archived: 5 - 11 Feb, 2006         Back                 Next

                        A GOOD DAY 

It was a good day for progressive Democrats in North Carolina. 

Progressive Democrats of North Carolina assembled in Raleigh prior to the State Executive Committee meeting.  Progressive Democrats adopted several resolutions that represent their legislative agenda for the “short session” starting in May. 

The State Democratic Party Executive Committee adopted all seven.  These are the progressive seven (the blue hyperlink in each will open the actual resolution):                                         

1. Minimum Wage Bill (sponsored by Alma Adams):  This passed the House last year, but the Senate added corporate tax cuts to the bill before letting it die. After Richard Moore’s endorsement, it stands a decent chance of passing both houses in 2006.   There is already a buzz in favor of this one.  This bill is number one the Legislative African-American Caucus’ agenda.
    

2. Death Penalty Moratorium:  Impose two-year moratorium on executions (sponsored by Joe Hackney).   This bill nearly passed the House last year and still has a strong coalition supporting it.  The original bill passed in 2003, was sent to be studied, and was written so it could be brought up in this session.  But unless it gains support from moderate Democrats it’s going nowhere.  This issue is number two on the Legislative African-American Caucus agenda.
    

3. Ethics.  The Lobbying Reform bill passed in last year’s session, but it doesn’t take effect until 2007.  Progressives should support the early implementation (i.e. NOW) of last year’s lobbying reform bill (scheduled to take effect in 2007 unless changed), as well as the three primary new goals of the Coalition for Lobbying Reform: Establishing an independent state ethics commission for both the legislative and executive branches, banning political contributions and campaign fundraising by registered lobbyists, and banning all gifts from registered lobbyists to legislators (with a few minor exceptions). 
    

4. Same-day voter registration: Would allow for same-day registration at one-stop early voting sites. This idea is championed by Deborah Ross and is alive because of a procedural technicality. 
    

5. North Carolina Housing Trust:  urges its legislators to support increased funding of the NC Housing Trust Fund, and to appropriate a minimum of $10 million annually for that purpose.
    

6. Energy efficiency:  Establish permanent state funding for State Energy Office, which is about to lose its external source of funding, in order to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.  With rising energy prices, legislators are eager to advance policies that promote energy efficiency.   There is currently no pending bill, but it is a budget item and can be discussed.  We need the energy office positioned for coming fights over a renewable energy portfolio standard.  Last Session’s bill was H 1688, State Energy Office Funds, proposed to allocate $3 million for FY ’05-’06 to match federal funds available for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. (Introducers: Reps. Marian McLawhorn, D-Grifton; Verla Insko, D-Chapel Hill; and Harrison. Committee: House Appropriations.)
    

7. Clean Cars:  H1460, Low Emission Vehicles/Funds, Rep. Martha Alexander (Mecklenburg-D), Rep. Becky Carney (Mecklenburg-D), Rep. Joe Hackney (Orange-D), Rep. Pricey Harrison (Guilford-D), in House Environment; S1006, Sen. Dan Clodfelter (Mecklenburg-D), in Senate Agriculture, Environment.  Adopts lower emission standards for new cars and light trucks sold in North Carolina.  All states must choose this year between federal car emissions standards and better standards adopted by California.  Adopting the ‘clean car’ standards would cut emissions of carcinogens from cars by roughly 14% more than the federal standards. 

The State Executive Committee passed all of the resolutions.

The Progressive Democrats have outlined a common sense and realistic agenda for the upcoming session of the General Assembly.  Democrats across the state need to go to work on all of these issues.

First, inform all of you associate Democrats about the resolutions.  Send them a link to TPJ’s page or click on the hyperlinks and print copies to circulate.

Second, start contacting your Democratic Party leaders in your County/District and educate them on the resolutions. 

Third, ask everyone to start contacting their Legislators and ask them to support these measures; and to enact those that will be considered in the May Session of the General Assembly.

Fourth, TPJ would appreciate any reports on how your efforts are fairing or ideas for establishing support for the resolutions.  Over the coming weeks, TPJ will be focusing on these resolutions. 

TPJ KUDOS to the Progressive Democrats of North Carolina. 

            REMEMBRANCE OF AN OPPONENT 

Republican Sen. “Ham” Horton of Forsyth County has died of cancer.  TPJ extends condolences to his family.  

In the scramble among Republicans to retain his seat in the State Senate, it is important that all citizens remember “Ham.”  While Sen. Horton served as a member of our loyal opposition, he was an “original.”  He frequently wore seersucker suits and was known for his oratory on the Senate floor.  An article in the Charlotte Observer perhaps describes him best: 

a staunch Republican who was a model of civility as well as an accomplished orator. In a political chamber where the rumble of conversation and bustle of aides carrying law books and committee reports provide a constant background hum, Horton was among the very few who could rise to his feet and command immediate attention -- and a hushed audience.

 

No one quite knew what to expect when Horton took the floor, but no one wanted to miss it. Decked out in bow ties and three-button suits -- often seersucker in Raleigh's sweltering summers -- he might be about to touch off fireworks, either rhetorically or literally. He once set off a party popper while arguing against a bill prohibiting kids from buying fireworks. He punctured Democrats' spin about a bill that he thought embarrassed the N.C. Supreme Court, arguing, "It's about as improper, about as inappropriate, as wearing brogans to a white-tie wedding. You just don't do it."

 

He spoke with a patrician's voice but defended such things as country ham and mom-and-pop stores. He used a variety of words not often heard in Tar Heel political discourse -- "oleaginous" and "troglodytic" rolled off his tongue effortlessly, and casual references to the Hapsburgs or Democratic hegemony came easily.

A rare voice indeed has passed.                       

TAR HEEL DEM CELLAR