NC Legislature Under Republican Control For First Time In 100 Years
By The Raleigh Telegram
http://www.raleightelegram.com/2010110301.html
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
RALEIGH -
The Republican majority will mark the first time since the 19th century that Democrats have not controlled both houses in the North Carolina General Assembly.
At the Marriott Hotel in downtown Raleigh, Republican leaders and voters gathered in one of the ball rooms to celebrate the victory on Tuesday night.
As balloons fell from the ceiling and a band played on the main stage late into the evening, Republican leaders gathered on stage to celebrate a series of victories that gave them the majority at the legislative building on Jones Street.
“Tonight we will celebrate, tomorrow the hard work of governing begins,” said Tom Fetzer, the former mayor of Raleigh and current Chairman of the NC Republican Party.
The NC Republican Party appears to have over 60 seats in the NC House and over 26 seats in the Senate, enough to give them a majority in both.
In an interview with the Raleigh Telegram, Fetzer cited the historic nature of the election on Tuesday.
“We’re doing great,” said Fetzer. “This is the first time since 1898 that we’ve had control.”
When asked if the Republican victories were a result of national or state government concerns by voters, Fetzer said that it was a mix.
“It’s both,” he said. “People are really fed up with debt and spending.”
On a state level, Fetzer said that he believed there would be a focus on returning to the basics.
“I think we’ll see kitchen table economics applied to state government,” said Fetzer. “Less spending, less debt.”
During statements on the stage, North Carolina Representative Skip Stamm echoed those sentiments.
“We’re going to govern in a different way…in a frugal way,” he said.
NC Senator Phil Berger, who will likely take over as president of the NC Senate (see separate article), said that he felt that citizens in the state were tired of one party control.
“We’ve had complete one party control for a long time,” said Berger. “This turnover will have a positive effect.” ::
