Opposition to the amendments

Published August 16, 2018

by Howard Lee, former state Senator and NC SPIN panelist, August 16, 2018

The North Carolina constitution is such a significant and important document that any changes should be made only after careful thought and justification. It certainly appears that current proposed amendments are offered by legislators seeking to increase their power, by taking away some of the power from the Executive and Judicial Branches. These constitutional amendments as proposed by the General Assembly may be worthy of consideration, but the process that placed these items on the November ballot is both unreasonable and disruptive.

I view the constitution as a living document that should to be reviewed periodically and changed or amended when there is a good reason and after public education engagement. Constitutional changes deserve extensive public discussion and deliberate thought that supports how such amendments will strengthen democracy and the Constitution. These amendments should be clearly articulated to the voters in more than a one sentence ballot statement and they should ultimately enhance the quality of life for all citizens and keep our functioning system of government strong and safe.

Having served in the North Carolina Senate for over five terms, I hold this body and the General Assembly in very high esteem.  However, I am disappointed to see such important decisions to offer these major constitutional amendments for a public vote without extensive engagement of public discussion and thorough explanation offered to the voters.

If these amendments pass, future leaders (legislators) will be bound by these aggressive actions which will change the State Constitution and limit the checks and balances all three branches of our government which is so delicate to the future of our State.

There is only one action I can take, which is to urge all my friends and contacts to vote no on all six amendments.

August 18, 2018 at 10:59 am
Don’t Let NC Put Hunting & Fishing in the Constitution! says:

[…] went to an excellent forum on the amendments this week, where I was alarmed to learn that they are not needed, were created without a transparent and open process, and provide giant back-doors for abuse. The […]