#ncga: Legislators to voters: ‘Screw You.’ (Power Grab NOW EVEN WORSE)
I swear. You almost have to harken back to the Soviet Union or look to Cuba to find a government that has such utter, comparable, contempt for its people.
NCGOP Chairman Hassan Harnett, newly-chosen executive director Dallas Woodhouse, speaker Tim Moore, and president pro team Phil Berger had a photo op tonight ‘celebrating’ some alleged fence-mending over the attempted power grab in HB 373.
The drivebys tried to tell us things would now be OK. The grassroots can breathe easy now. But not so fast.
Check out SB 119 — a/k/a “technical corrections”:
SECTION 81.(a) If House Bill 373, 2015 Regular Session, becomes law, then G.S. 163?278.8B, as enacted by Section 3(a) of that act, is rewritten to read:
Ҥ 163?278.8B. Affiliated party committees.
(a) Each political party caucus of the North Carolina House of Representatives and the North Carolina Senate may establish one separate affiliated party committee to support the election of candidates who would be eligible to be members of that caucus. No other affiliated party committees shall be authorized pursuant to this section. The affiliated party committee is deemed a political party for purposes of this Article.
(b) An affiliated party committee shall be established only by majority vote of the total membership of the political party caucus. Attached to the organizational report filed in accordance with G.S. 163?9, the affiliated party committee shall provide a report to the State Board of Elections certifying that the political party caucus has organized and taken the appropriate vote to establish an affiliated party committee. The report described in this subsection shall be a public record within the meaning of Chapter 132 of the General Statutes.
(c) Each affiliated party committee shall:
(1) Adopt bylaws which shall be in compliance with the provisions of this Article. At a minimum, the bylaws shall include designation of a treasurer.
(2) Conduct campaigns for candidates who would be eligible to be members of that political party caucus of the North Carolina House of Representatives or North Carolina Senate if elected or re?elected, or manage daily operations of the affiliated party committee.
(3) Establish a bank account.
(4) Accept contributions and expend funds.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, an affiliated party committee shall be entitled to use the name, abbreviation, and symbol of its respective political party.
(e) For purposes of this section, “political party” has the same meaning as defined in G.S. 163?96.”
Wait. THIS sounds like the same damn thing they tried to do in HB 373. Except they’ve watered it down slightly — talking about majority votes in the caucus, drawing up bylaws. But it still neuters each state party operation. And who in either body is going to overrule David Lewis, Tim Moore, or Phil Berger? But wait. It gets even worse:
SECTION 81.(b) If House Bill 373, 2015 Regular Session, becomes law, that act is amended by adding a new bill section to read:
“SECTION 3.(a1) Article 22A of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
Ҥ 163?278.8C. Council of State affiliated party committees.
(a) Members of the Council of State affiliated with the same political party may establish one separate Council of State affiliated party committee to support the election of candidates who would be eligible to be nominees of that political party for Council of State offices. No other Council of State affiliated party committees shall be authorized pursuant to this section. The Council of State affiliated party committee is deemed a political party for purposes of this Article.
(b) Each Council of State affiliated party committee shall:
(1) Adopt bylaws which shall be in compliance with the provisions of this Article. At a minimum, the bylaws shall include designation of a treasurer.
(2) Conduct campaigns for candidates for Council of State who are members of the leader’s political party or manage daily operations of the Council of State affiliated party committee.
(3) Establish a bank account.
(4) Accept contributions and expend funds.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a Council of State affiliated party committee shall be entitled to use the name, abbreviation, and symbol of the political party of its leader.
(d) A previously established Council of State affiliated party committee may continue to be maintained in the event that no individual affiliated with that political party is elected to serve on the Council of State in the general election. The Council of State affiliated party committee shall be maintained by the most recently elected members of the Council of State from that political party. Notwithstanding the definition of “leader” in subsection (e) of this section, those members shall designate an individual from that group to serve as leader. When an individual or individuals affiliated with that political party is next elected to the Council of State, that individual or individuals shall assume control of the Council of State affiliated party committee for that political party.
(e) For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) “Leader.” – The highest?ranking individual affiliated with the political party of the Council of State affiliated party committee. For the purposes of this subdivision, the highest?ranking office serving on the Council of State shall be in the following order: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and the offices as set out in Article III, Section 7 of the North Carolina Constitution, as follows: Secretary of State, State Auditor, State Treasurer, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Attorney General, Commissioner of Agriculture, Commissioner of Labor, and Commissioner of Insurance.
(2) “Political party.” – As defined in G.S. 163?96.”
SECTION 81.(c) If House Bill 373, 2015 Regular Session, becomes law, that act is amended by adding a new bill section to read:
“SECTION 3.(b1) G.S. 163?278.6 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
“(1a) The term “affiliated party committee” means a General Assembly affiliated party committee as established by G.S. 163?278.8B or Council of State affiliated party committee as established by 163?278.8C.”
SECTION 81.(d) If House Bill 373, 2015 Regular Session, becomes law, G.S. 163?278.6(15), as amended by that act, reads as rewritten:
“(15) The term “political party” means any political party organized or operating in this State, whether or not that party is recognized under the provisions of G.S. 163?96. A special definition of “political party organization” that applies only in Part 1A of this Article is set forth in G.S. 163?278.38Z. An affiliated party committee is deemed a political party for this Article as set forth in G.S. 163?278.8B.G.S. 163?278.8B and G.S. 163?278.8C.”
SECTION 81.(e) If House Bill 373, 2015 Regular Session, becomes law, that act is amended to add two new bill sections to read:
“SECTION 3.(s) G.S. 163?278.13B(a)(2) reads as rewritten:
“(2) “Limited contributee” means a member of or candidate for the Council of State, a member of or candidate for the General Assembly.Assembly, an affiliated party committee, or a Council of State affiliated party committee.”
SECTION 3.(t) If any provision of this section or its application is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this section that can be given effect without the invalid provisions or application, and to this end the provisions of this section are severable.”
SECTION 81.(f) If House Bill 373, 2015 Regular Session, becomes law G.S. 163?278.38Z, as amended by that act, reads as rewritten:
Ҥ 163?278.38Z. Definitions.
As used in this Part:
…
(3) “Candidate campaign committee” means any political committee organized by or under the direction of a candidate.candidate, except for an affiliated party committee as defined in G.S. 163?278.6(1a).
…”
Yep. They’ve expanded this “affiliated committee” nonsense to include the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the rest of the Council of State. EVERYONE is getting in on the graft and corruption.
Basically, it allows the elected officials at the highest levels of state government to shake people down for campaign contributions collectively and to protect each other — independent of the state parties. The politicians are officially insulated from the rabble in the state parties.
What a bait-and-switch. Folks, we deserve better than this. Each and everyone one of them needs to be fired — DROP-KICKED beyond the Beltline — over this.
This is not what I voted for in 2010, 2012, and 2014. I don’t think it’s what you voted for either.
Warning!!! Republicrats have taken over. This is not a drill. They will tell us when to vote, how to vote, and we will like it. Platform? We don’t need no stinkin platform. You just don’t understand. They know best, and we just have to trust them. I do have one question. What do we do with the elephant?
Also notice that the Affiliated party can give to A challenger of someone in the caucus… For example, if they wanted to find someone to primary John Blust or Larry Pittman they could give unlimited money to the challenger.
This really stinks. It is a one stop shop for political corruption. The special interests deal directly with the Speaker, he takes their money and gives orders to support their legislation, and then uses their money in the primary to go against anyone who dares defy his orders. This is the Marc Basnight formula for corruption on steroids.
Do NOT vote for or support any politician who supports this corrupt plan in any way.
Not true…. an agreement has been made within the party to ensure that not only wont happen, but that it cant.. change in policy. Blust and Burr although not completely happy were much more comfortable and supportive… Pittman too..
Who within the party? David Lewis’ waterboy Dallas Woodhouse?
The Central Committee and Executive Committee have not met, so there was no group capable of making any such agreement meeting to be able to do so.
Dallas is a charmer, I bet him and Hasan are having a cold one and a steak, just laughing it up about now…
Is this what you call a charmer?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StFwqGXQvEM
I have never met the dude, but is this how he normally behaves with the media or is he on something here? Is this the sort of image our party wants?
Hello:
As the New Executive Director of the NCGOP I thought I would share some of the thoughts:
Our Chairman, Speaker Tim Moore, Senator Berger held a unity press conference at the General Assembly. The leaders of both the House and Senate caucuses and they have said told me stay FULLY STAY WITHIN THE NCGOP AS ALWAYS!!!
I pledged to republican membership that we will protect all their interests as been traditionally done by our party. We had good discussions about how to work together to make our party stronger in every way including the money aspect.
The affiliate committee issue is now moot since the caucus operations will remain in place as always.
With that said, in the changing nature of campaign finance will have these tools in their tool-belt if needed someday.
As noted in the articles, Legislative leaders have listened to the concerns of our grassroots activists, and made significant changes to these committees should they ever be created.
One of the key changes removes the control of the APC from the leaders of the legislative bodies to a elected caucus designee. This change should assuage concerns about the leaders using caucus funds for reward/punishment for support on certain positions.
The organizing documents of each chamber and of the APC will prevent the “playing in primaries” issue that would formally be prohibited by the NCGOP plan of organization.
There will be a provision in final stature that would allow a caucus of Council of State members to also form an APC. At this time I know of no plans to activate or use these avenues. I consider this simply a separation of powers issue to have in law to same campaign finance law apply to the Legislative branches and well as elected Executive branch agencies. Again I do not any changes coming from the current standard operating procedures.
Reasonable people can disagree about the wisdom of these changes. We believe these changes are moot because all plans indicate that the caucus are staying put under the NCGOP as always
Honestly, if you believe any of them…I have serious doubts about your ability to lead the NCGOP. These people are professional at lying to your face. Also, the language I read in the new provision does not prohibit any meddling in primaries..in fact, it allows for them to give money to challengers. If they were not going to change anything then they would not have been adamant about putting this in last minute and making sure it stayed. Yes, the Speaker and those at the head of the party will still be leading it…they will just put a patsy in name as the leader.
Dallas,
“We believe these changes are moot because all plans indicate that the caucus are staying put under the NCGOP as always”
We didn’t fall off the turnip truck yesterday!
Sloppy Writing!
If this reply is really from the new executive director it would be nice if he had a verified account here. Since anyone can claim to be anyone here and make posts. Everyone should remember this fact in their responses.
Now if this is really is the new Ed it would be nice if you set up a executive commitee online forum so you the chairman and the rest of the executive committee could communicate together on all the pressing issues of the party every day and not just at called meetings
I think it is time for the Chairman to set up a called Executive Committee meeting. The EC is being shut out of too many important decisions. This kind of stuff just may be the end of us.
there needs to be a way for the executive committee to call meetings and make the leaders address the issues but this goes back to how the hole structure is wrong
this is my proposal
congressional districts elect members to the executive committee
then the executive committee votes in all members of the central committee
then the central committee leads the executive committee
and then at any point a 2/3 vote of the executive committee could be moved to recall and reelect the central committee
thus the party would have a proper organizational structure that would never get to be too powerful or greedy
at least this is close to my plan I am willing to work out better details with others to work out any kinks and then move to change the plan of organization
I hear what you’re saying. Our party is in a credibility crisis. We’re in need of reforms fast if we hope to repair this enough to remain viable.
Our state and nation are under siege by forces of corruption and unconstitutional ideologies. Our institutions (political, religious, educational) are not responding to the threats. It’s past time for the GOP, as well as other institutions, to respond in an appropriate manner to this menace to our way of life.
November 14th. Let’s come prepared.
Where we particularly need to come prepared is in the primaries.
We feel pretty confident that THIS is actually Dallas.
Thanks Brant and thanks for all you do
The arrogant power structure around John Boehner has badly split our party and now led to his resignation. This bill sets up exactly the same thing in North Carolina. Tim Moore is our John Boehner.
North Carolina does not need this camel’s nose under our tent.
We know Jeb Bush has had people working in NC for more than a year to convince them to buy into Common Core, AND TO VOTE FOR HIM. We do not want Common Core and we do NOT want JEB BUSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Who are these people and why haven’t we seen them?
Moot? Then why did the just write 8 checks for $15K in August? We are not naive.
Dallas is on the David Lewis team, not the NCGOP team.
That is obviously the biggest pile of crap I have ever tried to read. Dallas Woodhouse is totally full of it.
I suppose it would be stupid (and definately futile) to ask why set up these APCs in the first place? Why complicate what we have lived by for years?
I suspect that the only likely explanation is that Caucus leadership wants to wrest power back to their consituency, the Establishment, since they really don’t want to represent WE THE PEOPLE.
Did I hit on the main points?
Can’t wait to see who now files for Council of State offices and the funds and support they receive. Do any names come to mind?
AJ will run again, hopefully he won’t quit at the last minute like he did in the chairman’s race
NO Quitting this time. Most don’t understand the physical threat against my wife. The thugs who came into my room to start a fight, the flat tires or me being told I was finished with the party. Now I know the enemy, the most liberal public official who hides in her office for 30 years. Blessing all
Is that really true? The Governor sent thugs and threatened your wife? Is that what you just wrote? Wow…
again just as I said with the post attributed to the new ED anyone can post here under any name so when something is attributed to someone it does not mean that person said that
So if this really happened to Mr. Daoud I would hope with him being a ex police officer he would have been able to make a report about any threat stated above to proper authorities
If you primary McCrory I will vote for you. The secret to winning elections is to run against someone people dislike even more than they dislike you. 😉
Maybe Dumplin’ was right when she said we should suspend elections. She must have known what was coming. The woman was a genius. No wonder Harvard wanted her.
We have met the enemy and he is us.
And what do you and your wife have to be so threatened about? I find it hard to believe the Gov. Would even be worried with you two! Have you considered a new tattoo for that one yet? SMH Not even interested!
Could you translate this into English for us non-insiders?
The bills essentially establish “affiliate parties” which use the moniker of NC Republican Party or NC Democratic Party, but are not bound to the actual, grassroots, volunteer organizations of the true parties, but rather to their own bylaws. They’re controlled by the elected politicians themselves, and can accept unlimited Super PAC funds. Pure pay to play cronyism from now on. Does that help?
Sort of. Thanks. I’m thinking it’s going to take voting for Democrats to clean out this cabal of politicians using the title “Republican”. Our state won’t recover in my lifetime, but maybe it will in my kids’ lifetimes. I will not continue to accept abuse and corruption from my own party. The limit has been reached. I suspect Skip Stam is resigning because he knows the party is a lost cause.
Thanks for making this simple John. If the Republican super majority was not corrupt they would have worked to make the party more autonomous form the NCGA. Instead they’ve gone in the other direction in a blatant power grab. The control freaks in power have no desire to ever be held accountable by the grass roots of the party.
in turn they took over and then started acting like the democrats that they replaced and ruined the republican brand while giving the democrats good reason to say I told you so to voters coming elections
For the love of money is the root of all evil. And this just proves once again that racism is alive and well in North Carolina. The first black NCGOP chairman is elected in June and by September the NCGOP changes the rules of the game. Let’s educate the GOP “clubs” and choke the establishment. Without the clubs, the NCGOP has no GOTV support.
I don’t think this has anything to do with race or color…except the color of money. The GOP doesn’t depend on We the People for their funds. They depend on the well heeled and big corporations to shell out the cash to buy influence and clout.
I only wish it were about race…it would be much easier to fight.
I think the big danger is North Carolina’s Tom Steyer (or perhaps he is NC’s George Soros), that Faison dude out of Charlotte trying to buy the support of the NC legislature for his extreme left Al Gore positions on global warmism. The rumor around Raleigh is that he was prepared to spend a cool million to buy our party for his extreme views.
Race has nothing to do with it, Hasan has demonstrated an untrustworthiness, just look at how he cut out his Vice Chair and left her in the dark yesterday at the NCGA
Harnett’s surrender on this reminds me of John Kerry in the Iran deal. He agreed that he would not stop the bad guys getting the bomb, only delay their ability to do it, and to trust them when they said they really did not intend to get the bomb, and let them write their own procedures for compliance. What could possibly go wrong with that? To make it worse, this deal allows others to get the bomb, too.
Not interested, in black or white! Total BS! If you are not ready for Primetime.. Just sit in the pews.. Thank you for your donation, move along now.. The big dogs are off the porch! I heard they were out for blood!
Rabid dogs is a better analysis.
What has gotten into Harnett in agreeing to this nonsense? And why is an ED like Woodhouse involved in making party policy? An ED carries out policy, not makes it.
The GOP organization needs to sue these jerks for misusing the party’s name, and they now need to allow party organizations and officials to get involved in primaries.
Anyone who votes for or signs this piece of crap will NOT be getting my vote in March or November.
GU, I suspect it’s quite simple. The NCGOP was on the verge of closing it’s doors as the money ran out. I also suspect that the Legislators figured out that they’d crossed a line with the rabble, I mean the Party rank-and-file. So they cut a deal, Harnett soft-soaps the legislature’s power grab to the Party, and in return, money mysteriously starts flowing to NCGOP HQ.
As Chair of the Libertarian Party of North Carolina, I’d like to express sincere appreciation to both Republicans and Democrats in our General Assembly and Council of State for placing particular emphasis on their absolute lack of morals, ethics and professionalism. By stooping to new depths you have raised the LPNC, the Party of Principle, to new heights in the eyes of informed voters.
I hope the libertarians are fielding some good candidates in every election.
We think it is important that you continue to field candidates. The way the GOP is going we may be back.
Don’t get your hopes up too quickly. It’s time for a third or fourth party. That third or fourth party is not necessarily the Libertarian party. Many Libertarians seize the opportunity to bash us conservatives. That makes them no better than Democrats or establishment Republicans.
At least now we know what the Gov’s real problem with 373 was. He didn’t get his own party to play with too. Problem solved. Bet he signs the bill now.
He will be pushing away a lot of GOP support, who will then sit on their hands in his race, if he participates in this corruption by signing this bill.
i HOPE THE GOV WILL NOT SIGN 373,
It’s a done deal
If that is true, it will hurt McCrory with the GOP base vote, many of whom are already lukewarm, at best, toward him, I suspect the McCrory will have the political sense to vero it, just like he got the poltical sense to shut up about the SCV license plates.
So now instead of a candidate having to admit (like Thom Tillis did) that their campaign is funded by the toll road company, the beer distributors who want regulations passed to throttle the craft brewers, the movie companies who want some corporate welfare… they get that payola funneled through the all new “republicrat party”. And who controls that pot of money? Progressive politicians who already sold their votes. Genius!
Every single Progressive Republican who voted for this power grab needs to be primaried. Force them all to go begging to their crony lobbyist pals.
The Republucan Party is a joke and the faster it dies off the better. It represents corruption.
They anticipated your response. That’s why they passed this bill, as I understand it, to make it impossible for you to primary them.
All of this in the Republicrat Party grieves me very much. I am sorry this nation has come to this. The Democrats are looking on laughing—and collecting votes.
It is greatly disappointing to know that Jerry Tillman is part of this legislative tyranny. We need to re-think our support of him, and look for a primary contender. Perhaps in one of these upcoming grassroots caucuses we will find the beginnings of a viable course of action …
An after-thought … maybe we should require our GA members to wear a video camera while in session to protect the public from misconduct and legislative tyranny. If we do it to our police, we damn well have good reason to do it to this historically dangerous segment of our society.
There needs to be a “like” button on this forum. Some of these posts are right on the money.
“right on the money”
That might be a Freudian slip there.