State Rep. Jason Spencer's blistering rebuke of "Republican Benedict Arnolds" who threatened his anti-Obamacare legislation didn't sit well with his party's leader. But it also didn't stop Gov. Nathan Deal from endorsing Spencer's proposal in a behind-the-scenes rewrite.
The governor said Wednesday that his staff added a sentence to the legislation "to make clear that nothing in that bill would interfere with the state being a part of a Medicaid program." Said Deal:
"I had some concerns that the language could be broad enough that someone could raise concerns and say we could no longer participate in a federal-state partnership on Medicaid, and that would have been disastrous had that been the effect. I think that's been fixed."
Spencer, if you'll recall, went on a rhetorical warpath after it seemed likely that his legislation, House Bill 707, would fail to pass this session. The Woodbine Republican threatened to identify "the King George the Third and his myrmidons who shipwrecked this path breaking, patriotic bill" at a press conference.
He never did, and instead reported Tuesday that the legislation made "dramatic progress" thanks to sudden support from Deal. That proposal, aimed at banning state officials from helping consumers sign up for new insurance coverage offered under the Affordable Care Act, earned final passage late Tuesday.
Deal signaled he intended to sign the legislation. But he also took issue with the tea party favorite's comments. Said Deal:
"I suppose as long as he doesn't call me by name, I'm OK. I think that's inappropriate, however. It does not get you very far in a body where you have to work with others who are equally elected along with you to represent their constituents and their point of view. My experience is someone who takes that approach is not well served in the long run, and probably the day after they say it, regrets their rhetoric."
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