Updated September 2014 At the end of every session I compile a list of bills that I sponsored (or that I managed) in order to see what happened.  Many times a bill that is blocked in one way progresses or becomes law in another measure.  That is part of the legislative process.  If you have […]

October 29, 2014 Leaders of Apex, Holly Springs and Fuquay Varina Re:       Privilege Taxes/Fiscal Impact You may have read in Monday’s News and Observer the article entitled “Privilege Tax Repeal Could Cause Property-Tax Hike in Raleigh”.  The link is attached here. The General Assembly took several measures in 2013/2014 that affect revenues for cities and […]

Revised August 28, 2014 This was the first session in 144 years that a Republican Governor had a Republican majority in the General Assembly. We had a lot to accomplish before adjourning for the year. Budget and Taxes:    For the fourth straight year we were able to balance the budget without raising tax rates. The […]

1.    Balanced the budget for the fourth straight year without a tax increase (Appropriations Act of 2014,(SB 744)). 2.    Provided the largest overall teacher pay raise in nine years by giving public school educators an average 6.92% raise (Appropriations Act of 2014, (SB 744)). 3.    Funded a $1000 pay raise (plus benefits and 5 extra […]

The 2014 Dispute over Lottery Advertising Raises Some Eyebrows  Representative Paul Stam[1] During the budget development process, the Senate proposed to double the quantity of Lottery advertising (from 1% to 2% of revenue), but add the restrictions the House had passed 99-12 in the Honest Lottery Act (HB 156)[2].  The Senate Appropriations Committee met on […]

The North Carolina Lottery Commission announced on Tuesday, January 28, 2014, record breaking lottery sales: such sales contribute to State education funding.  However, the release provides no context.  This continues the lottery commission’s attempt to burnish its image despite the facts.  An example of such an attempt is the commission’s October 2013 newsletter.  The headline […]

 “Good tax policy decrees that wherever possible a fee for a service should be assessed against those who directly benefit from that service.”[1] Ronald Reagan The Toll Road program is an important tool to be included in the measures for building public infrastructure. Use of Toll Roads can greatly accelerate the implementation of crucial projects. […]

Raleigh – Harry Reid’s PAC ads claim that Republicans raised taxes for most North Carolinians. I attribute that nonsense to his poor research team. But I then get somewhat confused when I hear Senate Minority Leader Dan Blue, Senate Minority Whip Josh Stein or Senator Floyd McKissick, Black Caucus Leader claim that Republican Tax Reform […]

JANE LEVRING STAM MINER March 11, 1925 – February 3, 2014  I am sad to tell you that my mother, Jane Levring Stam Miner, died yesterday at her home in Chatham County at the age of 88.  She was a devoted servant of Jesus Christ. Those interested in her many exploits can click on the […]

Photos courtesy of Ben Herrmann

Attached is a chart the Fiscal Research Division at the General Assembly put together tracking North Carolina’s Public School and Higher Education Expenditures over the past 8-10 years. For the public schools, it breakdowns the total spent by state, federal, and county funds and uses both current and constant dollars on a per pupil basis. Expenditures […]