July 2013
News from the NC Senate
This past Friday ended the
2013 NC Legislative Session, and I think you will be pleased with the results!
You sent us to Raleigh to help rebuild our state's economy, lower
taxes, right-size government, pass Voter ID laws, and protect personal
freedoms, and we have accomplished these things. Please see some of the
highlights below.
I have learned that in order for our form
of government to work, there must be a system of checks and balances - there
is often give and take. It's not easy nor do we always get
everything we want, but the system serves the citizens of our great state
well.
I will now be spending more time in our
district these next few months talking to groups and individuals, so please
contact me to schedule a meeting via email atNorman.Sanderson@ncleg.net or by phone (252) 249-3749.
Norman
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2013 Legislative Accomplishments
Tax Reform
We passed a tax
reform plan that simplifies the state's 1930s Depression-era tax code,
provides major tax relief to ALL North Carolinians and makes the state far
more attractive to job-creating businesses. It cuts taxes by more than $1
billion in the first three years alone.
We cut the personal
income tax rate, the corporate income tax rate, capped the gas tax,
eliminated the death tax and ended dozens of loopholes for special interests.
These reforms immediately moved our state from 47th in national rankings to
the 17th best business tax climate in America.
Budget
We passed a $20.6
billion state budget that invests in core services, streamlines state
government, strengthens public education and grows North Carolina's economy.
Our budget safeguards NC's long-term fiscal health while cutting taxes for
all citizens.
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Photo ID for Voters
We passed a common-sense provision that requires North
Carolinians to show photo ID when they vote. An Elon University poll from
earlier this year showed that 72% of North Carolina residents support
requiring voters to show photo ID before voting. Our action brought NC in
line with the majority of other states.
Education Reform
We passed major education reforms to strengthen
student literacy, improve graduation rates and increase accountability.
We continued our commitment to implementing a pay for excellence system
by including $10.2 million to fund annual pay raises for the most effective
teachers.
Unemployment Insurance Reform
We reformed our broken unemployment insurance program and
set a pathway for repaying NC's $2.5 billion debt to the federal government.
Under our plan, NC will be out of debt by 2016 and our unemployment system
will be solvent and no longer a hindrance to economic growth.
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Preserving Justice and
Public Safety
We passed a bill to restart
the death penalty in NC to ensure justice for more than 100 NC families whose
loved ones' lives were brutally taken.
Second Amendment Rights
We continued our
commitment to protection of our Second Amendment rights by expanding
the number of places that people with a concealed carry permit can carry
firearms. We strengthened safety measures for the public and penalties for
criminals who violate our gun laws.
Holding Abortion Clinics
Accountable
We passed common-sense
provisions to ensure patient safety by requiring abortion clinics to adhere to
similar standards as other surgical facilities. We protected
all healthcare workers from being compelled to perform abortions that are
against their moral, ethical and religious objections. We defended
taxpayers against being forced to pay for abortions.
LOCAL ISSUES
In Senate District
2, we were able to place another stay on ferry tolls and completely revamp
the way decisions are made on whether to toll ferries or not. This decision
will now be made on a more local level within our Rural Planning Organization,
not on a state legislative level. Also, Tryon Palace received critical funding
for the coming year that will allow them to prepare for becoming more
self-sufficient.
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