Fox and Hounds reports that newly ensconced Assemblyperson Joan Buchanan of Alamo, abstained from her first tough vote, a tax hike proposed by her own party. Not exactly a profile in courage.
The author wonders whether such bravery was more a matter of fear of her swing district’s distaste for a record of tax increases from their representatives. Perhaps Speaker Bass handed out “get out of jail free” cards on the vote because she knew it would not pass without three Republicans, and therefore rookies like Buchanan would not have a “tax increase” vote on her record?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
And this is the “Democratic leadership” at work? Is this the “Change We Can Believe In” that I’ve heard so much about? I’m from Assembly District 15, and I remember the Buchanan signs that read “Performance Not Politics” around the area. This should be a slap in the face to the voters that gave Joan Buchanan their all important vote on election day. I’m sure everyone is happy now, that we sent Buchanan to Sacramento and will be paying her $120,000 a year to do nothing!
Special thanks to the Republican State Assembly Members that have held their ground and continued to resist the proposed tax-increases by the Democrats. I’m encouraged to see that our Republican leadership sees that the state budget problems have to do with spending, not how much money they have to play with.
One thing the Democrats understand unlike the Republicans is winning. They are not going to risk this hard fought seat. Buchanan is going to get a lot more passes on upcoming votes that could hurt her in the next election cycle.