#ncga: GOP-led House passes 2nd reading of anti-Folwell bill, smacks down effort to stop it
The Republican troops on Jones Street keep marching along to the tune called by their Hospital Association paymasters. HB184, which ties treasurer Dale Folwell’s hands in trying to control costs with the state health plan, got rammed through the NC House on a second reading today.
(Surprise! That gutless wonder Kelly Hastings disappeared right when another tough, controversial vote went down. I wonder if he charged his campaign mileage for that escape maneuver?)
State Rep. Michael Speciale and about two dozen other legislators attempted to stop the juggernaut, but were voted down overwhelmingly.
It’s getting closer to moving on to the Republican-controlled Senate. As we now know, “Republican” and “fiscal conservatism” are mutually-exclusive terms. (So, it’s anybody’s guess as to what happens to it over there.)
It’s interesting. Folwell got all kinds of kudos for straightening out the mess that was unemployment insurance during the McCrory administration. Now, the Democrats and a bunch of his fellow Republicans are putting the kibosh on Folwell’s moves to help the ailing health plan — which is bleeding money and threatening to pile significant new and higher costs on state employees and taxpayers as a whole.
The state health plan was transferred over to the treasurer’s domain about a decade ago, out of concern that too many legislators were using it as their own personal slush fund and favor repository. Basically, causing too much mischief.
Stuff like what’s going on today leads you to see the wisdom of that move so many years ago.
The three NC House members running for US House in the 3rd District voted as follows:
Greg Murphy – FOR HB184
Michael Speciale – AGAINST HB184
Phil Shepatd – AGAINST HB184
They all showed their true colors today.
Speciale also offered a floor amendment to try to water down the bill.
A pox on them all.
We might as well have a Democrat controlled House.
I suspect we soon will.
The vote on Speciale’s second proposed amendment is the real vote. I believe there were Republicans permitted to vote no by leadership because they had plenty of votes to pass the bill.
Thanks Rep Speciale and Rep. Shepard VOTED NO TO HB 184! GREAT1 Others are not voting for NC State Employees and NC Citizens that will increase increase Medical Insurance $ 300 MILLION and More, Taxes will have t be increased to pay for Increase!
Thank you Rep. Speciale and Rep. Sheppard for trying to shoot this bill down. I just wish we had more of you and less of the RINOS and their special interest groups.