In this week's issue of the The Stranger, I attempt to draw a human face on just one of the programs Senate Republicans are seeking to kill in their unnecessarily austere coup budget. Privately, Republicans like to disparage Disability Lifeline as a giveaway to drug addicts and drunks, but to former high tech worker William Cruz, who suffered permanent brain damage due to a black mold infestation, the program proved a life saver.

But that's not the only program the Republicans cut. Also gone is $3.2 million for Readiness to Learn, a program that intensely serves thousands of at-risk students, and with often dramatic results. On the night of the budget coup, after it was clear Republicans had the 25 votes to do what they pleased, Senator Sharon Nelson proposed an amendment to the Republican budget that would restore funding to Readiness to Learn at the expense of state funding for prizes awarded at county fairs. Republicans demonstrated their budget priorities by coming to the floor to vigorously oppose Nelson's amendment, ironically accusing her of breaking a prior agreement, and even seeking to admonish Sen. Derek Kilmer for violating decorum. Watch:

Of course, the amendment went down to defeat, because in Republican eyes, funding prizes at county fairs clearly takes precedence over educating our children.