One of the most commonly heard phrases in Raleigh these days is “no choice,” as in state lawmakers have no choice but to slash the budgets of public schools and human services to address the state's $3.7 billion budget shortfall next year.

Most of the new Republican leaders in next year's House and Senate have “no choiced” us often in the last few weeks, repeatedly saying there's no alternative to deep budget cuts and a downsizing of state government.

Some have even admitted that their no-choice plan may not be widely embraced. Incoming House Minority Leader Paul Stam said he expects the Republican budget plan to be unpopular and Speaker-to-be Thom Tillis has said he expects to hear sad stories of people losing important services as lawmakers cut and slash and cut some more under their no-choice banner.

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