Where was Dina??

Las Vegas, NV- As the Interim Finance Committee approved the first-round of the Governor's proposed budget cuts, one committee member was noticeably absent from the panel. Dina Titus, whose claimed key accomplishment sat on the chopping block, allowed her colleagues to make nearly $14 million in cuts to the Nevada Check-Up children's health care program and to state Medicaid. Titus, the Democrat's fifth choice to take on Republican Congressman Jon Porter, is clearly avoiding politically sensitive votes in the run-up to the November election.  Even in her absence, Nevada's taxpayers are owed an explanation on where she stands on these cuts. 

Titus has touted the Nevada Check-Up program as one of her key accomplishments:  "Titus leans toward supporting a universal health care system that is not mandated but would cover children. She cited her own bill in the Nevada Senate that created Nevada Check-Up, a state program for uninsured children." (Las Vegas Sun, 5-11-08)

"Titus has chosen politics over elected purpose and shirked her fundamental responsibility as a state senator," Nevada State Party Chairman Sue Lowden said today. "Nevada is facing historic financial challenges and it is time to put politics aside and do what Nevadans have asked their elected officials to do. The votes that elected officials are asked to take are not always politically convenient but that is when a void in principle becomes crystal clear. Dina has failed her constituents and failed Southern Nevada."