Today is the 60th legislative day of the 2011 session.  How are we doing on our 100 day plan to change North Carolina?  Below is the document that I personally shared in over 30 cities during the fall campaign entitled, “100 Days That Will Change North Carolina.”  Under that is an update and accounting of where we are on those legislative initiatives that we took to the people.  Please send me your grade (A – F) on our progress so far.

We hear from the media. They do not like it.  We hear from left-wing groups and the Democratic Party.  They are squalling and howling.  But they are not the ones who elected us to do our job. The voters will give us a final grade in November 2012.  But I would like your grade at the end of the first semester so we know if we are on track to reduce the size and scope of state government and to establish justice.

In addition to the 10 items on this list we have accomplished a lot and have plans to do much more:

Redistricting is well underway and will be voted on in June.  The Governor cannot veto redistricting.  A tax credit for children with special needs (HB 344) has passed the House Education Committee and is on its way.  The Woman’s Right to Know Bill (HB 854) has been heard in Judiciary B Committee and will be acted on soon.  A significant annexation reform bill has passed the Rules Committee and will be in Finance Committee this week and on to the House floor (HB 845).  A balanced medical malpractice reform package has passed the House and is now in conference with the Senate (SB 33).  Another tort reform package (HB 542) will soon be on the House Floor.

Sincerely,

Rep. Paul Stam

House Majority Leader

North Carolina’s state government must reduce costs and regulation on business, large and small, so that they can create jobs and prosperity.

If the people of North Carolina entrust Republicans with a majority in the General Assembly on November 2, 2010, we commit to govern the State by focusing on these priorities:

1.  Years of overspending by Democrats have given North Carolina the highest tax rates in the Southeast and a budget deficit of at least $3 billion; we will balance the State budget without raising tax rates.

2.  High taxes are killing jobs. We will make our tax rates competitive with other states.

Within the first 100 days you will see us:

3.  Passing The Healthcare Freedom Protection Act, exempting North Carolinians from the job-killing, liberty-restricting mandates of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obama Care).

4.  Fighting to protect jobs by keeping our Right to Work laws.

5.  Reducing the regulatory burden on small business.

6.  Funding education in the classroom, not the bureaucracy.

7.  Eliminating the cap on charter schools.

8.  Passing the Honest Election Act, requiring a valid photo ID to vote.

9.  Passing the Eminent Domain constitutional amendment to protect private property rights.

10.  Ending pay-to-play politics and restore honesty and integrity to state government.

100 Day Plan Update – Legislative Day 60

1.  Budget Responsibilities

• • The House passed a fact-based and balanced budget with no tax rate increases or borrowing on Wednesday, May 4th.  Despite claims to the contrary, real cuts in state spending proposed in the House budget (in education spending) are between 5% – 6%.

• • This fulfills their first two promises to the people of North Carolina:  A balanced budget and a budget that does not raise tax rates.  The budget discontinues temporary sales, personal income and corporate tax rate increases, which makes North Carolina more competitive with surrounding states and puts $1.4 Billion dollars back into family budgets.

2.  Protect Health Care Freedom Act

• • HB 2, protects North Carolinians from the “individual mandate” in the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), passed the House and Senate and was sent to the Governor.  She Vetoed the bill.  Republican leaders will submit an Amicus Curiae (Friend of the Court) brief to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.

3.  North Carolina is a Right-to-Work state.  Republicans will continue to support laws that secure the right of employees to decide for themselves whether or not to join a union.  We will stop SB 386.

4.  Reducing regulatory burden on small business.

• • Both House and Senate members have proposed legislation to limit the financial burden of regulation on businesses.

1. 1. 1. Senate Bill 22 – An act to limit new agency regulatory requirements that result in substantial additional costs.  SB 22 passed both the Senate and House and was signed into law by the Governor on March 25, 2011.
      2. House Bill 162 – An act to exempt certain activities related to small-scale processing of agricultural products from wastewater permit requirements.  The bill passed the House and Senate and was signed by the Governor on April 19, 2011.
      3. House Bill 237 – An act to require economic impact statements on all bills that propose regulatory changes.  The bill is before the Committee on Commerce and Job Development.
      4. House Bill 323 – An act to reduce the corporate income tax rate in North Carolina from 6.9% to 4.75%.  HB 323will be considered this week.

• • The Joint Select Committee on Regulatory Reform held six meetings across the state beginning in Wilmington on March 11th. They heard suggestions from the public concerning burdensome regulations on individuals and business. The Joint Committee will meet on May 18thto consider potential legislation.

5.  The balanced budget passed by the House fully funds the teachers in the classroom, not the bureaucracy.

6.  Senate Bill 8 entitled, “No Cap on Number of Charter Schools” passed the House on Monday evening, by a vote of 68 – 51.  SB 8 received unanimous support from House Republicans and one courageous Democrat.  Charter school legislation is now in conference with the Senate.   Representatives Stam, Samuelson and Brandon are House conferees to work with Senators Stevens, Graham and Soucek.

7.  House Election Law Committee has held several committee meetings on HB 351, titled “Restore Confidence in Government.” The bill requires voters to provide photo ID before voting and allows more flexibility when applying for absentee ballots.  HB 351 passed the Election Law committee and is now before the House Appropriations Committee.

8.  The House and Senate have each introduced bills proposing a Constitutional Amendment that will protect private property rights.  House Bill 8 titled, “Eminent Domain” passed the full House on a vote of 98 to 18 and now moves to the Senate.

9.  House Republicans introduced HB 139 entitled, “Limit Contributions by State Vendors” as a measure to discourage pay-to-play politics in North Carolina. The bill seeks to limit the campaign contributions of state vendors to Council of State offices with which they hold contracts.  HB 139 passed through Elections Committee and will soon be considered by the full Judiciary Committee.