Live from the Legislature
Rep. Pryor Gibson (D-Anson) asked Rep. Henry Michaux (D-Durham) if the $300,000 set aside in the House Budget for special election is set aside for this election. He said it will cost counties 3.5 million more to pay for the election for referendum. Where will the money come from? Local governments will have to be reimbursed.
Gibson argued that it will cost at least 5 million to conduct the election. He called it a “feel good initiative.” Jim Harrell (D-Surry) asked him how he’s going to vote. He’ll be voting for it.
Rep. Becky Carney (D-Mecklenburg) argued that the bill is not necessary. Current law is just fine. She also said that she had gotten no emails and no phone calls from constituents on this bill.
Rep. Van Braxton (D-Lenoir) argued that eminent domain does not occur frequently.
Rep. Karen Ray (R-Iredell) noted that when the government bought a bunch of land for the Lake Norman power station, they took more than they needed and used some of it to develop resorts around the lake. Public Utilities’ power of condemnation has been abused in the past.
Rep. Verla Insko (D-Orange) said that the body doesn’t understand this issue, so she’s relied on the Institute of Government. She made mention of the definition of public benefit, pointing out that this may tie the hands of those in favor of economic incentives. Uh, good point. Didn’t see that one.
Rep. Earl Jones (D-Guilford) said that public purpose would be served by passing this bill.
Rep. Jennifer Weiss (D-Wake) sited Judith Wegner, of the UNC law school, who said that the bill is unnecessary and perhaps harmful. She’s voting no.
Rep. Lucy Allen (D-Franklin) said that the bill is unnecessary, saying that plenty of protection already exists in the constitution and in the statute. She argued for a “public benefit” test.
Rep. Alice Underhill (D-Craven) moved to return the bill to J2 committee.
Speaker Dan Blue made a motion to make Underhill’s motion lie upon the table. Motion tabled by a 79 – 39 vote.
Blue spoke in favor of the bill, calling the previous question which passes 104 – 15.
Vote on third reading of the bill:
Yes: 104
No: 15
