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Monday Round-Up
posted at 2007-07-31 00:01 | Last modified 2007-11-14 10:38
You can tell it’s the end of session by the sheer number of dejected lobbyists circling around the House and Senate doors. It’s just that time of year.
Lucky lobbyists have gotten their bills onto the hot list that’s packing both chambers’ calendars for what's left of the week. But for the rest, Thursday’s projected close of session is separating the sheep from the goats. A lot of reasonably good bills won’t make it through, so they’ll “rest” in committee till legislators return next May. Those that don’t yet have enough support will turn into study bills. Hundreds more will end up in the recycling bin (which really might be for the best, anyway).
“Enrolled and sent to the Governor.”
You could hear the sigh of relief (plus a little tepid applause) on the House floor when the message came in that the Senate had passed the budget. Chalk it up to relief that no wheels came off over the weekend.
The third reading was mostly uneventful in the House, and even more so in the Senate, where a parliamentary move Saturday ended all debate on the measure. (Which means I owe the Insider’s Scott Mooneyham a cold beverage of his choosing. Or two.)
Senate leader Marc Basnight and Speaker Joe Hackney both had large enough margins to allow a Dem or two to defect. Those that did had good reason – they’re in swing districts where realtors could (and would) have had them for lunch had they voted to support the transfer tax.
So it’s off to the Governor, who’s signing it tomorrow at 11AM. He likes it a LOT. In fact, he’s holding the ceremony in the Old House chamber, a venue he normally reserves for large economic development announcements. So you know he’s expecting a lot of company looking for a little camera time.
If you somehow haven’t gotten enough of the budget yet, here’s my story on it that aired this morning.
Versioning
At this point in the session, there are only a few big issues left. Most folks agree "something should be done" about them – they just can’t agree on what.
Take landfills, for example. Two solid waste bills are in the works. One includes a moratorium, but not much else. The other has no moratorium, but includes a laundry list of tougher regulations. Key points of both will likely be merged in conference committee – and there’s no telling what the outcome will look like. But I bet it’ll have a tipping fee.
Renewable energy is another good example. The controversial SB3 (that’s the “renewable-portfolio-standard meets baseload-capacity” frankenbill) cruised through the House today with little resistance -- despite arguments from Paul Luebke (D-Durham) that the only interest the bill protects is utility company shareholders. Others, like Lincoln Republican Joe Kiser, countered with anti-NIMBY arguments. Most agreed that while they don’t like some parts of the bill, rapid growth is going to increase demand for power, and the state needs to start planning for that ASAP.
Black, redux
The Char-O’s David Ingram reports former House Speaker Jim Black turned himself in today to federal marshals to begin serving his 5-year prison sentence. Bad as that news is, it could get worse tomorrow, when Black appears in state court for another round of sentencing.
Given Black's age and the severity of his federal sentence, I’m told it’s likely Judge Donald Stephens will make the state’s sentence concurrent with the feds’. Then again, who knows? Seems like every time Jim Black comes to court, some shocking story emerges. If that’s the case tomorrow, it’s hard to say what Stephens will do.
I’ll have a report on the results on the air tomorrow afternoon. Stay tuned.
In the "obvious yet irresistible irony” department…
The Senate will vote Tuesday on a proposal to require elected officials to disclose who’s paying for their legal assistance. The Senate Government and Election Reform Committee okayed the measure today.
Buncombe Dem Martin Nesbitt argued that the measure might infringe on a defendant’s constitutional right to an “unfettered defense.” He says the threat of disclosure might dissuade potential donors.
But Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand made the case that a politician probably won't ever be more grateful for help than when s/he’s fighting an investigation – and voters have the right to know who’s footing the bill to keep that official out of jail..
The bill should make it though the Senate Tuesday, but it’s hard to say whether it’ll make it through the House by Thursday's shutdown. I’m betting it will.
Couldn't have said it better
"The people ought not to think we're up to something - unless we're up to something."
- Tony Rand, discussing the legal expense fund bill in the above committee.
And a final note
Congrats to Joe Sinsheimer, Mr. “JimBlackMustGo.com.” Sinsheimer was presented with an award Friday by the NC Press Association for his citizen activism. The Char-O's David Ingram had this item today:
"As former House Speaker Jim Black heads for a minimum-security federal prison, Black's chief tormentor continues to receive accolades.
Joe Sinsheimer, who once ran a Web site calling for the Matthews Democrat to resign, was due to be honored Friday night by the N.C. Press Association. He was to receive the annual Lassiter Award, which goes to a nonjournalist who has furthered First Amendment freedoms or defended open government.
Sinsheimer's research using public records and his frequent commentary ratcheted up pressure on Black, who resigned in February a day before pleading guilty to a corruption charge. A former Democratic campaign consultant, Sinsheimer now runs a venture capital firm in Raleigh and continues to scrutinize the actions of state lawmakers."
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