The legislature is erasing one of its bright lines between fundraising and decision-making as key lawmakers dig into writing the state budget while money from special interests is allowed to flow into their campaign accounts.
Extending the usual schedule, Republican leaders plan for major budget work this winter and spring, before the formal start of the legislative short session in May.
An early jump on the budget is one of many ways Republicans have shaken up the business of making laws. Another is the mini-sessions they've held since they finished most of their work in June. The legislature returns for another such session Sunday.
The budget timing raises questions about decreased opportunities for public input and the possibility of legislators mixing fundraising with decision-making.
Chief budget writers say they're working hard in the months usually thought of as the off-season so legislators who are responsible for budget details can dive into their specialties. The aim is to have a budget ready for a vote by the first or second day of the session that begins in May, said Rep. Harold Brubaker of Asheboro, the House's chief budget writer.
The House and Senate plan to hold joint appropriations meetings twice a month leading up to the so-called short session. Brubaker downplayed the significance of the change because the budget basics are already set.
A matter of perception
The budget the legislature passed in June covers two years. Lawmakers typically would start talking about revising the second year of the budget in May, when the short session starts. "Why do business as usual?" Brubaker asked.
But the changed timing also means industry and other special-interest PACs will be able to give while legislators are taking about spending that affects their businesses and agencies, creating an overlap between the months that decisions are made and a period when PACs are allowed to give to those decision-makers.
In past years, budget writers started detailed work after sessions began - times when donations from PACs and lobbyists' clients are off limits.
Jane Pinsky, director of the N.C. Coalition for Lobbying and Government Reform, said compiling the budget and collecting campaign checks at the same time creates a perception problem.
"While I truly think that 99.99 percent of the legislators are absolutely honest and they're not going to be swayed by people giving them money, it leaves the citizens of North Carolina uncomfortable," Pinsky said. "It's perception, not reality. In this case, the perception may be that legislators are taking money at a time when they really shouldn't be."
And the changes make it more important for legislators to notify the public about their meetings, Pinsky said. "I like the idea that they're going to spend time studying the budget and being ready to deal with things," she said, "but people need time to adjust."
Sen. Richard Stevens of Cary, one of his chamber's lead budget writers, said legislators don't use their power over state spending as leverage to fill their campaign coffers.
"I can see it's possible," he said. "I don't think that will be the case. I don't think people think in those terms."
The public will have plenty of chances to give their opinions on the budget and make their appeals, Stevens said.
When to appeal?
Knowing when to show up to give an opinion, however, could be a challenge. Supporters of the Governor's School knew that they had to be ready to make their case for restored funding early because they were getting free advice from an alumnus who is an experienced lobbyist.
"This is an unconventional year," said Roice Fulton, vice president of the Governor's School Foundation. "The budget deliberations are already basically starting."
But news of winter budget meetings has not reached everyone with an interest, even those experienced hands who are used to keeping close tabs on money talks.
Connie Parker of Wilmington, as executive director of the N.C. School Community Health Alliance, is accustomed to meeting with legislators during regular sessions to talk about state funding, but she didn't know that they were going to dive so deeply into the budget so early.
"It's one of those things we're used to thinking about once they get to town," she said.
The Democrats who controlled the budget for decades aren't keen on the changes, which they said will make it harder for residents to get involved. They want the budget drafted during the short session to allow more input from a larger group of lawmakers.
Republicans made similar complaints about being frozen out when Democrats controlled things. Brubaker rejected claims about secrecy. "It's an absolute untruth," he said.
But House Democratic Leader Joe Hackney said the changes reflect something deeper: a move away from a part-time citizen body. "It's part of a full-time legislature movement," he said. "They are holding more committee meetings (and) ongoing sessions. ... It will make it difficult for some members to serve."
But local governments welcome being able to know early what the state budget looks like, said Kevin Leonard, a lobbyist for the N.C. Association of County Commissioners. "Having that degree of finality is very helpful to us," he said.
Last year's veto
Last year's budget was finalized at the conclusion of a historic showdown between Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue and the GOP legislature. For the first time in the short history of North Carolina gubernatorial vetoes, Gov. Bev Perdue vetoed the budget. Legislators quickly overrode her veto, enacting a plan for spending she vehemently objected to and still criticizes today.
Perdue, who is expected to propose her budget just weeks before lawmakers vote, is not adjusting her schedule. She said she is ready to fight for higher education spending and job creation.
"At the end of the day, the Republican legislature will make its own decision, and they must take responsibility for their actions," she said. "I'm confident we will make our case effectively. Whether or not the legislature is willing to hear it remains to be seen."
