Tag: Phil Berger

Will Berger, Rucho learn anything from the collapse of Jindalnomics?

April 9, 2013 at 8:59 amCategory:Uncategorized

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Bobby JindalThe political freefall of Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal is interesting on multiple levels (Chris Fitzsimon will have more on this subject this afternoon). Notwithstanding the man’s infamous deer-in-the-headlights state of the union response from a few years back, conservatives were still touting him as a rising star and potential national candidate not that long ago.

That he would now have trouble getting elected dog catcher in the Bayou State and be forced to abandon his signature tax plan is emblematic of a remarkable  political collapse — especially for a politician without any apparent immediate problems with prosecutors or prostitutes. (Of course, it should be noted that current Louisiana Senator David Vitter admitted to the latter problem with no lasting ill effects).

What the fall of Jindalnomics would seem to say most clearly is Read More…

N&O’s Ned Barnett on Diane Ravitch

March 24, 2013 at 8:16 amCategory:Uncategorized

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In case you missed last week’s NC Policy Watch luncheon with Diane Ravitch, you can still watch it by clicking here. You can also read Ned Barnett’s column in this morning’s edition of Raleigh’s News & Observer in which the veteran journalist summarizes the hard truths Ravitch spelled out as she dismantled the “reform” plans of North Carolina’s Senate leader Phil Berger. Read More…

Still think it’s all a “publicity stunt,” Senator?

March 18, 2013 at 4:45 pmCategory:Uncategorized

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Phil BergerAs you may recall, a spokesperson for Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger had the following to say about a recent effort by folks at the North Carolina Justice Center (NC Policy Watch’s parent organization) to call attention to the impacts of the federal budget sequester here in North Carolina:

“We are not engaging in the left-wing N.C. Justice Center’s daily publicity stunts,” said Amy Auth, spokeswoman for state Senate leader Phil Berger, in an email. “They should voice their concerns with federal legislation to our federal legislators.”

Today, comes news from the Department of Public Instruction that North Carolina schools will suffer a $63 million cuts as the result of the sequester — most of it in programs that serve vulnerable children.

Still think all this sequester business is a publicity stunt that doesn’t involve you Senator?

 

Senate leader: Efforts to help military communities avoid federal cuts just a “publicity stunt”

February 21, 2013 at 4:25 pmCategory:Uncategorized

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Phil BergerNorth Carolina Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger was once a semi-reasonable guy. Conservative? Certainly. But during the first several years of his tenure in Raleigh, Berger mostly came across in a way you might expect from a middle-aged, small town, Republican lawyer: Traditional and pro-business, but pleasant, intelligent and friendly enough. Though progressives seldom found themselves agreeing with Berger, he was someone who with whom a person could have a discussion (and maybe even find some common ground).

Something happened in recent years, however, to the old Phil Berger. Especially since he became Senate leader and developed ambitions for higher office (either for himself or his kid), the old, semi-friendly small town lawyer has been replaced by a meaner, edgier, much more reactionary Phil Berger. Sometimes you almost feel as if you’re watching someone trying to play a role. His policies and policy statements are uniformly reactionary and harsh while those of his staff members are frequently even more extreme.

For a case in point, check out this story in today’s Fayetteville Observer. Read More…

Senator Phil Berger’s letter about unemployment: Just plain untrue

February 12, 2013 at 12:26 pmCategory:Uncategorized

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Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger sent an email response to a constituent yesterday on the subejct of the proposed legislation to slash unemployment insurance benefits. Sadly, the email is riddled with misinformation to the degree that one wonders whether the senator truly understands what he is doing to the unemployment insurance system.  Here is a point-by-point refutation crafted by Alexandra Sirota of the NC Budget and Tax Center: 

Berger: “North Carolina owes the federal government more than $2 billion, because of previous leaders mismanagement for several years.”

The truth: Job loss and tax cuts drove trust fund debt not mismanagement. The cause of North Carolina’s unemployment trust fund crisis was a series of tax cuts enacted in the 1990s and the historic job loss from the two recessions of the 2000s. The trust fund was already well-below agreed upon safe levels before the 2001 recession.  Improper payments represent just 2.4% of the UI Trust Fund balance. Read More…