They weren’t quite singing Kumbaya at the General Assembly during Wednesday’s opening day ceremonies and press conferences, but the tone was a bit more harmonious than it’s been in recent months.
Democrats and Republicans displayed a spirit of bipartisanship in the election of leaders – with Rep. Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, becoming House speaker and Sen. Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, resuming his role as Senate president pro-tem. Berger and Moore showed a similar cooperative spirit during a post-session press conference. And both said they’d look to GOP Gov. Pat McCrory for leadership in some key issues.
Tempers are sure to flare – they always do, right? – after lawmakers return in a couple weeks to get down to business. Politicians don’t generally make it to Raleigh without having strong opinions on certain issues. Opinions and philosophies are bound to cross, producing a few sparks here and there.
Don’t fret. Vigorous debate is healthy for our state and our republic.
