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Civitas Capitol Connection - December '09
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CAPITOL CONNECTIONCivitasOctober 2009 • vol. 1 • no. 1
The 2009-10 budget marks a continuation of North Carolina’s dysfunc-tional “spend and tax” cycle: when times are good the state dramati-cally increases spending. When a recession hits, state leaders resort to tax increases – such as the $1.1 billion tax hike approved this year – to
continue state spending. • The2009-10budgetwillappropriate$20.7billion(including$1.7billionfed-
eral money) – up by a billion from the $19.65 billion actually spent in 2008-09.• Evenamidtherecession,abudgetof$20.7billionwillmarkacontinued,rapid
escalation of state spending:- Spending is up 30 percent in five years, and 45 percent in 10 years.
•Diggingyetanotherbudgetholecontinuesalong-termtrendofout-of-controlgovernmentgrowth.Evenafteradjustingforinflation,perpersonspendinginthe2009-10 budget will be:- Up 12 percent over 15 years- Up 25 percent over 20 years- Up 82 percent over 30 years
Legislature Ignores Spending ReformReasonableobserverswouldthinkthatthesecondmajor“budgetcrisis”inthelastnine years would serve as a warning for legislators to break the status quo mentality of “spend and tax” and instead enact some meaningful spending reform. Regretta-bly, no such action occurred this session.• Aclausecallingfor“zero-basedbudgeting”includedintheSenatebudgetbillwascutfromthefinalbudget.Azero-basedbudgetingapproachwouldsimplycallonstate agencies to rank the importance of their activities in order to better priori-tizestatespending.
• Threedifferentbillscallingforaformofa“taxpayerbillofrights”nevermadeit out of committee. Such bills seek to smooth the growth of state spending, aggressivelysettingasidesurplusrevenueduringflushtimestosaveforthenextdownturnornaturaldisaster(aswellasreturningaportionofsurplusrevenuesto taxpayers).
North Carolina taxpayers can expect state lawmakers to continue to raise taxes in future recessions in order to finance continued spending growth.
• BRIAN BALFOUR
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$1.1 billion cont. on pg 2
Spending continued on pg 8
On Oct. 1, all North Caro-linians began paying 15percent more sales taxes ontheir purchase of clothing,
school supplies and most every otherpurchaseataretailstore.That’sbecause,the2009NorthCarolinaGeneralAssemblyincreasedthesalestaxfrom6.75centsto7.75centsformostofthestate.
On top of the sales tax hike, state lawmakers included surcharges on income and corporate taxes, and new Internet-based taxes in the 2009-10 state budget (SenateBill202,“The Appropriations Act of 2009”). “Sin” taxes on alcohol, ciga-rettes and tobacco were increased as well.
Alltold,thenewbudgetwillimposea total of $1.1 billion in new taxes this year – roughly equivalent to nearly $500 per family of four.
ThebudgetwaspassedbytheGen-eralAssemblyinAugustwitha27-to-18vote in the Senate and a 65-to-52 vote in theHouse.Thebillofficiallybecamelawwhen it was signed without fanfare and withnopresspresentbyDemocraticGov.BevPerdueonFriday,August7.
ThenewtaxesincludedinNorthCarolina’s 2009-10 budget:• Statewide Sales Tax Increase of 1 cent.
North Carolina’s total sales tax rate increasedfrom6.75percentto7.75percentinmostofthestate.Thenewrate is the eighth highest in the nation. (Twoofthesevenhigher-ratestateshaveno income tax.)
• Income Tax Surcharge. Thesurchargewould effectively force many taxpayers to pay 102 or 103 percent of their in-come tax liability, meaning a taxpayer who owes $1,000 in state income taxes now owes $1,020 or $1,030 in state incometaxes.Thesurchargewillbeassessed at two percent on single filers earning above $60,000 and couples earning above $100,000, and at three percent for single filers earning above $150,000 and couples earning above $250,000.Thissurchargewillhurtmany small business owners, limiting
Click-Throughs. Thistaxintroducesthe state sales tax to online purchases fromcompanies–suchasAmazon–that have “affiliate” programs. Such programs are arrangements by which
During Recession, Family Budgets Go Down, State Spending Continues Up• STAFF REPORT
their opportunities to sustain or createjobs.
•Three Percent Surcharge on Corpo-rate Income Tax. Similar to the income tax surcharge, this tax will force all busi-nessesorganizedascorporations,smalland large, to pay 103 percent of its tax liability. North Carolina already imposes the highest tax rate on businesses in the Southeast region.
• “Sin” Taxes on Cigarettes, Alcohol and Tobacco. Cigarette taxes will in-crease from 35 to 45 cents per pack. Ci-gars and other tobacco products will be taxed at 12.8 percent of the retail price, upfrom10percent.Beertaxeswillincreasefrom53.177centspergallonto61.71centspergallon–oraboutfivecentspersix-pack.Taxesonunfortifiedwine will rise from 21 cents per liter to
26.34cents.Taxesonfortifiedwinewillincrease from 24 cents per liter to 29.34 cents – about four cents per bottle. Liquor will be taxed at 30 percent of the retail price, up from 25 percent.
•New Tax on Digital Products and
$1.1 Billion Tax Hike Takes Effect
Do you believe Gov. Perdue and the N.C. Legislature
have done all they can to remove wasteful spending
from the state budget in order to prevent the need for
a tax increase?
Not Sure 10%
Yes 11%
No 79%
Civitas Poll July 2009
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1
$1.1 Billion Tax Hike Takes Effect
During Recession, Family Budgets Go Down, State Spending Continues Up
3 Health Care Reform Debate:
A Portrait of the Person in the Crowd
Market, Uninsured Affected by Government-Imposed Mandates
4 No Legislative Action on
Illegal Immigration
5 Legislators Directory
7 Federal Bailout Fuels an Increase
in N.C. Government Spending
8 From the Editor
Scandal
Income Tax Highest in the Southeast; Sales Tax Now 8th Highest in Nation
CARTOONBYKEITHBOST
2 October 2009 nccivitas.org
CAPITOL CONNECTIONCivitas
$1.1 Billion Tax Hike CONTINUED FROM PG 1
Senate Bill 202 – The 2009-10 state budget.SENATE
Roll call #1056
DEMOCRATS WHO VOTED YESSens. Albertson Basnight Berger, D. Blue Boseman Clodfelter Dannelly Davis Dorsett Foriest Garrou GossGraham Hoyle Jenkins Jones Kinnaird McKissickNesbitt Purcell Queen Rand Shaw SnowSoles Stein Swindell Vaughan Weinstein
REPUBLICANS WHO VOTED YESNone
DEMOCRATS WHO VOTED NONone
REPUBLICANS WHO VOTED NOSens. Allran Apodaca Berger, P. Bingham Blake Brock BrownBrunstetter Clary East Forrester Goodall Hartsell HuntJacumin Preston Rouzer Rucho Stevens Tillman
ABSENT Sen. Atwater (D)
HOUSE
Roll call #1217
DEMOCRATS WHO VOTED YESReps. Adams Alexander, K. Alexander, M. Allen Bell BordsenBraxton Brisson Bryant Carney Coates Cole Cotham Crawford Dickson Earle England Faison Farmer-Butterfield Fisher Floyd,E. Gibson Gill GoforthHackney (SPEAKER) Haire Hall Harrell Harrison Hill Holliman Hughes Insko Jackson Jeffus JonesLove Lucas Luebke Mackey Martin McLawhorn Michaux Mobley Owens Parmon Pierce Rapp Spear Stewart Sutton Tarleton Tolson Tucker Underhill Wainwright Warren, E. Warren, R. Weiss WhildenWilkins Williams Womble Wray Yongue
REPUBLICANS WHO VOTED YESNone
DEMOCRATS WHO VOTED NONone
REPUBLICANS WHO VOTED NOReps. Avila Barnhart Blackwell Blackwood Blust BolesBrown Brubaker Burr Burris-Floyd Cleveland CurrentDaughtry Dockham Dollar Folwell Frye GillespieGrady Guice Gulley Hilton Holloway HowardHurley Iler Ingle Johnson Justice JustusKillian Langdon Lewis McComas McCormick McElraftMcGee Mills Moore Neumann Randleman RhyneSager Samuelson Setzer Stam Starnes SteenStevens Tillis West Wiley
Exc. Absence:Reps. Glazier (D) Goodwin (D) Ross (D)
BUDGET VOTE BOX
PUBLISHER
Francis X. De Luca
MANAGING EDITOR
Jana Benscoter
Editorial & Advertising
100 S. Harrington Street
Raleigh, NC 27603
919-834-2099 (phone)
919-834-2350 (fax)
www.nccivitas.org
All non-advertising content
published in Civitas Capitol
Connection may be republished
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published in its entirety.
Copyright 2009
CAPITOL CONNECTIONCivitas
TN AL VA KY NC* SC* GA LA MS FL4
4.5
5
6
7
8
5.5
6.5
7.5
TN and FL don’t tax income. NC now adds up to 3% surcharge to highest rate SC is special tax rate on business
Top Marginal Income Tax Rates in SE: Which State Would Your Business Choose?
people get paid a commission for any sales made by consumers who clicked to the retailer via the individual’s Web site. Thesalestaxwillalsonowbeappliedto items such as computer software downloads, downloaded publications and ringtones.Thedecisiontoincreasetaxeswill
slow economic recovery and growth, which willinevitablyresultinfewernewjobsandlower wages. w
The 2009-10 NC Budgetincreased spendingtaxes up $1.1 billion:
7 prisons closed
$40 million cut outof mental health
services
187 Department ofCorrections positions
eliminated
35 corrections officers and lieutenants
eliminated
75% decrease in immigration enforcement
funding
3October 2009nccivitas.org
CAPITOL CONNECTIONCivitas
Onemajorfactorclearlycontrib-uting to higher health care costs isstate-levelmandates.These
mandates, a requirement by the govern-ment, as well as laws and regulations that follow them, prevent people from purchas-ing health insurance across state lines – a restriction that greatly reduces choice and insurance alternatives.
When consumers have fewer alterna-tives,pricesgoup.Onemajorissueinthenational health care debate is the need for greater competition in the health insurance market.ThePublicOption,supportedbyliberals, is not the only option, although
that is exactly what many on the left want thegeneralpublictothink.Theycitesky-rocketing health insurance premiums as the reason to have government-run health care.
In a deregulated market, rising premi-ums would inevitably bring new insurers to thetableofferingcompetitiveprices.Theopposite has happened in North Carolina whereBlueCrossandBlueShieldcur-rentlyholdsa72.5percentmarketshare,compared to its 38.8 percent market share in 1999. With that much ownership in the insurance market, it leaves little room for competitive pricing.
NorthCarolinahasatotalof47health insurance mandates to date, 25 of whicharemandatedbenefits.Thisisthemost obvious case of government standing in the way of competition, allowing one or a couple of very large insurance companies
• BY MARIANNE SUAREZ
Market, Uninsured Affected by Government-Imposed Mandates
Given your knowledge of Medicaid and other government sponsored health care programs, would you
entrust your health or your family’s health to a government run health
insurance plan over a private option?
No 57%
Yes 29%
Not sure 14%
Civitas Poll July 2009
to gain a monopoly in the state by creating barriers to entry for new insurers.
Nine of the 25 mandated health insur-ance benefits in North Carolina have been adoptedinthelastdecade.Thisincludessome of the most costly, such as the mental health parity coverage mandate, which has been estimated to increase premiums by up to 10 percent.
Theeffectofmandatesdoesn’tendwithjusthighercosts.Byraisingpremi-ums, mandates also price people out of the health insurance market and increase the number of uninsured people in the state – this in turn raises the cost of health care even more.
Health Care Reform Debate: A Portrait of the Person in the Crowd
TheAmericansforProsperityNorthCarolina(AFPNC)PatientsFirst“Hands Off My Health Care” bus
tour was in my estimation a true example ofAmericanpoliticalactivism.
Aftervisitingmorethan40citiesinthestate, it became quite clear that many North Carolinians are not happy about the current health care debate and the “reform” propos-als.Peopleatvariousstopsevenprintedoutthe1,300pluspagebill,(TheAmerica’sAf-fordableHealthChoicesActof2009)andhighlighted sections, to express their gravest concerns regarding the legislation.
In spite of what mainstream media has consistently been proclaiming, the crowds weren’t made up of fear mongers and angry mobs gathering to protest their misconceptionsofPresidentObama’shealthcareplan.Theywerepeoplefromall walks of life, and probably more well-versed on the issues than members of the 111th U.S. Congress.
Peoplespokeagainstmillionscutfrom Medicare; seniors rebuked gov-ernment rationing of their health care; parents who brought children voiced their concerns about losing employer paid benefits and being filtered into the govern-ment public option plan.
Small business owners talked about how proposed mandates would increase
• BY MARIANNE SUAREZ
their overhead costs dramatically and pre-vent them from hiring new workers.
Ahugeconsensusthroughoutthestatewastheneedoftortreform.Almostevery person believed that the fastest and most effective way to bring down the cost of premiums is not through dissolution of the current system; instead they said there should be tort reform and govern-ment should permit people to buy health insurance across state lines. Just these two simple reforms would increase competi-tion and limit waste, fraud and abuse without the trillion dollar price tag.
IjoinedAFPNCthefirstweekofAugustandvisitedninecities:Ashe-
ville, Charlotte, Gastonia, Greensboro, Hendersonville, Hickory, Lincolnton, ShelbyandWinston-Salem.Thesecondweek of September, we stopped at eight cities: Goldsboro, Laurinburg, Lumber-ton, Monroe, Rockingham, Smithfield, Raleigh and Waynesville.
Thecrowdsinthesmallercitiesaveraged around 200; in larger cities, this number more than doubled. In Charlotte, the number of people reached 1,000 and as the bus pulled back in to Raleigh – at the end of the first leg of the tour – the number was closer to 3,000.
Beforethetripswereover,the“Hands Off My Health Care” bus visited
thefollowingcitiesaswell:Aberdeen,Beaufort,Benson,Brunswick,Burlington,Concord,Dunn,Fayetteville,Greenville,HighPoint,Jacksonville,Kannapolis,Lexington, Lillington, Little Washington, Moorehead,NewBern,Salisbury,San-ford,Shallotte,SouthernPines,Wilming-ton and Wilson.
Butthetruemeasureofthistourwasnot found in the number of places visited oreventhesizeofthecrowds,butratherin the tremendous concern and sense of purpose that united so many people across NorthCarolina.(Formoreinformationon Health Care Reform see: www.Join patientsfirst.com.) w
Civitas Poll April 2009
No 56%
Not sure 9%
Yes 36%
Civitas Poll July 2009
Would you personally be willing to pay higher taxes to provide health
insurance for all Americans?
Would you please tell me if you approve or disapprove of each
of the following? “President Barack Obama’s plan for a universal
health care system will give every American health care coverage, even if it means cutting Medicare
programs that senior citizens depend on”
Several studies demonstrate a posi-tive correlation between the number of mandates in a state and the portion of the uninsured population. In 2006, the 16 states with the fewest mandates averaged an uninsured population of 13.1 percent, while states with the highest number re-ported numbers closer to 20 percent.
Sen.PhilipBerger(R-Rockingham)proposedthislegislativesessionSenateBill725,whichwouldhaveallowedpeopletopurchaseinsuranceacrossstatelines.Theproposalwasrejectedincommittee.
It makes little sense for politicians to be advocating for more competition on the one hand and inundating the insurance market with mandates that restrict compe-titionontheother.Thepublicoptionplanis being offered to us as the only alternative to increase competition, lower the cost of premiums, and reduce the nation’s unin-sured population – however, such a claim is simply not true. w
9.0%Don’t know/
refused
39.3%Strongly
disapprove
18.7%Strongly approve
16.3%Somewhat
approve
16.7%Somewhat disapprove
When thinking about health care reform, what should be the highest
priority: ensuring universal coverage for all Americans, maintaining a high quality health care system, or keep-
ing health care costs affordable?
Civitas Poll July 2009
61%
18%
16%
4%
Keep costs affordable
Universal coverage
for all
Not sure
High quality system
4 October 2009 nccivitas.org
CAPITOL CONNECTIONCivitas
Not content to wait for the North Carolina Gen-eralAssemblyanddespitestrong public opposition,
theStateBoardoftheNorthCarolinaCommunityCollegeSystem(NCCCS)on Sept. 18 passed a motion allowing illegal immigrants to attend the state’s 58 community colleges.
TheonlyboardmembertoopposethepolicywasLt.Gov.WalterDalton,whoiselectedstatewide.StateTreasurerJanetCowell, also elected statewide, supported the policy.Gov.BevPerdue,spokeoutagainstthe admission of illegal immigrants during last year’s campaign but all of her appointees to the board voted to support the admission of illegal immigrants.
TheGeneralAssemblydoesnotconvene again until May 12, 2010, at which time they could take action on this decision.Despite79percentofNorthCarolinians believing illegal immigration is a “burden” to our state, the 2009 General Assemblyadjournedwithoutpassinganylegislation addressing illegal immigration.
Over 50 bills were filed dealing with immigration issues, many to restrict illegal immigrants’ eligibility for education pro-gramsandfederalbenefits.Afew,how-ever, were filed to grant illegal immigrants the same access to government benefits as legal residents.
Amongthebillsfiled,includedHouseBill(HB)922sponsoredbyReps.
No Legislative Action on Illegal Immigration
• BY BOB LUEBKE
BrianHolloway(R-Rockingham),JohnBlust(R-Guilford),GeorgeCleveland(R-Onslow)andWilNeumann(R-Gaston). It was the strongest attempt to comprehensively address the problem of illegalimmigration.Amongotherthings,the legislation prohibits illegal immigrants from enrolling in community colleges or theUniversityofNorthCarolina(UNC)systemandauthorizessheriffstohelpenforce federal immigration policy.
AlsointroducedwasHB294sponsored by Reps. George Cleveland (R-Onslow),WilNeumann(R-Gaston)andPearlBurris-Floyd(R-Cleveland),which would directly prohibit illegal im-migrants from attending the NCCCS or the UNC system.
AnothermeasureHB324wouldrequireallemployerstousetheE-Verifysystem.E-VerifyisanInternet-basedsys-tem that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligi-bility of their newly hired employees and “is the best means available for determin-ing employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers,” according to the United States CitizenandImmigrationServices.Haditbecome law, it would have also prohibited illegal immigrants from receiving stimulus funds.ThebillnevermadeitoutofthehousecommitteeonFederalRelationsandIndianAffairs.
Source: “A Portrait of Unauthorized Immigration in the United States.” Pew Hispanic Center, April 2009
Note: There are no states with unauthorized immigrant populations between 575,000 and 900,000.
Estimated Unauthorized Immigrant Population by State, 2008 (U.S. Total 11.9 million)
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HOUSE BILL 362
“Access to Higher Education.”Prevents community colleges from asking students
about immigration status.Primary Sponsors:
Rep. Pricey Harrison (D-Guilford)Rep. Rick Glazier (D-Cumberland)
Rep. Paul Luebke (D-Durham)Rep. Verla Insko (D-Orange)
HOUSE BILL 294
“No Postsecondary Education/Illegal Aliens.” Prohibits public universities and community colleges from
admitting illegal aliens.Primary Sponsors:
Rep. George Cleveland (R-Onslow)Rep. Wil Neumann (R-Gaston)
Rep. Pearl Burris-Floyd (R-Cleveland)
HOUSE BILL 922
“The North Carolina Illegal Immigration Prevention Act.” Provides comprehensive plan for addressing illegal immigration, including penalizing employers that hire illegals to authorizing
sheriffs to enforce federal immigration laws.Primary Sponsors:
Rep. Brian Holloway (R-Rockingham) Rep. John Blust (R-Guilford)
Rep. George Cleveland (R-Onslow)Rep. Wil Neumann (R-Gaston)
HOUSE BILL 324
“Stimulus Funds/Contractors Must Use E-Verify.”Requires contractors receiving federal stimulus funds to use E-verify to
establish immigration status.Primary Sponsors:
Rep. George G. Cleveland (R-Onslow)Rep. Wil Neumann (R-Gaston)
Rep. Justin P. Burr (R-Montgomery)Rep. Curtis Blackwood (R-Union)
SENATE BILL 848
“Ensure College Access/High School Graduates.”Requires North Carolina colleges and universities to admit illegal immigrants.
Primary Sponsor: Sen. Charles Albertson (D-Duplin)
Illegal Immigration continued on pg 8
N.C. Community Colleges Order Admission of Illegals
5October 2009nccivitas.org
CAPITOL CONNECTIONCivitas
1 Camden, Currituck, Pasquotank, TyrrellBillOwens(D) Rm. 635, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-0010 [email protected]
2 Chowan, Dare, Hyde, WashingtonTimothyL.Spear(D) Rm. 402, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-3029 [email protected]
3 Craven, PamlicoAliceGrahamUnderhill(D) Rm. 1206, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5853 [email protected]
4 Duplin, OnslowRussellE.Tucker(D) Rm.416B,300N.SalisburySt. 919-715-3021 [email protected]
5 Bertie, Gates, Hertford, PerquimansAnnieW.Mobley(D) Rm. 638, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5780 [email protected]
6 Beaufort, PittArthurWilliams(D) Rm.637,300N.SalisburySt. 919-733-5906 [email protected]
7 Halifax, NashAngelaR.Bryant(D) Rm. 542, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5878 [email protected]
8 Martin, PittEdithD.Warren(D) Rm.416A,300N.SalisburySt. 919-715-3023 [email protected]
9 PittMarianN.McLawhorn(D) Rm.1217,16WestJonesSt. 919-733-5757 [email protected]
10 Greene, Lenoir, WayneR.VanBraxton(D) Rm. 2219, 16 West Jones St. 919-715-3017 [email protected]
11 WayneEftonM.Sager(R) Rm. 508, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5755 [email protected]
12 Craven, LenoirWilliamL.Wainwright(D) Rm.301F,300N.SalisburySt. 919-733-5995 [email protected]
13 Carteret, JonesPatMcElraft(R) Rm. 603, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-6275 [email protected]
14 OnslowGeorgeG.Cleveland(R) Rm. 504, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-6707 [email protected]
15 OnslowW.RobertGrady(R) Rm. 302, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-9644 [email protected]
16 New Hanover, PenderCarolynH.Justice(R) Rm.306A3,300N.SalisburySt. 919-715-9664 [email protected]
17 BrunswickFrankIler(R) Rm.306A2,300N.SalisburySt. 919-301-1450 [email protected]
18 New Hanover, PenderSandraSpauldingHughes(D) Rm.537,300N.SalisburySt. 919-733-5754 [email protected]
19 New HanoverDanielF.McComas(R) Rm. 506, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5786 [email protected]
20 Brunswick, ColumbusDeweyL.Hill(D) Rm. 1309, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5830 [email protected]
21 Sampson, WayneLarryM.Bell(D) Rm. 538, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5863 [email protected]
22 Bladen, CumberlandWilliamD.Brisson(D) Rm. 1325, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5772 [email protected]
23 Edgecombe, WilsonJoeP.Tolson(D) Rm.307B2,300N.SalisburySt. 919-715-3024 [email protected]
24 Edgecombe, WilsonJeanFarmer-Butterfield(D) Rm. 528, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5898 [email protected]
25 NashRandyStewart(D) Rm. 1219, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5802 [email protected]
26 JohnstonN.LeoDaughtry(R) Rm. 1013, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5605 [email protected]
27 Northhampton, Vance, WarrenMichaelH.Wray(D) Rm. 405, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5662 [email protected]
28 Johnston, SampsonJamesH.Langdon,Jr.(R) Rm. 610, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5849 [email protected]
29 DurhamLarryD.Hall(D) Rm.417B,300N.SalisburySt. 919-733-5872 [email protected]
30 DurhamPaulLuebke(D) Rm. 529, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-7663 [email protected]
31 DurhamHenryM.Michaux,Jr.(D) Rm.1227,16WestJonesSt. 919-715-2528 [email protected]
32 Granville, VanceJamesW.Crawford,Jr.(D) Rm. 1326, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5824 [email protected]
33 WakeRosaU.Gill(D) Rm. 1305, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5880 [email protected]
34 WakeGrierMartin(D) Rm. 2123, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5758 [email protected]
35 WakeJenniferWeiss(D) Rm. 532, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-3010 [email protected]
36 WakeNelsonDollar(R) Rm. 1209, 16 West Jones St. 919-715-0795 [email protected]
37 WakePaulStam(R) Rm. 613, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-2962 [email protected]
38 WakeDeborahK.Ross(D) Rm. 2223, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5773 [email protected]
39 WakeDarrenG.Jackson(D) Rm. 301N, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5974 [email protected]
40 WakeMarilynAvila(R) Rm.1017,16WestJonesSt. 919-733-5530 [email protected]
41 WakeChrisHegarty(D) SeatRecentlyFilled
42 CumberlandMarvinW.Lucas(D) Rm.417A,300N.SalisburySt. 919-733-5775 [email protected]
43 CumberlandElmerFloyd(D) Rm. 1311, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5959 [email protected]
44 CumberlandMargaretHighsmithDickson(D) Rm.2217,16WestJonesSt. 919-733-5776 [email protected]
45 CumberlandRickGlazier(D) Rm. 2215, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5601 [email protected]
46 Hoke, Robeson, ScotlandDouglasY.Yongue(D) Rm.2207,16WestJonesSt. 919-733-5821 [email protected]
47 RobesonRonnieSutton(D) Rm. 1321, 16 West Jones St. 919-715-0875 [email protected]
48 Hoke, Robeson, ScotlandGarlandE.Pierce(D) Rm. 301C, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5803 [email protected]
49 Franklin, Halifax, NashLucyT.Allen(D) Rm.419B,300N.SalisburySt. 919-733-5860 [email protected]
50 Caswell, OrangeBillFaison(D) Rm. 611, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-3019 [email protected]
51 Harnett, LeeJimmyL.Love,Sr.(D) Rm. 305, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-3026 [email protected]
52 MooreJamesL.Boles,Jr.(R) Rm. 501, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5903 [email protected]
53 HarnettDavidR.Lewis(R) Rm. 533, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-3015 [email protected]
54 Chatham, Moore, OrangeJoeHackney(D) Rm. 2304, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-3451 [email protected]
55 Durham, PersonW.A.(Winkie)Wilkins(D) Rm. 1301, 16 West Jones St. 919-715-0850 [email protected]
56 OrangeVerlaInsko(D) Rm.307B1,300N.SalisburySt. 919-733-7208 [email protected]
57 GuilfordPriceyHarrison(D) Rm. 2119, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5771 [email protected]
58 GuilfordAlmaAdams(D) Rm. 304, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5902 [email protected]
59 GuilfordMaggieJeffus(D) Rm. 2204, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5191 [email protected]
60 GuilfordEarlJones(D) Rm. 536, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5825 [email protected]
61 GuilfordLauraI.Wiley(R) Rm. 513, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5877 [email protected]
62 GuilfordJohnM.Blust(R) Rm. 1109, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5781 [email protected]
63 AlamanceAliceL.Bordsen(D) Rm. 530, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5820 [email protected]
64 AlamanceDanW.Ingle(R) Rm. 1019, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5905 [email protected]
65 RockinghamNelsonCole(D) Rm. 1218, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5779 [email protected]
66 Montgomery, RichmondMelanieWadeGoodwin(D) Rm.1307,16WestJonesSt. 919-733-5823 [email protected]
67 Montgomery, Stanly, UnionJustinP.Burr(R) Rm. 1315, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5908 [email protected]
68 UnionCurtisBlackwood(R) Rm.1317,16WestJonesSt. 919-733-2406 [email protected]
69 Anson, UnionPryorGibson(D) Rm.419A,300N.SalisburySt. 919-715-3007 [email protected]
70 RandolphPatB.Hurley(R) Rm.607,300N.SalisburySt. 919-733-5865 [email protected]
71 ForsythLarryWomble(D) Rm. 534, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5777 [email protected]
72 ForsythEarlineW.Parmon(D) Rm. 541, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5829 [email protected]
73 Davidson, ForsythLarryR.Brown(R) Rm. 609, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5607 [email protected]
74 ForsythDaleR.Folwell(R) Rm.306A1,300N.SalisburySt. 919-733-5787 [email protected]
75 ForsythWm.C.“Bill”McGee(R) Rm. 531, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5747 [email protected]
76 RowanFredF.Steen,II(R) Rm. 514, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5881 [email protected]
77 RowanLoreneCoates(D) Rm. 633, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5784 [email protected]
How do I Contact My Legislator?House
For additional infor-mation on finding your legislator by county or to see how they vote, please visit civitasaction.org
WHY WE GIVE PARTY AFFILIATIONS:The Legislature is
managed as a partisan
institution. Lawmakers
segregate themselves
by party in matters
from daily meetings
to electing leaders.
They have separate
and taxpayer-financed
staffs. As such, gaining
a full understanding of
the vote of an individ-
ual lawmaker requires
knowing his or her
partisan affiliation.
This legislative directory provides legislative phone number and legisla-tive address. Jones St. zip code is 27601. The Salisbury St. zip code is 27603.
6 October 2009 nccivitas.org
CAPITOL CONNECTIONCivitas
78 RandolphHaroldJ.Brubaker(R) Rm. 1229, 16 West Jones St. 919-715-4946 [email protected]
79 Davie, IredellJuliaC.Howard(R) Rm. 1106, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5904 [email protected]
80 DavidsonJerryC.Dockham(R) Rm. 1213, 16 West Jones St. 919-715-2526 [email protected]
81 DavidsonHughHolliman(D) Rm. 2301, 16 West Jones St. 919-715-0873 [email protected]
82 CabarrusJeffBarnhart(R) Rm. 608, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-2009 [email protected]
83 CabarrusLindaP.Johnson(R) Rm. 1006, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5861 [email protected]
84 Avery, Caldwell, Mitchell, Yancey PhillipFrye(R) Rm. 602, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5661 [email protected]
85 Burke, McDowellMitchGillespie(R) Rm. 1008, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5862 [email protected]
86 BurkeHughBlackwell(R) Rm. 606, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5805 [email protected]
87 CaldwellEdgarV.Starnes(R) Rm. 503, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5931 [email protected]
88 Alexander, CatawbaRayWarren(D) Rm. 306C, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-8361 [email protected]
89 Catawba, IredellMitchellS.Setzer(R) Rm. 1204, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-4948 [email protected]
90 Alleghany, SurrySarahStevens(R) Rm. 509, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-1883 [email protected]
91 Rockingham, StokesBryanR.Holloway(R) Rm. 502, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5609 [email protected]
92 Iredell, Surry, YadkinDarrellG.McCormick(R) Rm. 1211, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5654 [email protected]
93 Ashe, WataugaCullieM.Tarleton(D) Rm. 2221, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-7727 [email protected]
94 WilkesShirleyB.Randleman(R) Rm. 1025, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5935 [email protected]
95 IredellGreyMills(R) Rm. 1111, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5741 [email protected]
96 CatawbaMarkK.Hilton(R) Rm. 1021, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5988 [email protected]
97 LincolnJohnathanRhyne,Jr.(R) Rm. 1323, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5782 [email protected]
98 MecklenburgThomTillis(R) Rm. 1002, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5828 [email protected]
99 MecklenburgNickMackey(D) Rm. 403, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5606 [email protected]
100 MecklenburgTriciaAnnCotham(D) Rm. 418C, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-0706 [email protected]
101 MecklenburgBeverlyM.Earle(D) Rm. 634, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-2530 [email protected]
102 MecklenburgBeckyCarney(D) Rm. 1221, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5827 [email protected]
103 MecklenburgJimGulley(R) Rm. 1313, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5800 [email protected]
104 MecklenburgRuthSamuelson(R) Rm.418B,300N.SalisburySt. 919-715-3009 [email protected]
105 MecklenburgRicKillian(R) Rm. 1010, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5886 [email protected]
106 MecklenburgMarthaB.Alexander(D) Rm. 2208, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5807 [email protected]
107 MecklenburgKellyM.Alexander,Jr.(D) Rm. 632, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5778 [email protected]
108 GastonWilNeumann(R) Rm. 510, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5868 [email protected]
109 GastonWilliamA.Current,Sr.(R) Rm.418A,300N.SalisburySt. 919-733-5809 [email protected]
110 Cleveland, GastonPearlBurris-Floyd(R) Rm. 1319, 16 West Jones St. 919-715-2002 [email protected]
111 ClevelandTimMoore(R) Rm. 604, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-4838 [email protected]
112 Cleveland, RutherfordBobEngland,M.D.(D) Rm. 303, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5749 [email protected]
113 Henderson, Polk, TransylvaniaW.DavidGuice(R) Rm. 1015, 16 West Jones St. 919-715-4466 [email protected]
114 BuncombeSusanC.Fisher(D) Rm. 420, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-2013 [email protected]
115 BuncombeBruceGoforth(D) Rm. 1220, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5746 [email protected]
116 BuncombeJaneWhilden(D) Rm. 1303, 16 West Jones St. 919-715-3012 [email protected]
117 HendersonCarolynK.Justus(R) Rm. 1023, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5956 [email protected]
118 Haywood, Madison, YanceyRayRapp(D) Rm. 2213, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5732 [email protected]
119 Haywood, Jackson, Macon, SwainR.PhillipHaire(D) Rm. 639, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-3005 [email protected]
120 Cherokee, Clay, Graham, MaconRogerWest(R) Rm. 1004, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5859 [email protected]
Senate
1 Beaufort, Camden, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Pasquotank, Tyrrell, Washington MarcBasnight(D) Rm.2007,16WestJonesSt. 919-733-6854 [email protected]
2 Carteret, Craven, PamlicoJeanR.Preston(R) Rm. 1121, 16 West Jones St. [email protected]
3 Edgecombe, Martin, PittS.ClarkJenkins(D) Rm. 308, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-3040 [email protected]
4 Bertie, Chowan, Gates, Halifax, Hertford, Northampton, PerquimansW.EdwardJones(D) Rm. 623, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-3032 [email protected]
5 Greene, Pitt, Wayne DonaldDavis(D) Rm. 525, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5621 [email protected]
6 Jones, OnslowHarryBrown(R) Rm. 521, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-3034 [email protected]
7 Franklin, Granville, Vance, Warren DougBerger(D) Rm. 526, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-8363 [email protected]
8 Brunswick, Columbus, Pender R.C.Soles,Jr.(D) Rm. 2022, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5963 [email protected]
9 New HanoverJuliaBoseman(D) Rm. 309, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-2525 [email protected]
10 Duplin, Lenoir, SampsonCharlesW.Albertson(D) Rm. 523, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5705 [email protected]
11 Nash, WilsonA.B.Swindell(D) Rm. 629, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-3030 [email protected]
12 Johnston, WayneDavidRouzer(R) Rm. 520, 300 N. Salisbury St. [email protected]
13 Robeson, HokeMichaelWalters(D) Seat recently filled
14 WakeDanielT.Blue,Jr.(D) Rm. 314, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5752 [email protected]
15 WakeNealHunt(R) Rm. 1102, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5850 [email protected]
16 WakeJoshuaH.Stein(D) Rm. 410, 300 N. Salisbury St. [email protected]
17 WakeRichardY.Stevens(R) Rm. 406, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5653 [email protected]
18Chatham, Durham, Lee RobertAtwater(D) Rm. 312, 300 N. Salisbury St.919-715-3036 [email protected]
19 Bladen, CumberlandTonyRand(D) Rm. 300-C, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-9892 [email protected]
20 DurhamFloydB.McKissick,Jr.(D) Rm. 621, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-4599 [email protected]
21 CumberlandLarryShaw(D) Rm. 311, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-9349 [email protected]
22 Harnett, MooreHarrisBlake(R) Rm.517,300N.SalisburySt. 919-733-4809 [email protected]
23 Orange, PersonEleanorKinnaird(D) Rm. 2115, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5804 [email protected]
24 Alamance, CaswellAnthonyE.Foriest(D) Rm. 411, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-301-1446 [email protected]
25 Anson, Richmond, Scotland, Stanly WilliamR.Purcell(D) Rm. 625, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5953 [email protected]
26 Guilford, RockinghamPhilipEdwardBerger(R) Rm. 1026, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5708 [email protected]
27 GuilfordDonVaughan(D) Rm. 622, 300 N. Salisbury St. [email protected] 28 GuilfordKatieG.Dorsett(D) Rm. 2106, 16 West Jones St. 919-715-3042 [email protected]
29 Montgomery, RandolphJerryW.Tillman(R) Rm. 628, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5870 [email protected]
30 Alleghany, Stokes, Surry, Yadkin DonW.East(R) Rm. 1120, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5743 [email protected]
31 ForsythPeterS.Brunstetter(R) Rm. 522, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-7850 [email protected]
32 ForsythLindaGarrou(D) Rm.627,300N.SalisburySt. 919-733-5620 [email protected]
33 Davidson, GuilfordStanBingham(R) Rm.2117,16WestJonesSt. 919-733-5665 [email protected]
34 Davie, RowanAndrewC.Brock(R) Rm. 1119, 16 West Jones St. 919-715-0690 [email protected]
35 Mecklenburg, UnionW.EdwardGoodall,Jr.(R) Rm. 332, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-7659 [email protected]
36 Cabarrus, IredellFletcherL.Hartsell,Jr.(R) Rm. 518, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-7223 [email protected]
37 MecklenburgDanielG.Clodfelter(D) Rm. 408, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-8331 [email protected]
38 MecklenburgCharlieSmithDannelly(D) Rm. 2010, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5955 [email protected]
39 MecklenburgBobRucho(R) Rm. 1118, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5655 [email protected]
40 MecklenburgMalcolmGraham(D) Rm. 620, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5650 [email protected]
41 Gaston, Iredell, LincolnJamesForrester(R) Rm. 1129, 16 West Jones St. 919-715-3050 [email protected]
42 Catawba, IredellAustinM.Allran(R) Rm. 516, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5876 [email protected]
43 GastonDavidW.Hoyle(D) Rm.300-A,300N.SalisburySt. 919-733-5734 [email protected]
44 Burke, CaldwellJimmyR.Jacumin(R) Rm. 1113, 16 West Jones St. 919-715-7823 [email protected]
45 Alexander, Ashe, Watauga, Wilkes SteveGoss(D) Rm. 1028, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5742 [email protected]
46 Cleveland, RutherfordDebbieA.Clary(R) Rm. 515, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-3038 [email protected]
47 Avery, Haywood, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Yancey JoeSamQueen(D) Rm.1117,16WestJonesSt. 919-733-3460 [email protected]
48 Buncombe, Henderson, Polk TomM.Apodaca(R) Rm.1127,16WestJonesSt. 919-733-5745 [email protected]
49 BuncombeMartinL.Nesbitt,Jr.(D) Rm.300-B,300N.SalisburySt. 919-715-3001 [email protected]
50 Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain, Transylvania JohnJ.Snow,Jr.(D) Rm. 2111, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5875 [email protected]
This legislative directory provides legislative phone number and legisla-tive address. Jones St. zip code is 27601. The Salisbury St. zip code is 27603.
For additional infor-mation on finding your legislator by county or to see how they vote, please visit civitasaction.org
7October 2009nccivitas.org
CAPITOL CONNECTIONCivitas
Gov. Perdue says that her emergency 1-cent sales tax increase will only be temporary and will expire next fall. Do you in fact believe it will expire
or will it end up being made a permanent sales tax increase?
Civitas Poll July 2009
Not Sure 9%
Expire 13%
Become permanent
77%
T he federal stimulus package approved by Congress earlier this year “bailed out” North Carolina state budget writ-
erswith$1.7billion.Thefederalfundsallowed state budget writers to “cut” state spending on many substantial programs, only to have the cuts backfilled with federal dollars.
• BRIAN BALFOUR
Federal Bailout Fuels an Increase in N.C. Government Spending
mentofRevenue(DOR)“enforcement”and “compliance” measures.
$99 Million from Funds and ReservesSome trust funds and reserves were raided, including:• $38millionfrom“cashbalancesfrom
special funds.”• $24millionfromCapitalandRepairandRenovationsAccounts.
• $5millioneachfromtheTobaccoandHealthandWellnessTrustFunds.
$210 Million from Enforcement and Compliance
State budget writers are relying on a projected$210millioninincreasedrevenueduetoN.C.DepartmentofRevenue(DOR)actionsaimedatcol-lecting more taxes owed to the state. If the department is unable to collect the additional money, the budget will not be balanced.
In years to come, when the federal stimulus package has been spent, the money to pay for recurring expenses is still going to have to come from some-where.There’slittledoubtthatthefirstplace state lawmakers will look is the taxpayer’s pockets. w
In other words, many of the highly-publicizedbudget“cuts”weren’treallycuts at all.
Forexample,$857millioninstatefunding for North Carolina’s Medic-aid system is “offset by federal recovery funds.”Thisisrecordedasa“cut”inthebudget even though total spending on the program remains the same.
Such tactics allow budget writers to tellcitizensthatdeepbudgetcutsweremade and now taxes have to be raised, when in fact total spending was unaf-fected, merely the source of the revenue changed from state to federal.
Mostofthe$1.7billioninfederalfunds for 2009-10 will be used to supple-ment state spending in education and Medicaid.Majorrecipientsoffederalassistance payments include:• $380millionforpubliceducation.• $1.1billionfortheDepartmentofHealthandHumanServices(DHHS),whichincludes$857millionforMedicaidpayments,$67millionforchildcare subsidies, and $131 million foralower-incomehomes“weatheriza-tion” program.
• $80millionforthe“WorkforceInvest-mentAct.”
• $90millionfortheDrinkingandCleanWaterStateRevolvingLoanFunds.Alsohelpingtofinancethestate’s
spending plan is revenue from state trust fundsandreserves,aswellasnewDepart-
TAX MONEY GOES TOWARDS PROJECTS LIKE “GREEN SQUARE PROJECT.” TOTAL GOVERNMENT SPENDING IS $152 MILLION – PLUS INTEREST
Don’t get upset.Get involved.
• Campaign/Candidate Training • Grassroots Training • Investigative Journalism Training
and much, much more
Information online @www.nccivitas.orgwww.nccivitas.org
Politiciansletting you down?
DID
YO
U K
NO
W?
Number of days the Legislature has been in session - 195
Cost per day Legislature in session - $50,000
Amount of per diem each legislator receives per day - $104
Total numbers of bills ratifi ed (passed both houses) - 580
Number of bills vetoed by the Governor - 1
State Senate:
Number of days met - 112
Number of legislative days with no legislative action - 31
Number of bills/resolutions introduced - 1109
Number of votes - 1567
Number of Senators who have resigned/died - 2
State House:
Number of days met - 114
Number of legislative days with no legislative action - 25
Number of bills/resolutions introduced - 1658
Number of votes - 1628
Number of Representatives who have resigned/died - 5
2009 N.C. Legislature by the numbers2009 N.C. Legislature by the numbers
8 October 2009 nccivitas.org
CAPITOL CONNECTIONCivitas
State Spending Continues UpCONTINUED FROM PG 1
Civitas Capitol Connection is a new newspaper of the John W. PopeCivitasInstitutewithamissiontoinformyouonwhatishappening in Raleigh, the Capitol, and most importantly what theNorthCarolinaGeneralAssemblyisdoing.
TheGeneralAssemblymaynotalwaysbeinsession,butthe impact of taxes, spending and laws passed by legislators affect us year round. Civitas Capital Connection will keep you abreast of changes that have occurred and point out possible areas where change may occur, whether that is in your pocketbook or backyard. We will cover the actions of national, state and local governments, especially on matters that will impact your life the most, such as the current debate on “health care reform.”
Forinstance,ourpageonearticle,regardingdecisionsmadeduringthe2009budget, reveals how legislators voted to increase taxes and spending. Raising any taxes during a recession is a bad idea, but raising the sales tax has an immediate and direct effect on North Carolinians, especially those who are living on a tight budget.ThetidalwaveofbillsfiledbylegislatorsandsignedbyGov.BevPerduewill have an impact, direct or indirect, on your livelihood and family.
AmidallthenoiserisingacrossNorthCarolina,wewanttocutthroughthe confusion and provide you with hard facts to help you formulate your own opinions and thoughts on the important matters of the day. We will also provide youwithpollingdatathatshowswhatresidentsoftheTarHeelstatethinkaboutwhat’s going on in Raleigh and the nation.
Most importantly, we will provide you with information as to who is vot-ing for or against legislation mentioned; who has sponsored legislation that has become law, or could become law; and in every issue, you will be able to track down contact information for your representative and senator.
It comes as no secret that newspapers are declining these days. We hope you enjoyournewformat,andourattempttokeepnewspapersinstyleandrelevant.
TheCivitasInstituteisanon-partisan,non-profitthinktankbasedin Raleigh with a mission to educate, empower and inform North Carolinians. w
Civitas Capitol Connection Is Launched
BY JANA BENSCOTER
F R O M T H E E D I T O R
Questionable Spending Items RemainAstheHouseandSenatepresentedthebudget plan to the Governor, House SpeakerJoeHackney(D-Orange)de-clared,“Thereisnoporkinthisbudget.”
Butputintopropercontext,mostreasonable observers would deem much of the spending included in the 2009-10 state budget questionable. In the midst of a recession, and one of the largest budget deficits in state history, Raleigh lawmakers introduced $1.1 billion in new taxes in or-der to increase spending. Indeed, Hackney declared that, in part, the new taxes “saved public education and its core mission in North Carolina.”
Butwhatelsearestateleaders“sav-ing?” While higher taxes will inevitably leadtolostprivatesectorjobs,acloserlook at the final state budget reveals that the state continues to waste millions of taxpayer dollars for corporate welfare, tourist attractions, public television and walking trails.
Areviewoftheline-itemspendingincluded in the 2009-10 budget should call into question the priorities of Raleigh politicians. Is it really necessary to destroy privatesectorjobsviataxhikesinorderto finance more than $40 million on museums, art councils and symphonies? In this “deepest recession since the great depression,” is it appropriate for the state to spend $14 million on state-run televi-sion and more than a million dollars for state government planes?
Alittleinvestigationmakesitread-
ily apparent that Raleigh lawmakers are more concerned about a budget that protects frivolous “wants” and new, unproven programs than protecting the jobsofitscitizens.w
• S C A N D A L •
HB362sponsoredbyReps.PriceyHarrison(D-Guilford),RickGlazier(D-Cumberland),PaulLuebke(D-Durham)andVerlaInsko(D-Orange)wouldhaveprohibited higher education institutions from soliciting information on a prospec-tive student’s immigration status.
IntheSenate,SenateBill848,sponsoredbySen.CharlesAlbertson(D-Duplin),wouldgrantillegalim-migrants admission to the NCCCS and the UNC system.
EventhoughtheGeneralAssemblyhas been unable to decide the issue of illegal immigration, North Carolina voters areanythingbutundecided.Ananalysis
ofCivitasPollresultsreflectsstrongpublicsentiment against illegal immigration. Results include: • 79percentofvotersthoughtillegal
immigration was a “burden on North Carolina.”(May2008,DecisionMaker Poll.)
• 19percentofvotersinthesamepollcalled illegal immigration a “benefit.”
• 91percentofvotersthoughtbusinessesshould be required to verify the im-migration status of anyone they employ. (April2008,DecisionMaker Poll.)
• 68percentofvotersopposecommunitycolleges admitting illegal immigrants. (February2008,DecisionMaker Poll.) Thelackoflegislativeactionandpoll
resultssuggesttheGeneralAssemblyisig-noring what North Carolinians want done onthesubjectofillegalimmigration.w
Illegal ImmigrationCONTINUED FROM PG 4
Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue has been in office since January, but hardly a day goes by without a
mention of former Democratic Gov. Mike Easley. Easley is currently embroiled in one of North Carolina’s biggest political scandals.
The scandal involves Easley and some of his supporters, who provided not only votes, but also sweetheart land deals,
any in-kind contributions or expenditures for aircraft use in Easley’s campaign reports for 2000 or 2004.
Easley appointed Campbell to the N.C. State Board of Trustees in 2001 and he was subsequently elected chairman. Campbell spearheaded the hiring of Easley’ wife Mary to an ill-defined position at N.C. State and was involved in increasing her salary to
free trips and patronage jobs. It’s hard to understand why many of the state’s major newspapers and TV stations have been late in covering this story.
The only source to thoroughly investigate and report on many of Easley’s troubles, while he was in office, was the monthly newspaper Carolina Journal (CJ), published by the John Locke Foundation.
In 2006 Associate Publisher Don Carrington uncovered Easley’s failure to disclose having his home remodeled by a major developer and contributor, Nick Garrett, before calling for a Council of State vote to approve a lease of the state-owned Southport Marina to Garrett and his associates. (See CJ links below.) Carrington broke the land deal story when Easley purchased a waterfront lot from contributors and political appointees. The land, located in a gated community called CannonsGate, was sold to him at less than market value.
Carrington also assisted with breaking the story that revealed Easley, and his family, was receiving free air travel from longtime supporter McQueen Campbell. Carrington reported on the unexplained and missing gaps in the former Governor’s travel records. Investigators failed to find
$170,000. Public outcry forced Campbell, the N.C. State Provost and Chancellor to resign their positions. Mary Easley was later removed from her position.
All of this finally caught the attention of the major media in the state, and federal and state authorities who had been investigating the former Governor and his associates. The State Board of Elections recently held hearings to determine whether the Governor violated campaign laws.
Carrington and CJ deserve our thanks for their dogged investigation and reporting. Their efforts exposed what happens when the press and citizens fail to keep a watchful eye on our government. To read more on the CJ “Exclusive Series” see http://carolinajournal.com/exclusives/series.html?id=27
The Civitas Institute offers practical training in investigative journalism and how to expose government corruption. We hold monthly meetings for those who want to learn more and connect with others to combat public corruption. For more information contact Bob Luebke at 919-834-2099, Ext. 135. w
Scandal is a regular column in Capital Con-nection that will explore public corruption in NC Government.
Spending Priorities: Are These Appropriate
During a “Budget Crisis”?
• $10.3 million for aquariums
• $11.1 million for tourism, film and sport development
• $17.5 million in statewide program grants for local cultural activities
• $8.6 million for NC Arts Council
• $2.9 million for NC Symphony
• $13.9 million for Public TV
• $10 million to subsidize in-state tuition rate for out-of-state athletic scholarships
• $1.1 million for a botanical garden at UNC-Chapel Hill
• $2.1millionfordiggingup old pirate ship
Cannonsgate – across the sound from Emerald Isle (top of picture)
PHOTOBYDONCARRINGTON
