Gov. Pat McCrory goes off the Republican rails
The Story
Our guv went off the GOP script Monday morning during a radio interview, ticking off Republicans and Democrats alike.
The Facts
McCrory, interviewed on public radio station WFAE’s Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins, had a criticism for just about everybody during the 50-minute show:
Republican sales tax plan
Background: A GOP state lawmaker from a rural county wants to redistribute sales tax revenues. Right now, urban counties (like Meck) raise a lot of money through its sales tax. That’s because we have a lot of people. Meck gets to keep a lot of that money for Meck needs.
Rural counties, on the other hand, don’t have the critical mass and can’t collect nearly as much. So, this one lawmaker who represents a rural district is suggesting that all sales tax revenues go into one pot and get divided evenly among NC’s 100 counties.
McCrory’s take: “I disagree with this type of class warfare…It’s almost John Edwards-type language being used by my own party.”
Gov. Pat McCrory says Sen. Harry Brown using 'John Edwards-type language' in defense of sales tax bill. #NCPOL #NCGA #CharObs
— Jim Morrill (@jimmorrill) March 30, 2015
Republican religious freedom protection bill
Background: The North Carolina Religious Freedom Restoration Act, similar to a hotly debated Indiana law, would allow individuals and businesses not to serve customers if doing so violates their sincerely held religious beliefs. It’s largely intended to allow magistrates to refuse to perform same-sex marriages.
McCrory’s take: I don’t think you should have an exemption when you took an oath to uphold … the constitution of North Carolina.”
Gov. McCrory not backing bills giving exemptions to court officials who decline to perform marriages http://t.co/G2FwZVcPQW #avlnews #ncpol
— CITIZEN-TIMES.com (@asheville) March 30, 2015
Democrats’ plan to let transgender people use the bathroom of their choice
Background: The Charlotte City Council opted not to include a bathroom choice clause in recent legislation that would have awarded certain protections to the LGBT community. It failed.
McCrory’s take: “What is the problem they’re trying to solve? … I haven’t seen it at this point in time.”
C5’s Take
McCrory is running for re-election in 2016. While mayor of Charlotte, a job he held forever, he was widely regarded as a moderate and everybody voted for him. But as governor, he’s been quite the conservative. Could this be a return to old-style, election-friendly Pat?
People remember McCrory's record with words v. actions. https://t.co/xfr1zIiO06http://t.co/yfASsu6Q4U#ncpol #ncga
— Andria Krewson (@underoak) March 30, 2015
Photo: Gerry Broome/AP
This story was originally published March 30, 2015 at 8:24 AM with the headline "Gov. Pat McCrory goes off the Republican rails."