Since being elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2002, our State has undergone tremendous changes. I remain focused on lowering taxes for all North Carolinians and bringing more jobs to Cleveland County. I have knocked on almost every door in Cleveland County, continue to talk to citizens across the district, and I listen to what you have to say. Many of you have shared common sense ideas that I worked to help spur economic growth in the private sector, reduce the tax burden, and protect your freedoms against the over regulation of state government. More »
After a whirlwind short session, we adjourned sine die Saturday morning, July 10th at 5:33 a.m. The last day of session started at 10:00 a.m. Friday morning and ran until 5:33 a.m. Saturday with a break for lunch and dinner. More »
The short session of the General Assembly is scheduled to end either tomorrow or Saturday. This has been a very hectic week with committee meetings and long sessions.
As a primary sponsor of House Bill 726, I am pleased to report the bill passed the House Tuesday and has gone to the Governor for her signature. The new law will close the sex offender loophole in the state sex offender registry. We want to make sure those sex offenders who are on the national sex offender registry who are living in North Carolina are also on our state sex offender registry. More »
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. More »
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. More »