Issue Position: Our North Carolina

Issue Position

One recent example of how politics instead of the people's business has set the agenda of the legislature involved the Speaker of the House of Representatives calling for an override vote of Governor Roy Cooper's budget veto after making sure all Republicans were on the floor, while Democrats presumably thought no votes would be taken.

The state's longtime poor experience with legislative gerrymandering based on race and political considerations serves as another sad example. The legislature's efforts to take power and the ability of the governor to act as an executive is a third example which is detrimental to the people.

North Carolina's legislature needs to tackle reforming its operations to guarantee that it works for all of the state's people instead of the concerns of politicians.

Such reform should include:

Changing the state's Constitution to clearly define the powers of the governor, so that he or she can act as an executive and daily oversee the executive branch. Such a change would ensure state government can work effectively and efficiently daily for the people.

Changing the state Constitution to stop legislative gerrymandering and establish a commission independent of political considerations. Such a change would ensure that the planning and drawing of all legislative and congressional districts occur fairly and to ensure that each vote matters in legislative and Congressional elections. The people need to pick their representatives instead of politicians choosing what people they will represent.

Establishing clear and fair rules for operation of the legislature. Such a change will ensure that the legislative branch focuses its work on improving the quality of life for all of the people in North Carolina instead of helping politicians hang onto power. After being put in place, such rules should only be changed by a two-thirds vote to ensure legislative rules always remain nonpartisan and focused on the people's business.

These rules would require:

A clear 48-hour notice for all voting sessions

A clear 24-hour notice on all legislation that can come up in a voting session

Requirements that no votes can occur after 11 p.m. or on Sundays and other changes that would stop legislative leaders from manipulating the voting schedule and ensuring the legislature focuses solely on the people's business

A specific code of conduct that all elected officials would have to receive and sign to ensure that they follow and keep the highest ethical standards

All of these changes and other reforms would make sure the legislature and state government works to improve our schools, create jobs for our people, rebuild roads and bridges and improves life in North Carolina for all residents.

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