REP. STAM’S 2009 – 2010 BILLS (UPDATED)(0)
Read legislation sponsored by Rep. Stam during the 2009 and 2010 sessions of the North Carolina House of Representatives.
Post archive for ‘Budget’
DEMOCRATS REFUSE TO CONFRONT IMPORTANT ISSUES(1)
The 2010 “short session” of the NC General Assembly is winding down with plenty of unfinished business. The Democratic leadership has refused to allow consideration of a number of important bills, primarily sponsored by Republicans.
Recent public opinion polls emphatically indicate North Carolina citizens resoundingly support these Republican initiatives. However, they have been refused a fair hearing in the legislature.
ELECTRONIC SWEEPSTAKES BAN CONSIDERED BY THE LEGISLATURE(0)
The General Assembly outlawed video poker in 2006, but an estimated 600 so-called “sweepstakes cafes or parlors” have been established all across North Carolina in the past year or so in an attempt to circumvent the ban on this gambling activity. Individual sweepstakes machines have also been located in various retail, restaurant and bar locations in the state.
NC LEADERS MAKE QUESTIONABLE DECISIONS ON HEALTH CARE(0)
Senate Republican Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) said, “At a time when North Carolinians are concerned about the future of their health care coverage, we cannot afford for the Governor or the Attorney General to be unengaged or reckless in their decision-making.
HOUSE REPUBLICAN BUDGET AMENDMENTS ADOPTED(2)
The North Carolina House of Representatives on Thursday adopted four significant amendments to SB 897, the 2010-2011 budget bill. These amendments, offered by Republican legislators, will eliminate unnecessary end-of-grade tests and provide funding to teachers for classroom supplies, prohibit the paying of “golden parachutes” to state employees who are terminated or leave their jobs; forbid the practice of allowing in-state tuition for out of state students, and allow funds from the NC Lottery to be distributed equally to charter and traditional public schools.
DEMOCRATS REJECT “TAX FAIRNESS IN EDUCATION” AMENDMENT(0)
On Thursday, June 3, 2010, the North Carolina House rejected, by a vote of 51 to 65, a procedural motion to allow the House to consider the education expense credit described below. Democratic leaders urged their colleagues to reject this annual savings to state and local government of $51 million.
TAX FAIRNESS IN EDUCATION – HOUSE BILL 1988(1)
Tax Fairness In Education – Benefits of Providing Parents with Choice. Learn more about how providing parents with choice will benefit our state government and our students.
ANEMIC PROPOSALS BY DEMOCRATS WON’T SOLVE UNEMPLOYMENT(2)
Senate and House Democrats have hyped their recent proposals to create jobs in North Carolina. These proposals leave much to be desired. None of them address the high rates of taxation which is the main problem. These initiatives are clearly designed more for cover than for real job creation.
HOW TO FIX NORTH CAROLINA, A SPEECH DELIVERED BY PAUL STAM(8)
But first, there is a rhetorical device making the rounds that Republicans are a tribal party of “no”, while Democrats are statesmen who make tough choices and provide solutions. This rhetorical device was first set to rhyme and music by the Beatles:
“You say ‘yes’, I say ‘no’, You say ‘why’, I say ‘I don’t know.’”
But does this rhetoric translate into reality. In 2006 when Speaker Black was in the chair my red light went out. On every vote that day I had to stand up and wave at the Clerk when I wanted to vote no. Speaker Black, probably in jest, told me my quota of “no” votes had been used up. That is one way to encourage others to toe the party line. But whether an answer should be “yes” or “no” depends on the question.
FREEZE SPENDING NOW(0)
Raleigh, N.C. – The final joint meeting of the House and Senate Finance Committees studying tax reform wrapped up with a presentation by Brent Lane, Director of the UNC Center for Competitive Economies. He discussed the recent history of tax policy in North Carolina and its effect on the state’s business climate. From 2000-2009, North Carolina’s labor force increased by 329,012 workers; during the same period, the state’s economy added only 13,806 jobs—a shortfall of 315,206 jobs. Further, wages in North Carolina fall significantly below the national average.
