Wednesday, August 4, 2010
He's consistent: Sen. Burr opposes funds for teachers and Medicaid, also opposes Kagan nomination
- Sen. Richard Burr, R-NC
If he were a fighting liberal, I guess we'd love him: Sen. Richard Burr, who's no sure thing for re-election this year any way you slice it, nonetheless refuses every opportunity to re-present himself as a thinking person's moderate. Instead, he's a down-the-line conservative/partisan Republican, against everything the Obama Administration proposes no matter what.
The latest examples:
1) Burr is out with a statement that he'll vote no on the nomination of Elena Kagan to the U.S. Supreme Court. Remember when Republicans said President Bush had a right to have his right-wing judicial nominees approved because, well, he just did? That was so then, and this is now with a Democratic president who wasn't even born in the continental U.S.
2) And this morning, even as Senate Democrats managed to break the Republicans' filibuster of legislation to provide additional aid to the states for teachers jobs and Medicaid funds — $26 billion that the states, including North Carolina — desperately need, Burr voted no again. The vote on cloture (ending the filibuster) was 61-38, with Republicans Sens. Snowe and Collins, both from Maine, breaking from the GOP ranks to join the 58 Democrats and Joe Lieberman, whatever he is. (Pay no attention to the title of the bill; the operative phrase in the bill summary is "and other purposes."
Burr could've grabbed the opportunity to look reasonable by also breaking ranks on this bill that he might've said was too important for his home state to cast yet another partisan vote of NAY. But he didn't.
The vote on the $26 billion itself hasn't occurred yet. When it does, will Burr switch sides and try to claim the political middle? Not likely.
From Sen. Hagan:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — United States Senator Kay R. Hagan (D-NC) today supported a bipartisan bill that will send approximately $600 million to North Carolina. The bill does not add to the federal deficit and was fully paid for with a number of spending rescissions. The legislation extends increased Medicaid funding, also known as FMAP, to states through June 30, 2011. The bill passed a key procedural vote in the Senate with 61-38 votes, and is likely to be approved by the Senate in the near future.
The legislation means as much as $343 million in increased Medicaid funding for North Carolina. It also will provide nearly $300 million to NC for teachers, which is expected to save approximately 4,500 educator jobs.
“This funding will come to North Carolina at a crucial time for our state,” Hagan said. “In this tough economy, our state government’s budget is down to levels not seen since 1996-1997. The FMAP and education funding will give our state $600 million to maintain critical services and save approximately 4,500 educator jobs just before the school year starts. I have been working with my colleagues to ensure we pass this funding, and I was proud to support this bipartisan bill today.”
This year, Senator Hagan has signed two letters to Majority Leader Harry Reid asking for the FMAP extension.
Comments (4)
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Dip into the surplus? The Dems in Raleigh have long SPENT the surplus and now have to get the Feds to bail them out AGAIN! Guess Joe Hackney, Marc Basnight, and Bev Perdue don't consider North Carolinian's as friends either?
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Hmmm...aren't we in a recession? Aren't tax revenues down? Haven't we had to dip into the surplus to stay afloat? EVERYONE needs help right now. Burr would rather see North Carolinians hurt than break ranks with the Republicans. That should tell you who he considers his friends...and it sure isn't us!
The irony of this is that just a few short years ago, we had a surplus. Then, the democratic controlled state government in Raleigh managed to spend us into a crippling deficit, all while continuing to raise our taxes. Now, we stand outside the Rotunda in DC with our hands out because NC will go broke without federal intervention. I doubt the Senator has anything against teachers, which the spin of this article would suggest, but rather he is against the constant need of states incapable of managing their own fiscal house for more federal dollars. It is akin to a older child constantly asking their parents for money because they spend theirs on frivolous things. If you want to assign blame, look no further than the leadership in the General Assembly and the Governor's Office. They did not even put any of the surplus money away.
Burr is an embarrassment to every thinking North Carolinian and needs to be removed from office. He has done absolutely nothing to benefit the citizens of North Carolina, and now is so in lock-step with the Party of No Republicans in Congress that he denies money to teachers and those who have to depend on Medicaid for their health benefits. As the spouse of a career educator, I will make absolutely sure that EVERY educator in my school district knows of Burr's continued nonchalant attitude towards those who need help the most.
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