For the GOP-led General Assembly, there’s no common opponent

Republicans in the General Assembly seemed to do better at getting a budget passed on time when they had a common opponent.

In 2011, when the GOP first swept into power, controlling both chambers of the General Assembly, lawmakers not only passed a budget, but overrode Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue’s veto by June 15 of that year. In the 2012, the short session budget adjustment package passed the General Assembly on June 21, was vetoed by Perdue on June 29, and overriden on July 2.

Last year, with Republican Gov. Pat McCrory residing in the Executive Mansion, lawmakers were three weeks into the new fiscal year before they passed their budget. It was ratified on July 25, 2013, and signed by McCrory the next day.

In 2011 and 2012, legislative Republicans had a common opponent, a Democratic governor. Last year and this year, not so much.