Nc Politics

That's the question in the minds of many observers of environmental policy-making this week, as a wave of the greenest legislators in North Carolina decline to stand for re-election in the face of radically re-engineered district lines.

The latest worrisome retirement announcement came last week from former House Speaker Joe Hackney, long considered the leading environmental champion in the N.C. General Assembly. Redistricting had gerrymandered Hackney into a "double-bunking" of incumbents with fellow legislator Rep. Verla Insko (D-Orange).

When Jane and I checked out at the grocery story in Chapel Hill on Saturday morning, the cashier commented that it looked like we were having a party. We were buying snacks and drinks for a meeting of BlueNC frontpagers later in the day.

You don't have to spend much time reading online comments about political news stories to understand a fundamental difference between the far left and the far right in North Carolina politics.

I'm back.

After nine months living in Rising Sun, Maryland, I'm back in Chapel Hill. After nine months of helping my father-in-law die, I've returned to North Carolina, resolved more than ever that this beautiful state will not meet the same fate.

During those months away, I traveled to New York City more than a dozen times by train to meet with clients in Manhattan. I've been working with these clients since 1997, so we always have a lot to talk about, ranging from family to ACC sports to the weather to the economy and more. But this year, a new topic crept into our conversations. It started last spring with a question from an executive at a global professional services firm. "What the hell is going on in North Carolina?"

After years of admiration for our commitment to education and environmental stewardship, this person has taken notice of the extreme about-face imposed on our state by a radical Republican agenda. This person influences hiring and expansion decisions not only for her company, but for many other businesses as well. This person has already written North Carolina off.

Special thanks to Thom Tillis, Phil Berger, and Art Pope. In one short year, they have done what most states couldn't accomplish in decades. We're number one.

Methinks he doth protest too much:

“One of the biggest problems the Tea Party is facing right now is messaging. The Tea Party is not on the fringe; the Tea Party is on the right side of the spectrum but we're not on the fringe,” said Tea Party member Judson Phillips.

Riiight. So I guess limiting the right to vote to only property owners is also not fringe-worthy:

If Dante were alive today, he'd be laughing his ass off at the Divine Comedy of North Carolina politics, otherwise known as the eighth circle of hell.

As you may remember from high school, this special circle punishes sins involving fraud, with a hearty shout-out to (1) corrupt politicians immersed in a lake of boiling pitch, and (2) hypocrites who slog the circle, burdened by heavy lead cloaks of deception. In North Carolina politics, both are alive and well.

On the corruption side, Democrats have long held top honors with a record of greed that should be embarrassing to anyone claiming party membership. The list of known offenses is too long to recount, and I am proud to say that progressives remain at the forefront in the push for ethics and transparency. On the hypocrisy side, today's Republicans have no equal. Jane Pinsky makes the point well at NC Policy Watch.

I want to thank Governor Perdue for standing up and fighting the Republican Budget.  I am ashamed that 5 Democrats decided to do what was in their best "Political Interest" instead of what is best for the State of North Carolina and the citizens of North Carolina.  Make no mistake this Budget takes our state in the Wrong Direction!  

The Republicans claim that their budget protects the class rooms but all they do is force the Local Governments to take on more of the burden of making those cuts.  A burden that they can't afford to bare.  

The Republicans have cut funding to Early Childhood education that really helps low income families and minorities, but the Republicans could careless.  All the while Tom Tillis gives his staff Raises, teachers across the state are going to get Pink Slips!  It's unforgiveble!  

Laura Leslie gives GOLO folks a dose of reality:

Budget? What budget?

Despite all the talk leading up to the new session about how closing the projected $3.7 billion deficit would be the top priority for lawmakers this year, plenty of non-fiscal issues are being addressed by the initial bills being filed.

No comments yet, but that's okay, Laura. They're still thinking about it and trying to figure out if you're one of them dang Socialists.

Yesterday, I had a long conversation with a lobbyist and former democratic candidate, who, for their own protection, shall remain anonymous.
We talked about a multitude of topics, but one common thread was this: New Legislators come in committed to advocating for Real Change and then gain power!
This lobbyist shared with me how at one time, now Minority Leader Joe Hackney came into the General Assembly as a strong advocate for grassroots issues like collective bargaining, but as time went on, and Rep. Hackney found himself in the driver's seat of the House, his attitude changed.
We talked about the HKonJ's 14 Points and the lack of advocacy of that agenda by the Legislative Black Caucus.

Where are the Servant Leaders of the NC democratic Party? Is it the money trail? Is it the fear that if I (legislator) don't do what the leadership wants, then when it's time for me to go get a lobbying job, I won't be seen as very effective?

Duke Energy spent $3.3 million on lobbying over the past six months. That explains everything you need to know about who's calling the shots on US energy policy. Here's a snapshot of contributions made to Richard Burr.