815B

Mitchell Cowan ‏@mackelby
@RepHartzler It was a complete disaster and you are to blame. Sickened by your progressive votes and attitude. 11:46 AM – 18 Dec 2015

Uh, that’s really not the definition of progressive. Just pointing that out for you. The same individual continues with their upset, promising action:

Cowan121815C

Mitchell Cowan ‏@mackelby
@RepHartzler I will vote dem next time so we can finish off America and start rebuilding. 11:46 AM – 18 Dec 2015

Uh, if you really want to finish off America vote to put another underachieving Bush in the White House. The last one damn near completed that job. Otherwise, I’m sure Hillary Clinton or Martin O’Malley or Bernie Sanders will appreciate your vote in 2016.

Farmstead121815D

Farmstead Realty ‏@FarmsteadRealty Dec 18
@RepHartzler If it wasn’t perfect you don’t vote for it. You should be ashamed. It gives Obama everything he wanted. 11:49 AM – 18 Dec 2015

Apparently President Obama is really missing those incandescent light bulbs.

Striper121815E

realbigstriper ‏@realbigstriper
@RepHartzler and we will remember your vote 11:56 AM – 18 Dec 2015

And everyone else is thinking: “The next election is eleven months away, nah…”

Hartenbower121815F

Amber Hartenbower ‏@AHartenbower
@RepHartzler If it’s not perfect, you vote no. Way to screw over Americans, but, hey, you keep your cushy job, right? 11:57 AM – 18 Dec 2015

Uh, technically, she did that when she (probably) supported George W. Bush for president. The screw over Americans part that is.

Wayman121815G

Jeff Wayman ‏@PetsandPucks
@RepHartzler by “not perfect”, I can only assume you mean an evil monstrosity. You should be ashamed of voting for it. 1:04 PM – 18 Dec 2015

It’s the light bulb part that upset you, isn’t it? But will you remember that in November 2016? Nah.

Myers121815H

Larry Myers ‏@lmyersloz
@RepHartzler That is a cowardly and misleading statement. What essential functions would have stopped? None. You no longer have my support. 2:37 PM – 18 Dec 2015

Let’s hear it for whole grains!

The storm on Facebook is quite similar. A sampling of the responses:

[….] I’m sorry you supported the Obama Spending Bill Budget that provides funding for bringing in more Muslim terrorists, keeping Obamacare and Planned Parenthood. Democrats are gleeful and we the people (including unborn babies) are the losers again.

They didn’t notice all the anti-abortion stuff? There’s no pleasing some people.

[….] Et tu, Brutus?

Ah, a classicist.

[….] I am thinking when she holds town hall meetings we should attend, but not mouth at her, but instead stand and turn our backs to her when she begins speaking.

Yeah, that’ll certainly show her. While we’re at it, let’s put on a play!

[….] Thanks for selling us out again. You are not a conservative like you tried to say you were. You have lied and cheated to the people way to many times. We need someone who represents and will listen to the people not the establishment GOP. We are sick of this we want the person who will not bow to special interest groups. Enjoy your last time in Washington DC because if I can help it you won’t be going back next election.

Promises, promises…

[….] Explain just why you are different than a Democrat?

Heh.

We just love social media. It’s so Democratic.

Kansas: Now what?

08 Monday Jun 2015

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

budget, defecit, Kansas, Legislature, Sam Brownback, taxes

Yesterday the right wingnut controlled Kansas Senate voted to increase regressive taxes. The Kansas House will take a look at it.

On Twitter:

Moderate Party of KS ‏@ModerateKS

The ends dont justify the means. The “cons” lied to get elected then passed tax hikes on to working poor #ksleg  10:34 PM – 7 Jun 2015

Yael T. Abouhalkah ‏@YaelTAbouhalkah

Johnson Countians: Your senators just passed largest tax increase ever in KS. (But you can afford it, right?) #ksleg  9:25 PM – 7 Jun 2015

KS Senate Democrats ‏@kssenatedems

The largest tax increase in the history of our state passed earlier this evening. Not a single Democrat voted in favor of it. #ksleg 9:05 PM – 7 Jun 2015

As if any voters will remember that at the next election.

Previously:

Inviting the leader of a sovereign state to speak in your capital city to tweak your elected leader (March 4, 2015)

If you radically defund state universities how can you expect them to field a basketball team? (March 22, 2015)

A sign for the times (April 3, 2015)

This is the matter with Kansas (June 7, 2015)

This is the matter with Kansas

07 Sunday Jun 2015

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

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Tags

budget, defecit, Kansas, Legislature, Sam Brownback, taxes, trickle down

Blind ideology. No demonstrable understanding of objective reality. Meanness.

Senate punts tax debate; House goes home til Monday

Legislature, Brownback struggle to fill $400 million budget deficit

Posted: June 6, 2015 – 11:22pm

The Kansas Senate and House participated in separate versions of legislative paralysis Saturday night while trying to wiggle state government out from under the burden of a $400 million budget deficit.

Inertia was so troublesome that House Majority Leader Jene Vickrey R-Louisburg, adjourned the House until Monday.

The Senate was still scheduled to convene Sunday, but the chamber’s agenda was unclear….

[….]

And the rest of civilization understands why:

Justin Henning ‏@jjhenning

I see #ksleg antics made Doonesbury this morning. 7:25 AM – 7 Jun 2015

Governor Sam Brownback (r) [January 2015 file photo].

Yesterday via twitter:

Kent Bush ‏@Kentbush

Who would have ever thought that a bunch of ideologues would have so much trouble governing through a crisis of their own making? #ksleg 11:15 PM – 6 Jun 2015

Five minus two equals seven. There are people who believe that works in Missouri, too.

Previously:

Inviting the leader of a sovereign state to speak in your capital city to tweak your elected leader (March 4, 2015)

If you radically defund state universities how can you expect them to field a basketball team? (March 22, 2015)

A sign for the times (April 3, 2015)

Kansas ain’t all that

02 Saturday May 2015

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

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Tags

budget, Kansas, Sam Brownback, social media, Timothy Jones, Twitter

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, “Four freedoms speech”, Annual Message to Congress on the State of the Union, January 6, 1941 [pdf]:

….For there is nothing mysterious about the foundations of a healthy and strong democracy. The basic things expected by our people of their political and economic systems are simple. They are: Equality of opportunity for youth and for others. Jobs for those who can work. Security for those who need it. The ending of special privilege for the few. The preservation of civil liberties for all.

The enjoyment of the fruits of scientific progress in a wider and constantly rising standard of living.

These are the simple, basic things that must never be lost sight of in the turmoil and unbelievable complexity of our modern world. The inner and abiding strength of our economic and political systems is dependent upon the degree to which they fulfill these expectations.

Many subjects connected with our social economy call for immediate improvement. As examples:

We should bring more citizens under the coverage of old-age pensions and unemployment insurance.

We should widen the opportunities for adequate medical care.

We should plan a better system by which persons deserving or needing gainful employment may obtain it.

I have called for personal sacrifice. I am assured of the willingness of almost all Americans to respond to that call.

A part of the sacrifice means the payment of more money in taxes. In my Budget Message I shall recommend that a greater portion of this great defense program be paid for from taxation than we are paying today. No person should try, or be allowed, to get rich out of this program; and the principle of tax payments in accordance with ability to pay should be constantly before our eyes to guide our legislation.

If the Congress maintains these principles, the voters, putting patriotism ahead of pocketbooks, will give you their applause….

Meanwhile, Kansas:

Tim W. Jones ‏@SpeakerTimJones

There’s the KC Red Star…then there’s facts: Gov. Sam Brownback: Tax policy growing Kansas [….] #moleg #ksleg @KCStar 4:02 PM – 1 May 2015

A reply:

Sean Nicholson ‏@ssnich

@SpeakerTimJones Help me understand how kansas is awesome 4:45 PM – 1 May 2015

An answer to the question:

Tim W. Jones ‏@SpeakerTimJones

@ssnich I measure success by how limited gov’t is, how much freedom people have & how low taxes are. Kansas rules. #ksleg 4:57 PM – 1 May 2015

Kansas ain’t all that.

Heh. The “Red” Star:

Jason Hancock ‏@J_Hancock

In the derogatory newspaper nickname contest, “Kansas City Red Star” will never be as funny as “St. Louis Post-Disgrace.” Sad but true. 5:02 PM – 1 May 2015

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): fuzzy math

25 Wednesday Mar 2015

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

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Tags

4th Congressional District, budget, military spending, missouri, Vicky Hartzler

This past week:

Analysis: Republicans’ budget plans require creative arithmetic to add up

By RICHARD RUBIN, ERIK WASSON AND HEIDI PRZYBYLA

Bloomberg NewsMarch 19, 2015

WASHINGTON – Republicans in the U.S. House and Senate say their budget proposals add up. It takes some creative math and logic to make that true.

The plans unveiled this week call for the U.S. government to collect more than $1 trillion in taxes in the next decade that Republicans have little or no intention of collecting. Some of that revenue comes straight from taxes to pay for Obamacare – which they want to repeal….

[….]

…. The House proposal includes about $94 billion for a special war-funding account that isn’t subject to spending limits set by Congress in 2011. The Senate plan includes $58 billion in war funding, the same amount requested by President Barack Obama.

Price of Georgia would boost defense spending through something called the Overseas Contingency Operations account, which funds military activities in Iraq and Afghanistan, and which critics call a slush fund.

Such spending is exempt from budget limits because it is supposed to be for activities related to overseas conflicts. Price initially set a spending level $36 billion above the president’s request.

Earlier this month, 70 House Republicans signed a letter saying they would block the budget if military spending wasn’t increased. Representative Mike Turner of Ohio, a member of the House Armed Services Committee who organized the letter, said he would vote against Price’s reserve-fund approach and called it “funny money….”

[….]

The budgets also call for repealing the 2010 health care law known as Obamacare, which was funded by a capital gains tax increase, a tax increase on top earners’ wages and levies on medical devices, health insurers and pharmaceutical companies. The budgets assume the revenue will continue to flow in.

Republicans could replace the Obamacare revenue with a U.S. tax code revision they have been discussing for more than four years and haven’t brought to a committee vote.

“They’re committed to the policy of repealing the Affordable Care Act, but they need the revenue in order to make their budget balance,” said Rep. John Yarmuth, a Kentucky Democrat on the House Budget Committee. “So they’re just doing it and saying it makes sense. And it clearly doesn’t make sense….”

[….]

They won’t let actual math stop them.

Today, from Representative Vicky Hartzler (r):

Representative Vicky Hartzler (r): ….Thank you. Thank you very much, uh, chairman. Uh, you’re a, a wonderful chairman and have helped us, uh, pro, produce a, a wonderful, responsible, uh, budget. And this budget goes a long way to address the out of control spending problem and crushing debt the administration has fostered over the last few years. Unlike the President’s proposal, though, our budget contains pro growth economic reforms, repeals Obamacare, and it balances. Most importantly, Price two restores harmful defense cuts and provides the necessary resources our war fighters need. The threats facing this nation and the world right now are vast, real, and expanding. ISIL has proclaimed a caliphate in the middle east and it is now looking to expand into other countries. Russia is continually making headlines with aggression and invasions in the Ukraine and surrounding areas. China continues to build its military as it gains more and more power globally. And Islamic extremism continues to spread to more and more countries. We as representatives of the people are  charged with providing for the common defense. Given the size, reach, and increasingly brutal nature of the threats we face we should feel obliged to make sure that we create a budget that gives our military the tools necessary to address today’s threats and to be fully prepared to address the threats of tomorrow whatever they may be and wherever they may come from. As the only member to sit on both the House Budget Committee and the House Armed Services Committee I am proud that these two committees have came together, uh, come together for Price two to provide total defense funding above the President’s request. Missouri’s fourth congressional district is proud to be one of our nation’s most military intensive congressional districts, home of two major military installations, Whiteman Air Force Base and Fort Leonard Wood, and thousands of dedicated military families sacrificing so much to keep us safe. Providing our military the resources necessary to safeguard our liberties and protect our shores is one of the top legislative priorities I have. And I’m proud that these resources are provided in Price two. Again, I thank Chairman Price for his leadership on this committee and in this process and I urge my colleagues to vote yes on Price two….      

“…Most importantly, Price two restores harmful defense cuts…”

Inigo Montoya: You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

“…Russia is continually making headlines with aggression and invasions in the Ukraine and surrounding areas…”

Uh, as far as we know, the occupation portion portion of the crisis currently only involves area within the Ukraine. Besides, we thought republicans were enthralled with Vladimir Putin. Go figure.

“…we should feel obliged to make sure that we create a budget that gives our military the tools necessary to address today’s threats and to be fully prepared to address the threats of tomorrow…”

Uh, the United States spends the greatest amount of money on the military (by far) than any other nation on the planet.

Wait a minute, who is that in the background on the video? Why, yes, it’s Representative Joe Wilson (r).

Representatives Vicky Hartzler (r) and Joe Wilson (r) in Warrensburg, Missouri on September 18, 2012 [file photo].

We half expected him to yell something from the floor of the House.

Previously:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r) and Rep. Joe Wilson (r) in Warrensburg on defense sequestration (September 18, 2012)

Faith-based budgeting.

18 Wednesday Mar 2015

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

budget, fiscal policy, missouri, republicans

Best quote of the day comes from economist Jared Bernstein’s blog:

House Republicans released their budget today, and I found it to be…um…how can I put this nicely?…orthogonal to reality

“Orthogonal to reality.” And here I thought we’d exhausted all the ways that there were to describe GOP delusions. Bernstein amplifies his remarks:

The policies put forth in this document suggest that America’s main problem is that the poor have too much and the wealthy, too little. The budget plan “corrects” this perceived imbalance by deeply cutting programs that help low- and middle-income people, and cutting taxes on those with high incomes, capital gains, multinational corporations and “pass through” business income.

Of course, as he notes, GOPers claim that this recipe results in growth that floats all our boats. Sadly, as Bernstein observes after pointing out the rather obvious problems with this logic:

I too believe in the American people and growth but I don’t believe in magic asterisks or tax cuts that pay for themselves. It’s great to have faith, but math is good too

Read the entire piece – it’s quite brief. And remember that part about the importance of math. I think that the observation is pertinent to the budget Missouri’s Republican-dominated legislature wants to impose on us. Something on the order of what is sinking Kansas, Wisconsin and a whole host of states with like-minded legislatures. That’s where the phrase “orthogonal to reality” becomes relevant to us as well. Just think, Scott Walker is destroying Wisconsin with this same mumbo-jumbo and, as a result, he’s a front-runner for GOP presidential candidate.

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