Temporary Taxes

Mark Binker has a good post that reports on some encouraging comments from Richard Moore regarding the upcoming budget clash.

Moore is not enamored with the $1.2 billion the Senate would spend on Certificates of Participation (known as COPs), which is a way for the state to borrow money without going to the voters for bond approval. (snip) The state constitution, he said, is fairly clear on how government should go about borrowing. "If they're such great ideas, why can't we vote?" Moore said.

When you're looking to understand the inner workings and hidden mechanisms of what's happening in Raleigh these days, there's no more reliable guide than Mark Binker. Mark has a day-job as a Mainstream Media Mogul, but more important, he's a blogger who uses his posts to cut to the chase about the antics of the honorables in the General Assembly.

Go read two of Mark's recent posts. One is a quick recap of the state of things on the budget, and one is an amusing review of more Republican whining. Make sure you bookmark his blog for daily review.

That said, here's my take on what's ahead: With the Senate on the verge of passing its "done in the dark" budget, the next round in Raleigh will be a three-way slugfest between the Senate, the House and the Governator. Our job would appear to be simple: Stand with Joe Hackney and the NC House.