Superior Court Judge: I’ll Write The State Budget

The North Carolina legislature passed a budget.  This budget passed both house of  properly elected lawmakers.  Then, this budget was vetoed by the Good Govna’ of the Great State of North by God Carolina, herself properly elected.

Bev Purdue certainly can veto bills she doesn’t like.

After learning of said veto, the legislature convened and took up  vote to over-ride the veto.  And over-ride that veto the legislature did.  And so, the budget became law without the consent of the governor.

That, however, is not the end of the story.

Now, however, a Superior Court Judge, Howard Manning Jr., has ruled the State has obligations:

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina cannot limit enrollment in a pre-kindergarten program for at-risk children that saw its budget reduced by the General Assembly, the judge overseeing a long-running education-opportunity lawsuit ordered Monday.

It’s not clear whether the order by Superior Court Judge Howard Manning Jr. could force the Legislature to redo part of the $19.7 billion state budget that took effect this month. Manning said only that he is confident the state will live up to its constitutional duties to afford every child a good, basic education.

A couple of thoughts immeadiatly raced through my head:

  1. Who made education a constitution right?
  2. Who thinks pre-k education tracks with a good, basic education?
  3. All he said was North Carolina can’t limit enrollment.
  4. By God, man!  If you wanna write the budget, run for the Senate.

And it seems that I’m not alone:

“While it is uncertain whether or not the court’s decision will ultimately be allowed to stand, the budget provision addressed by the court has nothing to do with funding,” House Speaker Thom Tillis, R-Mecklenburg, said in a statement.

He’s right.  The Judge didn’t say that the level of funding was insufficient; only that the State can’t limit enrollment.

And, regarding budget writing authority:

“I don’t know what the final result will be,” Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, said. “Every other Leandro decision has been appealed,” he also said. “I suppose this one will too. Time will tell, and again, I invite (Manning) to run for the Senate, and if elected, we would certainly include him in the budget deliberations.”

Right.

Judge, step away.

There is no proof that pre-k educational programs impact learning past 3rd grade.

I suspect the judge knows this.  And I suspect he’s sympathetic to the trials and tribulations of these kids.  So he’s taken the middle road. “Just don’t prevent them from going to school”, he says.

 

2 responses to “Superior Court Judge: I’ll Write The State Budget

  1. Pre-k is a big help on the working man and woman who has to pay child care out of their pockets. I didn’t think it was right when I received a letter in the mail stating they wanted verification of income. Should my child be left out because I work? And why should I have to pay 10% when you have other people out there who can work and won’t? Their child goes for free and I have to pay. There is something wrong with this picture.

    • Pre-k is a big help on the working man and woman who has to pay child care out of their pockets.

      I agree; this is an aspect of the pre-k program that goes unnoticed. In fact, for many parents, school is free daycare.

      And why should I have to pay 10% when you have other people out there who can work and won’t?

      Welcome, and I say that acknowledging you may have been here for years and years, to The Church of Liberty! Stay for as long as you want!

      Their child goes for free and I have to pay. There is something wrong with this picture.

      Sing it from the mountains sister!

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