Several hours ago, the Washington State Senate - controlled 27-22 by Democrats with a notorious "roadkill caucus" of Conservative Dems numbering up to 6.
In a surprising takeover of the State Senate on Friday evening, 3 Conservative Dems went behind their party's back to vote against their parties budget and in favor of a Republican budget released minutes prior.
Details are trickling out....
They have used the federal equivalent of nuclear option in the state, the ninth order, and are voting currently on a state budget that no one else has even seen. We see it now. Bits and pieces.
It attacks teacher salaries, state employee benefits, healthcare for the disabled and children, and deeply cuts funds for the environment. It shreds the state safety net with $300m in low-income and unemployable resident assistance for those ineligible at the federal level. It eliminates food assistance.
It's disgusting, vile tactics, and a disgusting, vile budget. They have effectively broken Olympia and the State of Washington, ensuring the government shuts down.
OH. And in so doing, they refused to vote on several amazing Dem bills relating to women's healthcare.
For the interested, here you go:
http://www.theolympian.com/...
http://publicola.com/...
Fri Mar 02, 2012 at 10:11 PM PT: Thanks for the recs! I'm watching it on TV right now. A couple Senators have been on the verge of tears, others desperate or angry in their speeches. The Republicans, I kid you not, are smiling. They mostly regurgitate 'trade-offs had to be made' and 'has to come from somewhere'.
The saddest part is really, that the immediate cuts in education and health care are just so out of nowhere and come on top of so many years of deep cuts here. For Senate Democrats, this is an EPIC fail. They said zero cuts to education, promised it. Along with other promises.
For Washington, Democrats in the House, 55-45, will fight tooth and nail. Assuredly.
Fri Mar 02, 2012 at 10:13 PM PT: Haha. And yes. It's a Friday night. ;) Goodnight!
Fri Mar 02, 2012 at 10:50 PM PT: And to be clear, it's only the Senate budget. They have to meet and reconcile the differences, but having the goalposts so far apart means it is going to be a standstill.
They refused to add back performance bonuses promised to teachers. And the last one - redirecting $3m in fair prize money to readiness to learn, rejected 25-24. Good lord. This is turning into a brawl.
Fri Mar 02, 2012 at 10:53 PM PT: Sorry, last update. Good article:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/...
Gregoire: "This is not how we do business in Washington state."
House Speaker Chopp: "The Senate Republicans have exercised the worst abuse of power I have ever witnessed in the Legislature"