Characteristics of the 2013 North Carolina House of Representatives

by Joe Mavretic

One characteristic of the 2013 North Carolina House of Representatives is the initial effect of the Republican caucus. First and second term members usually rely on a caucus with a majority of experienced legislators who act as mentors.  Experienced legislators tend to understand their role as representatives of their constituents, first and second term legislators do not. There are fifty Republican Representatives in the House Republican caucus with two years, or less, legislative experience. These inexperienced members tend to follow the caucus leadership instead of their own judgement. This is not the constitutional intent for a representative, deliberative and legislative body. One of the most important legislative lessons that a new House member learns is that, as a Representative, they are not an individual. A Representative in the 2013 General Assembly is about seventy nine thousand four hundred and sixty two (79,462) people. All those people have a single vote in the caucus, in committee and in session in the Hall of the House. A Representative's vote should reflect what is best for a majority in a district and for the state. When a Representative speaks, that is the voice of over seventy nine thousand North Carolinians. When a Representative votes in caucus, it is a reflection on the majority in that Representative's district and should have equal weight with every other vote. Caucuses in representative bodies should be deliberative, not directive, and only experienced legislators can ensure that. With only about one-third of the Republican caucus having three or more years experience, those more senior (in terms) members have a moral obligation to honor and encourage the prerogatives of newer members but face the ethical dilemmas of power. The composition of the House in the 2013 General Assembly is unique and no one can predict its long tern consequences but it is an interesting exercise in the evolution of government.

Concomitant with the evolution of the Republicans' caucus is their individual awareness of the facets of a vote. A recorded vote becomes a marker in Representative's political philosophy. A single recorded vote on a contentious issue creates allies and enemies. Allies may support, contribute and campaign for an incumbent in the next election. Enemies support  that member's opponent. New Representatives learn the value of recorded votes-not just those in session but those in committee and in sub-committee. They learn whether it is advantageous to call for a recorded vote or not. Representatives who seek reelection learn keep in mind Hartmann's Law, "Never create more enemies than you can handle at the time."

Joe Mavretic is former House Speaker and an NC Spin Panelist