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Mon.: Two more weeks?
posted at 2009-07-14 00:40 | Last modified 2009-07-14 00:48
The Senate hit the snooze button again tonight with yet another continuing budget resolution, H1504. It reduces spending a little more than the last, taking it from 85% to 84% of levels in last year's budget. (Fiscal staff says the lower level is a better match to actual revenue estimates.)
The Senate version of H1504 is also open-ended, just like their last CR. And – déjà vu – the House still doesn’t like the idea. House Finance Co-Chair Paul Luebke says his side wants a date certain, preferably in July.
"We’re moving very, very close. So it’s just a question of whether one week will be enough, or if we need to go on the side of caution and go for two weeks."
Luebke confirmed what other sources have said: the spending plan (the “long sheet”) is pretty much hammered out, but they can’t finish up till the two Finance teams come to terms on how to raise $990M. And it doesn’t sound like there’s much progress on that angle. The House made a tax package offer Saturday, but the Senate declined to come back early Monday to discuss it. They’re meeting again at 8:30am Tues.
Luebke also said he isn't optimistic about the House's appetite for sin taxes. That and more here. (3:47)
Listen Now!
Overheard
Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton copped to a little gavel envy at tonight’s joint session. After adjourning the Senate, he was heard on a mike telling House Speaker Joe Hackney, "Man, that's thing's loud! That’s authority!"
Weekend highlights
- The N&O’s Joe Neff and David Raynor had a great exposé Sunday on the misdirection of victim restitution payments. State Attorney General Roy Cooper felt compelled to respond to it today. (And why on Earth did the N&O give a hospital food story more real estate than this on Sunday's front pager? I'm asking seriously.)
- Charlotte’s Gary Wright also had an excellent piece on the administrative screw-up that led to the release of serial killer Patrick Burris, who promptly killed 5 people.
- Also at the Char-O, Mark Johnson says the new Nag’s Head pier is taking a beating from budget critics on both sides of the aisle.
- Jack Betts considers temporary taxes and permanent reform.
- And disgraced financier Bernie Madoff gets to serve his time in NC, but former Speaker Jim Black doesn't.
Feline update
For those of you who were interested in the Capital Kittens, there’s one more piece of good news: the mother cat was caught this weekend by the intrepid Roberta Stavredes, and has been since been reunited with her brood. The kittens have all been placed, but Mama still needs a good home. If you can help, talk to Roberta at the front desk.
Comments? Drop me a line.
