When N.C. legislators arrived at the General Assembly on Wednesday morning, few of them knew exactly what they’d be voting on that afternoon. The proclamation calling them back for this one-day special session said only that they were convening to “consider legislation necessary to provide North Carolinians with state tax relief on gas and diesel fuel.”
By early afternoon, everyone had seen the two-page bill, Relief at the Pump, which suspends the state’s 41 cent-per-gallon gas tax effective immediately, through Nov. 30 – fast enough that people may start seeing gas prices go down soon, and long enough for people to spend a little less traveling over the Thanksgiving holiday. It also provides tax relief on dyed diesel fuel, an inclusion meant to help farmers in particular.
But just how much relief this bill will provide remains an open question. An amendment proposed by Jay Chaudhuri (D-Wake) would have empowered the Attorney General to hold retailers accountable if they engaged in price gouging by failing to reduce prices at the pump - but under the rules of the special session, it was deemed out of order.
Nor is it clear how much relief passage of the bill will offer its three lead sponsors, who just happen to be seeking re-election in the three most competitive, Republican-held N.C. Senate districts.
For those in attendance, however, the political theater of morning press conferences by both parties and afternoon floor debates provided a strong demonstration of how well each party can bring its factions together in shows of solidarity this close to an election.
It may be short-lived, though – at least in the Senate, where another Republican leader – Sen. Brent Jackson, R-Sampson – has announced his intention to seek the role of president pro tempore. For that bit of drama, check back in January.
In the meantime, though, we're keeping our focus on the upcoming "lame duck" session planned for late November and early December. What that gathering may produce will be driven by the outcome of the upcoming mid-term election – so be ready help us press lawmakers as needed to protect our environment and our democracy.