Opinion

Editorial: Legislators should seek compromise not confrontation with Cooper over budget

Tuesday, June 11, 2019 -- Senate leader Phil Berger, House Speaker Tim Moore and their political kin would be wise to avoid a confrontation with the governor over the budget that will only make them look self-interested, stubborn, petty and dictatorial. Include Gov. Roy Cooper in an open budget process, look for areas of compromise and give-and-take. It is the right thing to do. The state - and even Republicans - will be better for the effort.

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Gov. Roy Cooper
CBC Editorial: Tuesday, June 11, 2019; Editorial #8430
The following is the opinion of Capitol Broadcasting Company
Wisdom the General Assembly’s leaders should take from the futile effort to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 359.
Two-thirds of the women in the legislature – mothers, grandmothers, aunts – who know first-hand the impact of the legislation opposed it and voted to uphold the veto. The three Democrats who did vote to override the veto were men. You don’t need a meteorologist to know which way this wind blows.

The made for video performance in the House of Representatives last Wednesday was more about the Third Congressional District Republican primary runoff.  Rep. Greg Murphy, a urologist from Pitt County is facing pediatrician Joan Perry from Kinston. Perry has substantial backing from key national GOP groups, including Winning for Women and a super PAC affiliated with the Susan B. Anthony List.

During the House debate, Murphy was given a key and lengthy opportunity to show his support for life on a highly-visible abortion-related vote. It was more evidence that the whole issue was mostly about politics.
But the vote Wednesday should be seen as more significant as legislative leaders plot their behind-the-scenes deals on the final shape of the state’s $24-billion budget.

Since 2011 legislative leaders have been able to essentially ignore the governor – Democrat or Republican – in determining the final shape of the budget. Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue lacked the votes to overcome the Republican-dominated legislature’s will and Republican Gov. Pat McCrory lacked the commitment and negotiating skills to win his way.

For the last two years, Roy Cooper like Perdue, was overwhelmingly out-numbered.

But the failure last Wednesday to override the veto should be a clear signal to Senate leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore that things have changed.  Throwing a few pork-barrel bucks into a couple Democratic district won’t do the trick.

Rep. Sydney Batch, who has breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy in early May, cut short her recovery and was at the General Assembly EVERY SESSION to make sure her vote would count in any veto override attempt. That was a LOUD message of dedication and determination without a word being spoken.

Rather than ignoring the governor in the budget process – which is essentially what’s happened since his budget was introduced back in March – legislative leaders should be including him and his administration in the process.

The discussion over the budget should not just include Cooper’s administration but needs to be open so ALL North Carolina taxpayers can observe the process as well as offer their own advice and views on how their money should be spent.

Republicans should have learned that things have changed. There’s a not-so-quiet voice and a good-sized stick in the hands of Cooper and the Democrats.

Berger, Moore and their political and ideological kin would be wise to avoid a confrontation that will only make them look self-interested, stubborn, petty and dictatorial.

Include Cooper in an open budget process, look for areas of compromise and give-and-take. It is the right thing to do. North Carolina – and even Republicans – will be better for the effort.

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