Seven Democrats broke with party on budget -- and got millions for their districts

RALEIGH -- The seven Democrats who voted for the budget late last month got tens of millions of dollars in appropriations for projects in their districts, according to a review of budget earmarks by the NC Insider.

The numbers appear to confirm rumors that Republican budget writers offered up major earmarks to Democrats in the hopes of securing enough votes to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto. The final vote count appears to be veto-proof in the Senate but not in the House if no one changes their position, but many of the Democrats who voted yes June 26 and 27 stood with Cooper on June 28 and pledged to help sustain his veto.

One of the Democrats, Rep. Cecil Brockman, D-Guilford, listed the earmarks for his district in a news release explaining his vote. “This was a difficult decision and one that may be seen as politically unpopular,” Brockman said. “However, when I was elected to the House of Representatives, I vowed to work for the people in my district and do what is best for them. That is why I spent time this session negotiating funding for important priorities in High Point and Guilford County.”

Brockman’s release listed 17 earmarks totaling $3.2 million, mostly for a wide variety of nonprofit groups based in or around High Point. The biggest of the projects is $1 million for a jazz and blues festival. “With this budget, I was able to more than double the amount of money High Point receives, which will have a direct impact on my community,” Brockman said.

Read more: https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article232312352.html
(Raleigh News & Observer)