Governor Bev Perdue spoke to reporters Jan. 6 about the State House Republicans’ ploy to override her veto of a bill removing the right of the NC Association of Educators to have member dues withheld from their paychecks. House Speaker Thom Tillis has admitted, proudly, that the move was a way to punish the NCAE for sending out literature last year opposing five Democrats who had joined with Republicans to pass a budget—again by overriding a veto—that slashed funds for education.
The Republican leadership in the House had asked the governor to call a
special session so they could try to override a different veto, this one
to gut the Racial Justice Act of 2009. They were unable to muster
enough votes for that issue, so they waited until a number of Democrats
had left for the night and a few missing Republicans had arrived
(including Transylvania County’s Trudy Walend, newly appointed by the
Governor to replace a member who had resigned his seat). Then, after
midnight, they called the session together again and voted by a
single-vote margin to override the veto.
“You saw what went on in the General Assembly night before last,” Perdue
said after the vote. “I was appalled to watch this General Assembly, in
the dark of the night, take revenge against NC schoolteachers for
having the guts to stand up to them.” North Carolina residents, she
said, “understand the value of education, not just to our current
generation but to the state’s economy and future. Along with the
devastating cuts to education last summer, this is just slap after slap
against the children of this state.”
The override vote was quickly challenged in court by Democrats, who
cited the State Constitution’s requirement that any specially called
session of the legislature can address only the issue it is called for,
and no other legislation.
GovernmentPublic Forum on Asheville’s Water SystemSunday, 12 February 2012Tune in on Monday, February 13 for the live video -- 7PM
With so many rumors, theories, and interests running wild, it’s past time for a nonpartisan, public opportunity for you, WNC’s residents, to understand the facts.
The Asheville-Buncombe County League of... + Full Story
Your HealthThree Most Ignored Health Problems That Demand Your AttentionThursday, 09 February 2012
As thousands continue working on resolutions, medical expert Dr. Ken Taylor explains the health priorities that should be on everyone’s list this year.
Focus on Your Digestive Health
Millions of Americans suffer daily from common digestive problems such as heartburn,... + Full Story
Our TownA New Voice for the PeopleThursday, 09 February 2012Keith Young will be a candidate for one of two seats in District 1. Photo: Renato Rotolo
Staff Reports
President John F. Kennedy once said that those who look only to the past or present are... + Full Story
GovernmentPolitical RoundupThursday, 09 February 2012Holly Jones
Staff Reports
In advance of the opening of the filing process for public office in advance of the May primary, a number of candidates have announced their intention to run for nomination to... + Full Story
CommunitiesUNC Asheville Black History Month EventsThursday, 09 February 2012Poet Natasha Trethewey
Staff Reports
February 10 – Humanities Lecture – “Land, Labor, and Citizenship: The Problem of Freedom,” Sarah Judson, associate professor of... + Full Story
