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Wednesday: Needles and Haystacks
posted at 2007-05-30 23:57 | Last modified 2007-11-14 10:38
Lots of debate - more than expected, really - about the budget bill today on the Senate floor. That's frankly a bit unusual for the Senate, where these things tend to get worked out behind closed doors in caucus, at least in years past. But this year, there were multiple debates on multiple amendments, which was kind of a nice change.
Amendment #1
The big one. Watauga Dem Steve Goss introduced an amendment to remove a controversial provision authorizing three pilot syringe exchange programs. Republican Jim Forrester advocated for safer-sex programs instead, likening the safe needle exchange to "giving matches" to "a kid who likes to start fires."
Dem supporters knew the needle exchange was doomed (House budget writers had already been forced to remove it), but that didn't stop them from making a strong case for it on the floor - especially Mecklenburg Dem Charlie Dannelly, who reminded the Senate of its recent apology for slavery, and asked them to approve the needle exchange as a real gesture of atonement.
Nothing doing, of course. The needle exchange was removed 38-10. Even Cumberland Dem Larry Shaw, who spoke eloquently of his HIV positive friend Arthur Ashe, ended up voting to remove the program. See who voted how here.
Bipartisan love-fest
Senate Republicans shocked almost everyone by voting, by and large, in support of the budget proposal. Sen. Minority Leader Phil Berger says it's the best spending bill he's seen in his time in Raleigh. Republicans especially like four items in the bill - the cap on the gas tax, the removal of the temporary sales and income taxes, a provision to look into Medicaid fraud, and another provision requiring many non-profits to apply (and account) for state money on a yearly basis.
What's next?
Senate and House negotiators will start meetings to work out the difference between their respective spending plans. House Speaker Joe Hackney is downplaying those differences, emphasizing that both chambers are prioritizing fiscal stability and education. Most Senate Dems are less optimistic. Gaston Dem and Finance co-chair David Hoyle says "philosophical differences" will likely make for lengthy negotiations. Other sources say we're likely to be in session till at least September.
And speaking of non-profits...
Joe Sinsheimer's at it again. He sent this letter today to Orange Dem Verla Insko, asking why she co-sponsored a bill to give half a million in state money to a charity that employs fellow legislator Cumberland Dem Mary McAllister. No word yet on an answer.
I asked Hackney yesterday whether the controversy over New Hanover Dem Thomas Wright is fueling tensions between the Legislative Black Caucus (of which McAllister is a member) and other Dems - especially after the LBC's recent letter protesting Hackney's call for Wright's resignation. Hackney didn't exactly say it wasn't a problem. His response? "We'll deal with it." Guess we'll see how that works out.
Thursday's hot tickets
The Senate takes its final vote on the budget. Should be darned near unanimous, if today's 47-2 vote is any indication.
Senate Election Law takes up Early Voting/Same-Day Registration. Popular with Dems, but less so with the GOP. That's at 9am.
At 10am, House J1 takes up a proposal to suspend executions for two years while lawmakers study whether the death penalty's being fairly applied.
Comments? Drop me a line.
