The SweetTarte Deal

by | May 31, 2018 | Features, The Kovach Corner | 3 comments

After poring over the 250+ page budget released late Monday, a special funding scheme came to light which funneled $200,000 to a particular senate district in Charlotte. Jeff Tarte, whose newly reconfigured district pits him in perhaps the most competitive senate race in the state, will be able to bolster his reelection chances by touting the money he’s bringing back to schools in his district.

Democrats were quick to assign a moniker to the debacle: the SweetTarte deal. Keenly aware of his imperiled reelection bid, the GOP chose to push his district money for “school supplies” through the nonprofit DonorsChoose, even though the district contains relatively affluent schools. Although many of the schools in the state sorely need more funding, the GOP-led General Assembly chose instead to shovel an inordinate amount to a senator they need to maintain their supermajority.

The nonprofit, DonorsChoose, has chosen not to accept the money. Their statement on Twitter reads:

We’re grateful to Senator Tarte for looking to support students and teachers in his district. But other districts (including those with more students from low-income households) would not receive such support, which makes this budget provision feel against the spirit of our mission to fight education inequity and to serve where the need is greatest.

It says a lot about the circumstances of this deal that a nonprofit would refuse the money, but it also points to the true issue at heart: the GOP thinks that they can bribe teachers by selectively increasing funding in certain districts. Some Republicans, of course, have resorted to criticizing Democrats who have questioned this move. “Why,” they asked, “would you oppose sending more money for school supplies to this district? Do you not want to help teachers and students?” “Of course,” Democrats replied, “That’s why Governor Cooper proposed additional funding statewide instead of in a single, competitive district.”

That’s too difficult a line of reasoning, I suppose. Money across the state is better than money in a single district? Groundbreaking. Senator Berger said that “I thought that significant raises for teachers and state employees would be something that could unite members in this chamber. But apparently not. What is happening on the back row is about politics.” Again, my problem with their process is not their iron grip on power — of course they can do what they want with the budget. It is the clear disdain they have for the rest of the North Carolinians shut out of the process that irks me. Were the budget prepared in the normal way, Democrats could propose amendments which would have been better than what the Republicans offer. Instead, it’s all or nothing. What a pitiful way to run things.

One paragraph from the N&O article sums up the entire story:

“I assume that’s the re-elect Jeff Tarte provision of the budget,” Jeter replied to a reporter’s query about the DonorsChoose list. Jeter, a Republican, says Tarte and state Rep. John Bradford, R-Cornelius, recently asked him for a list of all CMS schools in their electoral districts, which Jeter provided.

You would think they might at least try to be subtle, but alas. Why not increase the budget for school supplies statewide, so that students who really need the help can get it? It’s because not every (gerrymandered) district is as competitive as Jeff Tarte’s.

3 Comments

  1. Scott Lovett

    Also: Kudos to DonorsChoose!!

  2. Scott Lovett

    Republicans are truly devious and will do ANYTHING to maintain their grip on power. I feel that their many & varied attempts to control the levers of power throughout this once great nation are a threat to our very survival. The only responsible way to prevent this is to VOTE!!!!

  3. bobby h griffin

    The public, with Trump in full control and the leaders of the NC Senate and House in “lockstep” have inoculated the public from the truth; a powerful serum that they have used “nonstop” and have made acceptable!

    So, my Anson friend, keep preaching the truth so we can eventually overcome!

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