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 The First 100 Days
by Tom Campbell
October 23, 2008
Enough already! The pall of constant somber sounding and scurrilous television ads for politicians has this self-confessed political junkie ready to turn off the television and move on. Let’s consider what happens after the votes are counted, the losers lick their wounds and total up their campaign debts and the victors prepare to lead beginning January 10th.
Our new Governor will immediately be hit by a huge budget crisis. First quarter revenues for the state amounted to 0 million less than projected and seasoned observers are predicting as much as a two billion dollar shortfall by fiscal year-end on June 30th. North Carolina is fortunate to have a “rainy day fund” and other reserves to butt up against the shortfall but there is little doubt significant additional budget cuts will be necessary.
The repercussions from initial cuts are already being felt. The deteriorating economy is forcing job cutbacks throughout the state. Unemployed workers are turning to their community colleges to learn new skills needed to obtain new jobs, but our community colleges, already under funded, have to cut back offerings instead of providing more courses for worker training. The fallout will be felt in many areas.
If the past is a predictor of the future it is also almost certain that the urgency of budget considerations will be excuse enough for state leaders to back away from resolving the growing number of other crises in our state. Transportation congestion, bridge and other infrastructure needs, the mental health crisis, health care reforms and a legion of problems in public education highlight the needs. It would be easy to say that we don’t envy the person who ends up winning the Governor’s race. He or she will be facing difficult times. But in every crisis there is also opportunity and the new chief executive could use these trying times as a springboard for better days ahead.
O. Max Gardner found himself dealing with The Great Depression when he assumed the Governor’s office. Instead of moaning about the problems, he reorganized state government, cutting the number of state agencies, reprioritizing spending by eliminating programs that weren’t urgent and essential. North Carolina is overdue for such reorganization. Our antiquated tax codes need revision to include funding options for both state and local governments. No one would question the need to change the way our transportation department does business and it is increasingly obvious the mammoth Department of Health and Human Services isn’t working efficiently. The Governor has essentially taken over the responsibility for public education, another area desperately in need of reform.
The first 100 days of North Carolina’s new administration will be critical. We will see the team the new governor will assemble and get a strong sense of how we can expect our state to address serious challenges. North Carolina has been blessed to have the right leaders surface at the right moment throughout our history. Let us pray this to be true in 2009.
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