Request DENIED

With the spending freeze in place to help cut down on spending and balance the state’s budget, Speaker Jim Weiers is getting serious on his spending cuts. Some of his fellow House members may not be to happy about it though. While the elected officials are essentially exempt from the hiring freeze, Weiers has yet to replace staffer Brad Regens, Director of Fiscal Policy.

But that is not what is going to upset his colleagues. Democratic Minority Whip Steve Gallardo was on the floor complaining about the House being exempt from the hiring freeze and still spending money. Gallardo was going out of his way to say the House was wasting money so Weiers, who had just received two travel expenses from Democrats David Schapira and Ed Ableser for roughly $2,000 each, denied their travel on the floor. And for those who think it is partisan should note a request from Republican Russell Pearce was denied earlier in the day.

Leave it to the House to always keep things interesting on a slow day.