Mark Binker says that Kay Hagan's appropriations bills need some context.
The Greensboro News & Record blogger takes issue with a recent Dome post on the bills sponsored and co-sponsored seeking $48 million from the state budget this session.
"Yes, Hagan has a long bill list but so do other appropriators. I came up with roughly $45 million in spending requests when I looked at Sen. Charlie Albertson's filings, and he was just appointed to the chairman slot Hagan used to occupy," he writes.
Binker also argues that such bills are "not a slam dunk," points out that several of her projects are of "statewide significance" and notes that the furniture market and the civil rights museum are long-standing Guilford County projects. He also notes she only sponsored one bill.
"The rest she signed on to as a co-sponsor, a status that means she's supportive of the effort but not carrying it's water," he writes.
Dome didn't intend the post to be a critique, as Binker and a commenter have said. And we'd add that these are by no means the only projects Hagan is seeking money for, since unattributed earmarks often end up in the budget as well.
But we still intend to look at all of the appropriations bills from any statewide candidates this year, so we're not "singling out" anyone.
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Re: Binker on Hagan's appropriations bills
This is typical entrenched Democratic tax, tax, tax, spend, spend, spend.
Until the voters realize that, we will continue to be known as a democratic mafia state and a national laughing stock.
The governor could not find any real cuts in a 22 billion dollar budget. That $400 miilion is money not spent directly in last years budget.
Our budget is 45% larger than it was in 2002. That's only six years ago!
Only with a Republican majority and governorship can we get back to responsible budgeting and taxing. There has and still is to many examples of corruption in this state. The Demoruption party needs to be taught some humility by the voters.
Paul Terrell
Republican nominee for the 33rd State House district