The Raleigh Report
From the Office of Cullie Tarleton
February 2, 2009
The General Assembly returned to session last week to begin our work, and there is much to do. In the coming months, we will work to improve the state’s economic health, further reform the mental health system and address much needed transportation projects, among other things.
As is tradition, after taking the oath of office, we elected our leaders in the House on the opening day of session and we are now waiting for our committee assignments. As I’ve said before, in my initial meetings with Speaker Hackney I’ve basically asked to stay on the Committees I served on in the last session. Soon after that, our committees will begin in earnest to consider the legislation that is already being filed. A number of bills were filed last week and I have some that’ll be filed this week including money for Horn in the West as well as an appropriation to build two additional Family Assistance Centers for our military families, especially our National Guard families. I’ll have more to say next week about other bills I’m filing.
Thank you again to all of you for your support as we begin this session. I look forward to working with you and hope you will call on me if I can be of any assistance.
Leadership
House Speaker Joe Hackney was re-elected to a second term as leader of the House of Representatives with my support. Speaker Hackney led our chamber through a difficult period last session and this time we are confident his leadership will help us as we prepare a budget for next year in the face of the nation’s economic challenges. This is a link to the Speaker’s website if you’d like to read a full text of his opening speech. (www.joehackney.com). Speaker Hackney represents Chatham, Orange and Moore counties. He is a lawyer and a cattle farmer and is in his 29th year in the House.
In his acceptance speech, Speaker Hackney laid out the challenges and expectations for the legislature. Below are a few excerpts from his speech.
“Because public confidence is critical to our success, we will continue our emphasis on ethics so that it is clear we are acting in the public interest and not in our own self-interest.”
“We must maintain our state’s fiscal integrity. Economic conditions will require us to make painful choices about spending and cutting. Other states have mortgaged their lotteries, toll roads and their futures for quick-fix cash to address short-term needs. That is not the North Carolina way. As our Constitution requires, we will balance our budget."
“We must continue to invest in public education. Our children must be better prepared than ever to compete in the global economy. An excellent education is our expectation. We will continue to support innovative ways to prepare our children for the world.”
“We must continue to support and finance our community college system, for when times are tough our citizens are drawn to [community colleges] to gain knowledge and opportunity.”
“We must improve public safety; expand public transportation; invest in energy efficiency; and safeguard the rights and investments of our teachers and other state employees.”
I also supported Rep. William Wainwright for a second term as Speaker Pro Tempore in the House. Rep. Wainwright is a presiding elder in the AME Zion Church. He is in his 10th term in the House representing Craven and Lenoir counties.
Rep. Hugh Holliman had previously been elected Majority Leader for the House Democrats. Rep. Paul Stam will be the Minority Leader for the House Republicans. Speaker Hackney has estimated that he will have his committee appointments complete in about a week.
Budget
The latest budget projections estimate that revenue for this year will be between $1.8 billion and $2.2 billion short of the budgeted amount. The governor’s office will make cuts as necessary to account for that shortfall so that the state will end this fiscal year with a balanced budget. It remains too early to tell what adjustments we will have to next year’s budget because of the weak economy, both because the start of the next fiscal year is six months out and also because we are awaiting word about how a proposed federal stimulus package may help.
There is no doubt we will have to look for more efficiencies, as we have done in the past, and look for programs that may no longer be useful. My position is that programs not giving us maximum or near maximum bang for the buck should probably be discontinued. That’s how we did it in the private sector. Getting a balanced budget completed will be our most difficult task this session given our revenue shortfalls.
Bills
More than 40 bills were filed by lawmakers in the first two days of session. More than 20 bills have been filed in the House, and others have been filed in the Senate.
The bill that has garnered the most attention thus far is a bill (HB 2) that would prohibit smoking in public places and places of employment. The bill would also allow local governments to adopt local laws governing smoking within their jurisdictions that are more restrictive than the state law. I have co-sponsored this bill because I strongly support it. I expect to be actively involved in getting it passed this session. The dangers of second hand smoke are now indisputable.
Lawmakers also filed bills to prohibit cell phones in prisons (HB 8) and to prohibit texting while driving (HB 9). I co-sponsored the no texting while driving bill.
Notes
Former Insurance Commissioner Jim Long suffered a major stroke recently and remains in the hospital. I’m happy to report there is some good news as to his progress. He’s still in critical condition but there have been signs of improvement. He continues to need our prayers. Jim and his wife Peg have plans to retire to Ashe County where he already owns property.
NC Supreme Court Chief Justice Sarah Parker administered the oath of office to House members. As I did in 2006, I used my Masonic Bible to receive the oath. Almost 50 years ago, I took an oath as a Mason to serve God and mankind and I reaffirmed that oath as an N C House member again my Masonic Bible.
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