[00:00:07.040] [overlapping voices] [00:00:19.920] Your taxes, your children's education, [00:00:23.560] the roads you drive on, are determined here. [00:00:27.680] This is the heart of state government. [00:00:30.920] The heart beat is words. [00:00:31.200] For every one written, [00:00:35.440] thousands are spoken. [00:00:37.760] They are your words, your neighbor's words. [00:00:40.840] For you selected the men who are your spokesmen. [00:00:44.480] Few legislative bodies have so much [00:00:46.400] authority as the one that sits here, the North Carolina General Assembly. [00:00:52.160] This is the only state legislature that cannot be vetoed by a governor. [00:00:57.200] In fact, [00:00:58.360] little can be done by state officials and agencies, [00:01:01.640] by county or municipal governments, without approval of the legislature. [00:01:11.200] Visitors will [?] [00:01:12.920] The members will please take their seats. [00:01:16.240] Stand, while we're lead in prayer by house chaplain Alfonso Jordan. [00:01:25.320] Our heavenly Father, [00:01:26.720] we pray thy blessings upon the servants [00:01:30.040] of the people as they need [speech fades out]. [00:01:32.200] The setting is modern, [00:01:34.360] but the General Assembly runs on ancient tradition. [00:01:37.830] Its members are enmeshed in a web [00:01:39.680] of protocol, courtesies, and formal rules of order. [00:01:44.480] To the layman, it's all perplexity. [00:01:48.000] Amen. [00:01:49.560] Put yourself in the shoes of a freshman representative, [00:01:53.110] a legislator beginning his first term of office. [00:01:57.480] It was a complete new experience for me. [00:02:01.280] I didn't know exactly the functions of the legislature, [00:02:04.320] the formality that we followed. [00:02:06.600] And it was quite new and quite different. [00:02:08.800] It sort of reminded me of the first day that I went to school— [00:02:11.720] all new and all different and all complex and confusing. [00:02:18.120] Is any discussion, any debate [00:02:19.760] if not, those in favor let it known by saying "aye." [00:02:20.357] Aye. [00:02:23.240] Those no? [silence] [00:02:21.986] The ayes have it [00:02:23.520] so ordered without objection, the resolution will be read a third time. [00:02:25.880] Take a seat in the visitors gallery. [00:02:28.440] Perhaps you'll expect to hear a great debate. [00:02:30.960] High flying oratory from today's John C. Calhouns, [00:02:34.760] Daniel Websters, and Charles Brentley Aycocks. [00:02:38.600] But more likely, you will witness this: [00:02:41.240] House Bill Number 194 [00:02:42.840] introduced by Representative Dolly [?] to amend Section 13 [00:02:47.960] of Chapter 504 of the 1961 session laws of North Carolina [00:02:49.920] so as to place the Town of Dallas under most the provisions of Article 3, [00:02:53.920] Chapter 160 of the general stature of North Carolina General Assembly, [00:02:54.720] General Assembly of North Carolina to enact. [00:02:57.240] Any discussion, any debate? [00:03:00.000] This is the way many bills are passed. [00:03:03.800] The legislators don't even seem to pay attention. [00:03:07.400] But this stage is only a formality. [00:03:09.920] The real work already has been done. [00:03:14.200] To the ladies and gentlemen [00:03:15.800] in the galleries, and particularly school children, [00:03:19.040] several local bills have been passed and passed in a pretty rapid order. [00:03:24.200] Each of these bills, [00:03:25.800] when they were introduced, was sent to a particular committee [00:03:30.560] and that particular committee gave careful consideration to the bill [00:03:35.120] and then it was reported back to the House with a favorable report. [00:03:39.020] And favorable means that they thought the bill was good, that it was in order [00:03:43.760] And on the desk of each of the members here [00:03:46.320] is a copy of the bill. [00:03:48.320] And also on the desk of each of the members is a calendar [00:03:52.000] showing the legislation which has been taken up today. [00:03:55.600] And each member had the opportunity [00:03:57.680] to study each bill very carefully to know exactly what is going on. [00:04:01.900] And if any member had wanted to object [00:04:04.000] to any of these bills, they had the right and the privilege to do so. [00:04:08.600] The formal daily sessions seldom last even two hours. [00:04:13.760] The shirtsleeve work of lawmaking is done by committees— [00:04:16.800] fifty in the House, [00:04:19.200] thirty-five in the Senate. [00:04:22.040] When bills are introduced, [00:04:24.040] the presiding officer refers them to the proper committee for study. [00:04:34.640] House bill [audio skip]. Introduced by [00:04:35.520] Mr. Jones and others. A bill to bill [?] appropriate [00:04:39.440] twenty-five million dollars of the funds of [00:04:39.720] the State of North Carolina for the public school buildings and facilities of the state as they need. [00:04:44.120] The same shall be determined by the State Board of Education. [00:04:47.440] Education. [00:04:48.371] [overlapping voices] [00:04:58.480] Tempers are more likely to get hot in committee than on the chamber floor. [00:05:02.214] When they do, [00:05:04.440] a committee chairman finds himself sitting on a powder keg. [00:05:08.720] This chairman explains what it's like. [00:05:12.240] It's not too pleasant, [00:05:13.640] but on the other hand, it's not too bad because the chairman always realizes that [00:05:19.560] it's the issue that is at stake and not himself. [00:05:23.080] For instance, [00:05:23.440] I hold no grudge. [00:05:26.240] I'm not mad at anyone. [00:05:28.600] Mr. Chairman, [00:05:31.880] may I inquire please sir about a matter of procedure? [00:05:33.000] You surely may. [00:05:34.186] You mean to say that, what the chair means to say, [00:05:34.186] is that this committee is powerless to do anything except what you say it shall do? [00:05:34.196] I just asked you that question. [00:05:43.657] The ruling has been, and the ruling is [00:05:43.657] that we shall dispose of these amendments before we take up any further amendments, sir. [00:05:54.920] In other words, [overlapping voices]. [00:05:53.671] You may overrule me by a two-thirds majority. [00:05:55.610] There's no way to adjourn this meeting. [00:05:57.760] You may overrule me by a two-thirds majority at any time. [00:06:00.271] I say there's no way to adjourn - [00:06:01.920] You may overrule me at any time by a two-thirds majority [00:06:07.920] Will the gentleman take a seat, please? [00:06:10.320] In most committee meetings [00:06:11.360] the mood is one of calm deliberation. [00:06:13.357] Here, [00:06:14.920] discussion of a bill concerning automobiles that pass stopped school buses. [00:06:25.040] The reason our children [?] getting on and off school buses [00:06:25.040] are just sitting ducks, because it would go around the school bus. [00:06:27.140] Few bills got by committee without [00:06:29.040] suggested changes known in legislative language as amendments. [00:06:34.880] On controversial bills [00:06:35.940] a public hearing will likely be called before a decision is made. [00:06:41.360] Violates provisions of this section [fades out]. [00:06:43.400] A favorable committee report normally assures passage for any minor bill. [00:06:49.320] An unfavorable report usually assigns it [00:06:51.840] to a kind of limbo known as unfavorable calendar, where it dies. [00:06:56.314] Aye! [00:06:57.920] House Bill Number 46 introduced [00:06:59.720] by Representative Bonson to [?] [00:07:04.040] amend 20-141 to authorize the State Highway Commission to designate [voice fades out]. [00:07:06.280] Bills that are reported favorably [00:07:08.680] go on the regular calendar. [00:07:10.840] Amendments other than those recommended [00:07:13.560] by committees, can still be offered from the floor and frequently are, [00:07:19.080] but no major bill is passed without some speech making. [00:07:23.200] It will come at this point. [00:07:25.200] Seventeen states now have limits of seventy or above. [00:07:31.000] There have been some who said we should go to seventy. [00:07:34.080] I think sixty-five may be fast enough at this time. [00:07:37.800] One thing that has worried some people is [00:07:42.080] thinking that speed is the only trouble with some of our accident rates. [00:07:48.040] We all know that excessive speed [00:07:50.200] on the highways of this state contributes to accidents, [00:07:53.480] not only contributes to accidents, but in many cases causes accidents. [00:07:57.480] The question is to pass the bill on his third reading, [?]. [00:08:02.800] [?] North Carolina to enact. [00:08:04.200] Any discussion? [00:08:05.520] If not those, those in favor of passing the bill on third reading let be known saying, "aye." [00:08:10.600] Aye. [00:08:10.157] Those no? [00:08:11.014] No. [00:08:13.920] The ayes seem to have it. The ayes have it. The bill has [voice fades out]. [00:08:16.640] This bill has now cleared its first hurdle. [00:08:18.440] Before a bill can become law [00:08:20.580] it must receive the same treatment [00:08:22.480] and scrutiny in the Senate as it had in the House. [00:08:27.520] Neither chamber is superior to the other. [00:08:30.600] Bills can originate in either one, but they must be passed in identical form by both. [00:08:38.280] Forty-four senators having voted in the affirmative and none in the negative. [00:08:42.160] The bill is passed its third reading to be sent to this House. [00:08:46.520] The senator from Robeson is recognized. [00:08:48.960] Mr. [?], I'd like to move that bill be sent by special messenger to the house, please sir. [00:08:53.515] Senator from Robeson moves that the [voice fades out]. [00:08:55.880] It's the old theory that two heads are better than one, or more properly, [00:08:59.760] the time honored American tradition of checks and balances. [00:09:05.400] House Bill Number 118 introduced Representative Williamson of Brunswick. [00:09:08.920] These decisions fall on the shoulders [00:09:11.080] of a hundred seventy men and women— [00:09:13.671] fifty in the Senate, a hundred twenty in the House of Representatives. [00:09:18.440] The many senators that favor the passage of the bill [00:09:23.160] on its second reading will, when their names are called, vote aye. [00:09:23.760] Seats in both Senate and House are apportioned on the basis of population. [00:09:29.680] Every county has at least one representative. [00:09:33.600] Most senators represent districts of more than one county. [00:09:38.160] Invitation of the people of the mountains to come hold a session and visit west of the Blue Ridge. [00:09:41.800] Whereas the land of Daniel Boone [00:09:43.720] and Zebulon Vance, of Thomas Wolfe, and [?]. [00:09:46.960] Of the Trail of Tears in the [?], of Maggie Valley, and Craggy Gardens. [00:09:52.320] Of sourwood, honey, and rainbow trout. Of homespun folk song. [00:09:55.650] The happy land west of the Blue Ridge calls to members of this General Assembly [00:09:59.800] as it does to all North Carolinians, saying, "Y'all come!" [00:10:04.880] The big decisions may not be made in the legislative building at all [00:10:10.200] but in a Raleigh hotel— [00:10:12.280] the lawmaker's home away from home. [00:10:16.520] Members with favorite bills do their most [00:10:18.840] effective work right here, lining up support. [00:10:27.040] The General Assembly meets every other year. [00:10:30.560] The members must spend four to five months in Raleigh [00:10:34.080] while they dispose of the business before them. [00:10:36.329] [overlapping voices] [00:10:42.280] Upstairs in the hotel, opposing factions work out a compromise [00:10:47.040] during the wee hours over cold coffee cups and spilling ashtrays. [00:10:52.483] [overlapping voices] [00:10:56.080] There they can attack the problem in a relaxed fashion. [00:10:59.400] [music] [00:11:04.120] And in this setting, too, the lobbyist does some of his most important work. [00:11:10.160] He is as much a part of the legislative scene as are the legislators. [00:11:15.200] Professional lobbyists have taken part [00:11:17.600] in far more sessions than the younger lawmakers. [00:11:21.360] Some of them formerly were legislators [00:11:24.200] who don't want to leave the legislative scene. [00:11:26.629] [music] [00:11:29.960] Many groups have an interest in legislation. [00:11:33.600] Most of them are trade associations. [00:11:37.280] A lobbyist, however, can represent a single company. [00:11:41.520] All paid lobbyists must register and report expenses. [00:11:46.720] Nearly seventy were registered for the 1963 session, [00:11:51.160] some of them representing more than one group. [00:11:53.771] [music] [00:12:02.480] There is a rather candid approach that I like and I find very helpful [00:12:07.760] where the lobbyist says to the member, [00:12:10.760] "My clients are interested in a particular bill, [00:12:13.440] and we would like to express our views and [00:12:17.120] like for you to ask any questions." [00:12:19.160] And I've been out with lobbyists for dinner [00:12:22.160] and stayed for six hours asking them. [00:12:25.840] And we'd talk about nothing but the particular matters that the lobbyist is interested in, [00:12:32.040] to cross-examine him, [00:12:33.400] to get an opportunity to see the strengths and weaknesses of his client's positions. [00:12:38.480] I think in general, they're helpful to us because there are so many bills. [00:12:42.480] We can't possibly garner all the information about all of them, that we'd like to have. [00:12:47.800] A unfair lobbyist could come to you and say, "Well, now, [00:12:50.400] if you don't support my bill, the one I have an interest in, [00:12:54.640] then I'm gonna do so and so to a bill that you have an interest in." [00:13:00.100] I'm very thankful to say that I've never known that to happen to me personally in the legislature. [00:13:04.000] And I think all people have a right to be heard, [00:13:06.200] and that's quite often their only means of doing it. [00:13:09.280] Trade association, educational groups, [00:13:13.240] the allied church leagues, [00:13:14.480] any group of people that you want to think of in North Carolina. [00:13:17.440] The farm groups, [00:13:18.760] they have a right to be heard. [00:13:20.720] The textile manufacturers. [00:13:22.720] They have people trying to prevent the pollution of our rivers, [00:13:27.520] to build our education, to provide employment opportunities [00:13:31.720] for people who are being pushed off our farms. [00:13:35.560] The lobby is the state pushing the legislature. [00:13:40.480] And when people talk about pressure, [00:13:43.400] pressure is what the legislature needs. [00:13:47.800] Not the single, selfish pressure, [00:13:52.380] but the pressure of a whole people on their government. [00:13:56.840] State officials and agency heads also lobby for their programs. [00:14:01.760] The State Motor Vehicles Commissioner, [00:14:03.640] for instance, is boosting stricter laws for highway safety. [00:14:08.000] University President Bill Friday is another frequent visitor. [00:14:12.400] These state officials make use of the same tactics as the hired professionals. [00:14:18.730] We have, for instance [00:14:20.080] now, the Agriculture Department's [00:14:22.200] so-called buttermilk room where legislators are invited in the hotel [00:14:26.960] to come and have sweet milk, buttermilk, orange juice, and cookies, [00:14:32.040] to discuss with the Agriculture Department its problems, its needs. [00:14:38.080] I think this is good. [00:14:40.800] Actually, the most [00:14:43.360] serious lobbyists are not people out in the lobby. [00:14:48.640] They sit in the seats of senators and representatives [00:14:52.880] and there they represent [00:14:56.440] a cause, a corporation, an interest. [00:15:01.640] The state governor himself has a legislative leg man. [00:15:05.440] He is known as the governor's legislative counsel. [00:15:08.700] And from his office in the legislative building, [00:15:11.200] he guides the governor's programs through the labyrinth. [00:15:15.880] The major part of my work is really one of coordination [00:15:20.360] and not [00:15:22.000] so much influence in the vote. [00:15:24.960] But the lack of veto power on the part of the governor does require that I stay [00:15:30.880] pretty close to all legislation that he's interested in. [00:15:34.480] And we just can't have any slip ups because if a bill is [00:15:38.800] not passed or gets an unfavorable report, then of course, you're just through [00:15:43.800] as far as that particular legislation is concerned. [00:15:47.560] Lindsay Warren, Senior, retired after forty years in both state and national legislative branches, [00:15:54.480] an elder statesmen of North Carolina. [00:15:59.600] Although North Carolina is the only state in the Union [00:16:02.000] that does not have the veto power, [00:16:06.200] I think it's proven [00:16:08.600] very salutary [00:16:11.400] and, in fact, [00:16:13.840] has strengthened the government. [00:16:16.000] Actually, I feel that [00:16:18.000] the diversity of North Carolina is perhaps as wide or wider than in any other state. [00:16:22.920] And I think, therefore, [00:16:23.760] the feeling from the people should be stronger in the laws enacted. [00:16:27.800] And we accomplish this [00:16:29.040] by the General Assembly having the ultimate say so in the matter. [00:16:34.600] The work of the General Assembly begins when the governor delivers his biannual and [00:16:40.240] budget messages at the start of every session. [00:16:45.560] We need to redistrict the Senate. [00:16:47.840] It's just that simple. [00:16:49.080] The Constitution requires it. [00:16:51.240] So we need to get on with the job. [00:16:54.120] We need to concern ourselves with our insurance laws [00:16:58.120] North Carolina is known as [voice fades out]. [00:16:59.760] His remarks set the tone for the entire session. [00:17:03.880] The major bills are based upon his lengthy and carefully considered outlines. [00:17:11.320] Adoption of a budget is a major job every session. [00:17:16.040] The details spill over into many volumes. [00:17:19.800] The budget is prepared by the Joint Appropriations Committee. [00:17:24.400] It's a monumental undertaking. [00:17:26.680] North Carolina's state government carries a price tag of almost a billion dollars a year [00:17:33.000] from road building programs to rehabilitation of criminals, [00:17:38.400] to expansion of state colleges and universities. [00:17:42.330] The money bills are among the first [00:17:44.280] introduced and among the last bills passed before adjournment. [00:17:49.120] The committees that consider them are so important [00:17:52.320] every senator and representative serves [00:17:54.760] either on the spending committee or the financing committee. [00:17:58.960] The chairmanships of these groups carry the most prestige and the most headaches. [00:18:06.360] The legislative machinery seldom bogs down in partisan politics. [00:18:11.760] Members of the General Assembly are [00:18:13.760] overwhelmingly Democrats, but Republican members can play important roles. [00:18:20.240] When we oppose a measure that's introduced by the administration [00:18:24.640] it's our role and duty, I think, to [00:18:27.400] let the public know through the news media and through our speeches [00:18:31.960] on the floor of the House, and in committee, why we oppose them. [00:18:36.520] And we have another important role, too, which people sometimes overlook, [00:18:41.440] and that is to introduce and sponsor legislation which we feel [00:18:48.120] is to the best interest of the people of the state. [00:18:50.680] That is, legislation that hadn't been introduced by the administration or [00:18:55.120] legislation that is contrary to its way of thinking. [00:18:58.640] The other purpose that the minority party, [00:19:03.240] serves, I think, is because we are rather small, [00:19:06.640] we are a cohesive group, pretty well. [00:19:10.240] And quite often we have close votes [00:19:12.720] because of the factionalism that exists in the Democratic Party. [00:19:18.280] Find often that they is a close vote [00:19:20.160] on major issues and the minority party serves as a swing vote. [00:19:26.114] [music] [00:19:48.240] The legislators by in large are the people. They represent them, [00:19:52.800] they go home, [00:19:54.120] they move with them. [00:19:55.206] [music] [00:20:01.440] Our legislators pour out of this town every Friday. [00:20:02.760] They don't come back til Monday night. [00:20:05.280] And there are folks around them all the time when they are at home. [00:20:09.900] [music] [00:20:43.920] A weekend exodus provides no letup from the legislative pace. [00:20:49.390] The moments the lawmaker has with his [00:20:51.440] family, or his personal business, are precious. [00:20:56.080] And if people don't come to him, he must seek them out. [00:21:00.200] There are local matters to be discussed with municipal and county officials. [00:21:06.820] Roy, you mentioned a while ago your license pay. [00:21:09.520] Often it's his handling of local matters that determines whether a legislator is [00:21:14.760] reelected, no matter how he votes on statewide measures. [00:21:21.200] What do you think of that, [?]? [00:21:23.400] Well, we all holler that we like a government on the local level. [00:21:27.680] We don't like it centralized in Raleigh or in Washington. [00:21:30.480] And yet a great many of our counties come to the General Assembly with everything [00:21:34.040] from pay raises for the Register of Deeds to transferring one [00:21:40.160] little item from one department to another. [00:21:45.120] Few people work under greater outside pressures than the lawmaker. [00:21:50.360] He has so many people to please— [00:21:53.040] garden clubs, theatre groups, history buffs. [00:21:56.960] Every group and community with a project [00:21:59.400] wants his time, his ear, and his vote. [00:22:03.480] Where does he draw the line? [00:22:06.720] I think most of us operate under pressure. [00:22:08.920] We're used to operating under pressure and the only thing that would bother me is [00:22:13.840] when I'm not sure whether I'm right or not. [00:22:18.040] It's a combination of factors. [00:22:22.400] The [00:22:24.000] approach to government that you like to see, [00:22:27.320] the [00:22:28.640] bent toward conservatism or liberalism [00:22:31.080] in particular, feels that you would like to see followed in the state. [00:22:36.080] The things that you genuinely feel will promote the community that you live in. [00:22:42.600] And when you couple with that, the [00:22:46.200] exhilaration of being a part of the [00:22:50.360] government, [00:22:53.120] it seems to me that you have just about [00:22:55.840] all of the motivating factors. Which is more important? [00:22:59.440] I don't know. [00:23:00.240] Some days I ask myself wryly, why in the world did I ever do it? [00:23:05.486] [music] [00:23:22.600] The five domed legislative building is the first designed for use exclusively [00:23:29.080] by the legislative branch of a state government. [00:23:33.200] It houses one of the nation's oldest legislative bodies. [00:23:38.040] The first General Assembly met under [00:23:40.640] an oak tree on a Pasquotank County creek bank in 1665, [00:23:46.520] a century before the First Continental Congress convened. [00:23:51.400] One of its first acts [00:23:53.360] was a resolution declaring that members should wear shoes, if not stockings, [00:23:59.240] during the session. [00:24:00.514] [music] [00:24:04.840] Contrast that first colonial assembly [00:24:08.320] with those of today dealing with budgets of nearly two billion dollars. [00:24:13.406] [music] [00:24:26.600] Until 1963, the lawmakers assembled in the state capital built in 1840. [00:24:34.040] It still houses the offices [00:24:35.640] of the governor, secretary of state, and state treasurer. [00:24:40.343] [music] [00:24:43.920] Rich in the traditions of the state, the capital remains a cherished landmark. [00:24:49.686] [music] [00:24:58.920] But in its cramped and crowded chambers, [00:25:01.840] the business of the legislature became unworkable. [00:25:10.560] We told the architect that we wanted a building which would not [00:25:16.560] be out of character for a classic building, [00:25:19.280] but we wanted to be modern and modernly functional. [00:25:24.800] And we think the architect achieved that in this design. [00:25:28.680] And this is a monumental building. [00:25:30.880] And we, of course, were building a building to last a hundred years. [00:25:35.200] I have yet to hear any citizen criticize [00:25:38.120] this building who has been inside the building and [00:25:41.800] realizes how it was programmed, [00:25:44.320] how it was designed, how functional it is, and particularly [00:25:50.120] recognize the fact that it is not only [00:25:53.120] extremely functional, but it is beautiful in every sense. [00:26:00.840] State legislatures are often criticized, [00:26:04.560] yet as they have been since this land was settled. [00:26:07.960] They are the wellspring of state law and opinion. [00:26:11.520] They give the voter close and vital access to the lawmaking process. [00:26:16.160] How does North Carolina's legislature compare with those in other states? [00:26:22.760] Of course we look to the government for leadership. [00:26:28.280] Most of the governors give that leadership. [00:26:32.200] But after all, [00:26:35.520] it could only be put into effect [00:26:38.640] by the legislature. [00:26:39.920] A lot of individual irresponsibility is sometimes encountered, [00:26:43.440] but as a body, [00:26:46.240] I think it has shown remarkable competence and remarkable responsibility. [00:26:51.640] Well, North Carolina is a very distinct state. [00:26:55.640] Years ago, someone said that it was [00:26:58.000] the veil of humility between two mountains of conceit, [00:27:02.680] but those two mountains are different, as North Carolina is. [00:27:06.840] Once I went up into Virginia and was almost chased out by a governor named [00:27:11.960] [?], almost as if he had a cudgel like fry up [00:27:15.520] [?] because I said that Virginia was the cradle and the grave of democracy. [00:27:21.360] And I went to South Carolina where my wife's people come from. [00:27:25.600] And when we came back, I said, [00:27:28.000] "I find there are only two kinds of South Carolinians. [00:27:31.280] One kind never has worn shoes and the other kind [00:27:35.240] makes you feel that you never have worn shoes." [00:27:38.400] North Carolina is a state between a simple people, stout and strong, [00:27:44.520] and I think our legislature is a legislature of such a state. [00:27:48.543] [music]