Rep. David Lewis tried to sink confirmation of two appointees to the Utilities Commission on the grounds that the state can't afford to pay two $123,000 salaries.
"My objection is not to the outstanding, fine individuals who have been asked to be named," Lewis said of Bryan Beatty and Susan Rabon. It was that a quarter of a million dollars could hire a whole lot of teachers.
The pair were appointed by the commission — which regulates utilities and utility rates — by Gov. Mike Easley as his tenure came to a close. Beatty was Easley's Secretary of Crime Control and Public Safety. Rabon was a senior advisor to the governor. There are seven commissioners.
The Senate had previously confirmed the appointments. Lewis, a Dunn Republican, wanted to send the measure to a House appropriations committee, presumably to study whether the state could afford to pay the salaries.
That's when House members began to ask Lewis a series of questions that weren't really designed to gather information about Lewis' intentions.
"Do you realize they are already on board and already being paid?" asked Rep. Lorene Coats, a Salisbury Democrat.
Next was Rep. Bill Owens, an Elizabeth City Democrat, who asked Lewis if he knew the salaries were not paid from tax dollars but from utility fees.
The next question was form Speaker Joe Hackney: "Does the gentleman wish to withdraw his motion?"
Eventually, it was Lewis' turn to ask a question. He asked Hackney how he would go about withdrawing his motion.
Just say that, Hackney answered.
The commissioners were confirmed 112 to 5. Lewis voted for them.
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