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Week 17 was a very busy one at the General Assembly. The week began with highly contentious debate on the subject of expanding the number of charter schools in North Carolina. Tensions were high in the House, where floor debate included accusations of racial bias and name calling. On Tuesday, both bodies met in the old Capitol Building where they approved a pardon for Reconstruction-era Governor William Holden, who had been impeached in 1871.
The first draft of the House budget was released in the various Appropriations subcommittees on Tuesday afternoon. The budget was designed to close the $2.6 million gap without raising taxes while protecting K-12 education. NCHBA monitors the budget process in the interest of the NC Housing Trust Fund.
The Joint Redistricting Committee held the first of 36 public hearings on Wednesday, simultaneously meeting in Wake, Nash and Person counties via video conferencing.
That same day, the Governor vetoed two bills, bringing her 2011 veto total to 4 – the most ever in a single year in NC history. Based on her quote that she has a “quart jar of red ink,” we don’t think we’ve seen the last of the veto stamp! Republicans tend to agree; anticipating a fight on the biggest issue of the year (the budget), they took the first step to ensure that her impact on the budget is minimized. On Wednesday, Republicans launched an effort to outmaneuver the Governor by tying a required change in the Unemployment Benefit formula to a budget continuing resolution. Thus, if she vetoes their budget plan, the General Assembly doesn’t have to overcome the veto, knowing that the spending limits set in the continuing resolution take effect. Both the House and Senate approved the bill and each have scheduled session on Saturday morning, anticipating some additional action may be necessary.
** Note: The Senate bill introduction deadline is Tuesday, April 19.
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