Ouch.

Me, a couple of days ago:

Anyway, it’s not like the arts are in poor company. Big Bad Sen. Tom Coburn also wants to eliminate funding [in the stimulus package] for casinos, aquariums, zoos, local parks, highway beautification, and just about everything else that’s not a tax cut. (Don’t worry, it’ll never pass.)

The Senate, last night:

Amendment Number:	S.Amdt. 309 to S.Amdt. 98 to H.R. 1 (No short title on file)
Statement of Purpose:	To ensure that taxpayer money is not lost on wasteful and non-simulative projects.

Vote Counts:	YEAs	73
	NAYs	24
	Not Voting	2

Oops. In a Congress in which the Democrats have a 17-seat majority, this amendment passed by a 49-vote margin. What is this, 2002?

At least both of my Senators (Dodd and Lieberman) had the good sense to vote against it. But Feinstein? Feingold? Schumer? Byrd? Kohl? Merkley? Wyden? Come on, guys. Even Mary Landrieu was on our side.

Victory.

Srsly?

National Arts Policy Roundtable

Live from NPAC: Day 3