In a breath taking attempt to be no things to any people Brownback has bobbed and weaved himself into a corner. He promised local leaders in Emporia that he will sign the education bill. A few hours later he told reporters in Wichita he had not made up his mind and was even considering using his veto power on the bill. Then he tells the same reporters he can't use the line item veto. Are we to believe that he is considering vetoing the entire bill?
The Governor seems to think he can tell the local leaders of Emporia what they want to hear as long as no one is around to hear it. Lucky for us he was caught on audio tape. From the Wichita Eagle http://www.kansas.com/...
Emporia-based KVOE radio has posted on its website an audio clip recorded Monday morning in which the governor says: “Emporia State, when I sign the budget, and I will, will receive $572,000, over $572,000, in salary cap restoration for this fiscal year.”
There is no other way to read that quote. The Governor has just promised behind closed doors to sign the bill. Then off to the next campaign event! And what does the Governor think the good people of Wichita want to hear?
We’re still reviewing the bill itself. I’m not going to announce anything right here,” Brownback told reporters in a news conference after a private meeting with university officials.
Huh, wonder if he said the same thing at his 'private meeting' with university officials? Not one to quit while ahead, the Governor then tried to imply something we all know isn't true.
when asked directly if he might veto the bill, he said “Sure, and we will consider that,” according to an Eagle reporter who was there. The comment was confirmed by an audio recording by TJ Rigg, an editor with the campus newspaper, The Sunflower.
Perhaps my English is a bit rusty, did the Governor just say that he "will consider" vetoing the bill. A bill he just promised to sign less than 3 hours prior! Does he deserve the benefit of the doubt? Could it be possible he meant to line item veto the most disapproved parts? Of course not...
Brownback also foreclosed the possibility that he might use line-item veto authority to remove the controversial tenure provision and keep the funding for the universities and K-12 schools intact. Brownback said his office legal staff has researched that and concluded he can’t do it.
Right, they can't use line item veto on an appropriations bill to veto a line item that is not an appropriation. Got it. What is the purpose of the line item veto again?
Whether he signs it or not we all know Brownback is going to make this bill the law. Implying that he may not is just a way to mislead voters into thinking he is listening. Way to keep it real Governor.
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Crossposted at
http://www.stopbrownback.com/