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Tues late: Reax
posted at 2009-07-07 23:22 | Last modified 2009-07-07 23:22
Governor Bev Perdue today rolled out a tax hike proposal roughly double what’s on the table in 612. She says her plan is the “only roadmap” or “pathway” to a balanced budget that avoids deep cuts to education and other vital services.
"I believe it’s critical – and I really do fundamentally believe it’s critical - that this state remain true to public schools and to education, and that the general assembly has an obligation to act on behalf of all those kids… I urge our friends in the GA representing folks across this state to go to work, and to do this job quickly."
One of the key points of Perdue’s plan is a one-year, one-cent sales tax increase. The state’s last “temporary tax” lasted about 6 years. When the AP’s Gary Robertson asked why voters should believe this one would be shorter-lived, Perdue responded, “Because I’m the governor.”
Perdue’s press op only lasted about five minutes. You can hear the whole thing here.
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"Meh"
House and Senate budget negotiators were largely unimpressed by Perdue’s call for a $1.6B tax package. Senate Maj. Leader Tony Rand (D-Cumberland) said the governor’s input is always welcome, but also noted that negotiators don’t really need to be urged to “go to work,” having been at it since January. He also says any solution that doesn’t involve major tax reform would just be “smoke and mirrors.”
"This is a different time. None of us have ever really experienced a time like this. And I have said and will continue to say it is far more important what we do here than how quickly we do it."
More from Rand here (6:34).
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On the House side, Senior Budget Chair Mickey Michaux (D-Durham) said the governor’s plan doesn’t seem to offer any new ideas - just a combination of various House and Senate tax proposals that are already in dispute.
"I just wish she’d come out with it a lot sooner than today…We’ve been at work all along. She’s just proddin’ us along, that’s all."
Michaux predicted a rocky road in the House for Perdue’s recommended sales and cigarette tax hikes, and called her $1.6 number “not realistic.” His unedited comments are here (4:02).
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Family (Bow) Ties
WRAL is reporting tonight that Rep. Ty Harrell (D-Wake) is on the receiving end of a divorce filing that alleges he was unfaithful on multiple occasions. Harrell told WRAL the filing “came totally out of the blue,” but says he and his wife are focused on the well-being of their sons.” More here.
Derailed?
The Eminent Domain bill, H1268, took an unexpected detour today. Despite strong bipartisan sponsorship, the House voted 60-56 (mostly party-line) to send the measure back to House J2 on a motion by Lucy Allen (D-Franklin). Dem leaders lined up to support the re-referral, citing concerns about amending a potential constitutional amendment on the House floor. Chief sponsor Skip Stam (R-Wake) says he's baffled by the reversal - and he's not betting on whether it'll make it back to the floor this year, either.
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