Virginia State Senator Resigns After Cutting Shocking Deal With Republicans

finance.yahoo.com ^ | 6/8/14 | Phillip Puckett

[cotton1706]

A Virginia state senator is set to resign on Monday after cutting a deal with Republicans, a stunning move that gives the state GOP the upper hand in an ongoing fight over the state's budget and an expansion of the Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act.

Democratic state Sen. Phillip Puckett will step down on Monday, news first reported by The Washington Post. According to the report, Puckett's resignation leads the way for him to get a job as deputy director of the state tobacco commission and for his daughter to be confirmed for a state judgeship.

It also means Republicans now have a 20-19 majority in the state Senate, something that could stall an expansion of the Medicaid program in the middle of an increasingly tenuous, partisan fight over the state budget.

Puckett's office confirmed he will make the announcement on Monday but declined to discuss specifics of the deal that reportedly led to his resignation — a deal some characterized as "bribery."

A furious Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat, called the situation "unacceptable."

"I am deeply disappointed by this news and the uncertainty it creates at a time when 400,000 Virginians are waiting for access to quality health care, especially those in Southwest Virginia," McAuliffe said.

"This situation is unacceptable, but the bipartisan majority in the Senate and I will continue to work hard to put Virginians first and find compromise on a budget that closes the coverage gap."

Virginia's government is rapidly veering toward a shutdown if neither side budges from its Medicaid position before July 1. McAuliffe says an expansion must be part of the new budget, while Republicans have so far resisted his calls.

[cotton1706]

"In his statement, however, McAuliffe offered a reminder that three moderate Republican state senators had offered sentiments of support for Medicaid expansion. Their votes could theoretically make Republicans' majority obsolete."

This is why we need to remove as many "moderate republicans" as possible. Because they are democrats!

[Sherman Logan]

According to the report, Puckett's resignation leads the way for him to get a job as deputy director of the state tobacco commission and for his daughter to be confirmed for a state judgeship.

IF the report is accurate, this is unacceptable, and I hope the GOP representative involved refuse to go along with it.

[headstamp 2]

“A furious Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat, called the situation “unacceptable.”

Unless the shoe was on the other foot.

[Sherman Logan]

Although it should be noted that similar log-rolling was involved in getting the 13th Amendment passed.

[Vigilanteman]

Anybody remember the name of the GOP Senate Majority leader who agreed to parity on all committees when the Senate was 50-50 with VP Dick Cheney as the tie-breaking vote?

That lasted a whole 4-5 months until Vermont's Jim Jefford switched parties.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Quid pro quo is usually a little more... subtle?

[centurion316]

With a Democrat Governor, how do the Republicans manage to control the Tobacco Commission? I understand that under Virginia law, this guy’s daughter cannot accept the judge position as long as a close relative is a member of the Senate or House of Delegates. Or, so reports have said.

[JPG]

picked a great week to quit.

[ScottinVA]

three moderate Republican state senators had offered sentiments of support for Medicaid expansion.

No worries. That will NEVER get through the far more conservative House of Delegats.

[ScottinVA]

That lasted a whole 4-5 months until Vermont's Jim Jefford switched parties.

Does anyone remember when, in 2002, after the GOP re-took the Senate by a larger margin, Jeffords asked to come back to the party? Trent Lott said, "nothing doing."

[Steven Scharf]

The Judgeship thing is Senate policy, not law. Virginia is a strange state where the legislature chooses this 31 member commission and the commission hires all employees except the executive director.

I don’t know if these 31 appointees are paid, but if they are, it is a nice little patronage for the legislature.

Here in Maine, the Dept of Health and Human Services manages the Tobacco Settlement money with oversight by the legislature. No need for a commission here or in Virginia.

[Wolfie]

I think they’ve reached the point where they just don’t care anymore. It’s not like any voters are doing to start casting their ballots differently because of it. They have us nicely triangulated.

[PoloSec]

"This is why we need to remove as many "moderate republicans" as possible. Because they are democrats!"

You are absolutely right, I've made the same argument in regards to the U.S. Senate, if anyone thinks taking the Senate by a majority of one or two seats, well help;  they are delusional.

I have little doubt that in a very narrow majority win, John and his McCainites would side with the rats on most of their agenda, in the case of republicans taking more seats, say 4 or 5, John and his johnboys would switch parties.

We must win by a significant margin, and right now that appears to be unlikely.

[black_diamond]

One of the few times in my adult life I am proud of my party. Finally, someone in our party is playing hardball.

[kabar]

I wonder if this is a setup. It provides a convenient exit for McAwful to end the confrontation with the General Assembly and it still gives the Dems the issue to use against the Reps duromg the federal midterms and the next GA election. Both sides want to end the Mexican standoff that could shut down the government.

The Dems want to energize their base in the midterms and what better way than to paint the GOP as the bad guys who expand Medicaid. Barbara Comstock, running in the 10th District to fill the Frank Wolf seat, is finally on the record as being against Medicaid expansion. John Foust, the Dem will no doubt use that against her.

[Mr. K]

So he sells out his party for a Judge position for his daughter?

nice...

Now we have to deal with another democrap judge...

[cotton1706]

I agree. Here are the 15 republican senators with the least conservative records. Surprise surprise that they are the ones that continually help the democrats (and McConnel) with their votes.

Ayotte (NH) - 2016 - 67% (Average) - 57% (Heritage) - 79% (CFG) - 68% (ACU) - 64% (FreedomWorks)

Portman (OH) - 2016 - 64% (Average) - 57% (Heritage) - 71% (CFG) - 64% (ACU) - 64% (FreedomWorks)

Corker (TN) - - 60% (Average) - 44% (Heritage) - 75% (CFG) - 64% (ACU) - 55% (FreedomWorks)

Blunt (MO) - 2016 - 59% (Average) - 57% (Heritage) - 67% (CFG) - 71% (ACU) - 41% (FreedomWorks)

Graham (SC) - 06/10/14 - 59% (Average) - 52% (Heritage) - 65% (CFG) - 68% (ACU) - 52% (FreedomWorks)

Chambilss (GA) - - 57% (Average) - 57% (Heritage) - 61% (CFG) - 56% (ACU) - 52% (FreedomWorks)

Alexander (TN) - 08/07/14 - 55% (Average) - 46% (Heritage) - 67% (CFG) - 60% (ACU) - 45% (FreedomWorks)

Kirk (IL) - 2016 - 55% (Average) - 44% (Heritage) - 74% (CFG) - 44% (ACU) - 59% (FreedomWorks)

Isakson (GA) - 2016 - 54% (Average) - 54% (Heritage) - 59% (CFG) - 54% (ACU) - 50% (FreedomWorks)

McCain (AZ) - 2016 - 54% (Average) - 43% (Heritage) - 71% (CFG) - 52% (ACU) - 48% (FreedomWorks)

Wicker (MS) - - 54% (Average) - 46% (Heritage) - 68% (CFG) - 60% (ACU) - 41% (FreedomWorks)

Cochran (MS) - 06/03/14 - 54% (Average) - 57% (Heritage) - 56% (CFG) - 60% (ACU) - 41% (FreedomWorks)

Hoeven (ND) - 2016 - 51% (Average) - 44% (Heritage) - 58% (CFG) - 60% (ACU) - 41% (FreedomWorks)

Murkowski (AK) - 2016 - 41% (Average) - 36% (Heritage) - 52% (CFG) - 38% (ACU) - 36% (FreedomWorks)

Collins (ME) - 06/10/14 - 30% (Average) - 28% (Heritage) - 39% (CFG) - 28% (ACU) - 23% (FreedomWorks)

[fieldmarshaldj]

Terry McAwful is “unacceptable.”

[John S Mosby]

And the bag of cash in his other hand. The charlatan of Global Crossing and a “green” car maker that never was after being ripped off of the subsidy. Major a- hole that one, and damn yankee to boot.