Earnest debate this legislative session? Yeah, right.
Published January 16, 2015
Editorial by Burlington Times-News, January 14, 2015.
As expected, the 2015-16 session of the N.C. General Assembly opened on Wednesday. And also as anticipated, Republicans Tim Moore of Cleveland County and Phil Berger of Rockingham County were chosen to lead the state House and Senate for the long session ahead.
About the only bit of drama arrived via the minor inconvenience posed by a small winter storm. Icy roads delayed the ceremonial and organizational start of several weeks of otherwise serious lawmaking ahead.
Now they take a break … until Jan. 28. And when lawmakers return, the bill-filing, debating and wrangling will begin in earnest.
And here’s hoping we have earnest and open debate this session in a style befitting a legislative body, where disagreements are plenty and compromise always an option. It’s how the system is supposed to work, which reflects the expectations of most who don’t serve in government.
We believe most North Carolinians agree that financial stability, accountability and transparency are highly significant matters when it comes to how government conducts what used to be known as the “peoples’ business.” Likewise, issues such as education, economic growth, personal financial security, good roads, a clean environment and a functioning, accessible health care system have considerable support.
The problem, as always, comes when political beings put their allegiance with the party first and the people last — or way down on the priority list. Based on recent history, that divide will only grow unless our power brokers and power seekers understand that both parties come to the table with viable ideas. No party has cornered the market in that area. Partisan politicians would probably earn a whole lot more respect if they could acknowledge the other side might be right occasionally.
Yes, partisan bantering gets us nowhere. Voters didn’t trade one party that used its power to stifle dissent and compromise for another one that has done exactly the same thing. In a perfect world, politicians on both sides would listen more and talk less. Our elected officials in Raleigh have sometimes forgotten that they work for all taxpayers in this state, not just the ones who agree with them.
Earnest discussion won’t solve all the state’s issues. The fact is, our lawmakers have a lot on the agenda this session. The list includes education funding, economic incentives, a potential revenue shortfall, Medicaid, transportation, and the environment — including contentious issues such as coal ash disposal, fracking and offshore oil exploration.
If they really want to set a bold, new course, Republican leaders should bring the public and Democrats into the fold, listen to their ideas and objections, and — yes, we know this is a radical concept — work together to improve upon good ideas and to make them work for the majority of residents.
Wouldn’t that be something.
