Don’t believe me? Watch the video. Rep. Zerwas clearly says, of the voters in his district, that “they think it’s raining and that most of this money ought to be used”. That is exactly what he says. But Empower Texans spokesman Michael Quinn Sullivan says this:
“Sorry, Dr. Z.,” Sullivan wrote in his press release, “but taxpayers are demanding responsible solutions, not fiscal narcotics, from the Republican supermajority.”
Sorry, E.T., but if the voters of District 28 are telling Rep. Zerwas that they wish to be cautious with the scalpel, that is their right. Isn’t it? And it is his responsibility to listen, isn’t it?
I understand the basic argument that E.T. is pushing (if we bend now it will be easier to bend later) but we have to stop demonizing people simply because they aren’t 100{997ab4c1e65fa660c64e6dfea23d436a73c89d6254ad3ae72f887cf583448986} in lockstep with us. I will also note that we do not have the full context of Rep. Zerwas’ remarks because the entire question and answer episode is not contained in that clip.
Rep. Zerwas does make it clear that first we have to cover any shortfall left from the last budget with the fund and then, according to the wishes of his constituents, we need to consider drawing down most of the rest. While I think it is premature to decide that will be necessary, I understand where Rep. Zerwas is coming from and certainly E.T. should understand that, if indeed they want our representatives to listen to “the people”. E.T. needs to take a serious approach and start offering solutions, ala the Texas Public Policy Foundation, instead of continually attacking Republicans. Republicans have their hands full trying to balance the budget in a media environment that continues to portray them negatively. They don’t need E.T. piling on.
And though I may disagree with Rep. Zerwas, at least for now, kudos to him for representing the voters of his district.