Regardless of the outcome of the November 2^nd elections North Carolina will encounter a new style of governance.

Republicans, who need to gain only 6 seats in the Senate, believe they have the votes to wrest leadership away from Democrats and Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight. Unless Republicans gain more than a 27-23 majority there will likely be a power-sharing coalition put in place. Republican Phil Berger, who is likely to be Pro Tem if the GOP gets control, will need some Democratic votes to pass legislation.

In the House, where the outcome appears less predictable, there is almost certain to be a coalition. Democrats will lose some seats. The unresolved question is how many will be lost? Either party with fewer than a five or six vote plurality will have to depend on votes from the other side of the aisle to get bills passed. We remember well what happened in 2003 when Jim Black was forced to accept Richard Morgan as co-Speaker of the House.

Neither scenario is bad, in my opinion. It took more time to pass legislation in the power-sharing years but there was also more effort spent explaining and negotiating bills. 

Any new legislative power structure will bring into play a new dynamic with our Governor, who holds the veto power. Bev Perdue might actually gain power if one or both Houses of the legislature has Republican leadership. To be sure there will be more consultation and negotiation between the House, Senate and Administration. Common sense says that while this might slow down the process a bit we might also see better legislation.

Regardless of who leads our state faces some serious challenges in this coming year. We pray our leaders will have wisdom, the willingness to face and make tough decisions and a desire to serve the common good, whoever they may be.