Veteran House members said they easily could visualize the hit piece: Incumbent X voted to give money to the symphony rather than to Grandma and disabled cousin Billy, who needed it for a little help so they could stay in their own homes.
And then, like all the other quail in the House, they scattered.
In a 67-61 vote, the House just agreed to Rep. David Simpson's amendment to strip $3.5 million from the Commission on the Arts to the Community Based Alternatives program that helps the elderly and disabled avoid going into a nursing home or large group homes. Seventeen members white-lighted -- voted "present not voting." Five more were absent, only two of whom had excuses.
Rep. Vicki Truitt, R-Keller (above right, 2009 AP photo), complained that a "nay" vote would "be used against members in primaries." And she then cast one.
Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, spoke of the envisioned mailer that blasted the incumbent for giving money to the symphony in tight times. He then voted "aye," presumably not wanting to be counted as amidst that foolhardy, Brahms-loving bunch.
Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, and other House budget writers described the amendment as foolish because it would take the last remaining money they left at the arts agency and make barely a ripple in a large hole the all-cuts budget carves into the in-home services program. But no matter. Once their attempts to dodge a record vote failed, they couldn't hold their troops. The vote split in mind-boggling ways. Here's a look at the DFW area members' votes:
Ayes: Branch, Carter, Gooden, Hancock, Jackson, Johnson, P. King, Laubenberg, Orr, Parker, Paxton, Sheets, T. Smith, Solomons, V. Taylor, Zedler.
Nays: Burkett, Driver, Harper Brown, Hartnett, Madden, Mallory Carraway, Nash, Pitts, Shelton, Truitt, Veasey.
Present not voting: Giddings.
Source: http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/04/fear-of-campaign-attack-ads-dr.html
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