The ultimate party litmus test: given a veto-proof legislature, will Republicans finally start to reduce the scope and size of government? It looks like the answer is no.
In 2013, North Carolina was just one of 25 states where Republican governors were given historic opportunity to govern alongside Republican-controlled legislatures. Despite conservative voters’ best hopes, any sensible mandate to restore individual and economic freedom flew out the window when the FY 2013-14 budget was approved, reauthorizing the formerly Democratic state’s blueprint budget with a tragic 2.0-percent increase in general fund appropriations.
North Carolina’s state spending is increasing at a record pace, on both a per-capita and an inflation-adjusted basis. The total budget peaked in 2012 at $51.7 billion, and, according to Sarah Curry, director of fiscal policy studies at the John Locke foundation, this represents a per-capita financial obligation of $5,348. Incredibly, another compounding 2-percent increase was approved for FY 2014-15 in the biennial budget by a Republican government.
Lack of Fortitude
The inability of a state legislature to exercise self-discipline in budgetary matters is not a new phenomenon. However, if the NC GOP is not willing to buck special interest groups now, when they control all three branches of government, when will they have the fortitude?
http://americanthinker.com/2014/03/what_the_gop_does_with_a_supermajority.html