Legislators have returned to their districts after passing some 580 new laws and adopting hundreds of more resolutions and enabling legislation. The $19 billion budget provided the most heat for the seven-months session described by longtime veteran Rep. Bill Owens of Elizabeth City as “the most difficult I have ever faced.”
The contentious 2009 budget is likely to be debated in the 2010 elections. No one seems happy. Hundreds of teachers and state employees will lose their jobs. Almost $1 billion in tax increases, mainly with a one-cent sales tax hike. But overall, the core of education services was protected, although some classroom sizes will be larger for students above the third grade.
Some area institutions fared well. The Center for Emerging Manufacturing Solutions at CVCC with its Hosiery Technology Center was funded with a 13 percent cut. Same was true for the Textile Technology Center at Belmont. The Hickory Area Higher Education Center on the CVCC East Campus was placed under Appalachian State University, but was cut by 50 percent. Some programs were totally eliminated.
The $19 billion budget compares with a $22.8 billion scheduled approved in 2008. The impact of the Great Recession decreased revenues by over 20 percent. The new tax increases represent about 5 percent or this year’s appropriations.
Because North Carolina’s economy has been tied to manufacturing and banking—both damaged by the recession—the problems of meeting educational and healthcare needs are more acute. Other states, namely California, are in worse shape. But all politics are local, U.S. House Speaker Tip O’Neill once observed.
HOUSE DIVIDED: Republicans of the far right are lining up candidates for the spring 2010 primary. Shawn Clark and incumbent Jay Gaither already are mounting visible campaigns for the 25th District DA office. Other names in the pot: Randy Isenhower for County Commission and Beth Williams for Clerk of Court, both closely tied to U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry. Earlier reports had Dan Hunsucker, a commissioner, opposing State Rep. Mark Hilton, a McHenry intimate. But it turns out Hunsucker lives in Mitchell Setzer’s district. Snake handlers are determined to make Commission Chair Kitty Barnes pay for “daring to run against Sen. Austin Allran.”
The McHenry coalition also is looking for a candidate to run for sheriff. Several Maiden area names are circulating.
WHERE ARE THE DEMOCRATS? Democrats would have the House seat occupied by Rep. Hilton at the top of their wish list. Hilton consistently undermines the efforts of Rep. Ray Warren, a Democrat who defeated Mark Hollo, a Hilton protégé. Both are closely embedded in the camps of religious fundamentalists. The state House Democratic Committee is talking to a well-known person to oppose Hilton.
Democrats are pushing to find candidates for County Commission seats and for sheriff.
The national debate over healthcare is keeping some likely candidates in the background.
Democrats will be talking about challenges and opportunities at the Century Club dinner in Hickory this Saturday evening.
