House Committee rejects bill to cut spending on non-essential trinkets and swag

Late last night, the House Joint Committee on Appropriations & Budget (JCAB) rejected a measure designed to cut non-essential agency spending on promotional items and other trinkets (the "anti-swag" bill).

Presented by Rep. George Faught (R-Muskogee), the bill could have saved as much as $30M, which could have avoided additional cuts or paid for half of a $1000 teacher pay raise. Instead, JCAB members shot down the measure, specifically objecting to cutting items such as FFA trophies (which could be paid for by private funds) and stress balls for veterans.

The final vote was 5-21.

These members felt that nonessential promotional spending should be cut, and should be commended:

• Jon Echols (R)
• John Paul Jordan (R)
• Jason Murphey (R)
• Terry O'Donnell (R)
• Todd Russ (R)

These members felt that nonessential promotional spending is just too important, and shouldn't be cut:

• Scott Biggs (R)
• Chad Caldwell (R)
• Dennis Casey (R)
• Josh Cockroft (R)
• Jason Dunnington (D)
• Katie Henke (R)
• Scott Inman (D)
• Steve Kouplen (D)
• Ben Loring (D)
• Scott Martin (R)
• Charles Ortega (R)
• Leslie Osborn (R)
• Pat Ownbey (R)
• John Pfeiffer (R)
• Eric Proctor (D)
• Dustin Roberts (R)
• Mike Sanders (R)
• Earl Sears (R)
• Shane Stone (D)
• Emily Virgin (D)
• Kevin Wallace (R)

It's a shame that so many so-called Republicans are rejecting efforts to make the easy cuts (nonessential spending) and instead push for tax hikes.