This legislative session and the GOP

by Gene Arnorld, Former legislator from Nash County and NC SPIN panelist, July 28, 2013.

One of the most contentious sessions of the General Assembly has come to a close.  Without going into detail on all the legislation passed, I am more concerned with the public attitude that seems to prevail and the apparent fracture in the ranks of the Republicans.  All is not well in the Grand Old Party.

First of all the women of the State are indicating irritation with the 'Abortion Bills' initiated by the Senate and pushed through the House.  This puts unnecessary pressure on the Governor to sign a bill he doesn't necessarily like but he wants to appease the party faithful.  The timing is bad for the Governor because it confirms he is not in control of legislation coming out of the General Assembly.  It is bad timing for Speaker Tillis because it forces him to face the women voters against Hagan in the fall.  Sen. Hagan has approximately 65% of the women's vote and Tillis needs to reduce that number to 50%.

The voting rights legislation will surely be tested in the courts.  North Carolina and Texas have been targeted.  North Carolina's voter legislation is more strict than most legislation that passed in other states.

The Senate has clearly been the driving force in presenting legislation this year.  Part of the problem is the Speaker of the House, Rep. Tillis, is running for the US Senate.  A lame duck leader, he has less bargaining power for the House agenda.  Selection of his successor has already begun and the infighting goes along with the mood of the House members.

The Governor has sided with the House, however, being new to real politics, he has not understood the content of the issues.  The Governor has spent little time studying the issues.  His staff is new and they, too, have had little knowledge of the effects of some controversial legislation.  Add to that mix most of his Cabinet appointments are new and the Department leaders are not up to date on the issues affecting their area of concern.  A clear indication of the discontent building in the House is witnessed by the vote on the budget bill.  While about ten of the House Republicans did not vote for the budget bill, it is my understanding there were as many as twenty Republicans who did not intend to support the budget.  A special caucus meeting brought some members back into line.

Finally, while the Education portion of the budget increased in the dollar amount of the budget allocation, many teachers and educators are upset with the policy legislation which passed in both chambers.  Teacher pay was left stagnant, extra pay for certified teachers was eliminated, teacher assistants were eliminated, Teaching Fellows were eliminated, Common Core Standards was not supported, and vouchers were implemented.

It has been and looks like a long hot summer will continue for the Republicans.  A leader has to emerge soon if the party is going to remain in power, even with the new redistricting lines being drawn in their favor.  Attitudes must improve.  Legislators must start listening to their constituents.  If not, the future of the State may become highly questionable.