Only once in the past decade or so have GOP representatives from the Hickory Metro area voted for a state budget. That was three years ago when co-Speakers representing both political parties pursued a bipartisan agenda. The Appropriations Committee in the House had equal representation from Democrats and Republicans and most of the region’s representatives joined Democrats to approve a spending plan in 2003.
Last year the old pattern resumed—Democrats voting for a budget and Republicans on the sidelines. But will this year again see a bipartisan change?
Local government leaders in the Hickory Metro desperately wanted a $1.1 million appropriation for an engineering center. Hickory Senator Austin Allran introduced a bill for the money but got nowhere. The Senate plan did not include any special provisions and money for a Hickory-based engineering education center was omitted. When the budget went over to the House, a Hickory city delegation appeared before an appropriations subcommittee to plead for funds reinstatement. But when the bill appeared, the allocation was still missing.
House Rep. Mark Hilton of Conover introduced an amendment to reinstate the funds. He was joined by other lawmakers, including Democrat Walter Church of Valdese and the amendment was approved. But so were 40 others.
The question: if the funds are included in the budget draft, will they vote for approval? The final draft, after Senate concurrence, will be on the calendar the last week of June, according to observers.
GOP members from this region have campaigned for years against pork. But pork with local seasoning….that’s different.
UNITED WE STAND
The Catawba County Council for the Arts soon will be gone. But a new and improved structure will take its place July 1—The United Arts Council of Catawba County.
At the last annual meeting of the Catawba County Council for the Arts on June 13, the concept and signage for the United Arts Council was introduced. The mood of the arts supporters was definitely upbeat as well it should be. Catawba County is ranked in the top 25 per cent of arts councils in the nation, based on per capita giving. Arts organizations in Hickory and Catawba County are raising millions of dollars each year which are circulated in the community.
Over $1 million was raised for the transformation of the Harper-Lyerly complex which will become the Hickory history center. A million-dollar bequest from the late Howard Zerden will establish a foundation for the upkeep of the center.
The closing of furniture and hosiery manufacturing operations and the loss of over 900 jobs have been somber reminders of the region’s weakness. But the flourishing of the arts community is certainly a strength.
