Perdue's centrist about some things, but I'm impressed she's standing up to NC's first GOP-led General Assembly since 1899. We really may have a constitutional crisis here, because there's no provision in NC for what happens in a government shutdown.
From the _Independent Weekly's_ Bob Geary
"No doubt it is a fight: first, over the $700 million gap between the K–12, community college and UNC system funding in Perdue's budget, unveiled in February, and the budget passed by the Republican-led House of Representatives a month ago. But much larger issues lurk below the surface.
Two weeks after the House vote, the two sides were digging in and heading for a government shutdown when the fiscal year ends June 30. Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger went so far as to say that when his chamber was finished with the budget, it would be less than the House-passed plan—widening the education gap.
The GOP's strategy was ruthless: They tied a routine measure extending federally funded unemployment benefits for the long-term jobless to a requirement that if June 30 came and went without a budget deal, Perdue would be forced to swallow the Republicans' budget.
Perdue promptly vetoed it, and she met the press halfway between the Capitol and the Legislative Building to tell reporters, in no uncertain terms, that the Republican move amounted to extortion. In no time at all, her office had posted a video on YouTube capturing the moment. Perdue pushed back hard, campaigning across the state. At RTP, she saluted the business executives who attended for their "bravery," saying their appearance with her was "high-risk"—if nothing less than their duty. "Our commitment to education," she said, her voice rising, "it's in our bones."
More at
http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/in-battling-republican-lawmakers-over-the-budget-gov-bev-perdue-has-emerged-as-a-mighty-opponent/Content?oid=2498732&showFullText=true
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
