Fiscal
Balanced Budget: On June 15th, 2011, the House voted 73 – 46 to override the veto of Governor Bev Perdue to balance the state’s budget.
Lowered Tax Rates: The budget contained the largest tax rate cut in the history of North Carolina. It makes our state more competitive with our neighbors. It puts almost $1.5 billion each year back into the hands of North Carolinians.
Cuts taxes for EVERY North Carolinian by allowing temporary sales and personal income taxes to expire, reducing the state’s sales tax from 7.75% to 6.75%. Part of this tax goes to counties. The State’s share was reduced 20 percent – from 5.75% to 4.75%.
Regulatory Reform: Legislation to limit the burden of regulation on businesses became law.
Senate Bill 22 – An act to limit new agency regulatory requirements that result in substantial additional costs.
House Bill 542 – An act to provide tort reform for North Carolina.
House Bill 709 – An act to Protect and Put NC Back to Work by reforming the Workers’ Compensation Act.
Senate Bill 781 – The Regulatory Reform act to increase regulatory efficiency in order to balance job creation and environmental protection.
Jobs
Small Business: A $50,000 personal income tax deduction for active business income. The deduction provides tax relief to 450,000 business owners in 2012 and 2013.
Education
Funding: The budget fully funds the teachers in the classroom, not the bureaucracy.
Policy: Education legislation that became law:
Senate Bill 8, “No Cap on Number of Charter Schools”. Already new charter schools have been authorized. More enrollment growth is allowed in existing charters.
House Bill 344 allows individual income tax credit for children with disabilities who desire private education and creates a new fund for special education in the public schools.
House Bill 48 – Eliminates some end of grade testing in the public schools, except as required by Federal law or as a condition of a Federal grant.
House Bill 588 – Requires public schools to teach a semester 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.
Senate Bill 727—Ended the State’s collection of union dues in education.
Healthcare
Protect Freedom: House Bill 2 protects North Carolinians from the “individual mandate” in the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). The Governor vetoed it. Republican leaders filed an Amicus Curiae (Friend of the Court) brief to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 in favor of the states. The U.S. Supreme Court will decide by June 2012.
Property Rights
Protections: House Bill 92 – Repeal the land transfer tax.
House Bill 762 – Protect landowner’s rights.
House Bill 845 – Reform the involuntary annexation laws.
The House passed 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. The Senate will vote in May 2012.
Illegal Immigration
Protection: House Bill 744 – The “Safe Schools Act”. A principal of any public school shall require the parent or guardian of any child presented for admission for the first time to that school to furnish a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate or other satisfactory evidence of date of birth.
House Bill 36 – Requires government and larger employers to use the Federal E-Verify program to verify newly hired employees.
Family
Marriage: A referendum on a constitutional amendment to define marriage as only between one man and one woman will be held May 8, 2012.
Pro-Life
Legislation: 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 after the House and Senate voted to override the Governor’s veto. One section only (ultrasound) has been enjoined by a federal court while another federal court has approved the Texas version.
House Bill 289 – Authorizes 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. A federal court has preliminarily enjoined only the “Choose Life” plate.
Permanently ended state funding of abortion in Medicaid and in the State Health Plan, except in cases of rape or incest or when the mother’s life would be in danger.
House Bill 215 – Unborn Victims of Violence Act allows the murderer of a pregnant woman to be charged with the crime of also killing the unborn child.
Election Law
Photo ID: House Bill 351, “Restore Confidence in Government” requires voters to provide photo ID and allows more flexibility when applying for absentee ballots. It was vetoed by the Governor on June 23, 2011. The House was unable to override the Governor’s veto. Because of a parliamentary procedure it is eligible for reconsideration in May 2012.
Criminal Justice
Senate Bill 9 – Restores the death penalty for first degree murder. The Senate has overridden the Governor’s veto. The House will vote in May.
House Bill 642, the Justice Reinvestment Act, restores balance in the criminal justice system. While treating more serious crimes even more seriously it saves valuable prison space by releasing less violent criminals earlier. It strengthens the probation system.
