Moore Votes ‘NO’ on Budget
All eyes have been focused on the $19 billion state budget (Senate 897) this week which passed yesterday. June 30, 2010 marks the first time the budget has passed in time to begin the new fiscal year since 2003. The final vote Wednesday was 66 to 50 in the House, and the Governor signed the budget soon after session ended in the House and Senate. While there are good and bad points in the budget, I voted against the budget because this budget does not prepare our state for our approximate $3 billion shortfall next year when the stimulus money runs out. Also, I am very concerned with the $500 million in federal money that has yet to be appropriated. There is a contingency plan that includes a one percent cut to state spending and also several reserve funds will be raided:
- $177 million (1% agency cuts)
- $26.6 million cut to Medicaid provider rates
- $23.5 Million reduction in the General Fund
- $30 Million reduction to the Disaster Reserve
- $50 Million interest from other funds
- $35 million Unclaimed lottery prize money
- $37 million savings reserve reduction
- $139 million reduction to the retirement fund contribution
- Total is $518.1 million
The reduction to the State Retirement Plan worries me because according to our staff, this Plan has an $8 billion unfunded liability. State employees have worked hard, and we need to protect this Fund. Our State Treasurer, Janet Cowell, is very concerned with the reduction.
Also, $34 million in tax breaks for small businesses is only a small part of the $19 billion budget. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and we need to do all we can to help them create jobs as well as maintain and keep jobs. The budget in my opinion does not go far enough in helping economic development and tax reductions.
My bill that has the sex offender loophole language, House Bill 726, passed out of the Senate yesterday and passed out of the House Judiciary II committee this afternoon. It should be up for a final vote on the House floor next week on Tuesday. This will tighten our law with respect to sex offenders and making sure they are not only on the National Registry, but also are on our NC Sex Offender Registry.
The Election Law and Campaign Finance Reform Committee took up a bill yesterday regarding tax supported election of the State Treasurer. I am totally opposed to so called “voter-owned elections” and using taxpayer money to fund any elections, and I am working to see that this proposal does not pass into law.
House Bill 1910, Shelby May Inspect Cleveland County Vehicles, that I filed passed the Senate this week and will become law after the Governor signs the bill.
Many of you contacted me last week and this week concerning House Bill 1726, Improve Child Care Nutrition/Activity Stands. There was actual debate on the amount of juice that should be allowed each child in a child care facility–4 ounces vs. 6 ounces. The 6 ounces are in juice packs, and some members wanted to see a child be limited to 4 ounces and to only drink the juice out of a cup. I voted against this bill, but in the end, the bill passed the House and went to the Senate where it may or may not be heard. The bill also talked about limiting children to what kind of milk they drink. This is what I consider the “Nanny State” when the legislature is trying to mandate what kinds of juices and milks children are allowed to drink in day care. These are choices to be made by parents and government should get out of the business of trying to tell parents how to raise their children.
Other votes on bills this week included:
- House Bill 1307, No Felon as Sheriff
- House Bill 1669, Require Use Education Value Added Assessment System in Schools
- House Bill 1757, Fitness Testing in Schools
- Senate Bill 1201, Additional Flexibility/Cooperative Innovative High Schools
We are expected to come back in full force Tuesday, and the short session is expected to end Friday or Saturday.
I hope you have a safe and happy July 4th!
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