At 3 a.m., NC Senate GOP strips education funding from Democrats’ districts

The News & Observer ^ | 5/13/17 | By Colin Campbell

[blueyon]

N.C. Senate Republicans were visibly upset with Democrats for prolonging the budget debate with amendments during an after-midnight session Friday morning.

As the clock approached 1 a.m., Senate Minority Leader Dan Blue was summoned to the front of the chamber to talk privately with Senate leader Phil Berger. The Senate had rejected five amendments from Democrats to fund their spending priorities, but each time one proposal was shot down, another one was filed.

Senate Rules Chairman Bill Rabon abruptly called for a recess, stopping the proceedings for nearly two hours. GOP leaders headed to a conference room with legislative budget staff, while Democrats – some surprised by the lengthy delay – passed the time with an impromptu dance party in the hall.

[blueyon]

Moral of the story (my take anyway) Don't mess around with the GOP in North Caroline as they will not put of with Democrats messing around

[Mr. N. Wolfe]

I love it when Republicans assert themselves.

[econjack]

The Northampton County program has received about $180,000 in recent years to serve 90 high school students, many of whom are African-American and from low-income families.

If I did the math correctly, isn't that $20,000 per student? Seems a tad bit high to me.

[blueyon]

“The Northampton County program has received about $180,000 in recent years to serve 90 high school students, many of whom are African-American and from low-income families.

If I did the math correctly, isn’t that $20,000 per student? Seems a tad bit high to me. “

I thought the same thing

[Bodleian_Girl]

Wow, that’s a lot of money per student! Barron Trump’s tuition is only about $38,000!

[petitfour]

You didn’t.

[EagleUSA]

Now if only the pansy Congressional GOP would only grow a pair....we could get something done for REAL AMERICANS!!!

[texas booster]

The funding level for the program didn’t change, but seven counties represented by Smith-Ingram and fellow Democratic Sen. Angela Bryant were removed. Instead, the program will only apply to several counties represented by Republican senators.

Smith-Ingram said the counties removed have the highest teacher turnover rate in the state, and helping teacher assistants become teachers would help address the problem.

Other items cut in the late-night amendment include $200,000 to bring fresh produce to food deserts, $250,000 to fund additional staff for the N.C. Museum of Art’s recently expanded art park and $550,000 for a downtown revitalization program. The only remaining funding for the downtown program is directed to Robeson County, which has a Republican senator.

The amendment also takes a swipe at Gov. Roy Cooper by eliminating a position in his office for a federal legislative programs coordinator.

Funny, but I don't remember these types of stories actually being printed when the other side was in power, even though the dems did the same or worse regularly.

And $20,000 per student is not so much when you have a $100,000+ relative of the state senator in charge of that small program. Plus all the other funds washed down to the schools.

[upchuck]

Sounds like these "cuts" are largely ceremonial:

The House will now propose its own budget, and that chamber has in previous years funded programs cut by the Senate, leaving the final funding decisions to be made in negotiations between legislative leaders.

The Repubs made a point but it prolly won't count in the long run.

[Uncle Sam 911]

Democrats hate it when Republicans actually fight back. I love it.

[oldplayer]

You “$20,000 per student” posters may have gone to public schools. “Class, please check your work before you turn it in.”

[mrsmith]

Moral of the story (my take anyway) is replace the Rules Committee Chairman.
No excuse for allowing this mess.

[M-cubed]

If I did the math correctly, isn’t that $20,000 per student? Seems a tad bit high to me. <<<

Not if you factor in midnight basketball costs and all the paid spectators to watch them...../s

[PGalt]

HOORAY NCGOP

[Kozy]

I did the math old school. I’s $2,000 per student.

[vette6387]

“If I did the math correctly, isn’t that $20,000 per student? Seems a tad bit high to me. “

When you divide $180,000 by 90 you get $2,000 per student, which isn’t a whole lot of money.

[onona]

"Rules Committee" seems to be a coming trend these days.

I don't think I like it.

[rb22982]

180k / 90 = 2k/kid, not 20k

[Principled]

That 2k is on top of what’s already spent per pupil. Yes, irrespective of the giant errors on previous posts, an additional 2,000 _is_ a lot.

[raybbr]

It doesn’t seem like a lot but it’s added to what they already pay per student. The extra money does not go to the “students”. It goes to appointed “help” in those districts. Added bloat to pay some local union goon.