On Monday, Sept. 16, the House of Appropriations Committee disputed passing a bill without representatives presenting the bill in person.
Bill 19-03 caused a dispute within the Committee, with allocating $12,475 from the Transportation fund to the Outdoor Program in order to purchase new bikes and equipment. The need for new bikes and equipment arose with multiple bikes not having been returned.
The problem was not with the Bill itself; the issue was that no one from the Outdoor Program showed up to the Committee to present their need.
“I am uncomfortable on voting for something where they cannot bring a presenter to answer questions,” House representative Chris DeLeon said. “I hate voting on something when somebody cannot show up to our meeting two weeks in a row, if it was time sensitive then they would send someone. We do need someone here to tell us why it is worth it for us to give someone an amount that is higher than our transportation budget.”
Some representatives also shared these same concerns. “The point of HAC is to get things to the senate, but I would want some clarification on these numbers and if they really want this, they should have someone here,” representative Brooklynn Gunito said.
“If we pass it will somebody show up on Wednesday? I feel if nobody does then it looks bad on us too,” representative Devan DeFreece said.
Although, some shared DeLeon’s concerns, not all felt that way.
“I think just because nobody has shown up doesn’t mean we should not help get these students their bikes,” representative Karson Fye said.
“I would be more comfortable if there was someone who gave a presentation, but it is their money, and I think that having more bikes will put more money in this budget. I am still in support of this bill,” representative BriAnne Marr said.
“First of all, I think that it is important, I am kind of in [agreement] that students who want bikes should get bikes. I would like representation regardless, but this is a fair ask and we should vote yes on this bill,” representative Salina Edwards said.
After the discussing the importance of the bill and the lack of representation, a motion was made to table the bill for another week. After tabling the bill did not work, it was passed with five votes in support and three votes to abstain. Afterwards, again representatives voiced their concerns.
“I understand that this may be time sensitive, I just feel very strongly that someone who knew about the budgeting should have come. I am not part of the Senate, but I feel cheated out of a presentation if they come on Wednesday, and I feel that if without representation of a bill, what’s the point,” Guinto said.
“Overall, I think that it is really important on what motivates our votes, not just to pass on something, and we should be prepared to vote if there is no representation,” Edwards said.
In other news, Bill 19-05 was passed to support the Physical Educators Club to travel to Denver for a national conference.
