Gov. Beverly Perdue's budget-cutting panel seems to be on hold.
During the fall campaign, Perdue pledged to create an independent and bipartisan panel of 15 citizens to suggest ways to trim state spending.
The proposal was modeled after the Base Realignment and Closure process which suggests military base closures subject to an up-or-down vote in Congress. The idea is to reduce the influence of backroom deals.
On her first day in office, Perdue signed an executive order creating the Budget Reform and Accountability Commission. Her Web site makes no mention of any appointments to it, however, even as Perdue is putting the finishing touches on her budget.
As noted elsewhere, she made no mention of the reform during her budget-heavy State of the State speech last night.
Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand said he doesn't think the new BRAC panel could get set up in time for this year's budget.
"That wouldn't be in place in time for what we're doing right now," he said.
Update: Spokeswoman Chrissy Pearson said that Perdue will make an announcement about the BRAC budget reform process on Friday.
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Re: Budget panel up, but not running
Health care and good, stable jobs with good pay, benefits, and futures are not luxuries or privileges, but fundamental human rights. Government has not only the duty to protect such rights, but to actively provide for their realization by positive action and, if need be, steeply progressive taxation.