RALEIGH, N.C. House Democrats voted Tuesday to keep outgoing Speaker Joe Hackney as their leader although they’ve been reduced to the minority as Republicans are poised to control the chamber alone for the first time in 12 years.
Democrats elected to the House last month met privately Tuesday at the Legislative Building and voted unanimously for Hackney to become the minority leader for the next two years. He was the only announced candidate, Hackney spokesman Bill Holmes said.
Hackney, an Orange County Democrat first elected to the House 30 years ago, has led the entire chamber as speaker since 2007. By electing him to the minority leader’s post, House Democrats apparently agree Hackney wasn’t to blame for a 16-seat flip in their chamber on Election Day that will give GOP lawmakers a 68-52 advantage. The GOP last had complete control of the House in 1998.
Hackney, 65, has attributed the electoral losses to a national wave that swept in Republicans.
“I certainly don’t think it was his failing that we in fact lost the House,” said Rep. Maggie Jeffus, D-Guilford, after the nearly two-hour caucus meeting, adding that Hackney works hard and knows the budget inside and out. “He certainly has the seniority.”
Hackney said he would also be re-nominated for speaker when the Legislature reconvenes Jan. 26, but that job is expected to go to Rep. Thom Tillis, R-Mecklenburg, the nominee for the GOP.
With a few dozen Democrats standing with him, Hackney told reporters the House Democratic Caucus would hold the new Republican majority accountable if they make changes that would harm the gains in public education made under Democratic rule. They also wanted to work with Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue on efforts to accelerate job creation in a recovering economy.
“We will be working with the new majority,” Hackney said, but “we will not cooperate with them in tearing down public education in North Carolina. We will not cooperate with them in tearing down the governor’s job creation efforts in North Carolina and we will not cooperate with them in crippling public services in North Carolina.”
The Republican majority in both the House and Senate have said they want to pass a budget bill that would let expire temporary sales and income tax increases projected to generate $1.3 billion in the next fiscal year if they are allowed to continue.
Perdue also said last week she wants to balance the budget without extending those taxes, but Hackney suggested keeping those taxes should be considered in light of what fewer revenues could do to decimate the public schools or higher education. The state is facing a potential $3.7 billion shortfall for the year starting July 1.
While the Democratic caucus hasn’t yet decided on a tax platform, Hackney said extending the taxes “ought not to be taken off the table.”
Hackney, an attorney and cattle farmer, said the caucus would elect at least one minority whip at a later date. Current Speaker Pro Tempore William Wainwright, D-Craven, also will seek re-election to the post next month, but GOP Rep. Dale Folwell, R-Forsyth, is the favorite to win.
Published Tue, Dec 21, 2010 04:07 AM
Modified Tue, Dec 21, 2010 03:45 PM
