Raleigh, DC?
June 22, 2011 - by
Is Raleigh becoming a local copy of Washington’s bitter partisanship and polarization?
Long-time lobbyists say they’ve never before seen the level of anger, acrimony and arrogance that marked the Republicans’ first session.
Some blame the Republicans’ determination to get everything all at once – and get back at anybody who stands in their way. Some blame Governor Perdue for basing her reelection strategy on vetoing bills that violate her principles, or cross her Democratic base, depending on how you look at it.
But the big story is what didn’t happen here that does happen in Washington: budget gridlock. Remember all the speculation about what would happen if the legislature couldn’t override Perdue’s budget veto? That died when five House Democrats crossed party lines – and either betrayed their party or put the state’s interests ahead of partisanship, depending on how you look at it.
In the end, the Gang of Five turned out to be the only people in the middle, trying to reach a compromise. That’s where most North Carolinians are, and it’s where the legislature was in years past.
The big question now is whether all the dire warnings about education cuts turn out to be true. Wake County says it’s not cutting teachers or classroom positions. So do Durham and Mecklenburg schools.
What’s the truth? Will Governor Perdue’s predictions prove prescient – or overwrought?
I’m sticking by my prediction: With sessions coming on veto overrides, constitutional amendments and redistricting, we’ll have this legislature with us into December.
Raleigh, DC?
June 22, 2011/
Is Raleigh becoming a local copy of Washington’s bitter partisanship and polarization?
Long-time lobbyists say they’ve never before seen the level of anger, acrimony and arrogance that marked the Republicans’ first session.
Some blame the Republicans’ determination to get everything all at once – and get back at anybody who stands in their way. Some blame Governor Perdue for basing her reelection strategy on vetoing bills that violate her principles, or cross her Democratic base, depending on how you look at it.
But the big story is what didn’t happen here that does happen in Washington: budget gridlock. Remember all the speculation about what would happen if the legislature couldn’t override Perdue’s budget veto? That died when five House Democrats crossed party lines – and either betrayed their party or put the state’s interests ahead of partisanship, depending on how you look at it.
In the end, the Gang of Five turned out to be the only people in the middle, trying to reach a compromise. That’s where most North Carolinians are, and it’s where the legislature was in years past.
The big question now is whether all the dire warnings about education cuts turn out to be true. Wake County says it’s not cutting teachers or classroom positions. So do Durham and Mecklenburg schools.
What’s the truth? Will Governor Perdue’s predictions prove prescient – or overwrought?
I’m sticking by my prediction: With sessions coming on veto overrides, constitutional amendments and redistricting, we’ll have this legislature with us into December.