Martin Endorses Extreme Plan to Reject $189M "Bribe" for Missouri's Schools
The crazy train may have already left the station, but that didn't stop Ed Martin from endorsing the extreme plan put forward by Sens. Jim Lembke, Jason Crowell and Brian Nieves in which Missouri would send $189 million in federal education dollars allocated for Show-Me State schools to other states around the country.
Late this morning, Martin called on supporters to "melt the phones and jam the inboxes in Jefferson City," directing them to a "St. Louis Tea Party Special Alert." Via St. Louis Activist Hub:
The action alert declares the funding to be a "bribe" from U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, and asks supporters to ignore unspecified "liberal lies" about the money.
DC is shoving $$$ for education (strings attached) down Missouri's throat. Senators Lembke and Nieves are trying to #senditback...
Don't Listen to the Liberal Lies
If Missouri takes Arne Duncan's bribe, it will simply INCREASE general spending, not education spending. That's just the way government works.
By returning this bribe (and its burdensome handcuffs), we'll send a message--and instill fiscal responsiblity [sic] in both Jeff City and Washington.
Perhaps Martin and his tea party tribe are unaware that Republican budget leaders are supporting the acceptance of this alleged bribe? Senate Appropriations Chairman Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia) told the Associated Press this weekend that extreme conservatives could "make a statement by not taking the money, but by doing that, all you’re doing is penalizing grade-school kids." And House Budget Chair Ryan Silvey (R-Kansas City) says the same:
Silvey said he believes Missouri should use the federal money, because rejecting it only would redirect it to other states.
"Missourians are paying federal taxes regardless, so I think that Missourians - and the state - should avail itself of the federal taxes that our citizens have paid," Silvey said.
Despite his poor timing, this should help Martin wrap up the key Missourians-Who-Don't-Care-About-Their-Kids'-Education demographic.
