Fri, February 7, 2003

GOP co-speaker intends to prove 'naysayers wrong'

Conflict may come in naming committee chairmen

RALEIGH

The new Republican co-speaker of the N.C. House said yesterday that the chamber can produce results despite an even split between Democrats and Republicans and lingering resentment over the election of joint speakers.

But others aren't so sure, with the state facing a shortfall of as much as $2billion for 2003-04, the House deadlocked at 60-60 and a race for speaker that had some Republicans abandoning their caucus nominee to back Republican Richard Morgan and Democrat Jim Black as co-speakers.

"If we are really serious about bringing North Carolina together, we must build bipartisan coalitions that work," Morgan told the House yesterday, a day after he and his Republican allies joined with Democrats to elect the first co-speakers in state history.

"There are plenty of skeptics who do not believe shared leadership has a prayer of working in North Carolina, particularly in the House of Representatives," Morgan said. "But in the interest of the citizens who elected all of us, we must prove these naysayers wrong."

Morgan went on to talk about Democratic-sounding themes of education and industrial recruitment, focusing on the biotechnology industry in particular.

But Black and Morgan declined to discuss how they would divide committee chairmanships. And others had their doubts yesterday about the power-sharing arrangement.

"It'll work beautifully until legislation starts running," said Rep. Mickey Michaux, D-Durham, a leader of a group of liberal Democrats that also tried to cobble together a coalition with Republicans.

"It might get a little testy. Philosophies will clash. Ideologies will clash. And every now and then, personalities will clash. I'm optimistic enough to believe the state comes first," Michaux said. "But sooner or later, it's going to come to a head."

"One vote is a majority," Michaux said of the House, deadlocked at 60 Democrats and 60 Republicans. "You need 61 votes to pass anything."

Others recalled Morgan's heavy-handed rule as chairman of the House Rules Committee from 1995-99, when he scheduled bills for debate but often gave the public little notice.

"It'll work as long as he stays like he was today," one Democrat who voted for Black and Morgan said after Morgan's hopeful speech yesterday.

Staff members also speculated about their own futures under two speakers. "One of 'em might give me a raise ... and one of 'em might fire me," said one.

One would-be speaker, though, cautioned that no matter what the leadership structure, little can be expected when the House is deadlocked at 60-60.

"I think it's yet to be judged," said Rep. Martin Nesbitt, D-Buncombe, who also tried to form a coalition with Republicans and name co-speakers.

"Fifty-fifty doesn't work. Sixty-sixty doesn't work. That's what doesn't work. People are judging the leadership not by the leadership style but by the success of the chamber. And when you're 60-60, you're going to have limited success," Nesbitt said.

Under such a scenario, "virtually nothing's going to pass unless it's a consensus piece of legislation," he said.

The 2001 and 2002 sessions saw shifting coalitions of Republicans and liberal Democrats joining forces on such issues as increased sales taxes, a state lottery and limiting the length of legislative sessions.

Michaux predicted more such coalitions - but also more conflict - as soon as the 2003 General Assembly takes up the state budget and such issues as continuing $360 million a year in sales taxes and using $100 million in "overhead receipts" that universities receive from the federal government.

Though a resolution that members adopted Wednesday says that committee memberships will be divided evenly between Democrats and Republicans, Morgan and Black declined yesterday to discuss how they will appoint committee chairmen.

"We'll let you know," Morgan said.

A rumor that Black told Democrats that they would get 40 chairmanships and Republicans 20 served only to fuel resentment among Republicans who had backed Rep. George Holmes, R-Yadkin, as the Republican nominee for speaker.

"If we find out that that's the deal, do you think our caucus would have agreed to that? No way. That's a sellout if there ever has been one," said Rep. Frank Mitchell, R-Iredell.

Rep. John Blust, R-Guilford, said he doubts the talk about bipartisanship.

"Anybody who thinks bipartisanship had anything to do with this is being foolish. This was about callous backroom deal-making for personal power and aggrandizement," Blust said.

Blust and other Republicans were particularly angry with 12 Republicans - including Rep. Rex Baker of King - who gave no hint in a caucus meeting before the vote that they intended to back Morgan and Black as co-speakers. They grew even angrier when they learned yesterday that the 12 had received printed invitations to a victory dinner at an expensive Raleigh restaurant Wednesday night.

"That's low-down, dirty double-dealing," Blust said.

"There are individuals in the caucus who I believe participated in hoodwinking the caucus," said Rep. Sam Ellis, R-Wake. "There are other individuals in the caucus who I believe outright lied."

Ellis said that Morgan simply dismissed what most Republican legislators wanted. "He said, 'I'm going to engage in a guerrilla tactic that doesn't respect the majority opinion,'" Ellis said.

Morgan, in fact, might well have more fences to mend with his fellow Republicans than with Democrats. Several Republicans - including Reps. Leo Daughtry, Billy Creech and Ellis - didn't even show up for session yesterday.

"There are some of 'em that just aren't going to be pleased with anything," Morgan said.

But he said, "I certainly did my part to give Republicans a chance to vote for a Republican speaker" after Rep. Michael Decker of Walkertown switched parties to become a Democrat two weeks ago and tied the House at 60-60,

Morgan said he has begun talks with some of the bitter Republicans.

And in his acceptance speech yesterday, he said, "The people of North Carolina are watching and they are expecting all of us, Republicans and Democrats as well, to stop our political bickering and do the work of the people."

• David Rice can be reached in Raleigh at (919) 833-9056 or at drice@wsjournal.com

• Dana Damico can be reached in Raleigh at (919) 833-9916 or at ddamico@wsjournal.com