Governor Bev Perdue vetoed the controversial fracking bill Sunday, July 1st the last day she had to act before it would have become law.
The governor said she supports hydraulic fracturing, also known as “fracking,” but believes additional safeguards are needed in the bill. Without those safeguards in place to protect drinking water and the health of North Carolina families, Perdue said she was forced to veto the bill. “If they improve the bill to strengthen the protections for North Carolina families, I will sign it into law.”
Then two days later, Representative Becky Carney solved the problem for the Governor when she accidentally voted to override her veto. That’s right accidentally pushed the wrong button. Unbelievable.
The most important job of an elected representative is the power of their vote based upon their constituencies needs. We elect people who Americans feel will pay attention and support their issues. Rep. Carney said she felt rotten but when you are responsible for the future of the states well being you don’t have the right to feel bad or rotten as she said. It is your job to pay attention no matter what time of day or night it is and responsibly vote.
She said it was late after 11 o’clock and she was tired. “I pushed the wrong button – the green one.” Even if you’re tired doesn’t green mean go? Oh she tried as best she could to change her vote but couldn’t – house rules. I certainly wonder about what really happened, despite her drama on the floor after her green not red voting exercise.
In any case this is the second time the Governor vetoed the bill from the legislators and sent them back to make a change. And today Carney’s vote has created the opportunity for the fracking industry to exploit North Carolina just as they have in PA, OH and so many western states.
Maybe voters in NC should ask tired Carney to take a break and let someone else take on the tiring effort of working past 11 o’clock in the evening and voting responsibly.