Day: April 29, 2015

Gaetz Says Tallahassee Looks Like Washington

Buck Banks

We ought to wave a copy of the Constitution under everybody’s nose and say we have a constitutional obligation to pass a budget … If not, we’re Washington. We look like Washington.

— Florida Sen. Don Gaetz (R), on the Florida legislature closing its session three days early, sine die, with no date set for a special session to create a budget — the only legislative act required by the state’s constitution, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Republicans Run Amok in Florida

Trish
FLHouse
Nobody home: Looks like a good place to hold a legislative session. Photo: Aaron Deslatte of the Orlando Sentinel

When the going gets tough, what do the tough do? They get going. And that’s exactly what Florida state House members did. They walked out in a huff, with three days remaining in the state’s annual legislative session.

You had one job, Florida House Republicans — to approve a budget. And you didn’t even come close.

Technically, there is no lack of leadership, it’s that the leaders are mainly Republicans, and this is what Republicans do. Let’s all be clear on that.

Republicans in the Florida House disagree with Republicans in the Florida Senate over Medicaid expansion. And the Republican governor keeps changing his mind.

For states unlike Florida, not run by Republicans, this is a non-issue. What’s not to like about getting more Medicaid coverage for your poorest residents, with most of the bill footed by the federal government?

[…]

Jeb Bush’s Campaign — All Money and No Endorsements

Buck Banks

Money is unlikely to be Bush’s problem in this campaign, and cash may be a less valuable resource than another sort of currency in which he is lacking: the support of influential Republicans, like current senators and governors, especially those who publicly endorse a candidate. Historically, these endorsements have been the best proxy for support in the ‘invisible primary’ and a leading indicator for which candidates may emerge victorious through the rough-and-tumble nomination race. … So far, Bush has won very few endorsements. No current Republican senators or governors have endorsed him, and only five members of the House of Representatives have done so, all from his home state of Florida.

— FiveThirtyEight

Anti-Gay Gay Republican Outs Himself Via Grindr

Buck Banks

That’s what gay guys do on gay sites, don’t they? That’s how things happen on Grindr. It’s a gay chat site. It’s not the first thing you do on that site. That’s what we do, exchange pics on the site.

— North Dakota State Rep. Randy Boehning (R), confirming he was “Top Man!” on Grindr and saying he doesn’t think sending a graphic photo of himself to a stranger is a lapse in judgment, as Grindr is an adult site where users often exchange such images, reported Mediaite. After Rep. Boehning voted against a bill that would have expanded anti-discrimination rights for LGBT citizens, the Fargo Forum published a front page featuring his photo and the photos of every representative who voted against the bill. Dustin Smith, a 21-year-old Bismarck resident, recognized Boehning as a Grindr user named “Top Man!” who’d been flirting with him for a year and sending him pictures, some with his face, and at least one dick pic.