Gov. Perdue adds her BP to the red ink


[Update 4: 6/13: Public Policy Polling finds one-third of voters are undecided, but otherwise, Perdue’s veto is the popular choice; even the Republican electorate is puzzling over the GOP position … while Dems and UNAs — unaffilateds — are with the Gov.]

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The rest is from Sunday —

[Update 3: Question about those five Democrats? She’s talked to them, had them to the mansion, hopes some — or some Republicans — will now come to her aid. Question about the GOP budget, didn’t they meet you halfway? Not true, Perdue says. This budget will cause “generational damage” — to Smart Start and little kids, to universities by losing key faculty. Back to you, GOP.]

[Update 2: I’m not seeing this online, but it is on WRAL TV in a box. Perdue says she “cautioned” legislative leaders about the damage their budget would cause. My budget cut deeply, she says. Theirs cuts more — too much. It’s ideologically driven, “rips at the classroom,” and sends the wrong message to the public/business about whether North Carolina is a responsible state any more. Budgets reflect our values. I will not put my name on a plan that so blatantly ignores ours. Therefore, I am going to walk to this table and veto this budget bill. Which she does. First budget veto in N.C. history.]

[Update 1: A note on the budget while we wait. The difference between the Governor’s budget proposal and the Republican budget produced by the General Assembly is nominally just $230 million or so — $19.9 billion vs. a little less than $19.7 billion. But the actual difference in spending on education, Medicaid and other programs is about $580 million, according to the N.C. Budget & Tax Center. Why is the actual spending difference more than the nominal difference? Two major factors: 1) the Republicans’ budget includes $200 million from a highway trust fund that isn’t normally included in state budget calculations — and isn’t included in the Governor’s budget; 2) The Republican budget does better in terms of state pension fund contributions than Perdue’s budget — the GOP “spends” about $140 million more in this category, which is good in the sense of long-term fiscal integrity but doesn’t help in terms of program funding for 2011-12.]

The Governor’s Office just announced at 4 p.m. press conference at the Capitol. Gov. Perdue will announce her decision on the budget. WRAL will cover it live online at wral.com. (I plan to watch it online and, assuming a good feed, will update along.)

Is there any doubt what she’ll do? Having cast her differences with the Republicans as a fight for the heart and soul of the state, and releasing a letter from 27 business leaders on Friday saying North Carolina must do better by our educational system than what the Republicans have on the table so far, Perdue really must stamp her veto on the thing even knowing the General Assembly may quickly override it.

Or, not? The Senate’s GOP majority is veto-proof (31-19), but the House GOP majority (68-52) isn’t. Five House Democrats voted with the Republicans to pass the budget, which gave them one vote to spare toward the magic 72 votes (three-fifths) needed for an override.

Will all five Dems hold firm in the face of a veto? I don’t know … I don’t know them, and I’m not close to what’s going on right now … but I can readily imagine two or more of them saying, well, you know, it’s one thing to vote for a budget, and it’s another to override the Governor — maybe she has a point? maybe we should hear her out? Maybe there’s a friend of mine who should be a judge?

You know, just saying.

True, the Republicans are holding the threat of redistricting over these conservative Democrats whose districts, if re-jiggered, would be hard to hold against a Republican election challenge. On the other hand, there are some things in a life that a politician wants more than continuing in a legislative office. Things like — well, you can fill in that blank for yourself.

On Friday, State Democratic Party Chair David Parker — Perdue’s guy — issued a statement about the budget. He titled it “Our Moral Obligation,” and went on to say that a 3/4th’s of 1-cent sales tax is a small price to pay:

Here’s a question for you: which is more valuable to you: educating North Carolina’s children or saving ¾ of one cent on sales tax?

That is the essence of the current debate over the Republican Legislature’s budget that they have sent to our Governor, Beverly Perdue.

I don’t think there’s much mystery what’s coming today. Going forward, if the legislature overrides a veto, Perdue enters the upcoming election year — a “year” that’s already underway — with a big, very clear issue with which to confront her Republican opponent. If there’s no override, and negotiations ensue, it’s a clear win for a suddenly stronger governor.

Perdue’s office sent her official veto statement. It’s copied below.

Gov. Perdue’s veto statement:

For generations, we North Carolina have distinguished ourselves from other southern states as a place of opportunity, and a place that understands the value of investing in our people.

Education has been our hallmark — the one area that set us apart from our neighbors and propelled our economic success.

From the high chair to the rocking chair, every North Carolinian has been given the opportunity for a quality education — from early childhood, K-12, community colleges and through our colleges and universities. This is the commitment we have made to our people because, quite simply, it’s what we believe in.

We have lived our values — until now.

Now, for the first time, we have a legislature that is turning its back on our schools, our children, our longstanding investments in education and our future economic prospects.

Under this budget:

We will overlook many of our most at-risk pre-school children by slashing Smart Start and More at Four, leaving these kids behind before they’ve even started Kindergarten;
Classrooms will be underfunded in K-12, forcing local school districts to lay off thousands of teachers and teaching assistants who will then be added to the unemployment rolls; and
In our community colleges and universities, programs will be shut down, tuition may be raised, career training and college degrees will be further out of reach, there will be fewer class offerings and students will take longer to graduate.
This budget will result in generational damage. It tears at the very fibers that make North Carolina strong — not only our schools, but also our communities, our environment, our public safety system and our ability to care for those who need us most.

Our most vulnerable and sick will see medical and mental health services cut or eliminated;
Families will have fewer resources as they care for their elderly, their disabled or their mentally ill;
The natural environmental treasures that we cherish and that draw so many visitors to North Carolina will be at risk of permanent damage or destruction;
Historical sites that attract tourists and stimulate economic activity by commemorating our rich cultural heritage will be closed;
Our ability to prepare for and recover from disasters such as tornados and hurricanes may be hampered; and
These cuts would be devastating when we have a more than active hurricane season predicted.
Fewer law enforcement officers will patrol our streets and supervise convicted felons, while victims will be forced to wait longer for justice.
In the days since the General Assembly’s budget reached my desk, I’ve traveled the state listening to parents and grandparents, teachers and superintendents, business people, community leaders and law enforcement officials. I saw worry in their eyes;

I heard frustration in their voices. These are people who, like me, are proud to call North Carolina home because of what we believe in as a people; because of our legacy of smart choices and planning for the future. They spoke to me not as Democrats or Republicans, Tea Partiers or Independents. They came to me as North Carolinians, and they asked me to stand up for what is right for our children and grandchildren, for what moves North Carolina forward, not backward.

They know that much of damage that this budget seeks to do is simply unnecessary. By extending less than a penny of the sales tax, North Carolina can avoid severe cuts to our schools and other crucial programs.

These cuts were made by the legislature in this budget by choice. They chose to risk our children’s futures — for less than a penny.

For weeks I have cautioned legislative leaders of the damage this budget will cause. Yes, these difficult economic times demand that we tighten our belt, make cuts and face up to hard choices.

The budget I submitted to the General Assembly in February did just that — but it also invested in our future. We cannot move North Carolina forward without both balance and reason. This budget provides neither.

As I’ve reviewed the General Assembly’s plan for how North Carolina should run the next two years, I’ve found is ideologically driven budget that rips at our classrooms and campuses, our environment and quality of life, our services for the needy and ill, and the safety of our streets and communities. What message does that send to the people and businesses who are considering a move to North Carolina? The state’s budget is more than just a roadmap for how state agencies operate. It is a reflection of the state’s values, of what we believe in.

I will not put my name on a plan that so blatantly ignores the values of North Carolina’s people. I cannot support a budget that sends the message that North Carolina is moving backwards, when we have always been a state that led the nation.

The General Assembly may be satisfied with a state in reverse, but I am not. Therefore, I veto this bill.