General Assembly Horse Trading: ‘Woodmansee’ Bill for Gay Marriage
Monday, March 28, 2011
The bill’s main sponsor, state Rep Teresa Tanzi last week asked Doreen Costa if she wanted one of the five coveted spots as an official co-sponsor. The legislation is meant to prevent people like Michael Woodmansee—who killed a 5-year-old boy in the 1970s—from leaving prison early. Tanzi, a Democrat, represents South Kingstown, where the boy lived.
‘I have to horse trade’
Costa said Tanzi approached her on the House floor last Wednesday. “She goes, ‘I have the Woodmansee bill that you wanted to sign,’” said Costa, whose district encompasses Exeter and North Kingstown.
Costa, who had been working on a similar bill, told her that would be “terrific.”
However, Tanzi was expecting something in return from Costa, who sits on the House Judiciary Committee.
“I have to horse trade,” Tanzi replied, according to Costa. “She said, ‘You have to vote gay marriage out of committee.’”
She said Tanzi threw her arms up in the air, declared that the House needed to get the gay-marriage bill out of committee, and walked away.
Tanzi confirmed the conversation yesterday. Although she did not actually recall saying “horse trade,” she said she does use the phrase at home, where her 5-year-old daughter rides horses. She and her husband also use it in conversations about his work on fixing and selling vintage motorcycles.
‘I thought you were different—I thought wrong’
Costa confronted Tanzi about her offer in an e-mail Sunday. “I thought you were different,” Costa wrote. “I thought wrong.” (See below for the full text.)
“I’m not going to play any games to get my name on any bill whatsoever. … I’m extremely, extremely disappointed,” Costa told GoLocalProv. “People need to know what’s going on up there. I ran on transparency and I’m not going to deal with this.”
In an interview, Tanzi said she had indeed offered Costa a spot as an official co-sponsor in exchange for the gay marriage vote. “We were having a definite conversation about the bills and what I think the legislative process is, which is the art of compromise,” Tanzi told GoLocalProv.
‘Maybe I’m learning my lesson’
Tanzi is a prominent progressive Democrat who ousted the conservative-leaning David Caprio from office last year. Costa is a Tea Party leader and a first-term Republican. Although they are at opposite ends of the political spectrum, Tanzi said she has made a point of reaching across the aisle to garner GOP support for her bills—against the advice of veteran Democratic lawmakers, she added.
“I felt it was important for me to be as inclusive as possible as a freshman,” Tanzi said. “That was my M.O.”
But now, after Costa decided to go public with their conversation, Tanzi is having second thoughts about her commitment to bipartisanship. “Maybe I’m learning my lesson,” she said. “If I’m going to be accused of something, then so be it.”
READ Doreen Costa’s e-mail to Teresa Tanzi:
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Comments:
noel davis
7:00am on Monday, March 28, 2011
NOT PERSONAL?????
SIGNED BY COSTA CAMPAIGN CHAIR..STEVE" THE TOOTH FAIRY" & then released to press..what is this the projo??
ed curtis
7:29am on Monday, March 28, 2011
"But now, after Costa decided to go public with their conversation, Tanzi is having second thoughts about her commitment to bipartisanship. 'Maybe I’m learning my lesson,” she said. “If I’m going to be accused of something, then so be it.'”
Tanzi fits right in with the rest of the Progressives. Maybe Nancy Pelosi or the O-bamster has a job for her in DC.
You go Doreen - out these scumbags!
*
Roland Lavallee
8:57am on Monday, March 28, 2011
What a piece of scum that Tanzi is thinking she's going to 'horse trade' any bill for a co sponsor signature.
This Woodmansee release has everyone up in arms. Tanzi didn't realize what she was doing? Bull!
Those progress loonies are all tied to the same boat. Now sink it!
Gary Arnold
9:08am on Monday, March 28, 2011
Tanzi was put up to this horse trade by guess who in the presidents chair?
Costa is a breath of fresh attitude which we dearly need on our state politics and I think Tanzi may be too if she works for her district and not for the goons in the party.
Now the real issue!
Every member of the GA, ask yourself this one question, what if that had been one of your kids that got killed by this person, wouldn't this be the most important bill you would ever want to act on for the injustice that might occur?
VS. voting on a bill that the general public should have the say on.
Get you collective heads out of the sand and start doing your jobs.
Jennifer Norris
9:47am on Monday, March 28, 2011
Rep. Costa? Transparent? Hardly! Wasn't she quoted on this site just a month go stating that she, although she didn't agree with the issue, she was willing to vote it out of committee until Bishop Tobin called her... "It's not every day that the bishop calls you" I believe was the quote!
During the House Judiciary hearings on marriage equality, she left some pro-equality supporters in the hallway under the impression that she supported this legislation. She lied to them!
I can understand Rep. Tanzi's frustration on this issue. It has gone on too long. Legislators like Costa need to remember that they are in their position because of their constituents, and are not the tools of the bishop! Her making this all public highlights her hypocrisy!
Roland Lavallee
9:54am on Monday, March 28, 2011
OH really? Didn't Tanzi say the Woodmansee situation was a 'personal' matter just a few weeks ago? Seems like a Progressive looking to make a name for her freshman-self!
noel davis
9:58am on Monday, March 28, 2011
Dear Costa sycophants: Rep Costa just bailed out on a wpro interview to promote her story or version there of...OH WELL BACK TO XMAS TREES & TOOTH FAIRIES
ed curtis
9:58am on Monday, March 28, 2011
The Media Matters "wannabes" are out in force now.
Watch out Doreen! They can't deal with the fact that one of their own got called out. Progressives are so predictable.
Stick to your guns girl!
*
noel davis
10:09am on Monday, March 28, 2011
GUNS & WATER PISTOLS...AND PIXIE DUST
Joyce Bryant
10:34am on Monday, March 28, 2011
Ms. Costa didn't anyone ever tell you Democrats don't play well with others? Your constituents put you in there, listen to them, and stay clear of the GA pig sty less you fall in that muck again.
Paul Marshall
10:35am on Monday, March 28, 2011
There comes a time when PRINCIPLE trumps POLITICS. This is one of those times. There should be no equivocation. Woodmansee, an evil cannibalistic child predator-murderer deserves the worst.
this is not a "shade-of-gray" issue the liberals like to tout. There is right and wrong. Tanzi is choosing to support the wrong team. WHY?
noel davis
10:46am on Monday, March 28, 2011
DOREEN COSTA aka DEPETRO LACKEY
BIG JOKE
Roland Lavallee
10:53am on Monday, March 28, 2011
WOW! Look at the vitriol and hyperbolic talk!
Max Diesel
10:54am on Monday, March 28, 2011
How do you 'horse trade' releasing maniacal child killers into society for marriage equality? Two lessons obviously missed by Tanzi are don't be 'horse trading' the safety of children and when horse trading, you can't bring something to the table that the other trader needs.
Max Diesel
10:55am on Monday, March 28, 2011
Sorry, 'doesn't need.'
robert benson
10:55am on Monday, March 28, 2011
Each bill should be decided on its merits. There should be no horsetrading to garner committee votes for any bill. Truth be told. It really doesn't matter what a committee wants to do with any particular bill. The House Speaker and Senate President dictate which bills come up for a floor vote and which bills die in committee, and woe unto any legislator who doesn't back these legislative leaders.
noel davis
11:02am on Monday, March 28, 2011
Attn Rep Costa & Mr Tooth Fairy: YOU ARE BEING USED BY JOHN DEPETRO TO GET DAVE CAPRIO BACK INTO OFFICE.BY BASHING REP TANZI....BEING USED & YOU ARE ENJOYING IT...GOOD FOR 4
Paul Marshall
11:05am on Monday, March 28, 2011
Robert: "woe" is what we have to shoe foe 70 years of democRAT rule in RI. "woe" is what the TENS OF THOUSANDS OF people without jobs locally are feeling. "woe" is what we all experience when we see our schools failing and our roads crumbling. "woe" is what we feel when our children grow up and move AWAY. Thanks to the democRATS and our blind allegiance to them and a time long-past.
ed curtis
11:29am on Monday, March 28, 2011
Look at what the "sunlight" brings out.
DEMONcrats crawling out from the depths of Hades to support one of their own devils.
Like cockroaches, they flee when uncovered.
Purge the GA of these Progressives and their clinglings.
2012 is coming soon.
*
Test Account
4:48pm on Monday, March 28, 2011
Ms. Costa played this like a fiddle... Rep. Tanzi was trying to actually find compromise in government, shocking as that might seem, and this is being painted as "insider trading"?
Is anyone here naive enough to believe that we didn't get things like Clean Air, Clean Water, and Civil Rights passed without any backroom discussions?
All this proves is that any personal conversation with Doreen Costa will most likely immediately end up in the "press". I think it'll be interesting to see how her colleagues work with her in the future, knowing that anything they say will probably be twisted on them for her benefit.
ed curtis
5:30pm on Monday, March 28, 2011
"All this proves is that any personal conversation with Doreen Costa will most likely immediately end up in the “press”. I think it’ll be interesting to see how her colleagues work with her in the future, knowing that anything they say will probably be twisted on them for her benefit."
What do the Progressives have to hide from Tax Payers if they're so worried about what is discussed with Ms. Costa? (or anyone else)
Sneaky tactics are prevalent in the Progressive agenda. Similar to hiding behind a BS screen name! Is this another political hack? Probably one of Tanzi's relatives?
Clean house - dump all the Progressives in the General (mis)Assembly.
*
Paul Marshall
5:48pm on Monday, March 28, 2011
Hey "Test Account" (no guts to give your real name-there's integrity!)
You don't "compromise" with a bargaining chip like Woodmansee. How repugnant is that? She didn't promote this, she was TOLD to do this by "leadership". Some leadership!
All that proves is she "horsetraded" for a goldmine and the voters got the SHAFT!
Gary Arnold
5:49pm on Monday, March 28, 2011
Look I see Costa as having principles, something most do not have in the GA and a lot of the comments here.
She is comparing an act of crime that needs to be handled vs. a civil issue with same sex marriage. Put it to the voters so we can get this out of the way. There is much more important business that effects all of us in RI.
Max Diesel
5:49pm on Monday, March 28, 2011
Actually all it proves is Tanzi is a moron for trying to tempt Costa to change her position on a social cause bill with a no-brainer bill that is running almost identically through the Senate. If you want to be a horse trader, you have to bring something to the table or in this case the barn.
Matthew White
5:57pm on Monday, March 28, 2011
This show that Tea Party people write good
Paul Marshall
6:18pm on Monday, March 28, 2011
Rep. costa is a woman of courage and principle. She's bright and courageous. Things "Test Account", you have no acquaintence with.
"Compromise" with the bill relative to a murdering, kidnapping, canibal is WRONG. Not that you liberals can distinguish between right and wrong. For you, there's only "shades of gray". Sad.
Stephen DeNuccio
6:29pm on Monday, March 28, 2011
Okay, I see that a Nostradamus like commenter at the beginning of these comments decided to place a Falsehood on this post. I am Doreen Costa's Campaign Manager or the (Tooth Fairy) as was posted and I did not write the Email
Sorry, but I sign my name to all posts, email, and letters. Doreen nor I lie and have never since we started campaigning February last year. We take great pride in our morals and Conservative politics. Sorry to burst your bubble Nostradamus!
Stephen DeNuccio
Gary Arnold
7:04pm on Monday, March 28, 2011
@ Test Account, you seem to miss the horrid deed that happened with this little boy.
Costa has more guts to stand up and not be made a typical member of the GA, she is truly a standout and standup person that we desperately need more of.
I sense you have ulterior motives in the gay rights arena, put the vote to the public and let’s see what the majority has to say.
Roland Lavallee
7:28pm on Monday, March 28, 2011
Rep. Costa is a breath of fresh air in a stalemate of common sense and public good in the statehouse.
My only regret is that there aren't another 100 of her kind to straighten out the stranglehold on the throats of good Americans.
so sad that the average mentality of RIers is that they want government to take care of them. They want entitlements as long as the next guy is picking up the tab.
Gary Trott
9:29pm on Monday, March 28, 2011
Big deal. One new legislator thinks that she'll get her nails wet in the scratching each others back game. The other new legislator tells her to take a hike. In the end that bill is going to go ahead anyways so all of the wild claims of it not going ahead because of the gay marriage bill is just a bunch of baloney being pushed out there by people trying to make political hay.
Nancy Freeman
1:22am on Tuesday, March 29, 2011
What are you people talking about? Tanzi wasn't exchanging "safety" for homosexual union - the Woodmansee bill's going in anyway.
No, what Tanzi was offering was the coveted chance to be one of ONLY five authors of the bill. That would be a nice feather in Rep Costa's hat as a freshman, eh?
THAT's the deal - the tantalizing invitation to join the exclusive "author" club. And the price is selling out a vote, which Rep Costa declined, to her credit.
It's just the same old dirty politics of tempting someone's ego for a vote that RI Democrats have been playing for decades.
As for Tanzi learning her lesson? Pffft - as if. Teresa, you weren't "being accused" of anything. You were outed. That's not an accusation; it's called Truth. Something you obviously don't recognize.
Swamp Yankee
10:35am on Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Ed Curtis got it right in Comment #19.... and I'm a Republican!
Are people really this naive and childish to think that compromise and horse trading don't go on every day in the G.A., Congress and White House? Can Doreen Costa say with a straight face that this is the first quid pro quo offer she's encountered at the G.A.? Actually I'll bet she can because this proves that she would do anything for her own political gain. (and I'm a Republican!)
I don't know exactly what "horse trading" Governor John Chafee had to engage in to get the Democratic General Assembly to support Fair Housing Laws in the 1960s, but I'm confident it happened (yes - the Dems were opposed to Fair Housing and the GOP Governor forced them to accept a needed civil rights issue - just as they debate Marriage Equality today.)
Since we can safely assume Costa has encountered "horse trading" on numerous occasions but has only felt compelled to "go public" on this occasion, this siutation says more about Costa and her ethics than Tanzi's.
I'm disturbed that Tanzi was swept into office by the unions - but she's on solid ground on these two issues. 20 years from now we'll look back at Marriage Equality and ask ourselves how we could deny Civil Rights to our friends, family and neighbors, and we'll see that it was no big deal. Tanzi also supports a law that would keep people like Woodmansee locked up, and offered Costa an additional benefit for doing something she should be doing anyway by stop holding Marriage Equality hostage in committee.
As a true conservative I can't help but mock people like Rep. Costa who ceases to want less government when it comes to issues related to what goes on in people's bedrooms. Now I also know she can't be trusted with any private conversation I might have with her.
Tanzi's stock just went up for me. The only thing the freshman Representative naively forgot to factor in was the fact that apparently one can't trust Doreen Costa.
Swamp Yankee
10:37am on Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Ed Curtis got it right in Comment #19.... and I'm a Republican!
Are people really this naive and childish to think that compromise and horse trading don't go on every day in the G.A., Congress and White House? Can Doreen Costa say with a straight face that this is the first quid pro quo offer she's encountered at the G.A.? Actually I'll bet she can because this proves that she would do anything for her own political gain. (and I'm a Republican!)
I don't know exactly what "horse trading" Governor John Chafee had to engage in to get the Democratic General Assembly to support Fair Housing Laws in the 1960s, but I'm confident it happened (yes - the Dems were opposed to Fair Housing and the GOP Governor forced them to accept a needed civil rights issue - just as they debate Marriage Equality today.)
Since we can safely assume Costa has encountered "horse trading" on numerous occasions but has only felt compelled to "go public" on this occasion, this siutation says more about Costa and her ethics than Tanzi's.
I'm disturbed that Tanzi was swept into office by the unions - but she's on solid ground on these two issues. 20 years from now we'll look back at Marriage Equality and ask ourselves how we could deny Civil Rights to our friends, family and neighbors, and we'll see that it was no big deal. Tanzi also supports a law that would keep people like Woodmansee locked up, and offered Costa an additional benefit for doing something she should be doing anyway by stop holding Marriage Equality hostage in committee.
As a true conservative I can't help but mock people like Rep. Costa who ceases to want less government when it comes to issues related to what goes on in people's bedrooms. Now I also know she can't be trusted with any private conversation I might have with her.
Tanzi's stock just went up for me. Doreen Costa's went way down as all we know for sure is that she can't be trusted.
Truth Betold
12:42pm on Tuesday, March 29, 2011
LOSER AND SCUMBAG?
Wow, will it never end. Perfect example of someone who THINKS they know what they are doing as a politician (leader). She thinks it is "the art of compromise" to trade these two bills. Essentially placing the same importance on Gay Marriage and NOT freeing killers who eat little kids.
MY GOD!! It is surreal that these conversation take place. What's more- it is even crazier that anywhere in this society even ONE person thinks it is even close to be ok to do this...
So, she is a scumbag.
As for the prvious comment about not being able to work with the rep who spilled the beans. Typical Democrat tactic- discredit rather than focus on the real scumbag in your own camp. This person is obviously a loser...
I hate to use base language but this topic and just one post that closely resembles support for the Rep who tried to trade is CRAZY!
I think that all members of the assembly should be ashamed of this Rep.
Remember- what is right always wins in the end. So for you politicians who think you have to work ax the aisle- YOU DO NOT. Do your thing and if someone wants to support it for the obvious reason- GREAT. Otherwise- do your homework, use the press and rock on!!
Swamp Yankee
5:58pm on Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Doreen Costa might want to ask her own GOP leadership if they've ever engaged in "horse trading" - she might be just as appalled and feel a need to go to the press once again.
How does she think GOP Governor John Chafee was able to get the the Democrats in the House to support fair housing laws in the 60s?