Constituent Update
From the Office of N.C. Sen. Austin M. Allran
42nd N.C. Senate District
RALEIGH
News that the state has a $3.3 billion shortfall ($1 billion more than expected) was the hot topic this week at the General Assembly. The state’s fiscal situation prompted Gov. Beverly Perdue to sign an executive order for a one-half of 1 percent pay cut for state employees for the last two months of the fiscal year.
Last Tuesday morning, Senate and House Republicans hosted a press conference to call on legislative Democrats to freeze state spending at 2008-2009 annual levels. Republicans pointed out that Democratic Gov. Perdue and senate Democrats produced plans which hike state spending by approximately $1.5 billion annually.
The Democratic plans also call for tax increases of more than $500 million per year.
Republicans noted that while North Carolina families and small businesses are tightening their belts, the state continues to spend at a rapid pace.
“In these difficult economic times, families and small businesses across North Carolina are struggling to pay their bills and make ends meet,” said Senate Republican Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham).
“The people of this state are resilient. If elected leaders freeze state government spending and establish priorities that realistically recognize and fund the core obligations of state government, we will come out of this recession well positioned for the future. Unfortunately, it looks as if Democrats will insist on continuing their tax and spend ways without taking action to curb the continuing growth of state spending.”
In other news, the Senate Health Care Committee advanced a bill to ban smoking in restaurants and offices in the state. The committee modified the bill passed earlier this month by the House that would have exempted businesses that serve only people over age 18. Opponents of the bill emphasized the rights of individuals and small business owners as well as private property rights. They also talked about the importance of the tobacco industry and its jobs to the state economy.
The Agriculture & Environment Committee voted favorably on a bill (S.B. 881, “Ag Release Act/Cost Share Program) that, if ratified, will effectively discourage the employment of illegal immigrant laborers.
I am vice-chair of Agriculture. During discussion, I pointed out, “This legislation will not only provide North Carolina with a tool to reduce illegal immigration, it will also positively aid agriculture employers in employing legal immigrants.”
In other Senate business, the Judiciary II Committee passed two bills which will increase the punishment for home improvement fraud. I am sponsor of S.B. 709 and S.B. 710. “Last year alone, there were 800 complaints with the Better Business Bureau against flim-flam home improvement con artists. Some people lose many thousands of dollars by trusting unscrupulous vendors. These bills will give our district attorneys more clout to prosecute ‘travelers’ who prey on the unsuspecting public.”
Finally, the Senate and House passed a resolution honoring the UNC-Chapel Hill men’s basketball team for their program’s accomplishments, including their 2009 NCAA championship.
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