Showdown over SB13
Can we be permitted to begin by boasting a moment? NC SPIN first broke the story that the budget deficit was not the reported $3.7 billion, but was more like $2.5-2.7 billion. None of the mainstream media even followed up on the story….it took Governor Perdue, wanting to make sure it was seen and heard by the masses, to announce it on YouTube, the the TV and newspaper guys got the story. The rumors were all over Jones Street last week and one has to wonder where the media types were. The Governor has found she can talk to us by the Internet. Do we spot a new trend?
Back to the showdown….
It’s going to come down to a showdown to determine who prevails in the battle of SB13 – Governor Perdue or the legislature. Our sources say that Perdue is going to use her second veto on SB13, the bill legislators passed that trims the current year’s spending between $650-800 million, seeking savings in the current general fund budget and by pulling in money from The Golden Leaf Foundation, economic development funds and other unspent funds.
This isn’t just a game of chicken, as we posted last week. This could be a defining moment for either or both gunslingers in this showdown and might have long term consequences. We will begin to see it unfold Monday night in Perdue’s State of the State Address. Expect the Guv to say that the lower deficit, coupled with improved revenue projections, money from her proposal for state sponsored video poker and the continuation of one or both of the temporary tax cuts one more year will enable to bring in next year’s budget without laying off thousands of state employees, especially classroom teachers. There will be cuts but not the drastic ones many have speculated will occur.
To Republicans, however, this isn’t just about balancing next year’s state budget. It is an ideological and political battle over the size and role of state government. GOP lawmakers fervently believe government is too big, too costly and too ineffective. They know this is their moment to fix the problem and believe a majority of citizens agree with them.
SB13 passed, without a veto-proof margin. If Perdue vetoes the bill and prevails it might well be the first of a bloody session filled with subsequent vetoes and attempts to override. If the legislature prevails Perdue might just wait to fight in the 2012 election campaign.
It might not be Gary Cooper, in a grainy black and white movie at the OK Corral, but the next couple of weeks promise to be pretty interesting viewing in state politics. Would somebody get the popcorn and Junior Mints?
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: North Carolina Governor Perdue Governor Republicans Legislature SB13 state budget news media YouTub
Now what does that mean? Will the differenc be enough to help any with the budget?
Reply to this
There are two observations presented in response to this article. The general perception of creditability in media coverage has changed from the journalistic to the activists role as witnessed by articles not covered for truly newsworthy events. The second is of framing issues as either a Republican or Democratic conflict. Independents are the folks who made the difference in the last election and will do so in the future.
Finally it is amazing how entrenched the politicians and purveyors of truth are in the battle for self preservation rather than serving the public. Recent history should be a guide for these two groups by understanding the importance of the November election to the former and diminished readership in the print media for the latter.
Reply to this
Any veto of the budget cuts from the governor should comes with proposed full $2.7 billion in cuts that she does like.
Since the beginning of the recession dealing with the budget has been more kick the can down the road than proactive leadership. Putting off the hard decisions relying on federal handouts and robbing money from "creative places" which leaves things such as the Highway Trust Fund and the "raining day accounts" terribly under funded and huge "federal handout" to be repaid.
Unfortunately, it has taken this deep recession to high light the fact that politicians should not spend every penny every year. Also, revenue generation should not be kept at a maximum all the time. During the boom times is when debt should be paid down, money set aside for hard times and do some of the "nice to have" things we would all enjoy and be proud of. The same should be applied on the revenue side. When things are booming hold back on some of the sin and luxury taxes. Leave some room to bump things up a notch when needed.
To a large degree our problems can blamed on people that are no longer there. But, that is the past and not the present.
Both the administration and the legislature is obligated to seriously consider, if not accept without criticism, proposals from either side. Any rejection or criticism should come with an equal amount of alternative cuts. Stop playing politics with so many peoples lives and do your job.
LEAD!
Reply to this
Yes, a new media trend of reporting the truth is taking shape. What shall we call it? My suggestion is the “New Pony Express” in the spirit of Benjamin Franklin’s concept of mail delivery. The mainstream media, on both sides of the conversation, has become biased to the point of exhaustion. I have been especially disappointed with David Crabtree, and WRAL, for their lopsided stories recently. I have also been disappointed with Conservative outlets like the Weekly Standard for their one-sided pieces. That is the reason why I listen to both sides, and then form my own opinion based on the time honored values of liberty given to us by the Founders.
SB13 is necessary, and good for the State, though it may be painful. For too many years politicians have kicked-the-can down the road in the hope they would get re-elected. The time is now for real reform to prevent our posterity from suffering the burden of today. I think a veto by the Guv will be a dire political misgiving based on the election results of November 2010. I like your OK Corral analogy. However, I think the proper context of the pitched battle is not just between the DNC and GOP. This battle is simply for the common sense of fiscal sanity. We cannot spend more than we take in. Wouldn’t you agree?
Reply to this