N.C. Republicans Pledge Budget Reform

Party leaders said they blame Democratic legislators for the state's financial crisis.

The state was facing a $2 billion budget deficit for the 2002-03 fiscal year, and similar deficits are expected for the next few years.

After much debate, legislators approved Sept. 19 a $14.3 billion budget that largely compensated for the shortfall but left $100 million still to be trimmed at Gov. Mike Easley's discretion.

"The Democratic majority has passed four budgets in a row that resulted in deficit," said Rep. Art Pope, R-Wake.

He cited previous state budgets as evidence that Republicans will be able to clean up the budget.

The last time there was a Republican majority in the N.C. House budget surplus totaled more than $500 million, Pope said.

The only time in the 20th century the Republican party had control of either legislative chamber was from 1994-97, when Republicans had the majority in the House.

Pope added that to fix the budget, Republicans plan to prioritize what receives funding and to eliminate wasteful spending.

Pope stressed that state money was not always used for its intended purpose. He said too much money was offered to businesses, as well as nonprofit organizations, which received $7 million.

"This year Democrats dug the budget into a deeper hole by offering millions of dollars to businesses," he said.

Government money earned from tobacco sales, for example, was used to create facilities for horses rather than to treat tobacco-induced illnesses, Pope said.

Senate Minority Leader Patrick Ballantine, R-New Hanover, said Republicans intend to reduce the size of the government, focusing on programs such as education and health care.

"(Republicans want to) make the government more efficient," he said.

"One hundred thirty-four years of Democratic power is causing their party to be fat and lazy, and we want to be innovative and progressive about how we get Carolina back on the right course. It is time for a change."

But Democrats defended their spending as necessary and said most money was not misappropriated to any organization.

Sen. Kay Hagan, D-Guilford, said the majority of the state budget goes toward services that benefit all state residents, not just a few.

"Ninety-four percent of the budget goes to advocate education, health and human services and (to prevent) crime," she said.

Hagan criticized the Republican plan as cutting necessary education programs.

"I am wondering what teachers (Republicans) are going to fire, what programs they are going to close," she said.

Hagan said the budget deficit can be partially attributed to floods that devastated the state, an essential $1.2 billion increase in teacher salaries, two lawsuits against the state and tax cuts put into effect when the economy was in better shape.

The State & National Editor can be reached at stndesk@unc.edu.