The fun continues with additional amendments to the budget bill. Rep. Wil Neuman, R-Gaston, who I understand has an amendment to redirect Golden LEAF money, is called up front to confer with the speaker “about an amendment”. Minority Leader Skip Stam, R-Wake, joins him, along with the Rules chairman, Rep. Bill Owens, D-Pasquotank.
The amendment is to redirect $50 million each year of Golden LEAF money to get a $300 million federal match for Medicaid money. Neuman says the money would go to reimburse physicians and providers. Speaker Hackney says the amendment is in violation of the House rules.
In order for the amendment to be considered, a motion to suspend the rules will have to pass. They discuss whether they want to suspend the rules. Rep. David Lewis, R-Harnett, clarifies that this doesn’t touch the $500 million in the Golden LEAF fund, only takes a part of what goes into the fund each year.
Reps. Pryor Gibson, D-Anson, Mickey Michaux, D-Durham, and Jim Crawford, D-Granville, argue that the statutes say you can’t take Golden LEAF money, and there will be big lawsuits against the state.
Stam says that’s bogus. Owens say Golden LEAF is key for economic development, Rep. Verla Insko, D-Orange, says we already have one of the highest Medicaid reimbursement rates in the country, and we don’t need the Golden LEAF money to raise it even higher. Here’s an even more peculiar argument from her: federal dollars are tax money, just like state tax money. It all comes from taxpayers.
Owens says if they start suspending the rules, they’ll be here all night with the flurry of new amendments that will be filed.
Vote on the motion to suspend the rules fails with 50 voting yes and 64 voting. It looks like the vote is along party lines.
Golden LEAF funds remain securely tucked away in the slush fund, and not even a portion of the annual allocation (not touching the fund itself) is available to ease the budget crunch. However, we’ll all be paying more taxes. At least we know where their priorities are.
