Hackney represented: N.C. needed its speaker at the national conference

N.C. House Speaker Joe Hackney left the state to speak at a conference Sunday.

He was right to go.

Some might disagree and claim that his place is in North Carolina especially since the budget isn't finished.

But he was still right to go.

Some might even say that because he's still making $104 a day leaving the state is unwarranted.

Yet he was still right to go.

Hackney participated in the National Conference of State Legislatures.

In fact he's the president of the conference. It's kind of expected that he'll make an appearance.

And the conference isn't a throwaway activist group either. It does research and studies to help shape national policy.

Hackney took time to explain how the federal government will help states with their budget crises energy issues and education problems — like those we have here at UNC.

Put all the facts together.

Hackney spoke on a panel about the stimulus plan at a meeting of an organization that helps plan national policy.

He appears to be looking out for North Carolina and the nation as a whole fairly well considering the influence this organization has.

Of course leaving the state during a budget crisis isn't exactly a boost for his public image.

But this is one of the conference's three major yearly meetings. If for no other reason he should have gone to talk about North Carolina's problems and share our triumphs which he did.

Yes his job in North Carolina is important.

But he doesn't need to be here for every second of the already painfully slow budget action.

North Carolina needed him at the conference more than the state legislature needed him here.

Hackney had to make a tough choice as the leader of two political entities.

He made the right one.