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Open Letter to NC House Representative Donny Lambeth, State Senator Joyce Krawiec, and Governor Pat McCrory

To those who represent me in the state of North Carolina,

Tomorrow the legislature convenes to consider aid for Hurricane Matthew victims, a worthy cause, and "other business." The ambiguity of the last phrase troubles me deeply. I believe I speak for many when I tell you that what I crave from my elected officials above all else is transparency. The statutes governing the conduct of the General Assembly clearly state that the public must be given proper notice as to the the time, place, and business of all legislative sessions. "Other" simply does not cut it, neither in a legal nor a moral sense.

Republicans hold a super-majority in the legislature, unfairly in my view, considering the radical gerrymandering and voter suppression with which the party has engaged. Nevertheless, that does not give you the right to hold what amount to secret and closed sessions, since in all likelihood you have chosen the real agenda in private, with no consultation from the opposition party or the public. The last session of its kind produced the disastrous, unfair, unwise, and probably unconstitutional HB2. Given that Mr. McCrory likely lost as a result of this unpopular bill, why would you consider similarly one-sided legislation conceived in secrecy?

As I reached out to inquire about the rumors surrounding the bill, not a single Republican would emphatically state that they would stand against any new unannounced measures that may be introduced Tuesday. Mr. Lambeth dismissed me entirely, asking how he could possibly make a judgment on legislation about which he knew nothing? Balderdash. Mr. Lambeth, you know exactly what is at stake here, and you lack the conviction or courage to stand up to the leadership in your party and the big-money interests you write your bills for you, run your propaganda machine, and essentially buy their way into power through you at the expense of the people of North Carolina.

You want to add justices to the State Supreme Court? Think we need even more restrictions on voting laws? Want to let everyone openly carry firearms without a permit? Fine. But let's debate it out on the open floor of the legislature and in the court of public opinion. Give citizens ample time for comment, and allow the media to have time for a considered discussion about the merits and deficiencies of each measure. One-sided government that rams bills into law is no form of democracy I know. And you know it, too. I hope I am proven wrong, and that tomorrow's session really is just about helping storm victims. Shame on you if it is not, and if any new legislation is passed in the space of a single day.

Peter Wilbur
Winston-Salem, NC

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