North Carolina – Republicans
Veto Calculus
Governor Perdue won her first veto fight. And Raleigh’s political chemistry is in flux. Despite their majorities, Republicans now face a Governor who looks stronger than she did a week ago. And then there is the swing power of a handful of conservative Democratic legislators. For Perdue’s part, she has to be careful…
Read MoreFailing the School Test
As Stephen Colbert would say, a tip of the hat to Democrats in the legislature who are fighting Republican bills that would hurt public schools: teacher layoffs, larger class sizes, less early education and private-school vouchers. But a wag of the finger to those same Democrats who would hurt public schools by eliminating state…
Read MoreMitt McCrory
Will Pat McCrory be the Mitt Romney of North Carolina’s GOP: suspect on the right for being a closet moderate? Witness the issue of annexation. Senate Republicans pushed through a bill freezing “forced annexations.” “We don’t think government officials should have unrestricted control over someone’s private property,” said Senator Berger. A gnome…
Read MoreA Healthy Veto
Legislative Republicans seem bound and determined to reelect Governor Perdue. By placating their base on Obamacare and giving her another easy veto, they enabled her to effortlessly shore up her base. That’s her most pressing political need right now. Soon, you’ll probably see her poll numbers rising. Which will help her start-up fundraising.…
Read MoreThis is Business-Friendly?
Maybe legislative Republicans are trying to counter’s Carter’s charge that they’re too cozy with business. They’re talking now about making it easier for gun-owners to pack heat at the workplace. That will make performance reviews more exciting.
Read MoreIn Victory, Defeat
Republicans remind me of Barack Obama. After the 2008 election, Obama wasn’t going to restrict himself to rescuing the economy from a depression. He was also going to reform health care, re-regulate business and Wall Street, save the planet from global warning, win and end two wars, clean up campaign finances and reform the…
Read MoreBev Gets a Break
Governor Perdue must be happy. She’s had a hard two years but she’s finally gotten a break. Two of them. Her stand to extend the ‘temporary’ sales tax increase (in order to lessen spending cuts) has turned out to be popular. Voters – 60% of them – agree with Perdue and disagree with…
Read MoreThe Worst Idea Since Reconstruction
Over the last three years Wall Street has taken it on the chin – what with bank bailouts and corporate subsidies and Stimulus Bills corporate America has become about as popular as, well, politicians. In fact, a recent Gallup poll showed that big business has almost caught up with Congress – in unpopularity. That…
Read MoreSubsidizing Corporations
Limiting jury verdicts for the Medical Society, legalizing negligence in the emergency room for the Hospital Association, cutting worker’s compensation for the Chamber of Commerce – business is having a field day like it never had before in the legislature. In the blink of an eye after the election last November lobbyists and CEO’s…
Read MoreSenator Rucho’s Bill
Having gotten his bill for the Medical Society to “cap” jury awards in malpractice lawsuits rolling, Senator Bob Rucho now has his sights set on getting his friends at the Hospital Association immunity when they commit malpractice in the emergency room. Now a lot of folks have the idea you can sue a doctor…
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