Sob story -- Legislature to people: We will work this weekend on budget

Get out your hankies.

Prepare to be proud.

Members of the North Carolina General Assembly have decided that they are going to work this weekend to try to come up with a final verdict on the state's spending plan for 2009-10 -- and they are making sure you know all about it.

Never mind that it is five days before the alleged drop dead deadline to have a budget ready.

And never mind that it is mid-July.

And, certainly, please forget the thousands of North Carolina workers waiting on pins and needles to know if they have a job.

And don't worry about the businesses in this state that are holding their collective breath waiting for the recovery to start.

Now that the lawmakers were able to take their break for the Fourth of July, they are ready to go back to work.

Whoopee.

There is something kind of sad about the incompetent and irresponsible decision-making that has been such a hallmark of this year's budget battle.

From missed opportunities to another last-minute run to a vote, N.C. residents would certainly have reason not to be too confident in their state leadership.

So, pardon us, state lawmakers and Gov. Bev Perdue if we do not jump up and down about your great sacrifice. We consider it your job.

Published in Editorials on July 10, 2009 11:18 AM