Speaker Tillis facing a revolt among the troops | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's Note: This article originally appeared in the Beaufort Observer.

    House Speaker Thom Tillis is under siege. We have been reporting here that we continue to pick up rumors on Jones Street and from Administration operatives that there is a broad and deep resentment growing against Tillis' high-handed method of operating. Tillis is viewed by many as being domineering, autoctratic and condescending to other Legislators and staff. His arrogance showed recently in a state-wide conference when some Downeast Republican County Chairmen raised concern about H 983. Tillis rebutted some concerns by saying "we can afford to lose a few members..." and still keep the majority. Some of the county chairs had been trying to tell Tillis that they were detecting a rumble among the grassroots that the GOP legislature was not living up to its promises during the campaign. Tillis is reported to have dismissed those concern out of hand.

    Concerns have been expressed about Tillis becoming involved in local primaries, such as House District 6 where he was reported (by the candidate) to have endorsed Democrat-turned nominal Republican Arthur Williams against the wishes of many local grassroots activists. Rather than respect those party workers' position Tillis announced that there were other primaries he would likely get involved in, causing a major rift in the party loyalists.
NC House Speaker Thom Tillis speaking to a large delegation of North Carolina's county commissioners on may 22, 2013: Above.     photo by Stan Deatherage
    Many downeast believe that the imbroglio over ferry tolls can be traced back directly to Tillis. Reports are that he told some Piedmont legislators that it was "just tough if representatives from the coast got burned" by the ferry toll issue.

    The fact that Tillis is viewed as having run roughshod over a number of key bills that were banished to the Black Hole and never heard before "crossover deadline" has excerabated the disenchantment with Tillis and other key leaders. Tillis' team is reported to have used the "sandbagging" technique (killing bill without them ever being given a hearing in committee or brought to the floor for a vote in a much more cavalier manner than previous Speakers were reported to have done. Few will openly complain or criticize, with that fear and intimidation adding fuel to the fire. But the revolt appears to be picking up steam.

    Wednesday (5-21-13) one of the top leaders in the House, Finance Committee chair Rep. Robert Brawley, R-Iredell handed in his gavel and quit the leadership team. He read a letter on the House floor, which was published by WRAL-TV. You can read it by clicking here.

    Here's how WRAL reported the story:

    Longtime House lawmaker Rep. Robert Brawley, R-Iredell, handed back his Finance gavel Wednesday afternoon with a blistering public letter against fellow Republican House Speaker Thom Tillis.

    In his letter, read aloud during Wednesday's House session, Brawley says Tillis pressured him over House Bill 557, Brawley's bill to increase the territory area for local broadband provider MI Connections in Mooresville.

    "You slamming my office door shut, standing in front of me and stating that you have a business relationship with Time Warner," Brawley wrote. "MI Connections is being operated just as any other free enterprise system and should be allowed to do so without the restrictions placed on them by the proponents of Time Warner."

    H557 was referred to Government, which didn't take it up before crossover.

    Brawley also blames Tillis for blocking House Bill 245, his "little bill" to de-annex 23 acres near Troutman.

    Brawley said even though H245 had the mayor's backing, "You have controlled it completely, or your staff has, under the pretense we do not want to create conflicts with towns. Yet, we run all over Buncombe County and Asheville as if it is some kind of hero in the legislature taking care of things."

    Brawley also implies that Tillis is aware of unethical behavior by another lawmaker: "A Republican-led General Assembly passing a bill giving a monopoly to to the family of a Republican legislator. I am sure you know what I am referring to since all conversations I have had with anyone seem to lead back to you."

    The letter also accuses Tillis of changing his position on toll roads.

    Brawley writes that he is returning his Finance gavel "with a heavy heart and for these reasons."

    "I reserve the right to continue to represent my district and to fight for what I believe is American," Brawley writes. "I am sorry if you and I get caught up in a fight."

    Tillis spokesman Jordan Shaw said he had only just seen the letter, and had not attended a meeting between Tillis and Brawley before session, so he couldn't offer insight or reaction to Brawley's allegations.

    But he said Brawley's decision to step down from the leadership was "a mutual decision."

    "We have seventy-seven people in our caucus," Shaw said. "It's pretty clear we're going to have a difference of opinion occasionally."

    Shaw said it's unlikely Brawley will be replaced as Finance Chair, since the session is getting close to its conclusion.

    Brawley recently made headlines for saying the ethics law should be repealed to allow lobbyists to once again give lawmakers gifts or take them to dinner.

    He served nine terms in the state House from 1981 to 1998, when he retired. He returned to the House earlier this year.

    Insiders tell us that Brawley is not the only member of the leadership team that may be resigning if Tillis does not correct some of what they view to be autocratic decisions by both Tillis and certain members of his staff. None of those sources was willing to comment for attribution, so we'll just have to wait and see what happens.

    Stay tuned. We'll keep you posted.