It has been 25 days since Governor Roy Cooper shared a balanced, responsible compromise offer on the budget to Republican leaders. Yesterday, Speaker Tim Moore confirmed that Republicans have so far refused to negotiate and share a counteroffer because they think they can still buy the votes they need to override the veto.
From the Greenville Daily Reflector:
Moore said he bring the veto override vote to the House floor when he has the votes.
“I think eventually we’ll get the votes," he said. "It may take a while, we may be there until October but we’ll eventually get the votes to see it enacted. … We’re short just a little bit. It’s very close.”
Republican leaders have said “It’s our way or the highway” when it comes to the state budget. When they maintained veto-proof supermajorities, they could operate this way. But the composition of the legislature has changed, and it’s clear that North Carolinians are looking for balance in state government.
Where is the Republican counteroffer?
Governor Cooper’s compromise offer can be found HERE. It would close the health care coverage gap, raise teacher pay, cut taxes for people and guarantee school construction while balancing the budget and saving money in the Rainy Day Fund.