The Republicans in Raleigh
Monday Madame Governor signed a spate of executive orders and it’s time for the Republicans in the House and Senate to strap on their shields and bucklers and have at it. They’re supposed to be the loyal opposition and this session they would be wise to take the job seriously.
For instance, not long ago, I asked a
He said, Well, the way Skip – House Minority Leader Paul Stam – sees it his role is to work with Joe Hackney. He thinks we can make more progress that way which, granted, may not be much but it’s something.
In this case I’m afraid ‘get more’ means more say in who gets which offices, local perks and, maybe, in which Republicans sit on what committees – which no doubt makes life more comfortable and less contentious for everyone in Raleigh but which, unfortunately, does nothing to defeat Democratic candidates next election.
In effect, politically, getting along with Joe Hackney is tantamount to Republicans accepting a permanent minority status.
Here are several unsolicited ideas for our Republican leaders in the legislature.
1. Campaign Finance Reform – Introduce a bill that prohibits anyone who hires a lobbyist, receives a state contract or serves on a state board – like the DOT Board – contributing to an elected official.
I know purists will argue this violates state contractors’ freedom of speech – but give them a choice: They can either get a state contract or give their money to Bev Perdue, Marc Basnight, or Joe Hackney – but not both. This would eliminate, in one sweep, the biggest source of public corruption.
And, politically, it kills two birds with one stone. Because it also hits the Democrats where they live. Marc Basnight and Joe Hackney regularly outraise their Republican counterparts 3 or 4 to 1. Bev Perdue outraised Pat McCrory by millions. Money talks in politics and the Democrats’ fundraising edge is the key to their decade-long stranglehold on state government.
The way Democrats raise most of their money is pay-to-play which, despite past toothless reforms, continues to be alive and well.
If Democrats can’t raise money from people who want a bill, an appointment or a contract the fundraising playing field will be leveled. Yes, it will also curtail Republicans’ fundraising but it will impact Democrats 3 or 4 times more.
And, yes, Democrats will bury the bill. It will never see the light of day. Fine. Republicans should push it every chance they get for the next two years then take it straight to voters next election. Let Democratic candidates explain why they think raising money from people who want state contracts is a good idea.
2. Campaign Finance 2 – Madame Governor signed an order yesterday to set up a special fund (like an endowment) to raise money from private contributors to pay for the next governor’s campaign. But there’s a caveat: During the campaign Mrs. Perdue said to get the millions candidates have to agree not to attack their opponents – which next election means the Republican has to agree not to attack Perdue.
Republicans should introduce the exact same bill – without the caveat. Let’s have a debate about whether paying candidates not to criticize Bev Perdue on her record next election is a good idea.
3. The Board of Transportation – Madame Governor also signed an order to have the State Board of Transportation voluntarily give up its power to decide what roads get built and when. This, she says, will get politics out of road building. Governor Perdue also says she can bring about this change without legislation because she can appoint board members who agree with her.
But the law says the board must approve the roads. So her proposal rests on a shaky foundation. What’s more, some Democratic legislators are already grousing about the whole idea. They say the old system is just fine.
Republican legislators should support Perdue and introduce a bill to give her just what she wants – legally. No more swapping seats on the DOT Board for contributions. Who knows, they may get lucky and end up with a fight between Perdue and the Democratic powers that be in the legislature – with Republicans supporting Perdue to get politics out of road building.
4. Finally, Perdue has ordered department heads to conduct a 60-day audit of their agencies. She wants, she says, accountability.
Republicans should turn this into legislation too – and put some teeth in the word ‘accountability.’ Specifically, about state mental hospitals and paroles – and how about requiring, at the end of the sixty days, the governor submit her plan to clean up both.
And we face a $3-billion deficit – how about requiring, say, every department in state government – except the mental hospitals and the paroles department – recommend savings of 2-5% in their budgets.
And, specifically, add N.C.S.U. to the list. And, more specifically, add Mary Easley’s job to the items to be scrutinized. Let’s see if Governor Perdue is ready to put her seal of approval on Governor Easley’s golden parachute for his wife.
My point is simple: Republicans have no – or next to no – voice in state government. They’re not going to change that by snuggling up to Joe Hackney, Marc Basnight and Bev Perdue.
It’s time they started acting like the loyal opposition and playing some good old-fashioned politics: Issues style.
Click Here to discuss and comment on this and other articles.
The Republicans in Raleigh
Monday Madame Governor signed a spate of executive orders and it’s time for the Republicans in the House and Senate to strap on their shields and bucklers and have at it. They’re supposed to be the loyal opposition and this session they would be wise to take the job seriously.
For instance, not long ago, I asked a
He said, Well, the way Skip – House Minority Leader Paul Stam – sees it his role is to work with Joe Hackney. He thinks we can make more progress that way which, granted, may not be much but it’s something.
In this case I’m afraid ‘get more’ means more say in who gets which offices, local perks and, maybe, in which Republicans sit on what committees – which no doubt makes life more comfortable and less contentious for everyone in Raleigh but which, unfortunately, does nothing to defeat Democratic candidates next election.
In effect, politically, getting along with Joe Hackney is tantamount to Republicans accepting a permanent minority status.
Here are several unsolicited ideas for our Republican leaders in the legislature.
1. Campaign Finance Reform – Introduce a bill that prohibits anyone who hires a lobbyist, receives a state contract or serves on a state board – like the DOT Board – contributing to an elected official.
I know purists will argue this violates state contractors’ freedom of speech – but give them a choice: They can either get a state contract or give their money to Bev Perdue, Marc Basnight, or Joe Hackney – but not both. This would eliminate, in one sweep, the biggest source of public corruption.
And, politically, it kills two birds with one stone. Because it also hits the Democrats where they live. Marc Basnight and Joe Hackney regularly outraise their Republican counterparts 3 or 4 to 1. Bev Perdue outraised Pat McCrory by millions. Money talks in politics and the Democrats’ fundraising edge is the key to their decade-long stranglehold on state government.
The way Democrats raise most of their money is pay-to-play which, despite past toothless reforms, continues to be alive and well.
If Democrats can’t raise money from people who want a bill, an appointment or a contract the fundraising playing field will be leveled. Yes, it will also curtail Republicans’ fundraising but it will impact Democrats 3 or 4 times more.
And, yes, Democrats will bury the bill. It will never see the light of day. Fine. Republicans should push it every chance they get for the next two years then take it straight to voters next election. Let Democratic candidates explain why they think raising money from people who want state contracts is a good idea.
2. Campaign Finance 2 – Madame Governor signed an order yesterday to set up a special fund (like an endowment) to raise money from private contributors to pay for the next governor’s campaign. But there’s a caveat: During the campaign Mrs. Perdue said to get the millions candidates have to agree not to attack their opponents – which next election means the Republican has to agree not to attack Perdue.
Republicans should introduce the exact same bill – without the caveat. Let’s have a debate about whether paying candidates not to criticize Bev Perdue on her record next election is a good idea.
3. The Board of Transportation – Madame Governor also signed an order to have the State Board of Transportation voluntarily give up its power to decide what roads get built and when. This, she says, will get politics out of road building. Governor Perdue also says she can bring about this change without legislation because she can appoint board members who agree with her.
But the law says the board must approve the roads. So her proposal rests on a shaky foundation. What’s more, some Democratic legislators are already grousing about the whole idea. They say the old system is just fine.
Republican legislators should support Perdue and introduce a bill to give her just what she wants – legally. No more swapping seats on the DOT Board for contributions. Who knows, they may get lucky and end up with a fight between Perdue and the Democratic powers that be in the legislature – with Republicans supporting Perdue to get politics out of road building.
4. Finally, Perdue has ordered department heads to conduct a 60-day audit of their agencies. She wants, she says, accountability.
Republicans should turn this into legislation too – and put some teeth in the word ‘accountability.’ Specifically, about state mental hospitals and paroles – and how about requiring, at the end of the sixty days, the governor submit her plan to clean up both.
And we face a $3-billion deficit – how about requiring, say, every department in state government – except the mental hospitals and the paroles department – recommend savings of 2-5% in their budgets.
And, specifically, add N.C.S.U. to the list. And, more specifically, add Mary Easley’s job to the items to be scrutinized. Let’s see if Governor Perdue is ready to put her seal of approval on Governor Easley’s golden parachute for his wife.
My point is simple: Republicans have no – or next to no – voice in state government. They’re not going to change that by snuggling up to Joe Hackney, Marc Basnight and Bev Perdue.
It’s time they started acting like the loyal opposition and playing some good old-fashioned politics: Issues style.
Click Here to discuss and comment on this and other articles.