Rep. Becky Carney, a five-term Democrat from Charlotte, claims that she accidentally pushed the wrong button in a marathon legislative session and opened up the state to fracking.
She actually burst into tears over the vote when she voted with Republicans against Governor Bev Perdue’s veto.
The measure lifts the ban on the use of hydraulic fracturing as a means of mining for natural gas.
She did try and ask that rules be suspended to change her vote, but was shot down. Her vote and her vote alone ended up determining the final outcome. While she had voted and lobbied against it previously, she said, “It feels rotten. It’s a very heavy responsibility because I just feel like the state is not ready.”
By the way, Ms. Carney, though I don’t live in North Carolina, I want to thank you for you blunder, because by doing so you will help to decrease the cost of energy and provide jobs to people who did not have them before. In addition to these benefits, it will also give a boost to North Carolina’s economy. I know Democrats don’t like that, so for once I applaud your decision to do the right thing.
