http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/5/11/730175/-Missouri-GOP-uses-cancer-center-for-leverageJust how ugly can state level politics get? This ugly.
In a House Rules Committee hearing Monday, House Republican floor leader Steve Tilley amended the bill to strip Ellis Fischel
of its funds. Tilley drafted the amendment after Democrats, including Rep. Stephen Webber, D-Columbia, walked out of the hearing after a spat over rules and procedures.
Republicans then voted 6-1 to wipe out Ellis Fischel's funds...
In case that wasn't clear enough, what happened was that Democrats became upset over the way Republicans were running roughshod over procedure and walked out of a committee hearing. The Republicans then responded by taking away funding for a cancer center that happened to be in a Democratic district. Yeah, that'll show 'em who's boss.
The system of stripping funds from institutions and projects in Democratic districts has become the standard means for Missouri's GOP majority to bludgeon Democrats into obedience. This isn't the first time that even medical facilities have been denied funds so that the Republicans can get the minority to sign away their every concern.
Fortunately, in this case Republicans were forced to put the money back after their maneuver got public attention. Though Tilley, the guy who jerked the cancer funds away, wasn't happy about it.
On Monday, Tilley said he shouldn't have to defend Webber's district after the lawmaker walked out.
For Republican floor leader Steve Tilley, those stupid enough to be sick in a Democratic district are out of luck.
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