Where things stand

When you're looking to understand the inner workings of deal-making in the General Assembly, there's no better place to turn than to Chris Fitzsimon at NC Policy Watch. Here's are some excerpts from his take on the sad state of the NC Senate:

A funny thing happened on the way to an agreement between House and Senate leaders on taxes and ending the county share of Medicaid. Senate Democrats appear to have bowed to major campaign contributors and their well-connected lobbyists and rejected the latest offer from the House because it allowed counties to raise the real estate transfer fee if the public approves it in a referendum.

Lobbyists for realtors and homebuilders have been working feverishly against any transfer tax. Apparently Senate leaders now agree with them that people should not have the right to vote on how their county builds schools or addresses other infrastructure needs.

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It also means that one interest group with deep pockets is controlling the Senate of North Carolina and has now delayed a final agreement on the state budget. That’s what billions can do for you in the current political climate. The question is what happens now. House leaders have negotiated in good faith and thought they had an agreement and the realtors and the Senators they intimidate rejected it.

There might be a silver lining. One House member said it means the whole agreement collapses and takes negotiators back to zero. If that’s true, House leaders ought to rethink their decision to make a tax cut for the wealthy part of the compromise.

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The rich don’t need a tax cut, especially one paid for everybody else in the state, who may actually see their taxes go up if Senate Majority Tony Rand has his way with Medicaid.

There's a lot more good stuff in Chris's column, so go read it. And take the time to contact all House members with this simple message:

1. Make the temporary taxes permanent.
2. Give local governments the option to pursue transfer taxes.
3. Expand the definition of mental health to include, well, mental health

Your emails are making a difference. Representatives in the House are getting the message and strengthening their resolve with the knowledge that there are plenty of supporters behind them.

If you sent emails today, do it again this weekend. And if you didn't, please take ten minutes to do so now. You'll find all the addresses you need right here.

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PS Also, please take time to contact Joe Hackney and thank him for his great leadership in the House. He's the biggest thing standing in the way of a complete sell-out of the General Assembly to the Tony Rand corporation.