Senate budget vote may shake up Democrats
Sunday, February 28, 2010 | 12:01 am
I'm expecting some fallout from Saturday's 25-19 vote in the state Senate on the budget.
Here are my questions and my answers:
1. Is Sen. Rodney Tom out of the budget process?
He's played an integral part in writing the budget and been one of the Senate Democrats' primary spokesmen about its content. But he surprised - maybe shocked - folks when he voted against the bill Saturday. I won't be surprised if he takes a few days out of the budget spotlight. - either by his choice or leadership.
2. Why did Tom vote no?
I'm guessing here but he is a fiscal conservative and probably didn't appreciate his colleagues putting $70 million in spending back into the budget the night before the vote. Second, I would peg him as one of those in the caucus who on Saturday wanted to wait and vote on the budget at about the same time they voted on tax bills.
3. Why did Sen. Rosa Franklin vote no?
Again, my guess - too many cuts in the budget.
4. Why did Sens. Chris Marr and Claudia Kauffman switch from "no" to "yes"?
Because Tom and Franklin voted against the budget and leadership did not want to see the budget go down. This should give each of them a bit of leverage when votes come up on taxes and the final budget. These two senators are considered vulnerable ths November and could be hurt if they vote for higher taxes. For leadership to let them off from making those votes, there is going to have to been some pressure brought to bear on folks like Franklin and Tom on future votes.
5. What does this mean for the revenue bills?
There's a new plan getting pieced together. How different it is from the current one is unclear although one thing seems certain - it is going to have be bigger in size than the original because of the put-backs.
6. Will it all be done by March 11.
The Senate is ahead of the House in the process but time is running out. Neither caucus has managed to find that sweet spot of agreement on budget cuts and new taxes. The key here is that the prospect for a special session could be the great motivator.
Here are my questions and my answers:
1. Is Sen. Rodney Tom out of the budget process?
He's played an integral part in writing the budget and been one of the Senate Democrats' primary spokesmen about its content. But he surprised - maybe shocked - folks when he voted against the bill Saturday. I won't be surprised if he takes a few days out of the budget spotlight. - either by his choice or leadership.
2. Why did Tom vote no?
I'm guessing here but he is a fiscal conservative and probably didn't appreciate his colleagues putting $70 million in spending back into the budget the night before the vote. Second, I would peg him as one of those in the caucus who on Saturday wanted to wait and vote on the budget at about the same time they voted on tax bills.
3. Why did Sen. Rosa Franklin vote no?
Again, my guess - too many cuts in the budget.
4. Why did Sens. Chris Marr and Claudia Kauffman switch from "no" to "yes"?
Because Tom and Franklin voted against the budget and leadership did not want to see the budget go down. This should give each of them a bit of leverage when votes come up on taxes and the final budget. These two senators are considered vulnerable ths November and could be hurt if they vote for higher taxes. For leadership to let them off from making those votes, there is going to have to been some pressure brought to bear on folks like Franklin and Tom on future votes.
5. What does this mean for the revenue bills?
There's a new plan getting pieced together. How different it is from the current one is unclear although one thing seems certain - it is going to have be bigger in size than the original because of the put-backs.
6. Will it all be done by March 11.
The Senate is ahead of the House in the process but time is running out. Neither caucus has managed to find that sweet spot of agreement on budget cuts and new taxes. The key here is that the prospect for a special session could be the great motivator.
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