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Monday: "Her Excellency"
posted at 2009-03-10 04:11 | Last modified 2009-03-10 09:54
Governor Bev Perdue gave her first State of the State address tonight. It was not chock full of good news – but then, no one expected it to be. It was also short on specifics. That caused a little heartburn, especially on the GOP side of the aisle. But she promised to release her budget proposal next week, and from what she said tonight, it ought to give the Hons plenty of details to mull over. Be careful what you wish for.
Update: If you missed my Tuesday AM story, it's below:
Listen Now!
The full text of Perdue’s prepared remarks is here – though, as usual, she changed some phrases and threw in some others, so it isn’t quite verbatim -- and the text of the GOP response from Sen. Minority Leader Phil Berger is here. If I have time tomorrow, I’ll try to post the audio of the Q&A with Berger.
Reax
Overall, pretty positive. I didn’t see a lot of wandering gazes or side conversations. Most legislators were on their best behavior. Some parts of the speech got a warm reception, like the standing ovation for her pledge to increase per-pupil spending this year, shortfall or not. But other clear applause lines fell completely flat. Still, on balance, most (even Republicans) agreed that for a first address by a first-term Gov in the middle of an economic disaster, she did about as well as anyone could’ve.
Celebrity guest
The Gov had a last-minute surprise guest: Donna Dent, a flight attendant from Winston-Salem who was one of the crewmembers in the “Miracle on the Hudson” crash. Dent (at right, next to First Gent Bob Eaves) was the toast of the chamber, garnering two huge standing ovations within about 90 seconds. Perdue called Dent one of her “she-roes,” holding her up as an example to lawmakers: “An ordinary person who showed extraordinary leadership and courage as she did her job. She is North Carolina!”
Actual news?
Aside from the update on her budget release next week, not a lot. But that’s a credit to Perdue, I think: she’s been so active and accessible that many people have already heard her say most of what she said tonight.
I have to admit I was little surprised at what wasn’t in her address. There was no mention of dwindling state revenues, or cash flow problems, or sagging taxes, or anything of the sort. Definitely a “math-lite” speech. Maybe she’s hanging back, waiting for lawmakers to take the political heat for suggesting “revenue enhancements”?
Of interest
Sen Min. Leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Joe Hackney don’t often agree on much, but they found common ground tonight, and it won’t be popular with state employees: both leaders say furloughs are likely. Berger said he’d support a four-day workweek for non-essential workers. Hackney didn’t go that far, but he says other states have used furloughs to help balance their budgets, and lawmakers here have to consider the possibility, too. Can’t wait to hear how that goes over.
Comments? Drop me a line.
