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Charlotte, NC (June 18, 2007) -
Three weeks ago, Republican County
Commissioners reached out quietly to forge consensus on a school
bond referendum for this fall. On our behalf, Commissioners Dan
Ramirez (At-Large) and Karen Bentley (District 1) opened discussions
with Democrat Commissioner Jennifer Roberts, Superintendent Peter
Gorman, County Manager Harry Jones and Chamber of Commerce President
Robert Morgan aimed at unifying the Board of County Commissioners
the CMS Board and the business community in support of a balanced
and reasonable bond proposal likely to draw voter support in
November. Others have been involved at points. To promote
compromise, we conducted these talks in private and avoided
publicity.
Regrettably, our
efforts appear now to have failed. Repeating unfortunate history;
the majority Democrat Commissioners decline to compromise. They are
poised to approve on Tuesday—by a bare and partisan 5-4 vote—a $620
million package suggested by the Board of Education. The
undersigned Republican County Commissioners, School Board Members
and City Councilmen respectfully submit that this course of action
would be a serious mistake that undermines the will of the citizens
and the message that the people of this County sent us in 2005.
The $620 million
package now proposed is far in excess of not only last summer’s
mutual commitment to $400 million, but also the $427 million measure
voters rejected in 2005. The Chamber’s reported polling data
indicates that public support is very marginal for the larger sum,
even among registered voters (i.e., not screened for likely
voters). We should not risk another voter rejection by overstuffing
the referendum, particularly when a smaller amount could attract
unanimous Board support and wide public acceptance. The community
needs a win.
We have not
insisted on strict observance of the previously agreed $400 million
limit. We have offered to support $56 million more for construction
cost escalation. This week, the County’s Citizens Capital Budget
Advisory Committee (CCBAC) proposed $486 million. It is more than
we originally suggested but it does have a sound principal of equity
and fiscal responsibility, We have offered to support that. But the
Democrats won’t budge.
Children in
overcrowded and dilapidated public schools need new schools and
renovations. We can continue to meet the most urgent needs through
Certificates of Participation (COP)s financing if we must, but the
Board of County Commissioners should send to voters a consensus bond
referendum that will enjoy broad voter support. Let’s not have
another showdown. We urge the adoption of the CCBAC recommendation
on a unanimous vote of the County Commission. We’ll keep working
toward this goal through the meeting Tuesday night, and we ask for
the community’s help.
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Republican Caucus Press Release
