Schisms apparent in Raleigh

The 2005-06 legislative season began only two days ago, but divisions already are evident.

Members of the N.C. House gave the green light Wednesday to Reps. Jim Black, D-Mecklenburg, and Richard Morgan, R-Moore, to take the respective positions of speaker and speaker pro tem.

Not everyone was onboard — 20 Republican representatives voted against the two men who shared the speakership in the last session.

If those divisions carry over during the rest of the session, some say, the effects on the Republican Party could be strong.

“The co-speakership and the ripple effect of that produced divisions … within the Republican Party,” said Ferrel Guillory, director of UNC’s Program on Southern Politics, Media and Public Life.

“And some of that has lingered. And so the potency of the Republican Party in the legislature, while real, has diminished somewhat because of those divisions.”

Though Republicans lost some ground this election cycle in terms of seats, they are still a strong force within the state legislature.

But Guillory said division could potentially harm the party as it tries to put forth its agenda.

In recent sessions, Republicans have favored cuts in spending and lower taxes, and have talked about the possibility of a constitutional ban on same-sex marriages.

Morgan and Black have forged a working relationship that has crossed party lines. Still, Guillory said, disagreements are natural, and issues pushed aside during the co-speakership — such as the death penalty — probably will resurface with one party in power.

Division among members of any political party is not uncommon. But many Republicans’ alignment with Black will make things more difficult for the GOP, Guillory said.

“It is clear that … Morgan and his allies have positioned themselves closer to the center of power than the dissident Republicans,” he said.

“So the dissident Republicans have to figure out — do they want to spend the whole session being dissident, and what does that mean for their constituents?

“Or are they going to recognize how the power has flowed in the legislature, and are they going to become more accommodating?”

Rep. Russell Capps, R-Wake, said he voted against Black because the power-share was pushed through after little consideration.

Both Morgan and Black were elected after a motion to approve the resolution was given by Rep. William Culpepper, D-Chowan.

“We’re elected to represent a population of about 38,00 people,” Capps said. “So this means that the representatives in these 20 districts have no voice.”

He said that if any split occurs in the Republican Party, it will be the fault of those who pushed through a power-sharing arrangement — not the 20 representatives who were opposed to it.

Rep. Larry Brown, R-Forsyth, said that though he took issue with the voting process, he won’t take sides in a split. “I’m going to represent my people, and those are the only people I’m obligated to.”

Wednesday’s procedure was different from years past, but lawmakers usually have votes lined up before opening day, said Orange County Rep. Joe Hackney.

“We had a vote,” said the House majority leader. “What’s more democratic than a vote?”

Rep. Carolyn Justice, R-Pender, said Republican lawmakers were working with what they had. By voting for the deal, the GOP was giving itself shared power, something it otherwise wouldn’t have.

“I think you would have to be pretty dumb to turn down that opportunity,” said Justice, who voted for the resolution.

She said potential divisions won’t hurt the Republican agenda because the dissenting legislators don’t represent the true Republican voice.

“What we have to come down to as legislators is this: Do we want to say, ‘If it doesn’t go my way I’m not going to play,’ or do I need to participate in a process that will allow me to do good things for my district? Or do I just want to take my toys and go home?”

Contact the State & National Editor at stntdesk@unc.edu.