Paul Stam » Justice and Public Safety

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Murderers Get Another Reprieve

Paul Stam, NC House Republican Leader — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:28:31 +0000

Since the resumption of the death penalty allowed by the United States Supreme Court in the late 1970′s two-thirds of those actually executed in North Carolina have been white. And of the 130 claims, 47 of them were made by white defendants. Now that is ironic. But it is exactly what we predicted before the Act passed.

Meanwhile the true effect of the Racial Justice Act (which has little to do with race and nothing to do with justice) is to effectively impose another moratorium on the imposition of the death sentence for first degree murder. For the last year (while we were waiting for the motions to be filed) and for the next two years (while the courts sort them out) no one will be executed for their crimes. (See The Herald Sun article by UNC Professor Emeritus Elliot Cramer, “I believe Racial Justice Act serves no useful purpose”)

No one will actually get relief under the act because actual racial discrimination has been illegal for decades and those with actual evidence that they have been discriminated against have been able to present those claims in court without this act. It is shameful that 61 House Democrats and 28 Senate Democrats voted for this unjust law.

Senate Republican Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) said, “The true travesty of this law is that it removes from consideration the facts surrounding the murder in question and places in the hands of academics rather than judges and juries the decision as to whether a murderer’s heinous act merits society’s harshest punishment.”

House Republican Leader Paul Stam (R-Wake) said, “Justice delayed is justice denied. The families of these murder victims deserve better.”

Rep. Stam’s 2009 – 2010 Bills (UPDATED)

Paul Stam, NC House Republican Leader — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 18:27:37 +0000

HB 4: Good Faith Exception/Exclusionary Rule (Stam)
Judiciary I: 2/12/09

HB 65: Students Under 16 May Attend Comm. College
(Tolson, Stam, McLawhorn, Wiley)
Ch. SL 2009-46: 6/1/09

HB 104: Clarify Legislative Confidentiality
(Glazier, Lucas, Stam, McGee)
Vetoed: 9/10/09

The contents of this bill became Sec. 24 of SL 2010-169

HB 162: Elec. Record Interrogation/B1, B2, C Felony (Glazier, Blue, Ross, Stam)
Judiciary II: 2/16/09

HB 190: Medicaid Improper Claims Software/Funds
(Stam, Blust, Dollar)
Appropriations: 3/11/09

Earle budget amendment in Appropriations 6/9/09

– Sole Source Medicaid

SB 311/SL 2009-215: Continuing Budget Authority

Sec. 8A.(a) & (b)

Final Budget: SB 202/SL 2009-451 Sec. 10.58B.(a) & (b)

HB 192: Child Witness Testimony/Codify Crim. Law
(Ross, Stam, Glazier)
Ch. SL 2009-356: 7/27/09

HB 193: Electronic Notice of Public Hearings
(Stam, Howard)
Judiciary I: 3/4/09

Did not pass 5-6 in Judiciary I

HB 252: Horton Independent Redistricting Commission
(Current, Samuelson, Brown, Stam)
Rules: 2/23/09

HB 277: Honor Fuquay-Varina’s Centennial
(Stam)
Rules: 3/5/09

Companion bill SB 435: Ch. Res 2009-4 (3/5/09)

HB 335: Tax Fairness in Education
(Stam, McComas, Killian, Barnhart)
Education: 3/2/09

Defeated 13-16 as amendment to SB 202 in Finance (6/10/09)
See HB 1988 below

HB 360: Authorize State Bar to Borrow Funds
(Haire, Blue, Daughtry, Stam)
Ch. SL 2009-82: 6/11/09

HB 384: Fuquay-Varina Quick Take
(Stam)
Ch. SL 2009-155: 6/23/09

HB 430: Voter Identification
(Moore, Current, Stam, Killian)
Election Law: 3/9/09

HB 443: Increase Class Size in the Public Schools
(Stam, Wiley)
Education: 3/9/09

SL 2009-451 (Final Budget): Section 7.8(b)

HB 516: Increase Revenues Without Raising Taxes (Stam)
Rules: 3/10/09

Similar bill – SB 420: Redirect Master Settlement Funds (Clodfelter)

Senate Appropriations/Base Budget: 3/5/09

HB 581: Partition Sales/Extend Report & Answer Times
(Bryant, Spear, Stam, Michaux)
Ch. SL 2007-155: 7/27/09

HB 687: Tax Credits for Children with Disabilities
(Stam, Wiley, Randleman)
Education: 3/23/09

Failed 21-26 in Education on June 23, 2009

HB 748: Electioneering at Early Voting Sites
(Ross, Stam, Weiss, Dollar)
Ch. SL 2010-170: 8/2/10

The original contents of this bill became Sec. 22(a) & (b) of SL 2009-541

This bill was stripped in 2010 and passed as “Citizens United Response” with Stam, Dollar and all Republicans in opposition

HB 765: Revise Elective Share Statutes (Stam)
Ch. SL 2009-368: 7/27/09

HB 776: No Bullying Anyone at Public Schools
(Stam, Neumann, Stevens, McGee)
Education: 3/25/09

No Action

HB 784: Execution/Physician Assistance Authorized
(Moore, Stam)
Ways and Means: 3/26/09

Decided by the N.C. Supreme Court and therefore the bill is unnecessary

HB 904: Legal Services Clarification
(Bryant, Rhyne, Stam, Ross)
Judiciary I: 4/1/09

Companion SB 763: Ch. SL 2009-231 – 6/30/2009

HB 937: Innocence Commn./Limited Witness Immunity (Glazier, Ross, Stam, Lucas)
Ch. SL 2009-360: 7/27/09

HB 944: Disclosure by Appointees
(Glazier, Stam, Ross, Tillis)
Senate Judiciary I: 5/7/09

The contents of this bill became Sec. 13(a) of SL 2010-169

HB 961: Pay to Play Regulation
Changed to “Gov’t Ethics and Campaign Reform Act of 2010”
The “Pay to Play” portions were deleted by the Senate.
(Glazier, Stam, Ross, Goodwin)
Ch. SL 2010-169: 8/2/10

HB 1021: Designate U.S. Highway 17 Scenic Byway
(Tucker, Hall, Cleveland, Stam)
Ch. SL 2009-198: 6/26/09

HB 1048: Modify Campaign Ad Laws
(Faison, Ross, Stam, Moore)
Senate Judiciary I: 5/5/09

The contents of HB 1048 became Sec. 7(a) & (b), 8(a) & (b), 9(a) & (b) and 10(a) & (b) of SL 2009-534

HB 1136: Executive Branch Revolving Door
Original provisions were included in HB 961 (SL 2010-169). The bill was stripped and became “Designation of Uses of Campaign Funds”
(Ross, Stam)
Ch. SL 2010-100: 7/20/2010

The original contents of this bill became Sec. 4 of SL 2010-169

HB 1190: Preservation of DNA & Biological Evidence
(Glazier, Stam, Ross)
Ch. SL 2009-203: 6/26/09

HB 1268: Eminent Domain Constitutional Amendment
(Blue, Stam, Lewis)
Notice of recall fails – bill remains in Judiciary II: 8/3/09

See HB 1659 below

HB 1316: Realign Wake Superior Court Districts
(Stam)
Election Law: 4/9/09

See opinion of NC Supreme Court in Blankenship v. Bartlett

HB 1368: Amend Future Advances Statutes
(Love, Stam, Moore, Blue)
Ch. SL 2009-197: 6/26/09

HB 1396: Superior Court Criminal Case Calendaring
(Glazier, Ross, Stam)
Judiciary II: 4/13/09

HB 1656: Inviting the Governor
(Rhyne, Tillis, Stam, Folwell)
Rules: 6/22/09

HB 1659: Eminent Domain Constitutional Amendment
(Stam, Lewis)
Senate Rules: 6/30/10

Passed the House by a vote of 106 to 9

HB 1674: Protect Health Care Freedom
(Stam, Tillis, Barnhart, Burris-Floyd)
Rules: 5/13/10

HB 1680: Extend Joint Study Comm. Pres. Bio. Evidence.
(Glazier, Stam, Jackson)
Appropriations: 5/25/10

Contents became Sec. 24 of SL 2010-152 – The Studies Act of 2010

HB 1817: Ethics TC and Other Changes
(Glazier, Stam, E. Warren, Wiley)
Ethics: 5/19/10

The contents of this bill became Sec. 22 of SL 2010-169

HB 1818: Funding for State Ethics Commission
(Glazier, Stam, Lucas, McGee)
Appropriations: 5/19/10

See pg. J-9 and J-10 of the Money Report for SL 2010-31

HB 1854: Clarify Indirect Gift Analysis
(Glazier, Stam, Wiley, E. Warren)
Ethics: 5/20/10

The contents of this bill became Sec. 15 of SL 2010-169

HB 1855: Clarify Legislative Confidentiality
(Glazier, Lucas, Stam, McGee)
Ethics: 5/20/10

The contents of this bill became Sec. 24 of SL 2010-169

HB 1857: Crossbow Use/Disapprove Rule
(Hill, Brubaker, Hall, Stam)
Rules: 5/20/10

HB 1912: Clarify LP Reporting Requirements
(Glazier, Stam, Lucas, McGee)
Ethics: 5/20/10

The contents of this bill became Sec. 17 of SL 2010-169

HB 1988: Tax Fairness in Education
(Stam, Killian, McComas, Barnhart)
Finance: 5/26/10

Defeated 13-16 as amendment to SB 897 in Finance (6/1/10)
Defeated 51-65 as a motion to suspend the rules to allow an amendment to SB 897 on the House Floor (6/3/10)

Democrats Refuse to Confront Important Issues

Paul Stam, NC House Republican Leader — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 19:20:17 +0000

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.

The most important business in the 2010 session has been to complete the budget. Fiscally responsible Republican amendments were either ignored or, if approved during floor consideration, summarily dropped during the budget conference committee deliberations.

Important work left undone this session:

Responsible budgeting decisions – Critical questions remain about the budget adopted last month for the upcoming fiscal year. It remains to be seen whether the budget is balanced as required by the NC Constitution. However, there is no doubt that the refusal of Democrats to make tough decisions in this year’s budget will bring state government to a severe crisis next year. Estimates are that next year’s structural budget deficit will exceed $3 billion. Adopting zero-based budgeting and pursuing thoughtful spending priorities this year would have lessened the pain we all know is coming next year.

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs – The Democratic proposals for job creation are anemic and will do little. We need regulatory relief as well as a reduction in the marginal tax rates so that small businesses will have an incentive to create jobs.

Health Care Freedom – Consideration of a bill to protect the freedom for North Carolina citizens to choose health care and health insurance. Senate and House Republicans requested action on a bill to allow individuals to continue to make their own health care choices and forgo federal mandates under the recently adopted federal health care legislation.

Executive oversight for state employee’s health care plan – Republicans attempted to provide accountability for the fiscal stability of the state health care plan by placing its responsibility in the Executive Branch. This proposal was thwarted by the Democrats.

Eliminate cap on Public Charter Schools – State law caps the number of public charter schools at 100. Demands for these innovative educational options continue to increase. This limitation severely hampers state efforts for federal “Race to the Top” funds. Even so, Democrats still refuse to raise or eliminate the cap.

Marriage Amendment – Consideration was not allowed for a constitutional amendment to provide that marriage in NC is between one man and one woman.

Tax Fairness in Education — A bill to allow parents in North Carolina to choose which school is best for their child. It allows an individual income tax credit for part of the expense of each eligible child who is educated in a nonpublic school or home school. The House used a procedural issue to avoid having a vote on this important issue. The fiscal note shows savings to the state and counties of $50 million per year.

Prohibit illegal immigrants to attend NC Community Colleges – A bill to disapprove the regulatory change by the NC Community College Board to allow undocumented aliens to attend degree programs at community colleges was not allowed to be considered.

“We have a few days left in the session with a lot of business left undone. If Democrats refuse to take care of business the people are entitled to a new governing majority in January,” said House Republican Leader Paul Stam (R-Wake).”

Senate Republican Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) said, “Unfortunately, this legislative session will be remembered as one where there was a complete failure to deal with the fiscal problems facing our state. That failure means that our people will continue to struggle with double digit unemployment and a tax burden that renders North Carolina unable to compete with our neighboring states for jobs. North Carolina’s Democratic leaders have compounded growing health care problems by siding with the Obama administration and national Democrats rather than standing up for citizens in connection with federal health care mandates.”

Rand’s “Technical Correction” Anything But

Paul Stam, NC House Republican Leader — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:44:48 +0000

Raleigh – The News and Observer today reported that former Democratic Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand (D-Cumberland) worked in secret to enact a law resulting in enormous increases in medical care costs for NC prison inmates. Rand used a technical corrections bill to strip an essential cost cutting provision from last year’s budget. According to the report, “Rand kept inmate medical costs high,” (2/12/10) , Rand’s involvement in the “technical corrections bill” negated a provision in the previously passed budget initiated by the NC Department of Correction that would have limited medical costs for inmates to the same level as the State Health Plan. DOC spending for inmate medical care has increased over $38 million during the previous decade, according to the N&O.

The effort to inflate medical costs for inmates was carefully hidden kept during debate on HB 836, “An Act to Make Technical, Clarifying, and Other Modifications to the Appropriations Act of 2009.” In fact, an explanation of the bill by House Appropriations Committee Chair, Rep. Mickey Michaux, described Section 15A, providing Rand’s language, as merely “technical” during House floor debate. (For Transcript see below.) Rep. Michaux should take this up with former Senator Rand and his staff.

“North Carolina taxpayers have every right to be incensed by this irresponsible action of the Democratic leadership in the legislature. The current budget raised our citizens’ tax burden by almost $1 billion by claiming the deficit was much wider than the facts indicated. Now we see further examples of outright waste,” said House Republican Leader Paul Stam (R-Wake). “It is past time for our citizens to demand accountability from those who have mismanaged our state’s finances for too long.”

***For those interested in the fine details, click here to view the NC Auditor’s Report.

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NC House of Representatives
August 10, 2009

Debate on HB 836 – “Modify Appropriations Act”

Speaker Hackney: “The gentleman from Durham, Rep. Michaux, is recognized to explain the Senate committee substitute.”

Rep. Michaux: “Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, this is the usual technical corrections bill to the Appropriations Act and I’ve got about three pages of explanation, but I’ll try to be very brief for you…”

“…14A is basically technical. 15A is technical. 16 extends the period that the Department of Corrections must operate the….”

“…I’d be happy to answer any questions. I urge you to adopt the conference report.”

Speaker Hackney: “For what purpose does the gentleman from Guilford, Rep. Blust arise?”

Rep. Blust: “To see if Rep. Michaux will yield for a question.”

Speaker Hackney: “Does the gentleman from Durham yield?”

Rep. Michaux: “Yes.”

Speaker Hackney: “He yields.”

Rep. Blust: “Rep. Michaux, this bill was first published, Senate Bill 202 that this bill modifies…The conference report was first published over the internet at about eleven thirty or twelve last Monday. It was delivered to our offices Tuesday morning at nine thirty in hard copy. We passed it Wednesday. And now just five days later we’re coming back with 21 or 15 pages of modifications. Might it be reasonable next time to slow this process down so that we don’t have to turn around in five days and modify something that we rushed through?”

Rep. Michaux: “Well, Rep. Blust, the only thing I can tell you is that you can slow it down as much as you want to. Mistakes are going to be made, corrections have to be made, adjustments have to be made. And you can’t…I don’t care how much you slow it down, that’s going to happen.”

Speaker Hackney: “For what purpose does the gentleman from Wake, Rep. Stam, arise?”

Rep. Stam: “To ask Representative Michaux two questions.”

Speaker Hackney: “Does the gentleman yield?”

Rep. Michaux: “Yes, sir.”

Speaker Hackney: “He yields.”

Rep. Stam: “Representative Michaux, does this bill appropriate net additional more money than the bill it modifies?”

Rep. Michaux: “No sir.”

Rep. Stam: “Second question?”

Speaker Hackney: “Does the gentleman yield again?”

Rep. Michaux: “Yes sir.”

Rep. Stam: “Representative Michaux, does this bill impose additional taxes more than Senate Bill 202?”

Rep. Michaux: “No sir.”

Rep. Stam: “Thank you, Mr. Speaker.”

* * *

Speaker Hackney: “For what purpose does the gentleman from Caldwell, Rep. Starnes arise?”

Rep. Starnes: “Will the gentleman yield for a question?”

Speaker Hackney: “Will the gentleman yield?”

Rep. Michaux: “Yes sir.”

Speaker Hackney: “He yields.”

Rep. Starnes: “I just…Thank you Rep. Michaux. I’m just trying to understand the overall fiscal impact of this. I know you said it didn’t raise any taxes. But does it in…Is it basically revenue neutral? Does it raise any….?”

Rep. Michaux: “What it does is it makes, where you see some changes in there where you have moved…You move money from one part to another. It changes…It will change what you see in the availability section. It changes where it comes from and where it goes but it doesn’t change the amount.”

Actual audio of this debate can be found at this link on the General Assembly website.

Audio Sections:

- Reading of the bill: 01:05:26

- Rep. Michaux’s explanation of Section 15A: 01:08:53

- Rep. Blust’s question: 01:10:43

- Rep. Stam’s questions: 01:11:52

- Rep. Starnes’ question: 01:15:22

Governor Perdue’s Inexplicable Behavior

Paul Stam, NC House Republican Leader — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:59:04 +0000

Today Gov. Beverly Perdue announced that she had saved the State from the predations of 20 vicious criminals who were about to be released. NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. Here’s what happened:

On October 16, 2009 Gov. Perdue received from her own Department of Corrections a list of 20 violent offenders who were supposedly to be released on October 29, 2009. She claimed that she was being forced to do this by the Courts. “I am appalled that the State of North Carolina is being forced to release prisoners who have committed the most heinous of crimes, without any review of their cases.” Her own Department of Corrections was notifying the victims of these crimes to prepare them for the trauma of these releases.

In a news release dated October 16, 2009 entitled “Releasing Violent Criminals a Travesty/Governor’s Comments Inconsistent with her Actions” I pointed out that “Governor Perdue’s Department of Corrections has wrongly calculated the sentences and that it might be quite a while before these criminals get out. I have asked our research staff to provide accurate data to me so that I can assist the department.” I also pointed out that she should not be appalled by the actions of her own department since she had herself signed Senate Bill 461 which put a moratorium on the death penalty for cold blooded murderers.

On October 22, 2009 Rob Christensen of the Raleigh News & Observer reported “Governor Perdue May Defy Courts Over Inmate Release” that she was “considering defying the courts in blocking their release next week.” That is an appalling civics lesson. The children of this state learned that the Chief Executive would defy the courts and violate her own solemn oath of office.

Her posture of defiance was completely unnecessary as Rep. Nelson Dollar and I pointed out in a letter to the Attorney General and to the Secretary of Corrections that day “The sentence credits which the Department appears poised to grant do not statutorily apply to these 20 prisoners. A thorough legal review would show that the department’s policy is flat out contrary to the statutes. …Please stop the rush and apply the statutes.”

The next day, October 23, Gov. Perdue continued her course of action of blaming the courts for what was an error caused by her own department. In a statement issued that day she said “When I learned that the Supreme Court had issued a ruling that meant offenders serving life in prison would be released after a mere 35 years, I was appalled.” The Supreme Court said no such thing. In a release sent October 29, 2009, I pointed out again that “no court has ordered the release of these 20 murderers and rapists and that Gov. Beverly Perdue’s actions pretending to save the people of this state from the release of these violent felons [was] play acting. She should get control of her own department and exercise verbal self-restraint.”

The conclusion is this: The convicts in question are not likely to get out of jail for a very long time. If they do, it will only be at the direction of a court duly elected by the people to make that decision. In that highly unlikely event no Governor will stand in the courthouse door defying the Courts.

This entire controversy was caused by the Governor’s own Department misunderstanding an Appellate Court decision, miscalculating sentence credits, and misinforming victims and the public. Now she claims credit for protecting us from her own error. This is really appalling and inexplicable.

For More Information Contact: Rep. Paul Stam (919) 362-8873 or Keith Weatherly (919) 733-2962