Capitol
Commentary
419B Legislative Office Building
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925
(919) 715-3009 [email protected]
May 31, 2011 Legislative Update Raleigh, NC
It has often been said that politics is "the art of compromise." If that's true and I believe it often is
then the House leadership team was very busy with our metaphorical paint brushes this week
crafting pragmatic solutions to the issues our state is facing.
The Budget
The state Senate approved its budget proposal on Wednesday, and we have begun reconciling it
with the House's version to create what we hope is a veto-proof spending plan to send to the
governor. The Senate took a good budget baseline from the House and made it even better. Their
budget reforms North Carolina's education system, including measures to add teachers and
improve early childhood education. The House leadership worked closely with the Senate
throughout this process and will continue to do so. Both plans allow the temporary sales tax to
expire, freeing up cash for businesses to make essential hiring and purchasing decisions.
Unemployment benefits
In an effort to get jobless benefits flowing once again to long-term unemployed North
Carolinians, House leaders made a significant concession on a bill the governor vetoed last
month. Since the governor did not make an effort to work with legislative leaders on a
compromise, House Speaker Tillis crafted one that he believes is fair for both our employed and
unemployed citizens. This new proposal includes the extension of benefits as well as a
continuing resolution that would keep the government running if we can't reach a budget
agreement with the governor by July 1. However the new bill shortens the length of the
continuing resolution and makes a few other concessions. Unfortunately, Gov. Perdue has
indicated that she will reject even this compromise.
Public School Governance
There was a lot of back and forth over a bill to reform the state Board of Education's leadership
structure. The bill, passed by the House last week, calls for a constitutional amendment that
would restore authority to the elected state Superintendent of Public Instruction. If the
amendment passes, the Superintendent would serve as a voting member of the state Board of
Education and would make all employment decisions at the Department of Public Instruction. It
would also allow the General Assembly to make four appointments to the board. (Currently, the
governor selects the chairman AND makes all 11 board appointments.) Rep. Bryan Holloway, the
bill's sponsor, should be commended for going to great lengths to address the concerns of critics,
including the governor. As a result, the bill won the backing of the NC School Boards
Association.
Health Benefits Exchange
As a result of the new federal health care plan, every state is required to create a Health Benefit
Exchange -- or have one created for them by the federal government. A bill passed by the House
last week would establish such an exchange for uninsured people and small businesses. I think
this plan does a good job of balancing the interests of making coverage available for the
hard-to-insure and preserving the insurance market outside of the exchange. The inclusion of a
strong conflict-of-interest policy for members of the board that will oversee the exchange helped
the bill gain bipartisan support.
I often tell people that you should never compromise your principles, but you should be willing
to consider compromising your preferences. The challenge in politics is developing a clear
understanding of the difference and then not crossing that line.
And while I certainly do not advocate that we compromise simply for the sake of political
expediency, I do believe we will only move forward through responsible give and take not just
between the political parties but also within the party, between the House and the Senate, and
across the street to the governor.
If we are to tackle the formidable challenges facing North Carolina, we need creative and
steadfast leadership. The end result may not be picture perfect, but if it represents progress for
our state, I believe it's worth it.
So, whether you think I'm being overly acquiescent, far too intransigent or something in between,
I hope you know I'm always eager to get your feedback on my work in Raleigh. Send me an
email at [email protected] or [email protected], or call my office at (919) 715-3009.
Best wishes,
Ruth Samuelson, Majority Whip
NC House of Representatives, District 104
Mecklenburg County
http://www.ruthsamuelson.comP.S. Thanks and prayers go to all our service men and women, past and present, during this Memorial Daycelebration.