Rep. Viebrock: Advocacy groups "are nowhere to be found when the actual work takes place"

Rep. Jim Viebrock (R-Republic) has an interesting take on why so many are upset with the House Budget: they're not actually interested in providing input.

"Right on schedule, the protesters showed up on Wednesday for a rally and to encourage the legislature to fully fund their cause," Viebrock wrote. "They gathered out on the front lawn, got all pumped up and stormed the building chanting and screaming clever catch phrases. They demanded changes and additional monies be put into the budget. All of that is well within their rights to do, however, as I have been stating in previous reports, the time to have that kind of input- has already passed. The day we are voting on the final proposal is simply too late. These groups are nowhere to be found when the actual work takes place, they do however, have no problem showing up after the fact to complain," he said.

Fascinating. I suppose that the public was "nowhere to be found" in the sense they weren't invited to the meetings in Allen Icet's office --- but I bet folks would jump at the chance if Mr. Viebrock would let people know when and where to show up.