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SENATOR JERRY TILLMAN
SENATE MAJORITY WHIP
SENATE
UPDATE
March 24, 2011
State Health Plan Changes
The Senate will pass significant changes to the State Health
Plan this week. As you may know, our
State Health Plan is awash in red ink and needs a transfusion of
$400-$600 million taxpayer dollars
every biennium. Under SB 265 state employees and teachers will
likely pay a small monthly premium.
Retirees who opt for the 80-20 plan will also likely pay a small
monthly premium. Oversight of the
State Health Plan will be transferred to the Treasurers office.
If changes to the plan are not madequickly, the entire plan will
likely collapse forcing everyone to provide their own insurance
from the
private market, where there will be no taxpayer subsidy.
There are few if any places left that offer a health care plan
like the one we have in North Carolina.
It is my hope that we can strengthen our own plan to the point
that it will meet the needs of our state
employees and teachers, and be financially stable both now and
in the future. SB 265 will provide
much needed reform to put us back on the right track. You will
see
Energy Independence
Will America ever wake up and take the steps needed to wean
itself from the stranglehold of dependence
on foreign oil? This and our crippling national debt will likely
lead to our downfall as a great nation.
It may happen sooner than later. I read with keen interest
yesterday that Brazil was now totally energy
independent. Brazil had the resolve to do it and did it. I ask
you; where is Americas resolve???
es, this should be a no brainer. Everyone I talk to knows this,
yet America lacks the focus to do what
has to be done. Continued inaction will cost America, and the
cost may well be more than we can pay.
Right now, were writing checks we cant cash. We will see
N.C. Trains are on Fast Track
The Federal Government has offered N.C. $545 million to fund a
fast rail system and apparently DOT
has signed the deal to accept. Many will tell you this is too
sweet a deal to turn down. Maybe it is,maybe it is not. North
Carolinas citizens and businesses have sent this money to
Washington, so its
our money theyre spending. I believe passengers and commodities
shipped from Raleigh to Washing-
ton D.C. will save maybe 15 minutes in travel time. If the plan
moved forward and the rail system is
implemented, who will pay the on-going cost year after year
after year? I dont believe it will be the
federal government, do you??? We will see
Question: Why would N.C. DOT sign such an agreement without at
least consulting the legislature?
Sounds a bit odd to me. Other states have rejected the federal
money offered for similar projects.
I wonder why? Time will tell
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First 30 Legislative Days Progress Report
Jobs-Focused:
* Were working hard on a budget that will right-size state
government and get it out of the way
of the private sector.
* We passed savings bills (SB 13 and SB 109) to help save
taxpayers money this fiscal year to prepare
for a multi-billion dollar budget deficit. We did this to
minimize harm to classroom teachers and
rank-and-file state employees and to foster an environment that
gives the private sector freedomto create jobs.
* We passed a bill (SB 22) to prohibit government agencies from
adopting new regulations that cost
businesses and taxpayers money (unless certain limited
exceptions are met such as a court order,
action of the general assembly or threat to health and
safety).
* We passed a bill (SJR 17) creating a Joint Regulatory Reform
Committee that will tour the state and
get input from citizens regarding vague, unnecessary and
outdated regulations that are an impediment
to job creation.
* We passed a bill (SB 33) reforming medical malpractice laws to
ensure greater access to high quality,
affordable medical care in North Carolina this will attract top
doctors, bring new jobs and make health
care more affordable and accessible for all North
Carolinians.
* We passed a bill (HB 2) that would have allowed North
Carolinians to opt out of some of the most
burdensome portions of President Obamas job-crushing health care
legislation.
* We passed a bill (SB 8) to eliminate the cap on innovative
public charter schools which will increase
educational opportunities for our kids and give parents the
freedom to choose a school that best meets
their childrens needs.
* We will pass a bill that reforms the health care system in
North Carolina. (Passed committee 3-23)
* We filed a Taxpayer Bill of Rights bill (HB 188).
Other:
* We passed a moratorium on forced annexations (SB 27), to
protect private property from government
encroachment.
* We passed a castle doctrine bill (SB 34) which allows citizens
to stand their ground and defend them-
selves with deadly force when an intruder unlawfully enters
their home, vehicle or place of business.
Regulatory Reform Statewide Listening Tour
The Joint Committee on Regulatory Reform will host five meetings
across North Carolina, beginning
March 21st in Charlotte, to garner feedback from the public on
burdensome state rules and regulations.
The committee, chaired by Sen. Harry Brown (R-Jones), Sen. David
Rouzer (R-Johnston), Rep. Marilyn
Avila (R-Wake) and Rep. Pat McElraft (R-Carteret), is tasked
with scrutinizing state regulations that
should be eliminated. It is comprised of nine senators and nine
representatives, appointed by Senate
President Pro Tempore Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) and House
Speaker Thom Tillis (R-Mecklenburg).
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Senator Jerry Tillman can be reached on Facebook
Are you on Facebook?
You can reach Senator Jerry Tillman by clicking this link.
http://www.facebook.com/jerrywtillman
Once you get to Jerrys page, just hit the like button at the top
of the page and youll start getting
updates during the week.
If you don't have a Facebook account, you can sign up for an
account so you canstart getting Jerry's updates.
Then tell your friends and neighbors who might want to know what
Jerry is doing in Raleigh for the
folks in Randolph and Montgomery counties.
Again, just click:
http://www.facebook.com/jerrywtillman
To connect today.
QuoteHonesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom Thomas
Jefferson
Senator Jerry Tillman
Senate Majority Whip
627 Legislative Office Building
Raleigh, NC 27601-2808
Phone: 919.733.5870
Fax: 919.754.3339
[email protected]
