'DEADLINE' IS A STRONG TERM: The House and Senate missed their July 15 deadline to adopt a budget. So, proving that it's good to be the ones who make the laws, they gave themselves more time. Meanwhile, the state court system, unsure over whether it can make payroll next month, sure would like to see a budget.
BILLS, BILLS, BILLS: There's no budget yet, but that doesn't mean the House and Senate aren't working. Key votes came this week on bills to shore up the Beach Plan, to allow challenges of racism to death sentences and to stop requiring sexual assault victims to pay for rape kit exams.
SOFT ON CRIME?: Judges were in giving moods this week. First U.S. District Judge W. Earl Britt released Sam Currin, a former judge, federal prosecutor and state Republican Party chairman, who had served a fraction of his sentence for money laundering and obstruction. Then Superior Court Judge Donald Stephens decided that former House Speaker Jim Black can serve his state time concurrently with his federal prison sentence.
IN OTHER NEWS: Attorney General Roy Cooper says he will work to get money that was diverted away from crime victims. Unemployment in North Carolina has hit African Americans especially hard. Attorney and Senate hopeful Kenneth Lewis has hired Joe Trippi, who ran John Edwards last presidential campaign to help with fundraising.
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Re: Dome Memo: Busy week, but no budget
Top ten mythical comments from imaginary legislators as to why we ain’t got not budget deal yet:
10. "The lobbyists have been telling me how great I am and now I just can’t stand to leave the mirror. Do I really look like Brad Pitt?"
9. "I have been pretty tired lately. I’m not used to drinking the good stuff."
8. "Must be the special herbs and spices in that lobbyist chicken. It sure is good but makes you drowsy."
7. "We knocked off at lunch today. Everyone brought a beach chair and we sat outside………pretended we were sitting on the new pier. I’m bringing a fishing pole tomorrow and an Ember’s CD."
6. "I have not been back to the chambers since I heard about that snake handling bill. I am afraid of snakes and will not be going back until someone makes sure they did not leave any around the General Assembly. And anyhow, I’m a Presbyterian and we don’t do much with snakes."
5. "None of us really understands this budget mess. It’s because those pesky Republicans don’t want to raise taxes. We could balance the budget if we could raise taxes as high as the teachers and state employees want us to. Pretty simple if you are as smart as me."
4. "We have been too busy watching that court battle between the Gov and that school lady, June. I’ve never seen a trial like that and I have the whole “Perry Mason” series on VHS. And what is so funny……..I’ve voted for both June and Bev. And now they are squaring off in court. Life sure is funny sometimes."
3. "A lot of us have been working on getting Jim Black back home. Some things are just more important than a budget. You sure you’re not from that grand jury investigating all these goings on….? Maybe I shouldn’t be talking to you. Let me ask my lobbyist if I’m allowed."
2. "I’ve been keeping my head down and not saying nuthin’. I was afraid the Gov was going to invite me on her “Raise Your Taxes” tour. I don’t like flying much and I don’t want my constituents to know I’m up here in Raleigh. I hope this all blows over before the next election. I went back home to my district for momma's birthday but I wore a wig and a mustache...."
1. "With this $1.6 billion dollar tax increase coming……..well, to be honest………most of us legislators have taken part time jobs so we will be able to keep our heads above water. Me, I’m waitin’ tables at McDonalds. That doesn’t leave us much time to work on the budget. I don't know about the average working family but this new tax increase will put my family in the ditch. I just wish I had some say in this!"