In her first major confrontation with the new Republican legislature, Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue Tuesday vetoed a bill that would have deprived her of control of funds she says are needed for economic development projects.
The GOP-controlled legislature had passed a bill sweeping up a series of pots of money – including funds offered as incentives to companies to expand or open facilities here – as a way to help address the state's fiscal crisis.
But Perdue said the legislature had gone too far, and that it had grabbed money she said she needed to help North Carolina attract industry.
“The bill in its current form forces a one-time cash grab from funds that are intended to create jobs and spur economic development,” Perdue said in a statement posted on her website. “That's not the right move for North Carolina, where jobs simply must be our No. 1 priority.”
Republicans criticized the move.
“Gov. Perdue's veto makes it more difficult to balance the state's budget without cutting teachers' jobs and negatively impacting our classrooms,” Senate leader Phil Berger said in a statement. “And while her solution is to raise taxes that destroy private sector jobs, Senate Republicans refuse to reach further into North Carolinians' pockets.”
It was not immediately clear whether Republicans would try to override the veto. It was uncertain whether they had the votes. Under the state Constitution it requires a three-fifths vote of both chambers to over ride the veto. The GOP has the votes in the Senate for an override, but in the House it is four votes short unless they can convince some Democrats to join their ranks.
