House GOP Drafts Non-Binding Resolution to Rescue Kinder From Non-Binding Promise

Rep. Ward Franz (R-West Plains) introduced a concurrent resolution yesterday (HCR77) calling on the Attorney General to join the Florida's Republican AG in suing to block the new health care legislation for dubious constitutional reasons. Or, they say, Missouri taxpayers should pick up the tab for an independent frivolous lawsuit.

It's nice of Franz, Speaker Ron Richard and the rest of their co-sponsors to give Lt. Governor Peter Kinder some cover on this issue.  Last Tuesday, of course, Kinder and his Chief of Staff Rich AuBuchon announced to reporters that they intended to sue the federal government on behalf of Missouri.  Except they can't and haven't.

Franz et al. did not become outraged by the alleged unconstitutionality of until yesterday, which gives you some indication of how serious they are about the merits of the suit. 

Even Kinder says the "odds may be long" for the suit, and proponents have a "tough sell."  That won't stop House Republicans from devoting time and energy to screaming about the federal health care bill, of course.  But they should be challenged to explain what other programs they're willing to cut to find the $500,000 AuBuchon believes the Attorney General would need to waste for the suit.

h/t KMOX