Jarvis J. Edgerton: Republican irony

Regarding the Oct. 16 news article “UNC board to hold emergency meeting to talk with president finalist”: I was pleased to read the General Assembly’s GOP leadership was concerned about actions by the UNC Board of Governors that went against “fundamental notions of transparency and procedural due process.” This news surprised me, considering the BOG is stacked with recently appointed Republicans. Ironically, these Republicans on the BOG stand accused of behaving exactly like Republicans in the General Assembly leadership.

Government bodies should not make decisions without “the thoughtful consideration of all members,” stated Phil Berger and Tim Moore, but they drafted a budget behind closed doors. Further, the GOP champions of transparency rewrote multiple bills in the last days of the session to spring controversial issues on fellow legislators without notice or any meaningful opportunity for review or debate.

According to former Rep. Thom Goolsby, a lack of transparency and due process results in “the complete breakdown of trust . . . the general public has” in leaders who employ such tactics. Such actions are “a grave disservice,” and the results of such actions are “fruit from a poisonous tree.”

Perhaps the GOP legislative leadership should consider its own behavior before wagging fingers at others.

This story was originally published October 22, 2015 at 4:34 PM with the headline "Jarvis J. Edgerton: Republican irony."