| Little kids continue to be a political football in Helena as (most) Democratic legislators continue to try to get funding for Head Start and health insurance across the line and into the end zone and (most) Republican legislators try to spike the ball on the 50th yard line.
We've been writing about this issue for a while and we know the basic messages coming out of both sides: Democrats say, "They is kidz and gets sick. We has to insure." Republicans say, "But is costz $! Kthxbai!"
But here's the thing -- the initiative set up a special fund that can only be used to fund the initiative. I don't understand the ins-and-outs. I'm not on taxation or appropriations or whatever. But the fund exists and will exist whether the money is spent on little kids' health care. But it can't be spent on anything else.
So, in other words, either the Republicans in Helena are just straight up philosophically dedicated to hating on little kids OR they don't understand the budget process. Given that Sen. Dave Lewis, a smart guy and former budget director, is one of the Republicans leading the charge here, I have a tough time believing ignorance is driving all of it. That's too bad, because based on a couple brief encounters and my general impression, Dave Lewis is one of the reasonable Republicans.
Maybe my understanding is wrong -- it has been before. If it is, please correct me in comments. I'd love to be wrong on this. |
