Keep NC Competitive

This has been another busy week at the General Assembly. We passed House Bill 1973, Keep North Carolina Competitive Act, out of the House Monday night. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance. This bill is of vital importance to Cleveland County in regard to creating and maintaining jobs: potential data centers, Clearwater Paper, and wood chippers. Economic development legislation must remain one of our top priorities. Hopefully, we will continue to keep hearing more good news for Cleveland County.
We are continuing to work on correcting the issue regarding the sex offender loophole. This was brought to my attention about a sex offender who lives in North Carolina being on the national sex offender registry but not on the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry. The language to fix the loophole has been put into House Bill 726, Clarify Expunctions. The bill was suppose to be heard in the Senate Judiciary I Committee this morning, but had to be delayed because of the House going into session at 9:45 a.m. The ABC affiliate of Raleigh, WTVD, interviewed me in May and ran a news story at that time. They did another story last week on the sex offender loophole, and I have attached the link below:

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news%2Fabc11_investigates&id=7506807

I am a co-sponsor of House Bill 2079 – State Savings Fund that is sponsored by Rep. Dollar. This bill would amend the State Constitution to address future budget shortfalls by creating a State Savings Fund. If there is a downturn in state revenues during a recession, the savings fund would provide revenue. Instead of one-time budget fixes, big cuts in programs, and tax increases, the Fund would be an on-going appropriated line item in the budget. It would grow as the state’s budget grows. Also, the Savings Fund would facilitate a program to address the State’s critical infrastructure needs. To address future revenue shortfalls, this budget reform is needed.

Shelby May Inspect Cleveland County Vehicles, House Bill 1910, that I filed along with Rep. England and Rep. Burris-Floyd passed out of the House this week and will be heard in the Senate Committee on State and Local Government next week.

The budget conferees are continuing to work on the budget. We are still hearing there will be a budget vote next week although there continues to be division regarding the education budget with the budget conferees. Also, the FMAP (federal Medicaid Assistance) money of $450 to $500 million issue has not been resolved. It is my understanding the House wants to pass a budget without the FMAP money and the Senate wants to keep the money. If the money does not come from the Feds, more cuts are expected. I will keep you posted as things develop.

The General Assembly honored the Duke’s men’s basketball team today for winning the NCAA title on April 5. It was an exciting time (especially for the Duke fans).

Some of the bills we are voting on today include:

• House Bill 466, Consumer Choice and Investment Act Changes
• House Bill 1936, Remove Sunset/Private Sale Local Government Bonds
• Senate Bill 887, Amend Electronics Recycling Law
• House Bill 1804, Energy Policy Council Green Energy Study

Thank you for the opportunity and privilege of serving as your Representative.

Please feel free to contact us with any concerns or comments you may have. We look forward to hearing from you. You can reach us at our Raleigh number at 919-733-4838 or you can e-mail us a timm@ncleg.net or Moorela@ncleg.net.

Best Wishes,

Representative Tim Moore
Serving Cleveland County