Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Ramsey Upstages Education Commissioner at Pre-K Media Event

Posted by Jeff Woods on Tue, Jun 16, 2009 at 1:37 PM

click to enlarge Republicans insist they aren't trying to shut down these kids' class.
  • Republicans insist they aren't trying to shut down these kids' class.
An outraged Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey and Senate Republicans crashed a press conference today as the state education commissioner was trying to defend the governor's pre-kindergarten program. Senate Republicans want to take $22 million from lottery reserves, in place of $22 million in recurring revenues from the general fund, to pay for part of the program. In a press release, Commissioner Timothy Webb's department claimed the shift was "signaling the GOP-led Senate's intent to do away with the money in the next budget cycle." At the press conference, Ramsey demanded to know how Webb knew his intent. Webb mumbled something about how he didn't actually, and Ramsey stalked out to talk to reporters in the hall.
"Surely anybody with a rational mind would be upset about that," Ramsey said. "When somebody can read a legislator's mind and say they have an intent but yet they stand in a press conference and say, 'Well, we have no evidence of that.' We have no intent to cut pre-K from where it is right now. We'll just have to take it on an annual year-by-year basis to see where we go from here. That's fiscally responsible."

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Glad to see Ronnie is back in the Capitol, but it sounds like the constant drumbeat of criticism is getting to him. Crashing a press conference in a snit? Can you say Capitol Hill Meltdown?

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Posted by Ben on 06/16/2009 at 1:52 PM

PreK should only be for disadvantaged students. To make it statewide and mandatory for all students is fiscally irresponsible.
Parents spending time and working with their children whether rich or poor can do the same thing as Pre-K does. Anything beyond that is nothing but a Union Membership builder.

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Posted by govskeptic on 06/16/2009 at 1:52 PM

Looks like Ronnie got caught showing his true colors. Sounds like who I want for Governor. NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Posted by BigTitan on 06/16/2009 at 3:10 PM

Ron Ramsey = Dead man wwwwaaaallllkkkkiiinnngggg.
Complete implosion. Meltdown.
He's getting killed for fucking up ethics laws. He's getting killed for raising campaign moolah rather than showing up at the Capitol. He's getting killed for political budget cuts.
Got to 'im.
Now he blows up in front of a bunch of kids.
Get some medication, Ron. Take some time off.

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Posted by Noodles Sarducci on 06/16/2009 at 3:12 PM

Let's see. Send racist email about President Obama. (Check.) Reject Capitol Hill statues of world statesmen. (Check.) Parachute into pre-K news conference and menace teachers, parents and kids. (Check.)
Ok. That's a pretty full day for "The New Senate." It's Miller time!

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Posted by Jon Jamsey on 06/16/2009 at 4:19 PM

Oh, no, Jon. It's time for Ron Ramsey to go raise some money from special interest groups with legislation before the Senate - AGAIN.

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Posted by JaStep on 06/16/2009 at 5:04 PM

Okay, goddammit, somebody tell me where Ron Ramsey's campaign is. I got a corpse to collect.

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Posted by The Grim Reaper on 06/16/2009 at 5:32 PM

I know where it is, Reaper. But if I told you, I'd have to kill pre-k.

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Posted by Lazee Eye on 06/16/2009 at 9:38 PM
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