NC House Speaker Thom Tillis kicks the people out of the second floor of the North Carolina General Assembly but lets his buddies from the Big Telco Mafia continue to hang out and buy votes. What’s he afraid of? That folks will see how Tillis is selling off our future to whichever corporation is the highest bidder?
Thom Tillis should be ashamed of himself. Is it any wonder the public takes such a dim view of our state legislators as a whole?
The protesters entered the building, forfeiting signs larger than 25 square inches, per the rules, and climbed the stairs to the second floor where they quietly lined the hallway from the speaker’s office to the House chamber. They said they wanted to make their presence known after few people witnessed last month’s impromptu late-night session.
Police greeted them on the second floor and cited the rule adopted Nov. 18, 1987, by the Legislative Services Commission, a now-defunct body. (The rule’s purpose is "to make visitors feel welcome and at the same time make it possible for the General Assembly to function effectively.")
Adam Sotak, the demonstration’s organizer, appeared baffled. "I’ve been coming here since 2000. I have never been told I can’t walk around the second floor," he told the police officer.
A group of suited men with Time Warner Cable badges clustered in front of Tillis’ door moments before the crowd arrived.
via Little-known House rule limits access to chamber – State – NewsObserver.com.