As noted in this space and others in recent days, Governor Perdue has decided to go out with a whimper when it comes to a group of anti-environment bills that were among the last few measures passed and sent to her by the General Assembly last month. Rather than standing up and vetoing measures she knew and understood to be counter-productive, she opted for the path of least resistance — either holding her nose and signing, or simply allowing a proposal to become law without taking any action.

The Sierra Club and other environmental advocates think she screwed up (see below).

Some observers have speculated that her actions were motivated by a fear of what conservatives might do if they were called back to Raleigh for a veto session (though General Assembly lawyer Gerry Cohen’s recent statements that such shenanigans would be illegal calls this into question). Others think it was simply politics (i.e. a fear of creating a potential distraction for Walter Dalton).

Whatever the reason, it’s a frustrating and disappointing conclusion to the summer legislative season.

Happily, at least one group of people has not given up just yet. The Asheville City Council is apparently advancing a plan to hold a local referendum on State Rep. Tim Moffitt’s ongoing effort to steal the city’s water system — an effort that was advanced somewhat by Perdue’s failure to act on this bill. Good for them. Read More