Putting The Con (job) In Conservative
Less than 24 hours after voters with a conservative bent help the GOP not only retain but expand its sway in both houses of the N.C. General Assembly, and put a Republican in the governor’s mansion to boot, we’re treated to this for the effort:
Republicans bent on lower taxes and smaller government might be willing to huddle up and help fund renovations at the home of the Carolina Panthers. That’s the word from one of the most influential GOP politicians in the state: House Speaker Thom Tillis.
Tillis, who represents Cornelius, told me this week that he and other lawmakers have already been briefed on the NFL franchise’s need for a stadium makeover. And there may be a possibility for the state to assist with the planned renovations at the 16-year-old uptown stadium.
“Clearly, the economic impact of the Carolina Panthers is very well-documented,” Tillis said. “To get to a point where you could attract a Super Bowl and ensure (the future of the franchise here), we’re open to discussing that.”
…
This week, a prominent Charlotte tourism industry lobbyist suggested surrounding cities and counties should contribute taxpayer money toward the stadium. Early estimates cited for the public investments are in the $100 million range or higher, but the Panthers have given no indications of what, if anything, the team wants.
I’m sure this latest assault on the taxpayers will be nipped in the bud by the state’s new conservative governor – you know, the one who not only supported but was the head cheerleader for a taxpayer-funded NBA arena and a taxpayer-funded NASCAR Hall of Fame, to name but two boondoggles launched during his Queen City mayoral tenure.
In any event, about that small government conservative movement on the march to Raleigh; it seems to be off to a stumbling start on other fronts, as well. This from the N&O:
House Republican leaders are considering creating two majority leader positions for the next legislative session in which they will command a supermajority.
The move — floated in an email to the caucus members today, including those newly elected Tuesday — would divide the House GOP leader’s responsibilities into a day-to-day floor leader and a bigger picture “development position” that will handle communications, professional development and campaign fundraising.
…
Ruth Samuelson, the current Republican whip, said the caucus is reworking its leadership structure to accommodate the larger workload. “The (majority leader) job has gotten so big,” she said Wednesday.
The addition of a majority could cost taxpayers more money. The party majority and minority leaders receive a $3,097 bonus on their lawmaker pay and an additional $1,284 in expenses each year.
So state government has grown unmanageably large, under the watchful eye of a GOP-controlled General Assembly last session, no less, and the solution to fix the problem is to – create more government positions, which will inevitably come with more associated staff, that will cost the taxpayers more money?
Wonderful.
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