Would They Really Have It Any Other Way?

Tipton, Pace feud over budget.

Monday, April 2, 2012 | 1:24 p.m.

Rep. Scott Tipton (R) "joined most other" GOPers in voting for a GOP budget "that would convert Medicare for future retirees into a voucher system for people to buy private insurance. Tipton voted with the GOP on a similar budget last year." State Rep. Sal Pace (D) "said the budget Tipton supported would end the Medicare guarantee of health coverage for the elderly."

A "few hours after the vote in Washington," Tipton's camp "sent out an email blasting Pace for a 2010 vote in the state House to suspend a property tax exemption for senior citizen homeowners. The exemption is likely to be restored this year."

Pace "hit back, noting that Tipton also voted this week for a budget from his party's conservative wing that calls for much deeper cuts" to the gov't and "raises the Social Security retirement age to 70. Pace said the vote places Tipton 'among the radical fringe of Congress'" (Hanel, Durango Herald, 3/31).