McAuliffe says he'll expand Medicaid by executive action (Vetos funds for New Judge Appointments)

Daily Press ^ | 12:22 p.m. EDT, June 20, 2014 | Travis Fain

[11th_VA]

RICHMOND— Gov. Terry McAuliffe plans to expand Medicaid by executive action, he said Friday, sidestepping a Republican-controlled General Assembly that has blocked expansion through legislative action.

McAuliffe also said he will veto sections of the state budget, including language meant to block expansion by fiat. His administration is looking at a number of options - which the governor did not detail - and expects to have a formal plan by September.

The move leads Virginia into complex legal ground on arguably the most divisive political issue in the state. The governor said he'll allow most the spending plan to become law, avoiding a once feared government shutdown at the July 1 start of the new fiscal year.

McAuliffe said he was moving forward on his own ...

House Republican leaders responded in a statement, saying McAuliffe has "no authority to expand Medicaid unilaterally."

"The Governor’s attempt to usurp the constitutionally proscribed powers of the legislative branch is a dangerous threat to the rule of law, separation of powers, and foundation of representative democracy that we simply cannot allow."

The governor is also pushing back against unrelated projects General Assembly leaders favored. He'll veto funding for some 35 new judge appointments the General Assembly planned to make later this year.

He'll also try to block construction of a new legislative building, parking deck and various renovations around Capitol Square, on which the assembly planned to spend more than $400 million.

House leaders said some of the governor's changes "appear to be petty and politically motivated."

In their statement, House Republican leaders said the state constitution and Supreme Court proscribe a "narrow scope" of veto authority.

[11th_VA]

House leaders said some of the governor's changes "appear to be petty and politically motivated."

Ya think ?

[areukiddingme1]

“the governor’s manhood appears to be petty...”

[11th_VA]

He'll veto funding for some 35 new judge appointments the General Assembly planned to make later this year.

That's so the General Assembly can't appoint Puckett's daughter to a permanent Judgeship. Really petty ... this is getting very ugly ...

[Jim Robinson]

Democrats sure love to play hardball when they get the chance. Whine like little girls when threatened to get it shoved back at them. Too bad the Republicans are such softies and rarely follow through.

[tanknetter]

The proper response to this is for the Republicans to threaten to cut the Governor’s travel budget and staff, including security detail, next year.

[luvbach1]

McAullife pulling an Obama.

[Truth29]

So just like with the US Congress and Obama, what is the Virginia legislature going to do about it? They need to exercise real power and cause the Governor extreme pain for what he is trying to do.

[Tau Food]

Boy, the lawyers always win, don’t they? There’s plenty of work for them here.

[Argus]

Congrats Virginia - you elected a Little Obama to be your very own dictator.

[COBOL2Java]

McAuliffe: “I’ve got a pen and I’ve got a phone!”

[exit82]

I am sure Ken Cuccinelli would be doing the same thing. /s

[sappy]

the man is a criminal. plain and simple

[molson209]

Democrats changing their name to, Dictator Party Of America

[COBOL2Java]

Nov 1, 2013:

McAuliffe pledges to work with GOP if elected

---

If elected governor next week, Terry McAuliffe would work with Republicans in the legislature and appoint them to his cabinet, the Democratic nominee told GOP supporters Friday on a conference call.

McAuliffe's pitch of bipartisanship comes just days before Election Day. McAuliffe is leading in the polls, dominating television advertising and far outpacing Republican rival Ken Cuccinelli in fundraising. But turnout is expected to be low — perhaps as few as 30 percent of registered voters could come out, the state Board of Elections chairman has warned — and that could be problematic for McAuliffe.

That's why McAuliffe is working to win over Republicans and moderates who view Cuccinelli and his tea party ideals as too conservative or divisive.

"One of my top priorities will be to sit down with as many Republicans in the House and Senate (as possible)," McAuliffe said during a conference call on which he took questions from Republicans who support him but not reporters.

"Breakfast, lunch, dinner, we'll grab a drink — whatever," McAuliffe said later, reiterating he'd let Republicans pick the venue.

---

Source: PilotOnline.com

[what's up]

Very scary stuff.

Obama has set a precedent for Governors to rule by fiat. Where will that end?

[navyguy]

When are Americans going to wake up to the fact that Progressives are TYRANTS?

And thanks, RNC, for helping this ass hat get elected. F’ing brilliant.

[newnhdad]

Once again, thank you Bill Bolling. His temper tantrum and sour grapes led to this. I hope he rots.

[Gene Eric]

The little dictators are having way too much fun.

[februus]

That is tyranny. Start a recall. I’d bet you could knock McJoker from his perch.