Pawns to Queen’s Turf
2011-04-13 - by
Look on the House budget proposal as the first move in a political chess match.
The strategy: Lay out the most draconian cuts possible, guaranteed to bring to Raleigh every special interest group in the state – a chorus of voices denouncing, declaiming and pleading.
Then come up with some magic moves – new revenue estimates, the sale of state assets, etc. – that lessen the pain. And say: “See, that wasn’t so bad. We told you we could do it.”
The Senate will get to play its apparently traditional role as Defender of the University System. (The ghosts of Marc Basnight, Tony Rand and Walter Davis must still stalk the chamber.)
The challenge for Governor Perdue is to focus the match on her strongest argument: Why cut nearly a billion dollars out of public education when we can keep the temporary taxes and avoid laying off teachers and classroom personnel?
Pawns to Queen’s Turf
2011-04-13/
Look on the House budget proposal as the first move in a political chess match.
The strategy: Lay out the most draconian cuts possible, guaranteed to bring to Raleigh every special interest group in the state – a chorus of voices denouncing, declaiming and pleading.
Then come up with some magic moves – new revenue estimates, the sale of state assets, etc. – that lessen the pain. And say: “See, that wasn’t so bad. We told you we could do it.”
The Senate will get to play its apparently traditional role as Defender of the University System. (The ghosts of Marc Basnight, Tony Rand and Walter Davis must still stalk the chamber.)
The challenge for Governor Perdue is to focus the match on her strongest argument: Why cut nearly a billion dollars out of public education when we can keep the temporary taxes and avoid laying off teachers and classroom personnel?