Drama In Budget Negotiations

I have been following the budget talks, but have not said much about it here on the blog. I often find it boring, and not worthy of much publicity, but today’s news is very interesting.

First, Bobby Harrison with the Daily Journal writes a piece about the budget negotiations, and proceeds to call out Alan Nunnelee for not being available on Saturday or Monday. (Remember what I was saying how Democrats/ their outside forces are beginning to turn up the heat on Nunnelee as he positions to take on Travis Childers).

Then this morning, Paul Gallo breaks the news on his talk radio show that House Medicaid Committee Chairman Dirk Dedeaux was not at negotiations, but was marked in as present. Dedeaux was at Disney World on a vacation he said was planned three months ago. After the news broke, Dedeaux then called in to remind the House clerk that he was absent and should not be paid.

After this, House Speaker Billy McCoy made the decision to replace Dedeaux with House Medicaid Committee Vice Chairman Robert Johnson.

In response to the breaking news from Gallo, McCoy made this remark: “I don’t give a damn what Paul Gallo says about anything. Zero.”

Also from Gallo, we learn of McCoy’s new plan for the budget: spend now and pay pray later. The Speaker quotes the Bible by saying, “We learn from the Scriptures that ‘each day will take care of itself’ and our citizens need this healthcare shelter now.”

The Bible also tells us to live within our means, and not spend money that we don’t have. The U.S. Congress should have paid greater attention to these teachings, and it looks like the state House needs to as well.

H/t: The Gallo Radio Show