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Wednesday Round-up
posted at 2007-06-06 23:08 | Last modified 2007-11-14 10:38
Party of 115-ish? Your table's ready...
House and Senate leaders named their budget conferees today. Lots of them. On the House side, there are 77 - all of the Dems, aside from Speaker Hackney and embattled New Hanover Rep Thomas Wright, plus a handful of moderate Republicans. The Senate followed suit, naming pretty much everyone who isn't a hard-right conservative.
That means about 2/3 of the legislature is on one committee ostensibly charged with working out a budget compromise. If that were truly the case, we'd be here till Christmas. But realistically, it comes down to the House's 10 big chairs plus 6 or 7 on the Senate side. So maybe we could roll that date back to August.
Why so many? Well, it's an easy way to ensure buy-in. Committee members are generally expected to vote for the committee substitute on the floor. The more names on the bill, the more likely it is to pass.
Dever out
The N&O reported this morning that Federal Judge James Dever III has agreed to recuse himself from the sentencing of former House Speaker Jim Black.
Black's attorney Ken Bell filed the recusal request last month, alleging that because Dever had represented Black's opponents in the redistricting fight some years ago, he should step down from the case. In a 64-page order filed Tuesday afternoon, Dever argued that the legal case for recusal was groundless - and then went on to recuse himself anyway, citing public perception.
It was a surprise to many of us watching this case. Yes, Dever DID argue a case against Black in the past. But federal judges are usually former star litigators - so what are the odds one of them won't eventually hear a case involving a former adversary? And even though Dever argued he shouldn't have to recuse himself, he did anyway. Actions speak louder than words, especially in terms of precedent. Makes you wonder what happens to the next judge facing a similar challenge.
So what's next? The District Court will have to assign the sentencing to another judge to review and complete the proceedings,which is expected to happen by the end of the month.
Milk - It does a (legislative) body good
Wednesday was an historic day for the House Milk-Chugging Team. After seven years of bitterly contested losses to the Senate team, they finally brought the Cow Trophy home to their chamber with an overwhelming 14-second win -- 1:17 to the Senate's 1:31.
It was quite a scene. Dozens of staff, lobbyists, and legislators packed into the North lobby to watch. Around the table in the middle, NCDA's Dewitt Hardee explained the rules. The House team was Ag Chair Dewey Hill (D-Columbus), Harnett Republican David Lewis, and Beaufort Dem Arthur Williams. Senate competitors were Ag Chair Charlie Albertson (D-Duplin), Davidson Republican Stan Bingham, and Haywood Dem Joe Sam Queen.
The trash-talking
Pre-chug toast offered by Sen. Albertson:
Bless the cows and all they do
To produce good milk for me and you.
Bless the House, and bless the Senate.
And then bless us again, Lord, so the Senate can win it.
The fade-away
After two rounds of downing half-pints through straws, it was clear the prayer hadn't been answered. The Senate lost for the first time since the chug-off started back in 2000. In many years, it's been so close that they've had to hold tie-breaker chug-offs, mano-a-mano. But this time, the margin of victory was indisputable.
David Lewis was absolutely elated, explaining that while the Senate normally "sucks" more than the House, it was nice to out-suck the Senate in this context. (Yes, I'm serious - you can hear the quote here.)
The credits
On the House floor later, Hackney recognized Dewey Hill "to explain why this cow's up here." Hill delivered the trophy and the good news, both of which were especially welcome after the House's crushing loss to the Senate in this year's pit-crew challenge.
Hill's teammate Arthur Williams credited the win to the House cheering section, including Guilford Dem Earline Parmon, who stood behind me at the contest, shouting, "Pretend it's bourbon, Arthur!" You can hear Williams' recounting here.
The beneficiaries
The NC Ag Dept awarded $300 to the winning team to go to the charity of their choice, and $200 likewise to the losing team. After the House upset, Lewis speculated that the winnings ("accepted on behalf of the state as pursuant to law") might go to some Dairy Science program. But as he put it to me, "Actually, dear, I'm in the minority. I have no control over the money. You'll have to talk to some of the other people."
The point
Yes, there is one, aside from House/Senate rivalry. Since 2000, the Milk-Chugging contest has been part of the State Ag Dept's Dairy Day - intended, according to NCDA coordinator Dewitt Hardee, to draw attention to the contributions and needs of NC's local dairy farmers. If the line for free ice cream after the contest was any indication, I'd say it's working.
Comments? Drop me a line.
