House approves enhanced security measures for themselves...schools are a local responsibility!

via Roll Call.

House lawmakers can use taxpayer funds to buy bulletproof vests and other security equipment, under a resolution approved by the House Administration Committee on Tuesday.

The resolution also allows members to hire security personnel for events such as town halls, to guard their district offices during business hours, and to accompany them on official business.

Paying a security detail for those reasons is now considered “an ordinary and necessary reimbursable expense,” according to the new guidelines.

Security expenditures over $500 must be added to offices’ inventories.

The changes to the Members’ Congressional Handbook come after a gunman opened fire at the Republican baseball practice last summer and wounded five, including House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana.

They also come amid a national debate on gun violence sparked by the Valentine’s Day shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida. A former student roamed the halls there with an AR-15, killing 17 people.

Story here. 

My first reaction was outrage.  How dare they provide money for enhanced security measures for themselves and then don't do a thing to harden local schools.

Then I remembered.

I'm for local control whenever possible.  I want to know the guy or gal that is making decisions that affect me or mine.

Then I remembered chafing at the idea of Washington allocating money locally that had strings attached.

Long short.

Hardening schools is at heart a local decision (at least how we're setup today).  The Feds can develop best practices but its up to each community to DECIDE what THEY want to do and what they will ask citizens to pay for.

As much as I hate taxes I guess its time to support an increase aimed at public schools to prevent active shooters.  I mean that's the only real answer.

The solution in Louisiana will be totally different from what they do in Broward County or New York city.

Time to accept that and move forward. One size will not fit all due to attitudes, demographics and local views on things.