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One thing we can say with confidence about the state Senate under nine-term President Pro Tem Marc Basnight and six-term Majority Leader Tony Rand: It ran efficiently. Compared to the more open House under Speaker Joe Hackney, Senate debates are usually short and to the point, with relatively few changes allowed to major legislation approved by committees.
Trouble is, efficiency isn't the best attribute in a democracy, where robust debate and a healthy exchange of ideas are often more valuable than smooth delivery of legislation and budgets. And in the Senate, the majority-party Democrats were more likely to think well of operations there than the Republicans, who often viewed upcoming debate the same way a bug views an approaching steamroller. They often got flattened, unable to offer floor amendments they thought important to their constituents.
It wasn't just Republicans who felt Democratic leaders held power too tightly. Newer Democratic members of the Senate chafed under Rand's tenure as both majority leader and as Senate Rules Committee chairman. They felt it limited their choices of legislation, amendments and debate.
But Rand, a pro-business Democrat from Eastern North Carolina who pushed his colleagues to support improvements to public schools and higher education, operated with the strong support and direction of Basnight. Rand has been a formidable advocate for the university system, a key factor in North Carolina's late-20th century economic progress, and he has served his constituents and his state with dedication.
The Senate atmosphere could change with Rand's decision to resign before the end of the year to become chairman of the state parole board in the Perdue administration. His departure opens up the majority leader post for the first time in years, and may mean a shift of power toward Western North Carolina. Sen. Martin Nesbitt, D-Buncombe, is pursuing the post, and Sen. Dan Clodfelter, D-Mecklenburg, has long been interested. Senate Democrats will caucus Nov. 17 to settle on Rand's successor. Insiders say it is unlikely that the new majority leader would also be given the chairmanship of the rules committee, which decides what bills reach the Senate floor. That would be welcome.
Basnight has dismissed rumors that he might step aside due to health concerns, and says he will run again. That may mean changes in the way the Senate operates will be limited, but we believe a more open Senate with lawmakers from both parties actively involved in policymaking would best fulfill the promise of a truly deliberative body.
