Three way

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.

The Senators rightly want to find money for investing in infrastructure and education, but in doing so they rely too heavily on debt financing. Along they way, they roll-back the so-called "temporary taxes" that have been giving the state a cushion fund critical services for those most in need.

There are two sides of the temporary tax puzzle. One involves a half-a-percent sales tax increase from 2001, the other involves a half-a-percent increase in the top-tier income tax rate that mostly affect White Old Rich Men. I believe both taxes should remain in place and be made permanent. If the conferees can't bring themselves to do that, they should cut the sales tax increase and raise the WORM tax to ensure that total revenues don't decline.

To his credit, Easley is not in favor of the debt financing scheme passed by the Senate. Unfortunately, that's the only position he's taken that makes much sense. He's still not supporting sufficient funding for community mental health.

Please contact your representatives in the NC House and encourage them to stand strong as the honorables move forward to make legislative sausage. And if you're unfortunate enough to be represented by a Republican, let them know that you don't appreciate their continuing efforts to undermine government services that support those most in need.

Contact Marc Basnight, too. Tell him you think the Senate is making a mistake by taking on more debt right now without a referendum, and that the WORM tax should be retained. He's been busy getting his $1.2 million restaurant rebuilt, but if he doesn't have time to keep his eye on the people's business, maybe he shouldn't be running the Senate.

Contact Joe Hackney, as well. Let him know you appreciate him keeping the so-called marriage amendment out of our Constitution - and tell him we're counting on him to continue to represent ALL the people in North Carolina, not just the rich ones.

Finally, push back every time you hear the Puppets spouting malarkey about the onerous tax burden in North Carolina. They claim the mean old government is crushing the North Carolina economy and driving businesses to other states. Which, of course, is total bullshit. Don't let them get away with brainwashing our elected officials.