With budget veto looming, Republicans wooing Democratic votes with pork

With a close – and bitterly contentious – vote over a potential veto of this year’s state budget looming, North Carolina lawmakers say GOP legislators are scrambling to win over Democrats behind the scenes by offering “pork” spending on local projects.

While not uncommon around budget time as top lawmakers mull ways to win over votes considered to be on the fence, the backdoor wheeling and dealing is of particular import this year, with Democrats hoping to sustain Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto power and win their top prize – Medicaid expansion.

“I know there is pork out there that they can throw at members,” Rep. Darren Jackson, a Wake County Democrat serving as the House Democratic Leader, said Tuesday. “But I hope that all of the House Democrats know that Medicaid expansion can make a big difference in the lives of North Carolinians across the state.”

Jackson said he knows of Democrats who’ve been approached with budget sweeteners, but none have pledged their vote to the GOP.

Read more: http://www.ncpolicywatch.com/2019/06/04/with-budget-veto-looming-republicans-wooing-democratic-votes-with-pork/