House Speaker Joe Hackney said the legislative session that adjourned today will be remembered for protecting public education during a 20 percent drop in revenue.
"In the context of a severe recession, I feel like we have saved public education and its core mission," he said during a news conference after gaveling the House to a close after seven months. "We did it without pay cuts, without furloughs and, I think, fairly."
Lawmakers return in May for the "short session" held during election years.
He said lawmakers' essential task when the session opened in January was to get through the next two years of a rough economy.
Hackney said he does not expect the legislature to have to return for a special session if revenue numbers worsen, saying that Gov. Beverly Perdue, a Democrat, has shown she can manage the budget when revenues dip. He also voiced skepticism that a Senate proposal to overhaul the tax system would be ready for lawmakers to take up in the fall.
Comments
What if I'm wrong?
August 12, 2009 - 9:06pm — James_ProtzmanA question worth considering. You might try it too.
Gigglebox, the anon coward
August 12, 2009 - 6:13pm — PaulTerrellCome on out from behind that anon cover. I keep hearing of Democrats that are attacking Republicans with descriptions that match yours. You are just another left wing hater.
Isn't it time you grew up and brought something to the table. Instead you bring a 5th grade mentality that matches much of what is said in Blue NC, MoveOn.org, and the Daily Kos. You and Protzman should hang out and talk about your hate and contempt for the rest of us Americans.
A growing majority disagree with you on government run healthcare (Obama got busted on a few lies he said yesterday), deficit spending and the lack of will when it comes to national defense.
Re: Hackney: 'We saved public education'
August 12, 2009 - 6:05am — domewatcherAll this talk of saving education reminds me of those old fashioned tent revivals on the banks of the Neuse. Listen carefully as we now join Preacher Joe holding a NCAE homecoming :
NCAE: Preacher Joe, can you save education?
Preacher Joe: I can save anything, I can save anyone.
NCAE: But Preacher Joe, can you save the classroom?
Preacher Joe: Come forward, my brothers and sisters, and be saved.
NCAE: But Preacher Joe, will you stand up for the classroom?
Preacher Joe: Come stand before the altar. Come stand before me and I will cast out your doubts about education.
NCAE: But Preacher Joe, we are so afraid. Who will stand up for the children?
Preacher Joe: All of you, come down here. All of you in the balcony, step forward. If you traveled here with someone they will wait for you. Just come as you are and be saved. Gather before me.
NCAE: Thank you, Preacher Joe, for standing up for education. Thank you for the kids. No furloughs, no pay cuts…..it’s like we’re not even in a recession. You are wonderful, Preacher Joe. Alleluia. Hosanna. As far as the east is from the west.
Preacher Joe: Oh, it’s nothing really. Just greatness. It comes natural. It’s nothing any other great politician could have accomplished. You just have to believe. You must have faith in the legislature. You have to feel in your heart that we would never let you down. We’re too close. We’re family.
NCAE: Now, let us return to the classroom that you have protected. Where’s the jet?
Preacher Joe: Right….but before you go……how about let me hold a little something for the effort? You know. Seed money. An investment in the future. Stand up for the legislature. Lobbyist chicken. A tithe. A love offering.
NCAE: Don’t worry about us, Preacher Joe. We know how to save too. We saved the Governor’s Mansion in the last election and we will save you again. It’s like……… you save me and I’ll save you.
Preacher Joe: The legislature has shined upon you this day. Remember this, my brethren and sisterern, and be saved.
NCAE: Whatever.
Preacher Joe: We’ll do it again someday.
(With all this talk about saving........remember the 2 for $2.00 or the dollar menu. Some of us don't have anyone looking out for us so we got to do what we got to do.)
Re: Hackney: 'We saved public education'
August 12, 2009 - 3:46am — redriverIf this economic downturn last a little longer it may be responsible for any thing being saved in our state, not the leaders. All they are responsible for is spending, not saving. The democrats should be wishing for this to last another 18 months at least. that is the only way to hide what they have done. Raising taxes was the cowards way of buying votes and using the economy as an excuse. They have no shame, no plan, and certainly no sense of what is right and wrong with their actions. Only these leaders, the governor, and their staff think they have done a good job. Everyone else in the state is laughing, democrats and republicans alike, at how transparent this group is. North Carolina's version of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE.
On a roll today
August 11, 2009 - 9:45pm — James_ProtzmanYou are
Paul Terrell for something, everyone... Paul Terrell
August 12, 2009 - 1:35pm — GiggleBoxYou mean that guy with a job on CNN this morning that made Dallas look like a crazy person with no voice that's been screaming at too many high school pep rallies he drove the bus to the past week? No, I am not.
I'm positive you got 18 percent in your last election where you claim to have knocked on every door in your district, explaining much.
No, but I'm the best they had to make fun of you for free. What can I say? I enjoy it.
Well, I do hope that statement makes you feel better since it wasn't a question, and I sincerely think my 'legend' is in your mind alone. Hello, I don't vote in your district. Get me out of your head already, Sailor.
No, I think because you're a big fat loser that what I said about your pizza party announcement is funny.
Thanks! You might want to pray for more votes next time too. Also.
Re: Hackney: 'We saved public education'
August 11, 2009 - 6:55pm — PaulTerrellGigglebox are you related to Dallas Woodhouse's brother? Can you say anything positive or are you just a coward hiding behind a keyboard and computer screen? Are you the best the left can come up with? I do hope you are representative of the left because you are a display in your self and a legend in your own mind. Do you think because I am a candidate for a office that I will not stand up to you? I will never lose my temper but I will pray for your soul.
Re: Hackney: 'We saved public education'
August 11, 2009 - 4:58pm — GiggleBoxMy concession speech will be over a Papa John's pizza with no supporters in attendance much like my announcement.
I started this thing with Garlic Sauce, and that's how I'm ending it.
Re: Hackney: 'We saved public education'
August 11, 2009 - 4:54pm — GiggleBoxKingixolib has a point. This time. The last hundred times, I was like...what?
Now I get it.
We should just turn government over to the SPAM Council and see what they think.
Re: Hackney: 'We saved public education'
August 11, 2009 - 3:09pm — KingixolibCareer politicians breed corruption and lies. Vote them out or they and their cronies die in office.
Option one.......you win
Option two.......you lose
Re: Hackney: 'We saved public education'
August 11, 2009 - 3:08pm — AgentPierceJoe .... "saved" it??? .... that once-hallowed segment of our society flat-lined several years ago.
Re: Hackney: 'We saved public education'
August 11, 2009 - 2:49pm — chesmcdGuys calm down,
We should all thank Hackney, Perdue, Basnight, and Rand. They saveed public education. Let me rephrase that, they saved THEMSELVES the criticism of slashing education by passing all the 200 and some million in cuts on to the local school systems.
At least during campaign season they can say THEY didn't cut education, they just passed the buck...
If by saved he meant...
August 11, 2009 - 2:30pm — PoliticalJunkie...killed it with their cure.
Re: Hackney: 'We saved public education'
August 11, 2009 - 2:18pm — woodcoxSpeaker Hackney should tell the teachers and administrators to whom Democrats passed along more than $500 million in cuts over the next two years that he "saved public education." Up to 5000 teachers could lose their jobs because of the Democratic state budget.
Re: Hackney: 'We saved public education'
August 11, 2009 - 2:10pm — PaulTerrellAs a future opponent of Rosa Gill for House 33 I have to say horse hockey to Hackney's statement. Hitting every economic class with additional taxes and fees (fees are taxes also) in a severe recession is not only not smart but using Obama's term is acting stupidly. And I have read every bill and do know the facts.
We are in this mess because of out of control spending, lack of a plan and a rainy day fund, and regressive and burdensome taxes. I am a Republican who will do what is right for state house 33 and the state of NC.