Paul Stam » Jobs and Economy

With bipartisan support, the House voted 73 – 46 to override the veto of Governor Bev Perdue. The House and Senate achieved this historic milestone on June 15, 2011.
This fulfills our first two promises to the people of North Carolina: A balanced budget and a budget that does not raise tax rates. Our budget contains the largest tax rate cut in the history of North Carolina. It makes our state more competitive with our neighbors again. It puts almost $1.5 billion back in to the hands of hard working North Carolinians. It is balanced. The business school at UNC Chapel Hill estimates that the Republican budget will create up to 14,900 new private sector jobs in North Carolina.

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 filed an Amicus Curiae (Friend of the Court) brief on May 11, 2011 to the 11^th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta, Georgia. The Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 in favor of the states.

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 any legislation that allows collective bargaining.

4. Reducing regulatory burden on small business.

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

Senate Bill 22 – An act to limit new agency regulatory requirements that result in substantial additional costs. SB 22 passed both chambers and was signed into law by the Governor on March 25, 2011.
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.
House Bill 200 – The Appropriations Act of 2011 limits the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Labor and Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services from imposing standards or limitations that are more restrictive than the Federal government. The Act became law on June 15, 2011.
House Bill 542 – An act to provide tort reform for North Carolina citizens and businesses was signed by the Governor and became law on June 24, 2011.
House Bill 619 – An act to specify the Secretary of Revenue’s authority to adjust net income of a corporation or to require a corporation to file a combined return was signed by the Governor and became law on June 30, 2011.
House Bill 709 – An act to Protect and Put NC Back to Work by reforming the Workers’ Compensation Act passed the House and Senate and was signed by the Governor on June 24, 2011.
Senate Bill 781 – An act to increase regulatory efficiency in order to balance job creation and environmental protection was vetoed by the Governor. The House and Senate overrode the Governor’s veto on July 25, 2011 and the bill became law.

5. The balanced budget passed by the House and Senate 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 and Senate with bipartisan support and has been signed by the Governor. The bill became law on June 17, 2011.

7. HB 351, titled “Restore Confidence in Government” requires voters to provide photo ID before voting and allows more flexibility when applying for absentee ballots. HB 351 was ratified by the House and Senate but vetoed by the Governor on June 23, 2011. The House was unable to override the Governor’s veto but because of a parliamentary procedure it is eligible for reconsideration.

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. HB 139 entitled, “Limit Contributions by State Vendors” discourages 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 the House on May 24^th and has been sent to the Senate.

House, Senate Approve Marriage Amendment Referendum

Paul Stam, NC House Republican Leader — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 14:21:47 +0000

Raleigh – During a special session, the North Carolina House passed a constitutional amendment, 75 – 42, to let voters decide whether or not marriage should be defined as solely between one man and one woman. Ten House Democrats joined Republicans to support the measure. The Senate voted 30 – 16 to concur.

The state’s first attempt to amend the constitution to define marriage was proposed in 2003 by Democrats and Republicans. Subsequent amendments have received bi-partisan support for more than eight years but were held in committee by former House and Senate leaders.

North Carolina is the only state in the southeast that does not have a constitutional amendment defining marriage. Other states have acted because activist judges in other states have overturned state statutes that define marriage. Today, legislators decided to give voters the ability to define marriage at the ballot box.

According to Forbes Magazine ranking of best business climates, eight out of the top ten states have defined marriage in their state constitution.

As business communities look for government to provide stable economic environments, protecting marriage from re-definition by the courts safeguards the freedom and flexibility to offer employee benefits based on business decisions. It protects business from additional government-imposed benefit packages.

The measure will now be put before voters in a statewide referendum to be held during the May primary.

2011 Republican Legislative Accomplishments

Paul Stam, NC House Republican Leader — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 17:44:21 +0000

Notable Republican Bills Signed Into Law

House Bill 36 – An act to require counties, cities and employers to use the Federal E-Verify program to verify the work authorization of newly hired employees was signed by the Governor on June 23, 2011.

House Bill 92 – An act to repeal the land transfer tax was signed into law by the Governor on March 31, 2011.

House Bill 112 – An act to realign the Districts for Wake County Superior Court Judge seats to provide for single member districts and equal representation in those districts was signed into law by the Governor on June 23, 2011.

House Bill 542 – An act to provide tort reform for North Carolina citizens and businesses was signed into law by the Governor on June 24, 2011.

House Bill 588 – An act requiring local boards of education to teach a semester long course in high school entitled, “American History I – The Founding Principles.” The course will include a study on The Creator – endowed inalienable rights of the people, rule of law, equal justice under law, private property rights, federalism, due process, individual responsibility, etc. The Governor made this act law on June 23, 2011.

House Bill 596 – An act to require that proceeds of certain dispositions of state-owned real property be used in part to support the general fund, in part to support the teachers’ and state employees’ retirement system of North Carolina, and in part to support the agencies to which the property was allocated; and to appropriate funds for these purposes. The bill became law by the Governor’s hand on June 27, 2011.

House Bill 642 – The Justice Reinvestment Act was signed into law on June 23, 2011 by the Governor. The act is a major reform of the North Carolina Justice system.

House Bill 650 – An act to provide when a person may use defensive force and to amend various gun laws regarding the right to own, possess, or carry a firearm in North Carolina was signed into law by the Governor on June 23, 2011.

House Bill 762 – An act to protect landowner’s rights was signed into law by the Governor on June 23, 2011.

House Bill 927 – An act to make changes to the statutes governing the teachers’ and state employees’ retirement system and the consolidated judicial retirement system to ensure the future solvency of those systems was signed into law by the Governor on June 23, 2011.

House Bill 289 – An act to authorize the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue various special registration plates including North Carolina Zoological Society, ARTS NC, North Carolina State Flag and Donate Life was signed by the Governor and became law on June 30, 2011.

House Bill 619 – An act to specify the Secretary of Revenue’s authority to adjust net income of a corporation or to require a corporation to file a combined return was signed by the Governor and became law on June 30, 2011.

Notable Republican Bills That Became Law without the Governor’s Signature

House Bill 48 – An act to reduce spending by eliminating statewide standardized testing in the public schools, except as required by Federal law or as a condition of a Federal grant. The bill became law on March 21, 2011.

House Bill 119 – An act to amend certain environmental and natural resources laws was presented to the Governor on June 20, 2011 and became law without her signature on July 1, 2011.

House Bill 744 – The “Safe Schools Act” states that a principal of any public school may shall require the parent or guardian of any child presented for admission for the first time to that school to furnish (i) a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate, which shall be furnished by the register of deeds of the county having on file the record of the birth of the child, or other satisfactory evidence of date of birth, as provided in Article 4 of Chapter 130A. The act became law on June 28, 2011.

House Bill 344 – An act to allow individual income tax credit for children with disabilities who require special education and to create a fund for special education and related services became law on July 1, 2011.

House Bill 845 – An act to reform the involuntary annexation laws of North Carolina became law on July 1, 2011.

Veto Overrides

Senate Bill 33 – An act to reform the laws relating to money judgment appeal bonds, bifurcation of trials in civil cases and medical liability became law on July 25, 2011 after the House and Senate voted to override the Governor’s veto.

Senate Bill 496 – An act to provide requirements of Medicaid and health choice providers became law on July 25, 2011 after the House and Senate voted to override the Governor’s veto.

Senate Bill 532 (HB 813) – An act to reform employment security laws by creating the Division of Employment Security within the Department of Commerce became law on July 26, 2011 after the House and Senate voted to override the Governor’s veto.

Senate Bill 781 – An act to increase regulatory efficiency in order to balance job creation and environmental protection was vetoed by the Governor. The House and Senate overrode the Governor’s veto on July 25, 2011 and the bill became law.

House Bill 200 – The Appropriations Act of 2011, otherwise known as the state budget, which was balanced and did not raise tax rates.

House Bill 854 – An act to require a 24-hour waiting period and the informed consent of a pregnant woman before an abortion may be performed became law on July 28, 2011 after the House and Senate voted to override the Governor’s veto.

100 Day Plan Legislative Update

Paul Stam, NC House Republican Leader — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 17:32:34 +0000

100 Day Legislative Update

August 15, 2011

1. Balanced Budget and Reduced Tax Rates

With bipartisan support, the House voted 73 – 46 to override the veto of Governor Bev Perdue. The House and Senate achieved this historic milestone on June 15, 2011.

This fulfills our first two promises to the people of North Carolina: A balanced budget and a budget that does not raise tax rates. Our budget contains the largest tax rate cut in the history of North Carolina. It makes our state more competitive with our neighbors again. It puts almost $1.5 billion back in to the hands of hard working North Carolinians. It is balanced. The business school at UNC Chapel Hill estimates that the Republican budget will create up to 14,900 new private sector jobs in North Carolina.

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 filed an Amicus Curiae (Friend of the Court) brief on May 11, 2011 to the 11^th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta, Georgia. The Court of Appeals is now in deliberations.

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 any legislation that allows collective bargaining.

4. Reducing regulatory burden on small business.

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

Senate Bill 22 – An act to limit new agency regulatory requirements that result in substantial additional costs. SB 22 passed both chambers and was signed into law by the Governor on March 25, 2011.
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 Governoron April 19, 2011.
House Bill 200 – The Appropriations Act of 2011 limits the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Labor and Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services from imposing standards or limitations that are more restrictive than the Federal government. The Act became law on June 15, 2011.
House Bill 542 – An act to provide tort reform for North Carolina citizens and businesses was signed by the Governor and became law on June 24, 2011.
House Bill 619 – An act to specify the Secretary of Revenue’s authority to adjust net income of a corporation or to require a corporation to file a combined return was signed by the Governor and became law on June 30, 2011.
House Bill 709 – An act to Protect and Put NC Back to Work by reforming the Workers’ Compensation Act passed the House and Senate and was signed by the Governor on June 24, 2011.
Senate Bill 781 – An act to increase regulatory efficiency in order to balance job creation and environmental protection was vetoed by the Governor. The House and Senate overrode the Governor’s vetoon July 25, 2011 and the bill became law.

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

7. HB 351, titled “Restore Confidence in Government” requires voters to provide photo ID before voting and allows more flexibility when applying for absentee ballots. HB 351 was ratified by the House and Senate but vetoedby the Governoron June 23, 2011. The House was unable to override the Governor’s veto but because of a parliamentary procedure it is eligible for reconsideration.

100 Day Plan Legislative Update

Paul Stam, NC House Republican Leader — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 16:02:49 +0000

North Carolina House of Representatives

100 Day Legislative Update

April 25, 2011

Budget Priorities

On April 14, 2011 the House and Senate passed HB 383, a continuing resolution budget, without raising tax rates. The measure allows the Governor to allocate funds for spending by State departments at a level that basically does not exceed expected revenues for the 2011-2012 fiscal years in case the House, Senate and Governor do not agree on a formal budget. On Saturday April 16, 2011, the Governor VETOED this measure so that she can demand tax rate increases.

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 11^th Circuit Court of Appeals.

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.

Reducing regulatory burden on small business.

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

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.

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 ratified by the House on April 14, 2011.

House Bill 237 – An act to require economic impact statements on all bills that propose regulatory changes. The bill passed first reading of the House and is before the Committee on Commerce and Job Development.

House Bill 323 – An act to reduce the corporate income tax rate in North Carolina from 6.9% to 4.75%. HB 323 will be considered as part of the budget.

House Bill 800 – An act to create the North Carolina Jobs and Commerce Corporation Task Force to study the implementation of the transferring of economic development activities into a single entity is now before the House Committee on Commerce and Job Development.

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 last meeting was held on Thursday, April 21^st in Raleigh, NC.

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 now heads to conference with the Senate. Representatives Stam, Samuelson and Brandon are House conferees to work with Senators Stevens, Graham and Soucek.

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

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 Judiciary committee. Debate on House Bill 8 has been rescheduled for Tuesday, April 26^th around 2:00 pm. Come watch or listen.

House Republicans moved one step closer to good government by passing House Bill 61 titled, “Speaker/Pro Tem Term Limits.” This constitutional amendment seeks to cap the number of consecutive legislative terms the Speaker or President Pro Tem of the Senate serves to no more than two. It passed 72 – 46, the bare minimum and now moves to the Senate. The Governor cannot veto a constitutional amendment.

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 on Wednesday and is headed to the floor.

Health Care Freedom Act Moves to Governor for Signature

Paul Stam, NC House Republican Leader — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:07:37 +0000

Raleigh – The North Carolina House approved final passage of House Bill 2, “Protect Health Care Freedom,” on Tuesday by a vote of 69-49. The bill previously passed the Senate and now moves to the Governor’s desk. She has announced her intention to allow the bill to become law without her signature.

This legislation protects North Carolinians from the unconstitutional “individual mandate” requiring citizens to provide for health care services or to enroll in a public or private insurance plan or health care system. House Bill 2 also makes North Carolina a plaintiff with twenty-eight other states also challenging the constitutionality of the individual mandate in the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.”

“We are pleased that North Carolina stands with the majority of the other states in protecting the rights of citizens against unconstitutional usurpation by the federal government,” said House Majority Leader Paul Stam (R-Wake).

Rep. Mark Hollo (R- Alexander), a primary co-sponsor of the bill, said, “Passage of HB 2 is a victory for the people of North Carolina in that it protects the individual from a government mandate to purchase a product – health insurance – they may not want.”

Rep. Tom Murry, a primary co-sponsor said, “The individual mandate to buy health insurance stands out as an overreach by the Federal government in the Affordable Care Act, especially when compared to the common-sense provisions like the ban on denying coverage for patients with pre-existing conditions.”

Republican members emphasized the detrimental impact this federal legislation will have on the economy, especially job creation. The cost of providing health insurance to employees would severely hamper job creation for both small and large businesses.

The Governor has 10 days in which to sign the bill, allow it to become law without her signature or veto the bill.

House Passes Healthcare Freedom Act

Paul Stam, NC House Republican Leader — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 20:26:47 +0000

House Passes Healthcare Freedom Act

Raleigh – The North Carolina House of Representatives today approved House Bill 2, the “NC Healthcare Protection Act”, by a vote of 66 to 50 on final passage. This legislation protects North Carolina citizens from the unconstitutional mandate to enroll in health insurance or to buy medical care under the federal healthcare legislation passed last year. Enactment of HB 2 would also make North Carolina a plaintiff with twenty-eight other states in federal lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act”.

The House vote came two days day after U.S. District Court Judge Roger Vinson ruled the entire federal health care bill unconstitutional. Judge Vinson’s ruling agrees with the assertions of the majority of the NC House that Congress cannot mandate individual citizens to purchase health insurance.

“The federal healthcare legislation is the first time Congress has imposed onerous requirements on citizens merely because they are alive and draw breath,” said House Majority Leader Paul Stam (R-Wake). “We believe today’s vote in the House defends our citizens against the clearly unconstitutional mandates in this overreaching federal statute.”

Representative Jeff Barnhart (R-Cabarrus) led the floor debate. “Enactment of HB 2 will release North Carolinians from the excessive taxes and fines imposed by the bill if they choose to exercise their right to pay for their own healthcare rather than one of the mandated insurance plans,” said Barnhart.

One of the primary points expressed by House Republicans opposed to the federal healthcare legislation was the detrimental effect its implementation will have on the economy. Job creation will be severely curtailed due to the huge costs placed on the backs of small businesses to provide mandated insurance coverage for their employees. Significant evidence from the private sector indicates the requirement will make it more difficult for businesses to expand and create jobs.

“Increased federal regulation and costly government mandates are wrong anytime, but are especially harmful during this time of severe recession,” said Rep. David Lewis. “The costs imposed on small businesses and pharmaceutical manufacturers will severely hamper efforts at job creation essential to an economic recovery in North Carolina and the country.”

Representative Tom Murry (R-Wake), a pharmacist by profession, pointed out that the bill would allow North Carolina to join other states in the litigation challenging the constitutionality of the federal legislation. ”While our bill does not require the NC Attorney General to file a separate lawsuit,” he said “it does provide that our state join the other 28 states in defending our citizens against this unconstitutional individual mandate in the federal healthcare law. It’s long overdue that North Carolina stand up in defense of our citizens’ rights in this important case,” said Murry.

During floor debate it was stressed that individuals must have the right to make their own health care decisions, including enrolling in insurance plans and must not be compelled by government to do so.

“It is everyone’s right and responsibility to consider which health care options are best for them and their families,” stated Representative Mark Hollo (R-Alexander). Rep. Hollo is a physician’s assistant. He continued: ”In some instances, it is more cost effective for people to pay their health care providers directly than to buy expensive insurance. Government must not inhibit people’s ability to do what is in their best interest concerning their own health care decisions.”

HB 2 will be sent to the Senate for its consideration.

A Historic Day Will Lead to a Better North Carolina

Paul Stam, NC House Republican Leader — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 15:58:37 +0000

On November 2, 2010, voters sent a clear message. The number one issue in North Carolina is the economy – jobs, jobs, jobs. Years of overspending by Democrats have given North Carolina the highest tax rates in the Southeast and an estimated budget deficit of at least $3 billion for next year. High tax rates inhibit hiring.

Republican members of the House and Senate have united against legislation which limited our freedoms and stifled small business growth. Republican candidates across the state campaigned against excessive spending, tax rate increases and the job-killing, liberty-restricting mandates of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obama Care). And for the first time in 112 years, Republicans have gained majorities in both the state House and Senate.

The people of North Carolina have entrusted us with the responsibility to govern the State by reducing costs and regulation on business, large and small, so that they can create jobs and prosperity. Voters have spoken and Republicans are committed to:

Balancing the State budget without raising tax rates.

And within the first 100 days:

Passing The Healthcare Freedom Protection Act, exempting North Carolinians from the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obama Care).
Fighting to protect jobs by keeping our Right to Work laws.
Reducing the regulatory burden on small business.
Funding education in the classroom, not the bureaucracy.
Eliminating the cap on charter schools.
Passing the Honest Election Act, requiring a valid photo ID to vote.
Passing the Eminent Domain constitutional amendment to protect private property rights.
Ending pay-to-play politics and restore honesty and integrity to state government.

100 Days That Will Change North Carolina

Paul Stam, NC House Republican Leader — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 15:06:56 +0000

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:

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

Within the first 100 days you will see us:

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).
Fighting to protect jobs by keeping our Right to Work laws.
Reducing the regulatory burden on small business.
Funding education in the classroom, not the bureaucracy.
Eliminating the cap on charter schools.
Passing the Honest Election Act, requiring a valid photo ID to vote.
Passing the Eminent Domain constitutional amendment to protect private property rights.
Ending pay-to-play politics and restore honesty and integrity to state government.