Worried about 2010, House Threatens to Pass Photo ID

Despite a a still-unfinished state budget not having a clue on how to spend federal stimulus dollars, the House leadership remains intent on passing a regressive photo ID law AGAIN.  Rep. Shane Schoeller stated late last week that the House would take up photo ID, and rumors continue to resonate in the Capitol that the House will once again pass the controversial measure for the fourth straight year. 

Why is it that that the GOP would rather disenfranchise 200,000 eligible voters than pass health care reform or pass a reasonable budget?   Why is the GOP focusing on photo IDs the year after the state experienced a huge voter turnout -- without a single reported instance of voter impersonation fraud?

The answer is simple: The GOP is worried. They hold only one of five statewide offices and lost the gubernatorial election by 19 points.  And the House is within reach for Democrats in 2010.

Moreover, the party of "fiscal conservatives" doesn't mind passing a bill with a $10 MILLION pricetag if it means they will have a permanent electoral edge built into the state constitution.