Tempers are fraying and patience is wearing at the General Assembly as lawmakers finish their third consecutive week of marathon sessions and late nights.
When House Speaker Thom Tillis tried to introduce a so-called supplemental calendar of bills at around 11:30 p.m. Thursday, GOP Rep. Edgar Starnes of Hickory stood up and objected. Other Republicans quietly cheered as Tillis gave in and adjourned the session at midnight.
"Thom said this would not be the pace if we would have to go through if he became speaker, I reminded him of that," Starnes said this morning. "It's insanity when you start trying to go to the middle of the night trying to pass legislation. There was no way we could have finished that calendar before 5 a.m."
Late-night sessions started two weeks ago with the budget and override of Gov. Bev Perdue's veto. They continued last week with crossover. And they've continued this week. Bills fly from one chamber to the other with major or minor adjustments. Committee meetings are hastily called. Members never know how long that day's or night's session will last.
Republican Rep. Ric Killian of Charlotte said other members are concerned about the pace.
"We have maintained a very, very aggressive pace," he said, "and it's taking its toll on the members."
Another veteran Republican agreed. "You're tired, you can't focus, half the time members don't know what's going on," said the lawmaker, who didn't want to be identified.
Tillis has said he's trying to stick to a promise to adjourn early. Spokesman Jordan Shaw acknowledged "it's been a breakneck three weeks."
"We're trying to be efficient," he said. "We've got to remember we're human."
UPDATE: Tillis said he and other leaders had already decided to end Thursday night's session when Starnes stood up. He defended the push to get things done, and get out.
"The deadline is driven more by our judgment that most of these matters have been fully debated in committee," he said. "Every day we're here is a day people are away from their jobs at a cost (to the state) of $40,000 a day or $1 million a month."
Friday, June 17, 2011
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6 comments:
Tillis is a second rate hack and a first degree shitheel. I naturally wouldn't say that if I worked for the man. Because, if I worked for the man he'd have greased me good by now with anywhere from a 15 to 30 percent raise.
@ Anonymous 6/17/11 12:20
Thanks for making clear how you evaluate others!
meanwhile back at the ranch:
http://www.devvy.com/new_site/os-criminal-fraud-052311.html
and:
http://www.newswithviews.com/Devvy/kidd501.htm
HURRAY FOR GOP NC LEGISLATURE
DEMOCRACY WILL PREVAIL ON ANNEXATION
NEXT UP IS DE-ANNEXATION AND 50% REDUCTION IN PROPERTY TAXES
REPORTS SAY CITY OF CHARLOTTE WILL HAVE TO GIVE BACK 100% OF ITS FORCED ANNEXATION AFTER PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED TO VOTE SOON AS CITY LIMITS WILL REVERT BACK TO PRE 1970 SIZE
NC forced annexation bill gets initial House OK
The North Carolina House gave overwhelming initial support to an agreement that would dramatically change the rules for towns and cities that want to expand their ...
www.citizen-times.com/article/20110513/NEWS/305130032/NC-forced-annexation-bill-gets...NC annexation bill would give say to landowners
RALEIGH -- North Carolina's forced annexation laws -- praised by municipal leaders and often maligned by those whose land is being incorporated -- could soon …
abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=8081369N.C. Property Rights Watch: From Under the Dome: Annexation bill ...
0 posts · By NC Property Rights
Jul 08, 2009 · The mission of the North Carolina Property Rights Coalition is to provide a unified voice to advocate public policy that protects and preserves private ...
ncpropertyrights.blogspot.com/2009/07/from-under-dome-annexation-bill-sent.htmlForced annexation challenges approved by NC lawmakers :: WRAL.com
Lawmakers OK major rewrite of NC annexation rules; Bill would give homeowners say in annexation; Annexation limits advance in legislature; Senate panel OKs limits to annexation
www.wral.com/news/state/nccapitol/story/9748590House moves to change involuntary annexation rules
Decision time for Perdue as NC House passes budget; Tuesday at the North Carolina General Assembly; NC annexation bill would give say to landowners
www.reflector.com/ap/staten/nc-forced-annexation-bill-house-floor-vote-480181Assembly receives Jones’ annexation bill
State Sen. Ed Jones, D-Enfield, introduced a bill into the North Carolina General Assembly that would de-annex the Brandy Creek community from the city of …
www.rrdailyherald.com/news/article_b742cd19-0dcf-5c52-b7a5-07faa7e2e6f6.htmlFayObserver.com - NC House committee takes on forced annexation bill
By GARYD.ROBERTSON The Associated Press. RALEIGH - North Carolina's forced annexation laws - praised by municipal leaders and often maligned by those …
www.fayobserver.com/articles/2011/04/19/1087920?sac=LocalHouse bill OKs change NC forced annexation laws
Proposal would block an involuntary annexation if 60 percent of property owners in an area are opposed
abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=8108919NC annexation bill would give say to landowners
April 19, 2011 NC annexation bill would give say to landowners Gary D. Robertson. North Carolina's forced annexation laws _ praised by municipal leaders and …
www.realclearpolitics.com/news/ap/politics/2011/Apr/19/nc_annexation_bill_would_give...
on another note now that new york has legalized gay marriage (barf)
can this be the stimulous to get these imposters back home where they belong instead of coming here and screwing up nc and the south in general?
dont let the door hit you in the ass on your way out
"Another veteran Republican agreed. "You're tired, you can't focus, half the time members don't know what's going on," said the lawmaker, "
The real veterans in Afghanistan and Iraq salute in respect to the heroic, overworked Republican legislators in NC. It ain't easy setting a state back two decades in just one legislative session. Look out Mississippi, we're gaining on you in the race to the bottom!
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