Senate minority leader Sen. Martin Nesbitt, Democrat from Buncombe County, is sticking to his promise to keep bringing up the fate of 37,000 North Carolinians whose weekly unemployment checks have ended because the extension of the benefits is caught up in the budget showdown between the General Assemblly and the governor.
He reported today that a petition to bring a benefits-extension bill to a floor vote has been signed by all 19 Democratic senators and none of the Republicans. Nesbitt said all of the GOP members of the Senate had been emailed last week and asked to sign, and that this week efforts would get more personal.
"I intend to continue to pursue that," Nesbitt told reporters. "I'm not going to tell you how right now. ... Hopefully, they will be hearing from the folks in their communities very shortly."
Earlier today, Senate leader Sen. Phil Berger repeated his position that the General Assembly has already passed a bill, which the governor vetoed.
"We think the question is, what has the governor done other than saying 'Do it my way. That's the only way I'll accept.'" Berger said he hopes the governor will tell legislators what she's looking for in a compromise.
Comments
I feel like my life is about
May 11, 2011 - 5:42pm — ceciliaspruill56I feel like my life is about over
Open Your Eyes...
May 11, 2011 - 10:11am — GryD1965To these folks that want to blame Gov Perdue, who I'am not a fan of. You have to ask why was the Unemployment Ext tied to the State Budgit? Especially since one had nothing to do with the other. The Unemployment Ext. is paid by the Federal Goverment, and nothing to do with the State Budgit of North Carolina. Now, If the Republicans, who agree that is should be Extended, WILL NOT SIGN the new bill that Senator Nesbitt and all the other Demacrats, have put up, that is a clean Bill with nothing attached to it all. But not one "Republicans" Will NOT Sign it. That goes to show that, they were just trying to "Strongarm" the Gov. from the get go. Come people the Republicans, DO NOT CARE, they are going to get a Paycheck this week, and will be able to pay their Bill, and Feed their families. Call down there to Raleigh and ask them why they wont sighn the Bill, that Sen. Nesbitt, and other Dem. have signed and are waiting for Republican's to sighn......Open your Eyes...
Anyone who is upset about
May 11, 2011 - 9:17am — jlpe1969Anyone who is upset about the bill the governor vetoed needs to follow the whole trail. A quick look at the vetoed bill (H383) will show how the name was changed. It was originally a communications bill that had nothing to do with unemployment. Its companion bill is still a communications bill. A bill (H676) was filed before H383 was changed that would extend the unemployment benefits in exactly the same fashion as H383--but without the political wrangling. H676 is the one Nesbitt wants heard.
I too was sorry to see the
May 11, 2011 - 6:12am — bestsarahI too was sorry to see the Governor veto these benefits. That veto represented a callous disregard for the working families of North Carolina. It is time to put petty partisan politics aside and put down the veto pen. It is easy to say "no" but the citizens deserve a Governor who wants to move the State forward.
Human Beings??? Really??? Republican's??? Really???
May 11, 2011 - 6:01am — GryD1965We all have been fooled by these so called "Republicans" and so called "Human Beings". After almost a month after 37,000 plus were cheated out of the benifits, because these so called "Republicans" could try to strong arm the Gov. on the state budget. These so called "Human Beings" have showed the people who elected them to look after the best interest, what they really think of them. Who is next to be victamized, the Handicaped and the Ederly. They DO NOT CARE. They have really showed all of us, that they have their own agenda. This will not be forgotten. There is a place in Hell for these so called "Human Beings". 2012 will be here sooner than will want. Then they will be able face the citizen's of this state, whose thoats they have cut, when these so call "Human Beings" are standing in the same Unemployment Line....Justice will be DONE....
I Voted Republican: Now I'm Sorry
May 10, 2011 - 2:37pm — johnsheehanI would hope that the lives of 37,000 families would overcome the partisan bickering going on about unemployment benefits. We need food, gas, rent and utility money. These benefits are all we have.
I will be changing parties
May 10, 2011 - 1:31pm — jankersonI will be changing parties if the GOP doesn't get on the ball and help get this done quickly.
I think they will be losing a lot of voters because of this.
let your voice be heard
May 10, 2011 - 1:27pm — may1959I wrote my Republican representatives > do the same if you want them to take care of this because they are happy ignoring it. I will be happy to ignore them in 2012.