but what will you DO as Lieutenant Governor?
Submitted by Robert P. on Tue, 11/27/2007 - 6:55am
Each of the candidates for the Democratic nomination for Lt. Governor have pages of issues and stances, all telling us what changes they want to see in North Carolina. BUT. It is the LIEUTENANT Governor position. It isn't the Governor, it is the North Carolina equivalent of Vice-President in most respects, a position famously described thusly:
“Once there were two brothers: one ran away to sea, the other was elected Vice-President - and nothing was ever heard from either of them again”
-Thomas R. Marshall
So, forget all the pomp and circumstance, what will you DO as Lieutenant Governor? This is an open letter to each of candidates, feel free to stop by and let me know, because I really am curious. More below the break.
To get a better idea what the candidates might do, I went looking for what they are supposed to do and what has been done in the past. First, from the Constitution.
Section 1. Executive power.
The executive power of the State shall be vested in the Governor.Sec. 2. Governor and Lieutenant Governor: election, term, and qualifications.
(1) Election and term. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor shall be elected by the qualified voters of the State in 1972 and every four years thereafter, at the same time and places as members of the General Assembly are elected. Their term of office shall be four years and shall commence on the first day of January next after their election and continue until their successors are elected and qualified.
Sec. 3. Succession to office of Governor.
(1) Succession as Governor. The Lieutenant Governor-elect shall become Governor upon the failure of the Governor-elect to qualify. The Lieutenant Governor shall become Governor upon the death, resignation, or removal from office of the Governor. The further order of succession to the office of Governor shall be prescribed by law. A successor shall serve for the remainder of the term of the Governor whom he succeeds and until a new Governor is elected and qualified.
(2) Succession as Acting Governor. During the absence of the Governor from the State, or during the physical or mental incapacity of the Governor to perform the duties of his office, the Lieutenant Governor shall be Acting Governor. The further order of succession as Acting Governor shall be prescribed by law.
Thus, much like a Vice-President.
The man with the best job in the country is the vice-president. All he has to do is get up every morning and say, "How is the president?"
- Will Rogers
But, now we come to the meat of the job description, where the Governor receives a "Duties" section of 758 words with various references to wide-ranging powers and duties, the section pertaining to the Lieutenant Governor says:
The Lieutenant Governor shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no vote unless the Senate is equally divided. He shall perform such additional duties as the General Assembly or the Governor may assign to him. He shall receive the compensation and allowances prescribed by law.
- Non-voting member of the Senate.
- Governor's whipping boy.
- General Assembly's whipping boy.
- Paid.
I never knew the part about the GA being able to "assign" duties to the LG. Very interesting. So, in fact, though, the LG has no duties unless someone appoints him to those duties. In fact, until 1970 the LG was a part-time position like the GA and its only responsibility was to oversee the Senate. Since 1970, what sorts of things have other LGs done?
Hoyt Patrick "Pat" Taylor, Jr.
In 1968, Taylor was elected Lieutenant Governor, and in 1972, he ran for Governor, losing in a Democratic primary runoff to Skipper Bowles. He retired from electoral politics and resumed the practice of law, but he was one of many people who received votes for the Democratic Vice-Presidential nomination at the 1972 Democratic National Convention.
I don't see any mention of things he did as Lt. Governor, other than place himself for a run as Governor. He has written a book since then (Fourth Down and Goal to Go) and appeared on D.G. Martin's program on public television.
After Taylor came this guy you might have heard of, James Baxter Hunt Jr. If any of the Governor Hunt afficianodos out there would care to comment on his doings as Lt. Governor I would appreciate it. I can't find any reference to it and it is before my time.
Then, there is the illustrious James C. Green
Green served in the North Carolina House of Representatives from 1961 through 1976. He was elected Lieutenant Governor in 1976 after defeating Howard Nathaniel Lee in a Democratic primary runoff. In 1980, after a change to the North Carolina Constitution, Green became the first Lt. Governor elected to a second term. He defeated fellow former House Speaker Carl J. Stewart, Jr. in the 1980 Democratic primary, and then Republican Bill Cobey in the general election.
Green was charged in 1983 with accepting a bribe from an undercover FBI agent, but he was acquitted. The next year, he ran for Governor of North Carolina but finished fifth in the Democratic primary.
Green was convicted of income tax fraud in 1997, fined and sentenced to home confinement.
I would guess he spent his time as Lt. Governor feeling the power.
Robert B. (Bob) Jordan, III was an American politician who served as Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina for one term (1985-1989) and who unsuccessfully ran for Governor of North Carolina in 1988.
Waiting to run for Governor it seems.
James Carson 'Jim' Gardner is a North Carolina businessman and politician who served as a U.S. Representative (1967-1969) and as Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina (1989-1993). He was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor of North Carolina in 1968, 1972, and 1992. In both 1968 and in 1992, he won the Republican nomination, but lost to Democrats Robert W. Scott and Jim Hunt, respectively. In 1972, he lost the nomination to Jim Holshouser, the first Republican governor of North Carolina of the 20th century. Gardner became the first Republican elected Lt. Governor of the state in the 20th century (Charles A. Reynolds, who served from 1897 to 1901, being the most recent).
Perpetually running for Governor it seems. Now, on to the "modern era" of Lt. Governors, starting with Dennis Wicker currently of Helms, Mulliss & Wicker Law firm.
From the corporate web site we find out SOMETHING, finally, that a LG did while in office other than run for Governor (which he also did).
During his term of office he became the first statewide elected official to chair the State Board of Community Colleges, which sets policy for the state’s 58-campus system. Governor Wicker was also a member of the State Board of Education and the State Board of Economic Development. He was a member of the N. C. House of Representatives for 12 years prior to becoming Lt. Governor and during the last 4 years he was elected House Majority Leader.
From a VA Pilot article, of all things.
Under the state constitution, the lieutenant governor is the Senate's highest-ranking officer. Wicker presides over the Senate and votes in that chamber in case of a tie. The Senate's operating rules also give the lieutenant governor appointive powers for various state commissions and governing bodies. But largely, the role of the office is undefined. ``I don't think it's the office that makes the person. It's the person that makes the office,'' Wicker said. He worked for the last two years to carve out a niche for himself, with assignments that carry as much political risk as political reward. During this time, Wicker took the lead in developing a proposal for government to help groups of small businesses form pools to buy health insurance at lower rates and with better benefits than otherwise available - the only major piece of health insurance reform approved by state lawmakers in 1993. Wicker was also the major force behind legislation to lower the limit for blood alcohol content from .10 to .08. The legislation prompted a working relationship between Wicker and Basnight, who holds the Senate's second-highest position as president pro-tem. As lieutenant governor, Wicker has chaired the State Community College Board and spearheaded the selection of a new system president to replace retiring president and former Gov. Robert Scott. He has headed the State Health Plan Purchasing Alliance Board, the health care panel he helped create; he heads a local government council created by Hunt; and he serves as a member of the State Board of Education, one of the lieutenant governor's few positions specified in the state constitution.
Okay, that's some good info, there are some real policy changes that Dennis Wicker helped put in place. That's good. And, that leads us to the current Lt. Governor, who is of course running for Governor as well, Bev Perdue. From her own website:
- Sponsoring and co-sponsoring initiatives such as Smart Start, the Safe Schools Act, and the ABCs accountability program
- As Chair of the Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission, Bev helped create a prescription drug benefit for low-income seniors that NC AARP called the best in the nation
- Led efforts to expand health coverage to thousands more North Carolina children
- Oversaw initiatives that reduced the number of kids smoking by 27,000
- Led the state’s efforts to help kids eat healthier and be more physically active
- Spearheaded North Carolina’s successful response in keeping the federal government from closing our military bases
- Led the charge for tax relief for working families through creation of the state earned income tax credit and helped pass the $1 increase in North Carolina’s minimum wage
- Initiated the NC Green Business Fund, which provides incentives for businesses focused on alternative energy and efficiency
- Was the driving force behind major clean water legislation that has resulted in over $1.3 billion for projects to restore degraded waters and protect unpolluted waters
- Supported clean air initiatives including the Clean Smokestacks Act and the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standards
Here's the problem, and really, the question. What does it mean to "spearhead" something as Lt. Governor? Would it have not gotten done without her? If so, brava. What about "led the charge for tax relief"? What does that mean?
Other things, like Chairing the Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission are more defined, that's great.
But, I hope it underlines the question I have for our Democratic nominees to the Lt. Governorship, what will you DO as Lt. Governor? Also, what makes you think you can get it done, that you can convince the Governor or GA to allow you to get IT done?
Finally, there is the stepping-stone issue. It's clear that the LG position has been a stepping stone for the Gubernatorial race, not very successful, granted, but a stepping stone into the race. Is that a bad thing? I don't know. I mean, what other power do you wield as Lt. Governor if not "one day you might need my signature on your favorite bill". Granted, power isn't always necessary, there is persuasion and logic....sorry, couldn't help myself, OF COURSE power is important.
So, three things, what do you the readers think the candidates COULD accomplish? What do you think of the position as a stepping stone? Lastly, for the candidates, you tell us, what will you DO, what can you DO, not what WOULD you DO.
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I'm fascinated by the Lt. Governor's race this year.
I'm glad that Hampton posted his take on the race the same day I've asked these questions. Perhaps Democrats will stop and take a serious look at the candidates for Lt. Governor.
One of the pitfalls of childhood is that one doesn't have to understand something to feel it. - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
What will I do? Dan Besse's answer.
Robert, you've asked one of the key questions in this campaign. It deserves a detailed answer, so I hope that folks will forgive the length of this responding post.
The Lieutenant Governor has three major powers, which can be used by an experienced and determined public servant in effective combination:
1) Legislative: The LG presides over the State Senate (on a regular basis, not just for ceremonial occasions) and has the opportunity to influence the flow of floor debate in the process. As a practical matter, the LG's legislative influence is most dependent on his/her experience and skills in negotiation with individual legislators. Make no mistake—the LG can be an effective player in the legislative process, if the person in that post knows what he/she is doing, because of power number three below.
2) Executive: The LG is ex officio (by virtue of the office held) a voting member of several key state executive boards. Among them are the state Board of Education (which oversees the public school system), the state Board of Community Colleges, the state Economic Development Board, and the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center. The LG chairs the state Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission. The LG's ability to influence the policy-making processes of these key commissions depends on his/her experience and skill in similar settings, and his/her willingness to put in the time and hard work to do so.
3) The "bully pulpit": As an independently elected statewide executive officer, who is second in line for the governor's post and widely understood to be a potential political successor to that post, the LG has the opportunity to take issues directly to the statewide media and be heard. Used judicially and with skill, this power ramps up the effective influence of the LG enormously in both the legislative and executive settings.
More than any other candidate for the office of Lieutenant Governor, I have the practical experience to make this post a source of leadership for North Carolina on tough and detailed policy questions. That experience comes from a combination of my 20 years of service on state-level policy-making boards (such as the Environmental Management Commission and the Coastal Resources Commission), my six-plus years of experience as an elected official on a large city council, and my 30 years of experience as an advocate for a clean environment, meeting human needs, and progressive policies generally. In all these roles, I work with other individuals as both a negotiator and an advocate. The ability—and the long practice—in combining these approaches is critical.
That's how I'll get things done as LG. Now, for some examples of what I'll use that influence to do:
Environment: No single issue is more time-critical, or more complex and challenging, than addressing climate change. I have worked as a member of the state's Climate Action Plan Advisory Group to prepare a set of recommendations for effective state action. I am also working to implement policies on the local and regional levels to help address climate. As LG, I will use all the powers of that post to press those recommendations and ideas on toward implementation at the state level. Those actions will include legislation on energy tax credits, transportation policy and funding, and direct state purchasing decisions on vehicle fleets and building construction.
Health care: When I was considering entering this race, experienced political advisers told me that there were only two issues in any Democratic primary campaign: jobs and education. I told them that, as critical as those are, I was determined to add two more: environment, and health care.
I remember the decade that I spent as a legal aid attorney for poor families in poor, rural areas of North Carolina. It seemed that no matter what other problem brought them to our office (job loss, threatened housing eviction, benefits cutoff, domestic violence), they were also wrestling with some crisis related to paying for health care. And let me assure you, once you've helped an elderly farm couple keep from losing their home to hospital bills they couldn't pay for one of their children, you remember the importance of access to affordable health care.
In my view, the inequities in access to high-quality and affordable health care are the most grievous social failings of our society today. I pledge that I will do everything in my power to make equal access to good, affordable health care an unceasing priority in North Carolina. This is one of those situations in which the LG's strongest power will be that statewide "bully pulpit". I will hammer this issue in the media and public forums until not even the most calloused legislative defender of the status quo believes that he can politically afford to play an obstructionist role.
At least twice during the past two years, the State Senate has dragged its collective feet on advances in access to health care that were put forward by the State House: expansion of children's health care, and creation of a high-risk insurance pool. Some progress was made in both those areas only because the House collectively demanded it. As the presiding officer of the State Senate, I as LG will be in a uniquely good position to call media attention to any further attempts to slow down or shuttle aside progress in this area. For example, I will press to make the children's health insurance program accessible on an affordable basis to every family. I will press for action on statutory changes needed to make group health insurance accessible to more small employers (for example, through their trade associations). I will press for positive action on the Rep. Verla Insko legislation to incorporate access to health care as an enumerated right in our state constitution. In general, I will press publicly for continuing major progress in achieving universal access to high-quality health care.
Education: I am a graduate of the public schools in North Carolina, and the child of a public-school teacher and principal. I understand that no other institution is more indispensable to the continuation of our democracy than high-quality public schools.
Among the most serious problems in public education today is the persistent gap in achievement and graduation rates between economic and racial groups. Yet, politicians-as-usual commonly attempt to ignore or gloss over this troubling reality. I pledge instead to confront it, and work to fix it.
I will use my research staff in the LG office to survey and summarize information on the best programs and practices around the nation in terms of success in confronting and remedying these achievement gaps. I will work with teacher groups (e.g., the NCAE) and social justice groups (e.g., the NAACP) to focus public attention on the necessity of addressing this problem. I will turn my own time and energy as a voting, working member of the state Board of Education to creating opportunities to press the most successful approaches forward. These opportunities will vary from as sweeping as how to address the funding gap between wealthy and poor community school systems, to as specific as ensuring that every student has the technical equipment needed for an even playing field on standardized tests. (For example, did you know that an instrument called the "graphing calculator" is needed for end of grade math tests in high school—but that school systems do not provide one of these $100 instruments to every student for proficiency practice during the school term? Thus, poor students begin the test with yet another specific and inequitable disadvantage compared to students from wealthy and middle-income families.) Resource gaps such as that one can be found a hundred times over in our systems, and must be addressed.
These are among my top personal priorities for the office of Lieutenant Governor. While they are certainly not the only matters on which I plan to work, they should serve to provide specific examples of the objects I will pursue and the routes I plan to use.
Dan Besse
Democrat for Lieutenant Governor
A few thoughts.
Is this currently true, or are you of a mind that this is what you would do? I've always thought that the VP could be useful in this role at a national level, not just as a parliamentarian, as it seems John Adams believed his daily role to be, but as you describe to "influence the flow of floor debate in the process".
To all the candidates, I would wonder what their thoughts are on this board's current and future work. It seems one duties that the LG has the most direct influence over.
General statement: your point of view on health care is just what I and many others have been looking for, and it is a well-made point that as President of the Senate the LG can crack the whip to move health care legislation through that body. MAYBE the LG can crack the whip, from what I've read about the disagreements between Wicker and Basnight, there was almost no communication between the two and Wicker was shut out of caucus meetings.
I would like to see candidates focus more on the economic aspects of disparity and less on race. Focusing on race without adjusting for socioeconomic stress fixes very little statewide, but adjusting for socioeconomic stress fixes much of the problems aligned with race at the same time. Having come from a poor, white, rural school, I can tell you that it's all about the lack of dollars, which equates to a lack of quality education. Poor, white, rural or poor, minority, urban.
p.s. the graphing calculator story is an amazing display of what is wrong with our system.
One of the pitfalls of childhood is that one doesn't have to understand something to feel it. - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
good points
Presiding over the Senate: This is the case now. Bev Perdue has usually been in the chair when I've stopped into the Senate gallery in recent years.
Inside/outside work: Effective work by the LG in the legislative process will require both participation in detailed discussions with legislators, and a judicious use of public media work. Leaders like Senator Basnight will need to know that the LG wants to work with them. At the same time, in order to be effective, the LG has to be ready to take a key point to the press and public directly. Knowing how and when to combine those approaches effectively requires experience in public legislative-style debate. The office of Lieutenant Governor is not an entry-level position.
Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission: This body helps to manage the funds distribution from the tobacco settlement. However, there's no reason it can't simultaneously be used as a platform for key health policy discussions more generally. In fact, it could be a great platform for that, and a natural opening for leadership by the LG in this area.
Dan Besse
Democrat for Lieutenant Governor
These are great questions, Robert,
and an informative post.
I think, as Wicker said above - the person defines the office, because the office is so ill-defined by the state constitution. Perhaps that is by design. It gives the Governor, Lt. Governor, and GA room to fit duties to the skill set of the person in the job.
As for the position as a stepping stone - I would hope that when someone is elected to that office, they are there to do that job, with their full attention to being LG, even if down the road they intend to seek higher office. There is at least one of the candidates who is running for Governor in advance instead of running for LG, and the others are running for LG. In my opinion.
Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi
As to the stepping stone.
I am split in my mind on this point.
Pro - perhaps it gives the office holder more clout in negotiations if the other person knows they might have to deal with the official at a later time as Governor.
Con - so concerned about instituting "feel good" policies for their run at Governor that they don't dig into hard issues.
One of the pitfalls of childhood is that one doesn't have to understand something to feel it. - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
You make a valid point about the clout.
But if a person takes an office and makes it their own, they create their own clout in that office, I think. I could see Smathers doing that.
Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi
Hampton Dellinger: Here is what I CAN and WILL do
Robert P, thanks for your thoughtful and exhaustive post. Here’s my take: I believe the Lieutenant Governor CAN -- and I certainly WILL:
(1) Be present whenever a community faces a crisis (natural or man-made) or an opportunity to make sure that every available state resource and asset is being deployed in the aid of that community and being deployed quickly. And I wouldn't just show up in counties across North Carolina at extraordinary times. Far from it. As Lt. Governor, I will hold regular office hours and open community meetings in cities and towns from "Murphy to Manteo".
(2) The Lt. Governor can stand up and challenge state agencies when citizens are not served well. I've done it from the inside (e.g., criticizing the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' decision to permit a rock quarry adjacent to the Appalachian Trial) and the outside ( e.g., successfully fighting the decision to waste taxpayers' money by overpaying for office supplies). And I'll keep it up as Lieutenant Governor.
(3) The Lt. Governor can also play a meaningful role in the direction of the state Senate, by proposing and backing progressive measures, by ensuring full and fair debate, by demanding that the people’s business be conducted openly, and by breaking ties.
(4) The Lt. Governor can take the long view and seek to ensure that present actions benefit rather than burden succeeding generations. Having served in the Governor's office, I know the daily demands on a Governor's time. The Lieutenant Governor has a unique opportunity to think not just about the next meeting but about the next year, the next decade, the next generation. I'll use that opportunity to develop and promote progressive solutions to our most serious challenges.
The Lieutenant Governor also serves on a broad array of committees and councils that shape state policies on everything from education to public health to rural economic development. These bodies play a crucial role in the day-to-day governance of North Carolina, and as Lieutenant Governor I will use my membership in these important groups to advance broad-based policy solutions to our most pressing needs.
(5) As a member of the State Board of Education and State Board of Community Colleges, I will continue to push for a statewide commitment to education from ages 3 through 18, increased teacher autonomy, and other policies to help North Carolina be the best state in the country to learn and to teach. As readers of BlueNC know, I am committed to improving literacy and expanding school options for young and at-risk kids, and I would welcome the opportunity to advance those policies through organizations in a position to implement them.
As a member of the Economic Development Board and the Rural Economic Development Center, I will continue to advocate reforms to the way we attract and nurture businesses. Our current system too often rewards well-connected businesses at the expense of overall efficiency, while diverting investment from the underlying factors—like great schools and sustainable communities—that truly make North Carolina an attractive business climate. Reforming that system can begin with the statewide bodies that draft and recommend economic policies to the Governor.
(6) The Lieutenant Governor also has power to appoint members to various statewide commissions, including the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center and the Public Health Study Commission. Having worked in the Governor's office, I know the importance of these appointments and the impact they can have on statewide policy.
Finally, the Lt. Governor can and must be ready to be Governor. Having served in top statewide positions in the Department of Justice and the Governor’s office, I know firsthand the challenges that can confront state leaders. I am prepared to lead North Carolina through any challenge.
Robert P., thanks again for your research and opinions on the matter. I look forward to seeing all the comments.
Of everything you said, there is one thing I find interesting.
The idea of LG as advisor to the Governor. I completely understand your point and I think that it is well taken - the Governor is the CEO and COO in many respects, with his/her head in the details while still trying to keep their eyes on the future. So, an LG that can remember the promises of the campaign trail and keep those in focus, that is a great idea.
BUT. One weird thing about the LG being a separate race is that the two candidates might not "support" one another. For instance, there might be one of two candidates you would work really well with, while the other might be a micromanager.
I like the ideas you present on what you can do, I'll read through them again after I have the kids off to school!
One of the pitfalls of childhood is that one doesn't have to understand something to feel it. - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
I'm particularly interested in this
There are currently several administrative infrastructures involved in the education of young children ages 0-5, the Division of Child Development, the NC Child Care Resource and Referral Council, Smart Start, the Office of School Readiness, and of course, The Department of Public Instruction. What are your thoughts on all of this top-heaviness (or do you see it as top-heavy)?
Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi
Great question. That seems fiscally irresponsible.
But, I'm betting that federal funds need one office, state funds another, local funds, tobacco funds, blah blah blah. I'll be interested to hear what ALL the candidates have to say about this question.
One of the pitfalls of childhood is that one doesn't have to understand something to feel it. - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Good info Robert. I have learned something this morning.
I have met all the Lt.Gov. candidates. From what I have seen and heard, they are all worthy to the post.
Hampton seems to be more specific in his intentions and hopes for the office, but articulation is the easy part.
Besse, Smathers and Dalton have significant histories of good works and service as well. Which ever one is selected in the end, I thnk we will be well served, but I do have my favorite.
Thanks for the Opportunity
I am excited that today seems to be “Lieutenant Governor Day” on BlueNC. From the start of our campaign, BlueNC has played a vital role. The reason that the world beyond the blogosphere is starting to take notice of this race is a result of BlueNC. This website not only provides a public forum to candidates and progressive groups, but more importantly provides a way for the people of this state to interact. BlueNC is without a doubt the People’s Think Tank, and I thank you for that.
As I fulfill my duties as Haywood County’s school board attorney, I am currently on short break from a court hearing. As a result, at this moment, I cannot respond adequately, but I will be posting my thoughts and ideas this afternoon. I encourage all of BlueNC and the community at large to read and learn about the candidates. I have respect for each candidate, but we do have our differences especially as it concerns our ideas and the amount of experience we would bring to the office. I feel that I not only have a clear vision and reason for being Lieutenant Governor, but I have the neccessary experience both as a elected official and Lieutenant Colonel in the National Guard to do so.
Let me conclude by saying that the Lieutenant Governor’s is an “Office of Ideas.” With one foot in the Legislature and one foot in the Executive branch, the office is unique. I see the office as one where its occupant tackles the big ideas and finds workable solutions. The first lesson you learn as a mayor is that you have to make government work and be responsive to the needs of its citizens. In Canton during the floods, I witnessed what local government can do if provided the resources to respond. I would make the office the voice of local government, schools, and communities. Finally, I will not only attend but will also encourage my fellow candidates to debate and participate in forums and debates. It is also my hope BlueNC plays a major role in this, and I would love to participate in any live-blogging sessions, phone forums, or live debates. Thanks again, and I look forward to talking to you this afternoon.
I'm looking forward to hearing more this afternoon.
The local government/state government experience differences is one of the things I wanted to see discussed.
One of the pitfalls of childhood is that one doesn't have to understand something to feel it. - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
I have no preference in this race yet
But i was very impressed to receive an email from the Besse campaign touting his advocacy for walkability and pedestrian safety issues in W-S. I don't know how big a deal this is to other folks, but low levels of walkability in many of our urban areas (i live in Durham, and it's a big problem here), combined with the resistance of the state DOT in considering pedestrian factors on the roads that they maintain in our cities, creates huge frustration levels at the grass roots. If a candidate for state wide office wants to inject this issue into the campaign, i'm glad to see that.
transportation alternatives
Thanks Barry.
Making communities more walkable can be a key part of both environmental and public health strategies.
Emissions from vehicles are one of the two major sources of greenhouse gases, and the increasing miles driven per person will drive our addition to global warming up on a continuing basis, until we do a better job of providing people with alternatives to driving everywhere.
Making it safer and more appealing to walk more will also make us a healthier society.
Part of my responsibility as Lieutenant Governor will be to make certain that the state policy debate focuses on a comprehensive transportation system, not just more roads and highway lanes. At present, backward-looking officials within DOT and the state legislature make this a challenge. Fortunately, we have progressive voices to work with as well--from Nina Szlosberg on the state Board of Transportation to Speaker Joe Hackney in the N.C. House.
I look forward to working with my fellow progressive voices in this policy area.
Dan Besse
Democrat for Lieutenant Governor
Beyond backward-looking officials...
a bigger problem is lack of funding. Orange County has a great need-based project for a pedestrian/bike bridge over I-40. It was highly ranked for years in the S-TIP. BUT, there are no funds to build it.
One of the pitfalls of childhood is that one doesn't have to understand something to feel it. - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Lack of funds or lack of interest?
Management of the NCDOT budget is a topic that bears some closer examination, i would think. Which projects find funding and which don't is a very interesting discussion to have.
The two issues are directly connected.
Legislators and DOT administrators make choices between what modes of transportation and what projects to fund. A major problem with getting the funding to good projects like the one you mention is the mindset by some that (with apologies to the Beatles) all you need is roads. That translates into short-funding the other transit options.
I like to see candidates point to evidence from their personal record that they mean what they say. For example, on the Winston-Salem City Council, I sponsored a (successful) proposal to increase our local car license fee on the condition that one-third of the additional proceeds go to pedestrian and biking projects, one-third to public transit, and one-third to traffic safety.
Dan Besse
Democrat for Lieutenant Governor
I'm avoiding studying for law exams, so let me reply...
I was at a breakfast today in Fayettevile where DOT Sec. Tippet spoke. He described the various road/highway projects and plans and funding issues. I was going to ask him a question, but I couldn't think of a way to articulate it, and I also didn't know if the SEC DOT was the appropriate person (he probably was, but I try to ask informed questions, and I'm pretty uninformed on DOT).
But the emphasis, certainly, is on maintaining and sustaining our roads, bridges, and highways with continued use and also in preparation of current and expanding growth trends. But the unspoken mindset is that we must support the continued use of automobiles. Now I'm not naive enough to think people will stop driving gas-powered cars anytime soon, but it seems (to use a bad analogy) that we are just pouring an alcoholic another drink. Should we reexamine our DOT purpose and vision for the future? What can state government do, in cooperation with the private sector, for a future and not-so-future plan to encourage more environmentally-friendly AND less costly means of transportation. Mass transit isn't possible everywhere, but it is in many places. What are we doing to encourage driving hybrid and other green vehicles? How will the next governor determine whom to appoint as the next NC Sec. DOT (and will the Lt. Gov. have a recommendation)?
This is one of many reasons why I support Councilman Besse. Truth be told, I really don't have a second choice (though I'll state that there's only one other candidate I would even think of voting for). Councilman Besse is a true progressive who comes as an outsider to the entrenched Raleigh elected officials. Don't get me wrong, we need experience and people who know how the system works and how to work it. But we have an excess of Raleigh insiders. As the next lieutenant governor, Dan Besse brings news ideas, approaches, and the experience of actually MAKING THINGS WORK, not only in Winston-Salem, but in the numerous state boards and committees he has served on.
I look forward to the councilman posting more on here and in his e-mails about how he can turn his ideas that have worked and expand them for the state, and how he will make the Office of Lieutenant Governor an office of ideas, vision, and true accomplishments for the people of NC.
Study
Now! :)
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
To learn more about the Lt. Governor candidates, ...
... check out my BlueNC post today entitled "While we're on the subject of Democratic candidates for Lt. Governor, ..."
There are also photos, almost always a plus. :)
That post is an amalgam of what was entered as separate posts regarding those candidates at Wayne's World. Bullydoc has also uploaded video onto YouTube regarding the same event attended by those candidates in Richmond County earlier this month.
I should have posts about Statewide judicial candidates later; have already covered some of the other Statewide candidates who have visited Richmond County. Speaking of that, Richard Moore is in Richmond County today for a big hoopla. I'd anticipate a visit by Bev Perdue in the near future.
Thanks, Robert.
As someone who has had to produce Democratic Party voter guides in the past four elections, I have to say that your info on the history of the Lt. Governor's office is pure gold. And Pat Smathers is right - if it weren't for the blogs, information like this would be almost impossible to come by. Just out of curiosity - do you folks plan on doing this with the other contested council of state races? And thanks to Pat, Dan, and Hampton Dellinger for posting your answers.
Doug...if they say yes, we'll do it
I doubt we'll get the gubernatorial candidates to live-blog together, but maybe some of the other contested races will.
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
Thanks to all
for taking part in the discussions this morning. I will have to log off now for the afternoon to attend to some other commitments. I'll check back tomorrow--possibly with a post of my own.
Dan Besse
Democrat for Lieutenant Governor
Hope it's not too provocative to ask but,
what is the salary & benefits of the NC Lt. Gov. position? And how much is it costing to run for this office?
Also, is there an official job description?
Have you called to support H. Res 333 Impeach Cheney Today? call 202-224-3121 & ask for your Congress member by name
Lt Gov salary is same as other Council of State members ...
... except the Governor's salary, which is higher for obvious reasons. Perhaps not counting the most recent increase for all State employees, I believe the Lt Gov's salary was more than $119,000 annually plus standard State employee benefits, which is what the Secretary of State, Insurance Commissioner, Labor Commissioner, et al. also receive. Go to the most recent budget bill from approx July 2007 and you'll see what the approved amount is. ...
Follow-Up
Robert, you’ve posed some very important questions. As a candidate for lieutenant governor, I’ve asked some of these very same questions myself. I don’t believe in wasting time holding a vanity office or stalling till I can run for another position. Fortunately, I believe there is much a lieutenant governor can do to build a better, stronger North Carolina.
As the many local leaders I’ve met on the campaign trail know, achieving change does not begin and end with the ability to enact legislation. I think of the teachers, ministers and activists I’ve known who steer their communities even without wielding any real decision-making powers. Instead, these North Carolinians spark conversations, serve as role models and establish ethical parameters. I believe that’s what Robert P. has done here at BlueNC.
As lieutenant governor, my primary objective would be to lead. I believe a strong commitment to progressive values and local government should radiate from the LG’s office, ultimately pervading all statewide legislation.
Regular readers of this blog know I’m not a fan of quick fix solutions or silver-bullet policy proposals. I’ve spent enough time in government to know what sounds good on the campaign trail doesn’t always work in real life, when competing interests and tight budgets can’t be so easily ignored. I believe instead in working collaboratively to find common-sense solutions that accomplish more than just winning votes on Election Day.
There are a few areas in which I am especially looking forward to exercising leadership as lieutenant governor. While there are many areas in which a lieutenant governor has very little say-so, I’m often asked how I might address problems such as immigration or the mortgage crisis, both of which are fundamentally federal issues, the state’s LG can influence issues pertaining to our state’s environment, education system and military bases. I strongly believe that North Carolina’s nearly one million veterans deserve representation on the Council of State, and I have pledged to always consider their interests.
I hope this is the start of a discussion about the lieutenant Governor’s office, and look forward to continuing it online and in person. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to e-mail me at pat@patsmathers2008.com. I am currently traveling to Raleigh to attend the Young Democrats of North Carolina’s Board of Trustees reception, and I will do my best to respond to specific questions and the remarks of others this evening. I am sure everyone understands, and that I look forward to posting more soon.
Again I am looking forward to participating in any event organized by BlueNC, because I believe there are significant differences between the candidates in this race. I’m also looking forward to the LG forum at the Progressives’ annual meeting next week, and hope you and my fellow candidates will join me there.
Hi BlueNCers...
I am a somewhat regular reader, and although I've not posted before, I follow NC politics pretty closely. I'll put my biases on the table -- I have worked at the General Assembly in the past and am a Dalton supporter. (I'm not going to try to sneak my views in here unnoticed, by any means). I just want to contribute this article from this morning's Charlotte Observer, which seems to give detailed coverage of the policy issues being discussed, along with Sen. Dalton's responses:
http://www.charlotte.com/politics/story/379910.html
Hope its helpful.
Hi THB.
Thanks for weighing in - and for doing so with such integrity. I really appreciate your straightforward style and clarity.
I'm not a Dalton fan, mostly because I'm not an NC Senate fan, but I'm glad to have your link and your comments. Hope you'll stick around and join the ongoing conversation.
I also hope you'll add your own personal observations about Dalton to the discussion. Thanks!
Absolutely.
And thanks for having me.