Thread by @ChazBeasley

Last year, I read the entire budget - doing the same this year. You deserve a Rep who’ll pay close attention to how your money’s spent and propose necessary changes.

There’s one huge difference this time - my input isn’t allowed.

That’s a problem. Here’s why. #ncga #ncpol 1/

For the 1st time in memory, the #NCGA is moving a budget that blocks amendments, through a committee that includes zero Democrats.

This silences the voice of duly-elected members like me. I wasn’t on the committee. I don’t get a chance to even suggest changes. #ncpol 2/

So what is this process people keep talking about that boxes out tons of #ncga members? Glad you asked.

Let’s consult the highest authority on legislative process (the Constitution) and the second highest (Schoolhouse Rock). #jk #ncpol #ncga 3/

Our NC constitution gives the process by which bills are passed in the #NCGA. Although Schoolhouse Rock deals with federal bills, it gives a good overview of how most bills move at the state level, too:

1) Bill passes one house
2) Bill passes the other
3) Bill goes to Governor

Schoolhouse Rock talks about what happens if one House passes a bill and the other House changes it in a way the first House doesn’t like.

They create a conference committee that works out differences and comes up with a final bill that both Houses can agree on. #ncga #ncpol 5/

Bills that come out of conference committees can’t be amended - because both Houses would’ve theoretically already had a chance to amend them. The goal of the committee is to create a bill that both Houses can pass identically. #ncpol #ncga

While that’s the process for the typical bill, some bills are extra special under law.

That brings us back to the NC Constitution. It treats bills dealing with raising money, like the budget, very differently. It spreads the process over 3 days at minimum. #ncpol #ncga

In short, our constitution makes budgets unique. It subjects them to transparency that other bills don’t necessarily have. It keeps these bills from being passed too quickly.

In short, budgets are important - so important that they’re set apart. #ncpol #ncga

So, when a budget goes to that conference committee we talked about, it has always been after at least 3 days of deliberation, discussion, and amendment. Everyone’s had a chance to participate.

But not this time. #ncga #ncpol

This time, SB99 (the budget bill) started out as a car insurance bill. The House passed one version of the car insurance bill, the Senate passed another. It was sent to conference to work out the differences.

What emerged deals with a lot more than car insurance. #ncpol #ncga

SB99 spends $23.9 billion of your hard earned money. It came out late last night, on a holiday. The 1st committee meeting was at 10am.

You would’ve had to read about $2 billion per hour to get through the whole thing in time. #ncga #ncpol

Find a typo? You can’t correct it.

Want a change that every single member of the #NCGA supports? You can’t add it.

You can’t change it. I can’t change it.

It’s quite literally take it or leave it. #ncpol

Regardless of who ran the #NCGA, every past budget has given both parties a chance to propose changes.

Preventing input from the body is no way to run a state - precisely why this has never been done.

Silencing the membership is wrong, regardless of who’s in charge. #ncpol

I’ll get back to reading this budget now.

A few billion dollars in spending down, a few billion more to go.

#ncpol #ncga /end