The week before last, lame-duck Governor Bev Perdue found a way to throw North Carolinians under the bus one last time before leaving office.
As the deadline closed in for states to decide whether to help implement ObamaCare Exchanges or tell the Feds to take a hike, she buckled to pressure from the Left and decided to split the difference. She accepted $73.5 million in federal grant money to set up a hybrid state/federal-run ObamaCare Exchange in North Carolina.
While the U.S. Supreme Court found the individual mandate to purchase insurance Constitutional – albeit reclassified as a tax – they also found that the federal government cannot force states to comply with federal mandates on the threat of losing existing federal funding. The court said that, "the legitimacy of Congress's exercise of the spending power...rests on whether the State voluntarily and knowingly accepts the terms of the contract." (Emphasis added.) They went on to confirm that states have the right as independent sovereigns to refuse to act on federal mandates they do not like.
If a state simply refuses to accept federal mandates (and the associated “bribe” money) to implement ObamaCare Exchanges, as the court explicitly affirms is within its power, the entire law would collapse upon itself.
Republican governors such as Rick Perry of Texas, Scott Walker of Wisconsin, Paul LePage of Maine, and Nikki Haley of South Carolina have refused to accept the federal bribe money and told the Feds to take a hike. In a letter to the Obama Administration, Governor LePage wrote:
“The [federal health reform law] is full of federal mandates; as such, even a state-based health insurance exchange is actually controlled by the federal government. In the end, a state exchange puts the burden onto the states and the expense onto our taxpayers, without giving the state the authority and flexibility we must have to best meet the needs of the people of Maine.”
Governor Perdue said that she chose a state-hybrid exchange for North Carolina so that Governor-elect Pat McCrory and the incoming Republican supermajority General Assembly can make changes to the exchange if they want to. Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger said that Governor Perdue should not have acted, but that he didn't mind her applying for federal Obamacare money, “as long as it does not frivolously spend the tax dollars until the new leaders determine the next steps.”
Say what?
Even more disturbing, while Governor-elect Pat McCrory said he found many aspects of a state-run ObamaCare Exchange troubling, he's hedging his bets and refusing to say outright that he will give back the ObamaCare bribe money once he's sworn in and refuse to go along with the President's healthcare takeover. Instead, he said, “Governor Perdue’s decision leaves flexibility for North Carolina in the future when it comes to the delivery of health care...“I will be discussing this with more governors today, and will continue those discussions in the coming weeks to ensure the best results for North Carolina.”
I don't know about you, but I get nervous when politicians start talking about "flexibility."
Here's the problem: North Carolina and every other state that accepted ObamaCare bribe money are bound, under the law, to cooperate with the implementation of an ObamaCare Exchange so long as they keep the money. The only way to refuse to go along with ObamaCare is to refuse the bribe.
We need to hear from Pat McCrory, Thom Tillis, and Phil Berger TODAY a firm commitment that they will DEFINITELY return the $73.5 million bribe that Bev Perdue took and we need to know what date we can expect that to happen. Anything less firm than that is nothing but mealy-mouthed stalling for time.
House Speaker Thom Tillis, Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger, and Governor-elect Pat McCrory need to hear from you immediately! Call right away and remind them not to “voluntarily and knowingly” succumb to the national takeover of your health care. Ask when they intend to give back the ObamaCare bribe money! House Speaker Thom Thillis: (919)733-3451 Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger: (919)733-5708 Governor-elect Pat McCrory: media@patmccrory.com.
Insist that they refuse to build an insurance exchange as called for in ObamaCare. We elected a Republican governor and a Republican supermajority to the General Assembly. They have the responsibility AND the numbers to flatly refuse to have any part in implementing ObamaCare in North Carolina. Step 1 in protecting us from Obama's takeover scheme is to give back his bribe money! Tell them you expect nothing less!
In Liberty,
Adam Love
State Coordinator North Carolina Campaign for Liberty
P.S. Two weeks ago, Lame-duck Governor Bev Perdue accepted $73.5 million in federal bribe money to implement ObamaCare in NC. So far, Governor-elect Pat McCrory, House Speaker Thom Tillis, and Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger haven't said when they plan to give it back! Contact them today and demand to know when they plan to return the ObamaCare bribe money and say NO! to cooperating with ObamaCare in NC!
Contact them today at:
House Speaker Thom Tillis: (919)733-3451
Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger: (919)733-5708
Governor-elect Pat McCrory: media@patmccrory.com
Because of Campaign For Liberty's tax-exempt status under IRC Sec. 501(C)(4) and its state and federal legislative activities, contributions are not tax deductible as charitable contributions (IRC § 170) or as business deductions (IRC § 162(e)(1)).
www.CampaignForLiberty.org
Showing posts with label Gov. Beverly Perdue. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gov. Beverly Perdue. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Saturday, July 14, 2012
News from the NC Legislature from NC Representative, Norman Sanderson
Note: CCTA is a non partisan organization. We do not endorse any particular candidate or political party. News items are presented for you the reader to help you become informed and reach your own conclusions.
Promises made. Promises kept. July 12, 2012
July 3rd marked the end of the 2011/2012 legislative cycle. What will be recorded in history as the shortest "short session" ever was marked with a number of accomplish-ments. Your conservative legislature, in spite of 19 vetoes by the governor, kept our promises to put NC back on the path toward financial prosperity, fiscal accountability, sound education reform and stronger private rights of our citizens. We passed a $20.2 billion budget adjustment, capped the gas tax, provided a 1.2% raise for teachers and state employees for the first time in over 4 years and restored education funding - all without raising taxes.
Relevant to our local District 3, we were able to secure a one-year moratorium on ferry tolls in order to study impact and look for alternatives to tolling. The budget adjustment also allocated $500,000 to help local communities protect our military bases from closure and restored a portion of funding for Tryon Palace. All of these successes were with bi-partisan support. Below are some key accomplishments in greater detail.
It has been an honor to serve you in the NC House, and I look forward to the opportunity to serve you in the NC Senate!
Norman
Fiscal Accomplishments
Balanced Budget: On July 2, 2012 Republicans in the House and Senate voted to override the Governor's veto of a $20.17 billion budget adjustment for 2012-2013 (HB 950). This bill fine-tuned some items from the previous budget. No tax rates were increased.
Regulatory Reform: SB 810 "Regulatory Reform Act of 2012" loosens regulatory requirements on citizens and businesses. Presented to Governor on 6/28/12.
Licensure: HB 799 will accelerate the process by which military personnel and their spouses can be licensed to lawfully practice their occupation once they have moved to NC. It allows the state Board of Education to issue teacher licenses to military spouses who are teachers in their home state. It was passed by the House and Senate on 7/2/12 and presented to the Governor.
Education
Funding: The 2012-2013 adjusted budget restores $251 million to public education. It provides $27 million for an education reform program that focuses on student literacy, improving graduation rates, and rewarding effective teachers. The budget fully funds enrollment growth in K-12, community colleges and the university system.
Raises: Teachers and all state employees were granted a 1.2% raise, the first in five years, and community colleges and the university system are given funds for a 1.2% raise for recruiting, retaining, or rewarding excellent instructors.
Policy: HB 7 allows community colleges to opt out of the William D. Ford Federal Director Loan program. The House and Senate overrode the Governor's veto on 6/18/2012 at the request of the Trustees of many community colleges.
Environment
Natural Gas: SB 820 "Clean Energy and Economic Security Act" creates the Mining and Energy Commission, which will develop regulations for horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. Licenses will not be issued until further legislative action. It became law on 7/2/12 after the House and Senate voted to override the Governor's veto.
Property Rights
Protections: HB 925 requires that residents of an area have the opportunity to vote prior to that area being annexed by a municipality. It became law on 6/11/12.
Gun Rights
Protections: HB 843 repealed GS 14-288.7 which made it a Class 1 Misdemeanor to transport any dangerous weapon or substance in an area where there is a declared state of emergency. The act also prohibits municipalities and counties from restricting or prohibiting lawfully possessed firearms within a declared emergency area. It became law on 6/11/12.
Transportation
Gas Tax: The budget cuts and freezes the gas tax at 37.5 cents per gallon. This is 1.4 cents less than the current rate.
Ferry Tolls: After much behind the scenes work, the final budget language included a one-year moratorium on ferry tolls for the Cherry Branch-Minnesott ferry. A later technical correction also includes the Aurora - Pamlico River ferry. This will allow time to look at the impact of ferry tolling on citizens and study possible alternatives to ferry tolling.
Criminal Justice
Human Trafficking: SB 910 is a bipartisan bill that increases the penalties for the unlawful sale, surrender, or purchase of a child. This is a new tool to suppress human trafficking.
Murder: SB 105 increases the penalties for second degree murder and death by motor vehicle. It was presented to the Governor on 6/28/12.
Death Penalty: SB416 amends death penalty procedures. Major changes detail the use of evidence to prove racial discrimination. It eliminates the defendant's ability to use statewide statistical evidence. Statistical evidence alone is not enough to determine racial discrimination. It also limits the use of stat data to approximately a 15 year window around the time the death sentence was sought or imposed. It ends the moratorium on the death penalty. It became law on 7/2/12 after the House and Senate voted to override the Governor's veto.
Death Penalty: SB416 amends death penalty procedures. Major changes detail the use of evidence to prove racial discrimination. It eliminates the defendant's ability to use statewide statistical evidence. Statistical evidence alone is not enough to determine racial discrimination. It also limits the use of stat data to approximately a 15 year window around the time the death sentence was sought or imposed. It ends the moratorium on the death penalty. It became law on 7/2/12 after the House and Senate voted to override the Governor's veto.
Donate to my Senate Campaign: http://votefornorm.com/
Monday, May 7, 2012
PRIMARY RACE --NC Senate District 2
Note: CCTA is a non partisan organization. We do not endorse any particular candidate or political party. News items are presented for you the reader to help you become informed and reach your own conclusions.
Reprinted from the Carteret News Times
"As a life-long Democrat, former county party chair, and a current member of the North Carolina Democratic Party State Executive Committee, I thank Randy Ramsey for his donations to Democratic candidates and to the North Carolina Democratic Party.
His donations over the years have helped elect many fine Democrats, and his support of Bev Perdue is almost legendary in Democrat circles.
It does my heart good to see that Republican as he is and that Democrat as I am we can still support the same candidates and programs.
It is no small wonder that at a fundraiser for Gov. Perdue on the Friday of the Seafood Festival last October, held at the Morehead City Country Club, that Gov. Perdue made a point to recognize him and thank him for all his help over the years.
At one time there were many local Republicans that helped Bev Perdue, but by the time of that fundraiser most of them had abandoned her, but not Randy. He was there like he had always been since her days in the NC Senate.
As for the $7,500 he gave to the North Carolina Democratic Party in 2008, it was a Godsend. It helped us elect five members of the Council of State, a lieutenant governor, and the first woman in the history of North Carolina to the office of governor.
2008 was a hard fought election, but with the generous support of people like Randy Ramsey we were even able to carry North Carolina for President Obama.
I thank him again for his generosity, and if he is elected I hope that he will show the same kindness to the Democrats in the state Senate that are now in the minority.
HUGH WILDE”
Sun Journal--Letter to the Editor:
Citing Gov. Bev Perdue’s widespread unpopularity, attorneys for Julia Leigh Sitton and Trawick “Buzzy” Stubbs — who played significant roles in Perdue’s 2008 campaign for governor — have filed motions asking for special treatment during the jury selection process in their upcoming trials. Since Ramsay has also played a significant role in Perdue’s campaign, when will he be indicted? Will he become the state senator and then sent off to jail? The real possibility of this should cause pause for all North Carolinians.
J. E. Parys, New Bern, NC
Jacksonville Daily News: Comparing records provides a clear view--Randy Ramsey's campaign is consistent if nothing else. While he accuses Norm Sanderson of mud-slinging, he has himself wielded a king-sized mud bucket. He gives vague, feel-good references to his intentions and preferences, but his record indicates otherwise. Norm Sanderson, on the other hand, has a record. On bills which had significant opposition, his record is: on delegate bills, he voted Republican 29 out of 32 times; on Senate bills, Republican 11 out of 12; on nine votes on vetoed bills, he voted all nine times to override.
MORE: http://www.jdnews.com/articles/provides-103501-ramsey-randy.html
Jacksonville Daily News: Ramsey proving to be just what many think--If anyone had any doubt about Randy Ramsey's true political leanings, we have a clincher. We have seen more of the endless stream of slick mailers and now radio attack ads targeting Norm Sanderson. The strange thing is that these attacks only go to show that Ramsey is exactly what a number of us have been saying for weeks, that he is really a liberal just like the folks he has been supporting. The misinformation mailers say that Sanderson voted to implement Obama-care. Anyone who follows North Carolina politics knows this is pure bull as Sanderson co-sponsored the Health Care Freedom Act, which would have outlawed Obama-care in North Carolina. Unfortunately, Ramsey’s best political friend, Gov. Bev Perdue, vetoed it!
Continued: http://www.jdnews.com/articles/ramsey-103259-proving-randy.html
Reprinted from the Carteret News Times
What do Democrats Think About Randy Ramsey?
TO THE EDITOR:"As a life-long Democrat, former county party chair, and a current member of the North Carolina Democratic Party State Executive Committee, I thank Randy Ramsey for his donations to Democratic candidates and to the North Carolina Democratic Party.
His donations over the years have helped elect many fine Democrats, and his support of Bev Perdue is almost legendary in Democrat circles.
It does my heart good to see that Republican as he is and that Democrat as I am we can still support the same candidates and programs.
It is no small wonder that at a fundraiser for Gov. Perdue on the Friday of the Seafood Festival last October, held at the Morehead City Country Club, that Gov. Perdue made a point to recognize him and thank him for all his help over the years.
At one time there were many local Republicans that helped Bev Perdue, but by the time of that fundraiser most of them had abandoned her, but not Randy. He was there like he had always been since her days in the NC Senate.
As for the $7,500 he gave to the North Carolina Democratic Party in 2008, it was a Godsend. It helped us elect five members of the Council of State, a lieutenant governor, and the first woman in the history of North Carolina to the office of governor.
2008 was a hard fought election, but with the generous support of people like Randy Ramsey we were even able to carry North Carolina for President Obama.
I thank him again for his generosity, and if he is elected I hope that he will show the same kindness to the Democrats in the state Senate that are now in the minority.
HUGH WILDE”
Sun Journal--Letter to the Editor:
Citing Gov. Bev Perdue’s widespread unpopularity, attorneys for Julia Leigh Sitton and Trawick “Buzzy” Stubbs — who played significant roles in Perdue’s 2008 campaign for governor — have filed motions asking for special treatment during the jury selection process in their upcoming trials. Since Ramsay has also played a significant role in Perdue’s campaign, when will he be indicted? Will he become the state senator and then sent off to jail? The real possibility of this should cause pause for all North Carolinians.
J. E. Parys, New Bern, NC
Jacksonville Daily News: Comparing records provides a clear view--Randy Ramsey's campaign is consistent if nothing else. While he accuses Norm Sanderson of mud-slinging, he has himself wielded a king-sized mud bucket. He gives vague, feel-good references to his intentions and preferences, but his record indicates otherwise. Norm Sanderson, on the other hand, has a record. On bills which had significant opposition, his record is: on delegate bills, he voted Republican 29 out of 32 times; on Senate bills, Republican 11 out of 12; on nine votes on vetoed bills, he voted all nine times to override.
MORE: http://www.jdnews.com/articles/provides-103501-ramsey-randy.html
Jacksonville Daily News: Ramsey proving to be just what many think--If anyone had any doubt about Randy Ramsey's true political leanings, we have a clincher. We have seen more of the endless stream of slick mailers and now radio attack ads targeting Norm Sanderson. The strange thing is that these attacks only go to show that Ramsey is exactly what a number of us have been saying for weeks, that he is really a liberal just like the folks he has been supporting. The misinformation mailers say that Sanderson voted to implement Obama-care. Anyone who follows North Carolina politics knows this is pure bull as Sanderson co-sponsored the Health Care Freedom Act, which would have outlawed Obama-care in North Carolina. Unfortunately, Ramsey’s best political friend, Gov. Bev Perdue, vetoed it!
Continued: http://www.jdnews.com/articles/ramsey-103259-proving-randy.html
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Statewide News Journal Reports on Randy Ramsey's Suspicious Campaign Contributions
Note: CCTA is a non partisan organization. We do not endorse any particular candidate or political party. News items are presented for you the reader to help you become informed and reach your own conclusions.
From Rep. Norman Sanderson, Candidate for NC State Sentate District 2
Our Senate race is again drawing statewide media attention as today's Carolina Journal Online Edition featured a top story about one of my campaign opponents, Randy Ramsey, and his suspicious campaign contributions. Campaign reports show that, despite scrutiny over Ramsey's association with Bev Perdue, there are three contributors to his campaign that were involved in the Easley/Perdue campaign scandals. One of these contributors was McQueen Campbell's wife who used her maiden name to fly under the radar. Another contribution came from Wendell Murphy of Clinton, NC, a major hog farmer who was subpoenaed in the Mike Easley investigation and also appeared with Ramsey on the unreported flights list for Perdue.
Read the full text of the Carolina Journal Article here!
We must not let this type of corruption influence our Senate race.
Polls will be open on Tuesday, May 8 from 6:30am-7pm in your precinct. Make a statement with your vote that your Senate Seat is NOT FOR SALE.
Thanks Randy! A Letter to the Editor in Today's Carteret Times
Note: CCTA is a non partisan organization. We do not endorse any particular candidate or political party. News items are presented for you the reader to help you become informed and reach your own conclusions.
May 6, 2012
Saturday, April 14, 2012
SHAME ON BEV! Gov. Perdue is against marriage
Gov. Perdue is against marriage and against an amendment THAT IS TO AFFIRM A NORTH CAROLINA LAW already in place!!! Once again, Bev goes against the will of the people in favor of her marching orders from the special interests lobbying her and her party!
Didn't she take an oath to uphold the law/Constitution?????
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUe-7Dd30kk
Didn't she take an oath to uphold the law/Constitution?????
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUe-7Dd30kk
CAROLINA JOURNAL: Perdue Flight Provider Seeks GOP Nod
Ramsey’s history of support for Democrats an issue
By Don Carrington. Executive Editor
RALEIGH---Carteret County businessman Randy Ramsey, who has made substantial campaign contributions to Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue, former Democratic Gov. Mike Easley, and the N.C. Democratic Party, is running in a three-way Republican primary for the 2nd District state Senate seat. Ramsey is the owner of Jarrett Bay Boat works, a boat-building company located in Beaufort. He is a registered Republican, but his past support for Democrats, which includes air travel for Perdue and a $2,000 contribution to her campaign in July, has outraged several Republican Party activists.
Before this year, he has given $3,750 to Republican candidates, but more than 10 times that amount to Democratic campaigns and to the state Democratic Party.
Ramsey told Carolina Journal that he gave to Democrats from eastern North Carolina and thought they would help his part of the state, but that he has “been disappointed” in them.
Moreover, either Ramsey or Jarrett Bay is connected with at least four flights provided to the 2008 Perdue campaign, based on records from an investigation by the State Board of Elections. Ramsey says he recalls providing for two of the flights, but the records — provided by the Perdue committee — are spotty and incomplete, making it difficult to connect payments with specific flights.
Two former Perdue fundraisers face felony charges related to unreported or improperly reported flights during Perdue’s campaign for governor.
Air travel for Perdue
Perdue was elected governor in November 2008. Investigations and news reports later would reveal that she made extensive use of private aircraft for campaign and official business without paying the owners. Perdue has attributed the initial nonpayment’s to sloppy work by her campaign staff. A Perdue spokeswoman characterized the free flying for official business as “gifts to the state.”
Through an investigation by the Board of Elections, the public eventually learned that Perdue’s campaign had accepted dozens of free flights. After a hearing in August 2010, the board fined the Perdue committee $30,000.
A spreadsheet listing Perdue’s air travel from 2001 through 2008 became public information during the election board’s August 2010 hearing. That document listed a total of 243 flights, but the details of many of the flights were missing.
The records appear complete for a Sept. 26, 2008, flight in a Beechcraft King Air provided by Crystal Aviation. May 11, 2009, the Perdue campaign committee sent Jarrett Bay Boatworks Inc. a check for $629.34, listing it as a debt payment for air travel related to that flight.
Crystal Aviation is involved in airplane leasing, according to corporation records from the N.C. Secretary of State’s office. Randy Ramsey of Jarrett Bay Boatworks was listed as a managing member in 2004 and as a member in other years.
A Carolina Journal review of Perdue’s campaign reports could not match reimbursements for three other flights involving Crystal Aviation:
• A Feb. 21, 2008, flight listed as New Bern/Charlotte/Chapel Hill/New Bern was attributed to Crystal Aviation Partnership and Trawick “Buzzy” Stubbs. No cost or payment information was listed. CJ could find no record of payment to Stubbs, Crystal Aviation, Jarrett Bay, or Ramsey. Stubbs, a longtime friend of Perdue and the law partner of Perdue’s late first husband, recently pleaded not guilty to two felony charges related to the governor’s campaign funding. Stubbs was identified in the Board of Elections’ report on Perdue’s campaign flights as an architect of an “aircraft provider” program, along with Peter Reichard, the campaign’s former finance director. Reichard took a felony Alford plea in February in the state probe of the governor’s campaign.
• A May 4, 2008, flight listed as Beaufort/New Bern/Chapel Hill/Beaufort/New Bern also was attributed to Crystal Aviation and Buddy Stallings. The cost column read “cost sheet not completed.” CJ could find no record of payment to Stubbs, Crystal Aviation, Jarrett Bay, or Ramsey.
• A March 8, 2007, flight listed as New Bern/Chapel Hill/Charlotte/Chapel Hill/New Bern was attributed to Crystal Aviation and Buzzy Stubbs. Notes indicate the trip was part official business and part campaign. The total cost was listed as $1,260.60. CJ could find no record of payment to Stubbs, Crystal Aviation, Jarrett Bay, or Ramsey.
Ramsey told CJ the Perdue committee reimbursed him for two flights, but he didn’t remember the details. When asked who asked him to make his aircraft available to Perdue, he said, “I don’t remember — don’t know who asked.”
NCSU board appointment
In June 2009, Perdue appointed Ramsey to the N.C. State University Board of Trustees. Ramsey filled the vacancy left by board chairman D. McQueen Campbell, who resigned at the request of UNC System resident Erskine Bowles.
At the time, Campbell was the subject of news stories and investigations involving free campaign-related flights he had provided to Gov. Mike Easley, for his role in helping Mary Easley obtain a job at N.C. State, and for helping the Easleys purchase a lot in the Cannonsgate development in Carteret County.
In November 2010, Mike Easley entered an Alford plea to a felony charge of failure to report campaign expenditures. Under an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges that the evidence against him may lead to conviction from a jury. Easley, the first North Carolina governor with a felony conviction, paid a $1,000 fine.
Party loyalty
The 2nd Senate District is made up of Carteret, Craven, and Pamlico counties.
The other two candidates are current GOP state Rep. Norm Sanderson of Arapahoe and Pine Knoll Shores Mayor Ken Jones. Incumbent Republican Jean Preston decided not to seek another term.
Some local conservative and Republican activists can’t stomach Ramsey as a Republican candidate.
“Randy Ramsey has been a major player in liberal Democratic ‘pay-to-play’ politics and is not representative of the conservative values of the Tea Party, or what we expect of the Republican Party,” wrote Ken Lang of Stella on the Crystal Coast Tea Party’s website.
A letter from Fred Decker of Newport, published in the Carteret News-Times, was also critical of Ramsey, and claimed the Republican state Senate leadership recruited him. “We don’t need people from Raleigh, Jacksonville, and Wilmington telling us whom we should select to represent us,” he wrote.
When asked if he had been recruited to run for the Senate, Ramsey told CJ that “recruited was too strong of a word,” and that he discussed his interest in running with Preston, state Senate leader Phil Berger of Rockingham County, and state Sen. Harry Brown of neighboring Onslow County.
Brown, the Senate majority leader, told CJ that Ramsey approached him about running for the seat and that the Senate leadership had no problem with it. “We were looking for candidates, and Norm Sanderson had not come to us at the time. We try to stay out of the primary,” he said.
When CJ asked Brown if he knew that Ramsey had been an aircraft provider to the 2008 Perdue campaign he said, “I had no clue on the flying.”
Most recent contribution
Last year, Perdue issued frequent criticisms of the budget passed by the Republican-led General Assembly.
Perdue wanted to continue a 1-cent temporary sales tax that was scheduled to expire. She vetoed the budget bill, but the General Assembly voted to override her veto.
”Tonight, the Republican-controlled legislature turned its back on North Carolina’s longstanding commitment to our people to provide quality schools, community colleges, and universities — all to save a penny. I vetoed the Republican General Assembly’s budget because I believe it will cause generational damage to this state,” she said on June 15 after the override vote. “This budget is shortsighted and irresponsible. It cuts a full half-billion dollars more out of education than I proposed in my budget. It not only damages our education system but also hurts public safety, our environment, and our ability to care for those who need us most.” (EXCUSE ME--BULL#$%T! ~Lynn)
The following month, on July 25, Ramsey made another $2,000 contribution to the Perdue campaign. Ramsey’s donations to Perdue total $16,500. He also gave a total of $7,500 to Easley and $2,000 to former Democratic Senate leader Marc Basnight. Ramsey also gave $5,000 to the N.C. Democratic Party in October 2008 and another $2,500 in April 2010. He has made additional donations to Democrats.
In April 2008, just before the May primary election, Ramsey’s mother and three Jarrett Bay employees gave a total of $9,500 to the Perdue campaign.
Ramsey’s contributions to Republicans prior to this year total $3,750, including $1,000 to Brown and $1,250 to Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry. CJ
http://www.johnlocke.org/acrobat/cjPrintEdition/cj-apr2010-web.pdf?__utma=1.645644867.1327777086.1334244901.1334443786.8&__utmb=1.4.10.1334443786&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1334443786.8.6.utmcsr=google
utmccn=(organic)
utmcmd=organic
utmctr=(not%20provided)&__utmv=-&__utmk=110104325
By Don Carrington. Executive Editor
RALEIGH---Carteret County businessman Randy Ramsey, who has made substantial campaign contributions to Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue, former Democratic Gov. Mike Easley, and the N.C. Democratic Party, is running in a three-way Republican primary for the 2nd District state Senate seat. Ramsey is the owner of Jarrett Bay Boat works, a boat-building company located in Beaufort. He is a registered Republican, but his past support for Democrats, which includes air travel for Perdue and a $2,000 contribution to her campaign in July, has outraged several Republican Party activists.
Before this year, he has given $3,750 to Republican candidates, but more than 10 times that amount to Democratic campaigns and to the state Democratic Party.
Ramsey told Carolina Journal that he gave to Democrats from eastern North Carolina and thought they would help his part of the state, but that he has “been disappointed” in them.
Moreover, either Ramsey or Jarrett Bay is connected with at least four flights provided to the 2008 Perdue campaign, based on records from an investigation by the State Board of Elections. Ramsey says he recalls providing for two of the flights, but the records — provided by the Perdue committee — are spotty and incomplete, making it difficult to connect payments with specific flights.
Two former Perdue fundraisers face felony charges related to unreported or improperly reported flights during Perdue’s campaign for governor.
Air travel for Perdue
Perdue was elected governor in November 2008. Investigations and news reports later would reveal that she made extensive use of private aircraft for campaign and official business without paying the owners. Perdue has attributed the initial nonpayment’s to sloppy work by her campaign staff. A Perdue spokeswoman characterized the free flying for official business as “gifts to the state.”
Through an investigation by the Board of Elections, the public eventually learned that Perdue’s campaign had accepted dozens of free flights. After a hearing in August 2010, the board fined the Perdue committee $30,000.
A spreadsheet listing Perdue’s air travel from 2001 through 2008 became public information during the election board’s August 2010 hearing. That document listed a total of 243 flights, but the details of many of the flights were missing.
The records appear complete for a Sept. 26, 2008, flight in a Beechcraft King Air provided by Crystal Aviation. May 11, 2009, the Perdue campaign committee sent Jarrett Bay Boatworks Inc. a check for $629.34, listing it as a debt payment for air travel related to that flight.
Crystal Aviation is involved in airplane leasing, according to corporation records from the N.C. Secretary of State’s office. Randy Ramsey of Jarrett Bay Boatworks was listed as a managing member in 2004 and as a member in other years.
A Carolina Journal review of Perdue’s campaign reports could not match reimbursements for three other flights involving Crystal Aviation:
• A Feb. 21, 2008, flight listed as New Bern/Charlotte/Chapel Hill/New Bern was attributed to Crystal Aviation Partnership and Trawick “Buzzy” Stubbs. No cost or payment information was listed. CJ could find no record of payment to Stubbs, Crystal Aviation, Jarrett Bay, or Ramsey. Stubbs, a longtime friend of Perdue and the law partner of Perdue’s late first husband, recently pleaded not guilty to two felony charges related to the governor’s campaign funding. Stubbs was identified in the Board of Elections’ report on Perdue’s campaign flights as an architect of an “aircraft provider” program, along with Peter Reichard, the campaign’s former finance director. Reichard took a felony Alford plea in February in the state probe of the governor’s campaign.
• A May 4, 2008, flight listed as Beaufort/New Bern/Chapel Hill/Beaufort/New Bern also was attributed to Crystal Aviation and Buddy Stallings. The cost column read “cost sheet not completed.” CJ could find no record of payment to Stubbs, Crystal Aviation, Jarrett Bay, or Ramsey.
• A March 8, 2007, flight listed as New Bern/Chapel Hill/Charlotte/Chapel Hill/New Bern was attributed to Crystal Aviation and Buzzy Stubbs. Notes indicate the trip was part official business and part campaign. The total cost was listed as $1,260.60. CJ could find no record of payment to Stubbs, Crystal Aviation, Jarrett Bay, or Ramsey.
Ramsey told CJ the Perdue committee reimbursed him for two flights, but he didn’t remember the details. When asked who asked him to make his aircraft available to Perdue, he said, “I don’t remember — don’t know who asked.”
NCSU board appointment
In June 2009, Perdue appointed Ramsey to the N.C. State University Board of Trustees. Ramsey filled the vacancy left by board chairman D. McQueen Campbell, who resigned at the request of UNC System resident Erskine Bowles.
At the time, Campbell was the subject of news stories and investigations involving free campaign-related flights he had provided to Gov. Mike Easley, for his role in helping Mary Easley obtain a job at N.C. State, and for helping the Easleys purchase a lot in the Cannonsgate development in Carteret County.
In November 2010, Mike Easley entered an Alford plea to a felony charge of failure to report campaign expenditures. Under an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges that the evidence against him may lead to conviction from a jury. Easley, the first North Carolina governor with a felony conviction, paid a $1,000 fine.
Party loyalty
The 2nd Senate District is made up of Carteret, Craven, and Pamlico counties.
The other two candidates are current GOP state Rep. Norm Sanderson of Arapahoe and Pine Knoll Shores Mayor Ken Jones. Incumbent Republican Jean Preston decided not to seek another term.
Some local conservative and Republican activists can’t stomach Ramsey as a Republican candidate.
“Randy Ramsey has been a major player in liberal Democratic ‘pay-to-play’ politics and is not representative of the conservative values of the Tea Party, or what we expect of the Republican Party,” wrote Ken Lang of Stella on the Crystal Coast Tea Party’s website.
A letter from Fred Decker of Newport, published in the Carteret News-Times, was also critical of Ramsey, and claimed the Republican state Senate leadership recruited him. “We don’t need people from Raleigh, Jacksonville, and Wilmington telling us whom we should select to represent us,” he wrote.
When asked if he had been recruited to run for the Senate, Ramsey told CJ that “recruited was too strong of a word,” and that he discussed his interest in running with Preston, state Senate leader Phil Berger of Rockingham County, and state Sen. Harry Brown of neighboring Onslow County.
Brown, the Senate majority leader, told CJ that Ramsey approached him about running for the seat and that the Senate leadership had no problem with it. “We were looking for candidates, and Norm Sanderson had not come to us at the time. We try to stay out of the primary,” he said.
When CJ asked Brown if he knew that Ramsey had been an aircraft provider to the 2008 Perdue campaign he said, “I had no clue on the flying.”
Most recent contribution
Last year, Perdue issued frequent criticisms of the budget passed by the Republican-led General Assembly.
Perdue wanted to continue a 1-cent temporary sales tax that was scheduled to expire. She vetoed the budget bill, but the General Assembly voted to override her veto.
”Tonight, the Republican-controlled legislature turned its back on North Carolina’s longstanding commitment to our people to provide quality schools, community colleges, and universities — all to save a penny. I vetoed the Republican General Assembly’s budget because I believe it will cause generational damage to this state,” she said on June 15 after the override vote. “This budget is shortsighted and irresponsible. It cuts a full half-billion dollars more out of education than I proposed in my budget. It not only damages our education system but also hurts public safety, our environment, and our ability to care for those who need us most.” (EXCUSE ME--BULL#$%T! ~Lynn)
The following month, on July 25, Ramsey made another $2,000 contribution to the Perdue campaign. Ramsey’s donations to Perdue total $16,500. He also gave a total of $7,500 to Easley and $2,000 to former Democratic Senate leader Marc Basnight. Ramsey also gave $5,000 to the N.C. Democratic Party in October 2008 and another $2,500 in April 2010. He has made additional donations to Democrats.
In April 2008, just before the May primary election, Ramsey’s mother and three Jarrett Bay employees gave a total of $9,500 to the Perdue campaign.
Ramsey’s contributions to Republicans prior to this year total $3,750, including $1,000 to Brown and $1,250 to Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry. CJ
http://www.johnlocke.org/acrobat/cjPrintEdition/cj-apr2010-web.pdf?__utma=1.645644867.1327777086.1334244901.1334443786.8&__utmb=1.4.10.1334443786&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1334443786.8.6.utmcsr=google
utmccn=(organic)
utmcmd=organic
utmctr=(not%20provided)&__utmv=-&__utmk=110104325
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Federal Judge: Citizens Can Buy Guns and Ammo During State of Emergency
Agenda 21 anyone? Take a look at this insightful review of the movie HUNGER GAMES. I'm sure you will agree that the movie portends a possible glimpse of our future--if we let it.
http://www.opednews.com/articles/1/The-Hunger-Games-movie-rev-by-Mike-Adams-120402-363.html
Federal Judge: Citizens Can Buy Guns and Ammo During State of Emergency--Governor Bev Perdue of North Carolina made a controversial decision when the state was devastated by storms in winter of 2010: she declared a state of emergency. That declaration was quickly followed by one from the city of King, which banned possession of alcohol and guns outside the home. Now a federal judge has ruled that state law cannot create a ban on buying guns and ammunition during emergency situations. "While the bans imposed … may be limited in duration, it cannot be overlooked that the statutes strip peaceable, law-abiding citizens of the right to arm themselves in defense of hearth and home, striking at the very core of the Second Amendment," Senior U.S. District Judge Malcolm J. Howard wrote in his order.
This is a victory for the Second Amendment at a time when the Second Amendment is under direct assault from Democrats across the country. Within the last two days, both former President Clinton and Vice President Joe Biden have used the Trayvon Martin case as an excuse to reintroduce the gun control issue. They ignore, however, that the Second Amendment is a real and vital part of the Constitution, and cannot be overruled by statute. Judge Howard’s ruling should remind them of that inconvenient fact.
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/04/02/Judge-Second-Amendment-North-Carolina
http://www.opednews.com/articles/1/The-Hunger-Games-movie-rev-by-Mike-Adams-120402-363.html
Federal Judge: Citizens Can Buy Guns and Ammo During State of Emergency--Governor Bev Perdue of North Carolina made a controversial decision when the state was devastated by storms in winter of 2010: she declared a state of emergency. That declaration was quickly followed by one from the city of King, which banned possession of alcohol and guns outside the home. Now a federal judge has ruled that state law cannot create a ban on buying guns and ammunition during emergency situations. "While the bans imposed … may be limited in duration, it cannot be overlooked that the statutes strip peaceable, law-abiding citizens of the right to arm themselves in defense of hearth and home, striking at the very core of the Second Amendment," Senior U.S. District Judge Malcolm J. Howard wrote in his order.
This is a victory for the Second Amendment at a time when the Second Amendment is under direct assault from Democrats across the country. Within the last two days, both former President Clinton and Vice President Joe Biden have used the Trayvon Martin case as an excuse to reintroduce the gun control issue. They ignore, however, that the Second Amendment is a real and vital part of the Constitution, and cannot be overruled by statute. Judge Howard’s ruling should remind them of that inconvenient fact.
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/04/02/Judge-Second-Amendment-North-Carolina
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Perdue Aircraft Provider Seeks GOP Senate Seat
More than 90 percent of Ramsey’s campaign donations went to Democrats
(Get out and vote in the Primary, don't let the Democrat Party have 2 Candidates running in the general election. ~ Lynn)
Carolina Journal News Reports
Mar. 29th, 2012
Top photo from Ramsey's website; bottom photo by Don Carrington
Businessman Randy Ramsey (top) is running as a Republican. He has been a long-time Democratic donor and is connected to at least four campaign flights for Gov. Bev Perdue.
RALEIGH — Carteret County businessman Randy Ramsey, who has made substantial campaign contributions to Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue, former Democratic Gov. Mike Easley, and the N.C. Democratic Party, is running in a three-way Republican primary for the 2nd District state Senate seat.
Ramsey is the owner of Jarrett Bay Boatworks, a boat-building company located in Beaufort. He is a registered Republican, but his past support for Democrats, which includes air travel for Perdue and a $2,000 contribution to her campaign in July, has outraged several Republican Party activists.
Before this year, he has given $3,750 to Republican candidates, but more than 10 times that amount to Democratic campaigns and to the state Democratic Party.
Ramsey told Carolina Journal that he gave to Democrats from eastern North Carolina and thought they would help his part of the state, but that he has “been disappointed” in them.
Moreover, either Ramsey or Jarrett Bay is connected with at least four flights provided to the 2008 Perdue campaign, based on records from an investigation by the State Board of Elections. Ramsey says he recalls providing two of the flights, but the records — provided by the Perdue committee — are spotty and incomplete, making it difficult to connect payments with specific flights.
Two former Perdue fundraisers face felony charges related to unreported or improperly reported flights during Perdue’s campaign for governor.
Air travel for Perdue
Perdue was elected governor in November 2008. Investigations and news reports later would reveal that she made extensive use of private aircraft for campaign and official business without paying the owners. Perdue has attributed the initial nonpayments to sloppy work by her campaign staff. A Perdue spokeswoman characterized the free flying for official business as “gifts to the state.”
Through an investigation by the Board of Elections, the public eventually learned that Perdue’s campaign had accepted dozens of free flights. After a hearing in August 2010, the board fined the Perdue committee $30,000.
A spreadsheet listing Perdue’s air travel from 2001 through 2008 became public information during the election board’s August 2010 hearing. That document listed a total of 243 flights, but the details of many of the flights were missing.
The records appear complete for a Sept. 26, 2008, flight in a Beechcraft King Air provided by Crystal Aviation. May 11, 2009, the Perdue campaign committee sent Jarrett Bay Boatworks Inc. a check for $629.34, listing it as a debt payment for air travel related to that flight.
Crystal Aviation is involved in airplane leasing, according to corporation records from the N.C. Secretary of State’s office. Randy Ramsey of Jarrett Bay Boatworks was listed as a managing member in 2004 and as a member in other years.
A Carolina Journal review of Perdue’s campaign reports could not match reimbursements for three other flights involving Crystal Aviation:
• A Feb. 21, 2008, flight listed as New Bern/Charlotte/Chapel Hill/ New Bern was attributed to Crystal Aviation Partnership and Trawick “Buzzy” Stubbs. No cost or payment information was listed. CJ could find no record of payment to Stubbs, Crystal Aviation, Jarrett Bay, or Ramsey.
Stubbs, a longtime friend of Perdue and the law partner of Perdue’s late first husband, recently pleaded not guilty to two felony charges related to the governor’s campaign funding. Stubbs was identified in the Board of Elections’ report on Perdue’s campaign flights as an architect of an “aircraft provider” program, along with Peter Reichard, the campaign’s former finance director. Reichard took a felony Alford plea in February in the state probe of the governor’s campaign.
• A May 4, 2008, flight listed as Beaufort/New Bern/Chapel Hill/Beaufort/New Bern also was attributed to Crystal Aviation and Buddy Stallings. The cost column reads, “cost sheet not completed.” CJ could find no record of payment to Stubbs, Crystal Aviation, Jarrett Bay, or Ramsey.
• A March 8, 2007, flight listed as New Bern/Chapel Hill/Charlotte/Chapel Hill/New Bern was attributed to Crystal Aviation and Buzzy Stubbs. Notes indicate the trip was part official business and part campaign. The total cost was listed as $1,260.60. CJ could find no record of payment to Stubbs, Crystal Aviation, Jarrett Bay, or Ramsey.
Ramsey told CJ the Perdue committee reimbursed him for two flights, but he didn’t remember the details. When asked who asked him to make his aircraft available to Perdue, he said, “I don’t remember — don’t know who asked.”
NCSU board appointment
In June 2009, Perdue appointed Ramsey to the N.C. State University Board of Trustees. Ramsey filled the vacancy left by board chairman D. McQueen Campbell, who resigned at the request of UNC System President Erskine Bowles.
At the time, Campbell was the subject of news stories and investigations involving free campaign-related flights he had provided to Gov. Mike Easley, for his role in helping Mary Easley obtain a job at N.C. State, and for helping the Easleys purchase a lot in the Cannonsgate development in Carteret County.
In November 2010, Mike Easley entered an Alford plea to a felony charge of failure to report campaign expenditures. Under an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges that the evidence against him may lead to conviction from a jury. Easley, the first North Carolina governor with a felony conviction, paid a $1,000 fine.
Party loyalty
The 2nd Senate District is made up of Carteret, Craven, and Pamlico Counties.
The other two candidates are current GOP state Rep. Norm Sanderson of Arapahoe and Pine Knoll Shores Mayor Ken Jones. Incumbent Republican Jean Preston decided not to seek another term.
Some local conservative and Republican activists can’t stomach Ramsey as a Republican candidate.
“Randy Ramsey has been a major player in liberal Democratic ‘pay-to-play’ politics and is not representative of the conservative values of the Tea Party, or what we expect of the Republican Party,” wrote Ken Lang of Stella on the Crystal Coast Tea Party’s website.
CONTINUED: http://www.carolinajournal.com/exclusives/display_exclusive.html?id=8915
(Get out and vote in the Primary, don't let the Democrat Party have 2 Candidates running in the general election. ~ Lynn)
Carolina Journal News Reports
Mar. 29th, 2012
Businessman Randy Ramsey (top) is running as a Republican. He has been a long-time Democratic donor and is connected to at least four campaign flights for Gov. Bev Perdue.
RALEIGH — Carteret County businessman Randy Ramsey, who has made substantial campaign contributions to Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue, former Democratic Gov. Mike Easley, and the N.C. Democratic Party, is running in a three-way Republican primary for the 2nd District state Senate seat.
Ramsey is the owner of Jarrett Bay Boatworks, a boat-building company located in Beaufort. He is a registered Republican, but his past support for Democrats, which includes air travel for Perdue and a $2,000 contribution to her campaign in July, has outraged several Republican Party activists.
Before this year, he has given $3,750 to Republican candidates, but more than 10 times that amount to Democratic campaigns and to the state Democratic Party.
Ramsey told Carolina Journal that he gave to Democrats from eastern North Carolina and thought they would help his part of the state, but that he has “been disappointed” in them.
Moreover, either Ramsey or Jarrett Bay is connected with at least four flights provided to the 2008 Perdue campaign, based on records from an investigation by the State Board of Elections. Ramsey says he recalls providing two of the flights, but the records — provided by the Perdue committee — are spotty and incomplete, making it difficult to connect payments with specific flights.
Two former Perdue fundraisers face felony charges related to unreported or improperly reported flights during Perdue’s campaign for governor.
Air travel for Perdue
Perdue was elected governor in November 2008. Investigations and news reports later would reveal that she made extensive use of private aircraft for campaign and official business without paying the owners. Perdue has attributed the initial nonpayments to sloppy work by her campaign staff. A Perdue spokeswoman characterized the free flying for official business as “gifts to the state.”
Through an investigation by the Board of Elections, the public eventually learned that Perdue’s campaign had accepted dozens of free flights. After a hearing in August 2010, the board fined the Perdue committee $30,000.
A spreadsheet listing Perdue’s air travel from 2001 through 2008 became public information during the election board’s August 2010 hearing. That document listed a total of 243 flights, but the details of many of the flights were missing.
The records appear complete for a Sept. 26, 2008, flight in a Beechcraft King Air provided by Crystal Aviation. May 11, 2009, the Perdue campaign committee sent Jarrett Bay Boatworks Inc. a check for $629.34, listing it as a debt payment for air travel related to that flight.
Crystal Aviation is involved in airplane leasing, according to corporation records from the N.C. Secretary of State’s office. Randy Ramsey of Jarrett Bay Boatworks was listed as a managing member in 2004 and as a member in other years.
A Carolina Journal review of Perdue’s campaign reports could not match reimbursements for three other flights involving Crystal Aviation:
• A Feb. 21, 2008, flight listed as New Bern/Charlotte/Chapel Hill/ New Bern was attributed to Crystal Aviation Partnership and Trawick “Buzzy” Stubbs. No cost or payment information was listed. CJ could find no record of payment to Stubbs, Crystal Aviation, Jarrett Bay, or Ramsey.
Stubbs, a longtime friend of Perdue and the law partner of Perdue’s late first husband, recently pleaded not guilty to two felony charges related to the governor’s campaign funding. Stubbs was identified in the Board of Elections’ report on Perdue’s campaign flights as an architect of an “aircraft provider” program, along with Peter Reichard, the campaign’s former finance director. Reichard took a felony Alford plea in February in the state probe of the governor’s campaign.
• A May 4, 2008, flight listed as Beaufort/New Bern/Chapel Hill/Beaufort/New Bern also was attributed to Crystal Aviation and Buddy Stallings. The cost column reads, “cost sheet not completed.” CJ could find no record of payment to Stubbs, Crystal Aviation, Jarrett Bay, or Ramsey.
• A March 8, 2007, flight listed as New Bern/Chapel Hill/Charlotte/Chapel Hill/New Bern was attributed to Crystal Aviation and Buzzy Stubbs. Notes indicate the trip was part official business and part campaign. The total cost was listed as $1,260.60. CJ could find no record of payment to Stubbs, Crystal Aviation, Jarrett Bay, or Ramsey.
Ramsey told CJ the Perdue committee reimbursed him for two flights, but he didn’t remember the details. When asked who asked him to make his aircraft available to Perdue, he said, “I don’t remember — don’t know who asked.”
NCSU board appointment
In June 2009, Perdue appointed Ramsey to the N.C. State University Board of Trustees. Ramsey filled the vacancy left by board chairman D. McQueen Campbell, who resigned at the request of UNC System President Erskine Bowles.
At the time, Campbell was the subject of news stories and investigations involving free campaign-related flights he had provided to Gov. Mike Easley, for his role in helping Mary Easley obtain a job at N.C. State, and for helping the Easleys purchase a lot in the Cannonsgate development in Carteret County.
In November 2010, Mike Easley entered an Alford plea to a felony charge of failure to report campaign expenditures. Under an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges that the evidence against him may lead to conviction from a jury. Easley, the first North Carolina governor with a felony conviction, paid a $1,000 fine.
Party loyalty
The 2nd Senate District is made up of Carteret, Craven, and Pamlico Counties.
The other two candidates are current GOP state Rep. Norm Sanderson of Arapahoe and Pine Knoll Shores Mayor Ken Jones. Incumbent Republican Jean Preston decided not to seek another term.
Some local conservative and Republican activists can’t stomach Ramsey as a Republican candidate.
“Randy Ramsey has been a major player in liberal Democratic ‘pay-to-play’ politics and is not representative of the conservative values of the Tea Party, or what we expect of the Republican Party,” wrote Ken Lang of Stella on the Crystal Coast Tea Party’s website.
CONTINUED: http://www.carolinajournal.com/exclusives/display_exclusive.html?id=8915
Friday, March 16, 2012
AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY: NC REAL SOLUTIONS
The Americans for Prosperity Foundation and the John William Pope Civitas Institute are excited to launch a multimedia educational effort entitled NC Real Solutions.
The effort explains the success of North Carolina’s recently passed state budget that offered North Carolina real solutions by eliminating the $3 billion deficit, balancing the budget, adding state-funded teachers and lowering taxes.
The effort includes a 30 second television commercial that touts the NC Real Solutions website: www.ncrealsolutions.com.
“NC Real Solutions is an effort to move beyond the overblown rhetoric and educate the public about the state budget. The reality is the budget passed by the new General Assembly closed the $3 billion budget deficit and balanced the budget. Additional resources for education enabled local schools to add 2,000 state-funded teaching positions. The budget, passed by both the state House and Senate, did all this while providing lower taxes to all North Carolina families and businesses. The Left has attempted to win the debate over the future direction of the state by yelling the loudest and the longest,” said AFP Foundation- North Carolina State Director Dallas Woodhouse. “The NC Real Solutions project cuts through the noise to present the facts to the people of North Carolina who deserve to know the truth.”
“Since day one the Civitas Institute has been committed to providing the facts to North Carolina taxpayers,” said Civitas President Francis Deluca. “The facts are that every week there are more examples of how the state budget enacted by the new General Assembly is offering North Carolina real solutions. Putting two billion dollars back in the hands of hardworking taxpayers and the real economy by cutting sales and income taxes, while at the same time balancing the budget by spending tax dollars more efficiently are prime examples. NC Real Solutions will make sure those facts get delivered over the air and online.”
Last year and again recently Governor Perdue pushed for a billion dollar increase in the state sales tax. Instead the General Assembly passed a bi-partisan budget that:
•Added more than 4,600 state-funded education positions, including 2,000 state-funded teacher positions.
•Closed a $3.1 billion budget gap – without raising taxes.
•Cancelled close to a quarter billion in previously approved but not yet issued state debt.
•Returned more than $2 billion in taxes to North Carolina families.
•Included nearly half a billion dollars in tax relief for small businesses.
Featured in the television ad is Americans for Prosperity Foundation member Donna King, a graduate of North Carolina State University. She is a mother of three.
NC Real Solutions is a project of Americans for Prosperity Foundation with assistance from the John William Pope Civitas Institute.
View the commercial and learn more by visiting NCRealSolutions.com.
The effort explains the success of North Carolina’s recently passed state budget that offered North Carolina real solutions by eliminating the $3 billion deficit, balancing the budget, adding state-funded teachers and lowering taxes.
The effort includes a 30 second television commercial that touts the NC Real Solutions website: www.ncrealsolutions.com.
“NC Real Solutions is an effort to move beyond the overblown rhetoric and educate the public about the state budget. The reality is the budget passed by the new General Assembly closed the $3 billion budget deficit and balanced the budget. Additional resources for education enabled local schools to add 2,000 state-funded teaching positions. The budget, passed by both the state House and Senate, did all this while providing lower taxes to all North Carolina families and businesses. The Left has attempted to win the debate over the future direction of the state by yelling the loudest and the longest,” said AFP Foundation- North Carolina State Director Dallas Woodhouse. “The NC Real Solutions project cuts through the noise to present the facts to the people of North Carolina who deserve to know the truth.”
“Since day one the Civitas Institute has been committed to providing the facts to North Carolina taxpayers,” said Civitas President Francis Deluca. “The facts are that every week there are more examples of how the state budget enacted by the new General Assembly is offering North Carolina real solutions. Putting two billion dollars back in the hands of hardworking taxpayers and the real economy by cutting sales and income taxes, while at the same time balancing the budget by spending tax dollars more efficiently are prime examples. NC Real Solutions will make sure those facts get delivered over the air and online.”
Last year and again recently Governor Perdue pushed for a billion dollar increase in the state sales tax. Instead the General Assembly passed a bi-partisan budget that:
•Added more than 4,600 state-funded education positions, including 2,000 state-funded teacher positions.
•Closed a $3.1 billion budget gap – without raising taxes.
•Cancelled close to a quarter billion in previously approved but not yet issued state debt.
•Returned more than $2 billion in taxes to North Carolina families.
•Included nearly half a billion dollars in tax relief for small businesses.
Featured in the television ad is Americans for Prosperity Foundation member Donna King, a graduate of North Carolina State University. She is a mother of three.
NC Real Solutions is a project of Americans for Prosperity Foundation with assistance from the John William Pope Civitas Institute.
View the commercial and learn more by visiting NCRealSolutions.com.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
WASHINGTON POST: North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue won’t seek second term, sources say
North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue (D) is set to announce today that she will not seek reelection in 2012, according to multiple sources familiar with her plans.
Perdue, who turned 65 earlier this month, was set for a rematch of her 2008 race with former Charlotte mayor Pat McCrory (R), but she has been plagued by low approval ratings and faced some tough odds this year.
Perdue’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but the North Carolina Democratic Party confirmed that she will make an announcement — though it didn’t specify what kind of announcement — in a statement around noon today.
Perdue has struggled recently with reports about campaign finance violations, and some top aides to her 2008 campaign have been indicted . Perdue has not personally been implicated in any wrongdoing.
Names that are likely to be bandied about as possible Democratic replacements include Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton, Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, former White House chief of staff Erskine Bowles, and former congressman Bob Etheridge.
CONTINUED:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/north-carolina-gov-bev-perdue-wont-seek-second-term-sources-say/2012/01/26/gIQAbwekSQ_blog.html
Perdue, who turned 65 earlier this month, was set for a rematch of her 2008 race with former Charlotte mayor Pat McCrory (R), but she has been plagued by low approval ratings and faced some tough odds this year.
Perdue’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but the North Carolina Democratic Party confirmed that she will make an announcement — though it didn’t specify what kind of announcement — in a statement around noon today.
Perdue has struggled recently with reports about campaign finance violations, and some top aides to her 2008 campaign have been indicted . Perdue has not personally been implicated in any wrongdoing.
Names that are likely to be bandied about as possible Democratic replacements include Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton, Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, former White House chief of staff Erskine Bowles, and former congressman Bob Etheridge.
CONTINUED:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/north-carolina-gov-bev-perdue-wont-seek-second-term-sources-say/2012/01/26/gIQAbwekSQ_blog.html
Friday, December 30, 2011
Carlton’s Corner: Hail Bev
We thank you dear leader for your wonderful belated Christmas gift of the soon-to-be-implemented 3.9 % gasoline tax hike. This gift will quite nicely compliment the 4.5% Fed hike per gallon imposed to cover financing of the ethanol green 'force feed' program designed to reduce the life of our auto engines while reducing the effective horsepower as we patiently wait for corn and corn product prices to launch into high orbit.
You are lauded for your aptness as a most astute student of graft under the slickest of all mentors--your previous boss.
May your coffers continue to swell from such revenues so that you will be able to buy a real airplane like your Idol Nancy P. for your future jaunts rather than having to suffer the humiliation and degradation of flying on one paid for by illegal contributions.
Your loyal subjects
Carlton Melvin
You are lauded for your aptness as a most astute student of graft under the slickest of all mentors--your previous boss.
May your coffers continue to swell from such revenues so that you will be able to buy a real airplane like your Idol Nancy P. for your future jaunts rather than having to suffer the humiliation and degradation of flying on one paid for by illegal contributions.
Your loyal subjects
Carlton Melvin
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Government statistical agency helping NC Democrat
The Carolina Journal, published by the Raleigh-based John Locke Foundation (for which I’ve given paid speeches on occasion) reports that staffers in North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue’s office have been getting advance word on monthly unemployment statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is highly illegal under federal law and violates what I have understood to be a strong tradition in the BLS and other government statistics that no one—no one at all, not even in the White House—gets advanced word ahead of the public announcement of government statistics.
There’s obviously good reason for this: someone with advanced word could place bets in financial and community markets and make lots of money. That’s why Congress provided for penalties of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for early release of this data. And there’s another excellent reason: government statistical agencies should be free of political influence to insure the integrity of the numbers on which many people depend. My understanding is that an important part of the bureaucratic culture of federal statistical agencies is a pride in their independence and integrity; this is something not to be lightly squandered. Maintaining that culture is vital if the government wants to get highly competent people to dedicate their careers to this important work.
CONTINUED:http://campaign2012.washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/beltway-confidential/government-statistical-agency-helping-nc-democrat/264741
There’s obviously good reason for this: someone with advanced word could place bets in financial and community markets and make lots of money. That’s why Congress provided for penalties of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for early release of this data. And there’s another excellent reason: government statistical agencies should be free of political influence to insure the integrity of the numbers on which many people depend. My understanding is that an important part of the bureaucratic culture of federal statistical agencies is a pride in their independence and integrity; this is something not to be lightly squandered. Maintaining that culture is vital if the government wants to get highly competent people to dedicate their careers to this important work.
CONTINUED:http://campaign2012.washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/beltway-confidential/government-statistical-agency-helping-nc-democrat/264741
Thursday, December 15, 2011
SUN JOURNAL NEW BERN: Perdue vetoes bill to repeal Racial Justice Act
December 14, 2011 5:50 PM
RALEIGH (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue vetoed a bill on Wednesday that would have essentially repealed a 2009 law designed to address concerns of racial bias in death penalty cases, saying it is essential the legal process isn’t tarnished by prejudice.
Scott Thomas, district attorney for Craven, Carteret and Pamlico counties, said he and other prosecutors were disappointed with the veto. He said prosecutors across the state will work with members of the General Assembly to override the veto.
Perdue, forced to wade into the controversial topic two weeks ago when the Republican-led Legislature approved the repeal bill, signed the Racial Justice Act into law shortly after taking office in 2009.
The Democratic governor said she’s vetoing the bill "for the same reason that I signed the Racial Justice Act two years ago: it is simply unacceptable for racial prejudice to play a role in the imposition of the death penalty in North Carolina."
Thomas said prosecutors and murder victims’ families are disappointed with the Governor’s veto.
“We oppose all bias, but believe the law passed in 2009 is overly broad and ambiguous,” he said.
“We believe criminal cases should be decided based on the law and facts of a specific case, not statewide statistics.”
CONTINUED:
http://www.newbernsj.com/news/perdue-102849-racial-repeal.html
RALEIGH (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue vetoed a bill on Wednesday that would have essentially repealed a 2009 law designed to address concerns of racial bias in death penalty cases, saying it is essential the legal process isn’t tarnished by prejudice.
Scott Thomas, district attorney for Craven, Carteret and Pamlico counties, said he and other prosecutors were disappointed with the veto. He said prosecutors across the state will work with members of the General Assembly to override the veto.
Perdue, forced to wade into the controversial topic two weeks ago when the Republican-led Legislature approved the repeal bill, signed the Racial Justice Act into law shortly after taking office in 2009.
The Democratic governor said she’s vetoing the bill "for the same reason that I signed the Racial Justice Act two years ago: it is simply unacceptable for racial prejudice to play a role in the imposition of the death penalty in North Carolina."
Thomas said prosecutors and murder victims’ families are disappointed with the Governor’s veto.
“We oppose all bias, but believe the law passed in 2009 is overly broad and ambiguous,” he said.
“We believe criminal cases should be decided based on the law and facts of a specific case, not statewide statistics.”
CONTINUED:
http://www.newbernsj.com/news/perdue-102849-racial-repeal.html
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Rally at the Governor's Mansion on Saturday, October 1 at 11:00 AM
JOIN US FOR AN IMPORTANT
Rally at the Governor's Mansion on Saturday, October 1 at 11:00 AM
Governor Bev Perdue says, "I think we ought to suspend elections for Congress for two years."
She Wants to Flaunt Article 1, Sec. 2 of the Federal Constitution!!!
She is ignoring the NC State Constitution, which calls for her to support the Constitution and laws of the United States and of the State of North Carolina.
America is reacting - it's bigger than North Carolina. Link Here. And here is the audio - judge for yourself whether it was 'just a joke'. Link here for the audio of the Governor's remarks.
NO WAY, GOVERNOR. WE ARE NOT LIVING IN A DICTATORSHIP.
Patriot Rally, October 1, 2011, 11:00AM
Raleigh Governor's Mansion LET'S GO, TEA AND GRASSROOTS GROUPS.
PATRIOTS, UNITE!
Article 1, Sect. 2 of our US Constitution: The House of Representatives shall be comprised of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the Several States....
Read the Constitution, Beverly!
We cannot allow this attack on our Constitution and our sacred rights to Vote for our Elected Representatives to go unchallenged! Only tyrannical dictators suspend elections when the will of the People has turned against them and their policies. Governor Perdue is behaving like a would-be dictator in proposing that Congressional Elections be "suspended" for two years!
Governor Perdue has shown her true colors. Frustrated by the will of the People and knowing that the Voters will punish her at the polls in 2012 for her policies and actions, she wishes to suspend those elections. She wishes for those who have flaunted power and ignored the electorate to be shielded from that electorate.
This is a serious attack on the Constitution. If this attack goes unchallenged, those who would trample on the Constitution and on our God-given rights will grow even bolder! The Tea Party stands for the U.S. Constitution and for full restoration of the limited government prescribed in that sacred document. This is a call to TEA Party patriots across the state of North Carolina to come to the Governor's Mansion in Raleigh on Saturday, October 1.
We must call out the Governor on her un-Constitutional proposal and her attack on the very foundation of U.S. governance. America must remain a Government Of the People and By the People. We the People must defend it and let Governor Perdue know she has crossed the line!
Her proposal is wrong. It is indefensible. It is abhorrent!
Stay On Message!
Governor Perdue spoke about suspending elections. Her public call for suspending elections specifically attacks the Constitution and the right of the People to Vote for their Elected Representatives.
We want lots of signs. But we need to be firmly on message. If there are signs on all kinds of issues as you might normally see at a general Tea Party rally, the message will be lost. The protest will be less effective.
So we encourage those who will make signs to keep them focused on protecting and preserving our U.S. Constitution, on protecting our Right to Vote, and on challenging Governor Perdue for stepping way over the line!
Bring a flag, signs if you wish, and plenty of patriotic strength. WE ARE RIGHT!
Here are a few slogans that might be appropriate for your signs:
US Constitution - Article 1, Section 2!
Resign Now, Perdue!
Hands Off our Right to Vote!
You Cannot Repeal Article 1!
We Demand Our Voting Rights!
Only Dictators Suspend Elections!
You Are Not Your Excellency, Premier Bev!
Are You Afraid of the Voters, Bev?
Accountability to Voters Counts!
The Voters Will Retain Their Rights!
Let's GO!
Rally in Raleigh!
Date: Saturday, October 1, 2011, Time: 11:00 A.M.
Place: The Governor's Mansion, 200 N Blount Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Calling all Patriot Groups!
We must stand together and call Governor Perdue out on this!
Moore Tea Citizens and TEA/Grassroots Patriots
Please join us in Raleigh for this urgent rally! This goes to the heart of what we say we stand for! Let's Go, Moore TEA Citizens and others who are in agreement. If you are going from Moore County let's caravan. Meet at the Armory in Southern Pines on Morganton Road at 9:00am and we'll leave promptly by 9:15 and head up to Raleigh.Are you with us? We are sorry about lack of notice on this. It takes time to call out citizens to action from all parts of the state. Spread the word - let's let the Governor know we have heard her message, and We Ain't Goin' Away!
Moore TEA Citizens
P.O. Box 4381
Pinehurst, NC 28374
910-783-8340
http://www.mooreteacitizens.com/
Friday, August 19, 2011
Perdue Plays Politics as Unemployment Jumps to 10.1%
Friends,
Last night Governor Perdue took to the stage at a Rotary Club dinner to announce that unemployment in the state would jump to 10.9%. There are two problems with this.
1.) The report for us to analyze the numbers was not made public until 10 AM this morning- meaning we did not get to see what the report actually contained.
2.) Governor Perdue lied. She said, and it was reported, that unemployment was 10.9%, when it was really 10.1% - a HUGE difference.
So while we had to wait, she had the ability to falsely spin the numbers in her favor. Thankfully we waited until the report came out and didn’t attack her erroneous 10.9%. It doesn’t change the fact that she played politics with people’s misery and the press reported just her side of the story this morning. For the nightly news we have combated it, with this release.
Please share on Facebook and Twitter as we can’t allow her to shape this narrative: bit.ly/qTqWc5
Best Regards, Rob Lockwood
North Carolina Republican Party: Perdue Plays Politics as Unemployment Jumps to 10.1%
For Immediate Release
Contact: Rob Lockwood: (919) 424-5555
August 19 2001
RALEIGH, NC – In a speech last night in Asheville, Governor Beverly Perdue announced that unemployment in the state would jump to 10.1%. Instead of focusing on solutions for an immediate cure, Perdue took the opportunity to mislead the audience as to the real reasons behind the jump, and chose to play the “blame game” instead. This revelation was announced on the eve of the Southern Governors’ Association’s Annual Conference about jobs, an excellent opportunity for Governor Perdue to learn what real leadership is and how to reduce unemployment from successful GOP job-creating governors.
URL: http://www.ncesc1.com/PMI/Rates/PressReleases/State/NR_July_2011_StRate_M1.pdf
More than 300,000 workers have lost their job since Perdue was sworn into office 3 years ago. She supported President Obama’s failed “stimulus”, a program that led to the loss of America’s “AAA Credit Rating”, and resulted in markets tumbling. Perdue’s failed economic policies, paired with her lack of objection to President Obama’s agenda, have led to the hemorrhaging of jobs in North Carolina. This morning it was reported that Bank of America will lay off more than 3,500 jobs in Charlotte. This is reflective of poor management of the national economy by President Obama, and no condemnation by Governor Perdue about how his policies have hurt North Carolina.
NCGOP Chairman Robin Hayes had this to say, “This weekend is a great opportunity for Governor Perdue to learn about leadership and effective measures to combat unemployment. 9 out of 10 of the “most pro-business” states are governed by Republicans, so she should take the time to study solutions that actually result in job creation.
It becomes clearer by the day that the Governor knows nothing about job creation. Her focus is only on protecting her own job by blaming others for years of failed Democratic policies.”
URL: http://www.pollina.com/top10probusiness.html
In North Carolina, the Republican-controlled NCGA has been fighting to bring fiscal sanity to the state budget. In just 8 months on the job, their dedication to fiscal discipline is one of the reasons that North Carolina was saved from losing our state’s “AAA Credit Rating.” Moody’s cited North Carolina as “resilient to a downgrade,” at a time when other states are at serious risk of losing their pristine ratings.
URL: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/19/us-usa-states-moodys-idUSTRE76I4XQ20110719
###
Paid for by the North Carolina Republican Party--www.NCGOP.orgTuesday, August 9, 2011
Dome: Perdue funds swell amid malpractice debate
Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue got a substantial influx of political contributions from trial lawyers in June as she was considering whether to veto a medical malpractice bill making its way through the Republican legislature.
Between January and May 31, Perdue received $139,441 in campaign contributions from lawyers, according to her campaign report for the first six months of the year filed with the State Board of Elections.
But in June, lawyers donated $151,209 to her campaign as it became clear the medical malpractice bill was likely to pass, according to campaign records. She vetoed the bill on June 24, but the legislature over rode her veto July 25.
MORE: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/09/1400158/perdue-funds-swell-amid-malpractice.html
Read more: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/09/1400158/perdue-funds-swell-amid-malpractice.html#ixzz1UYRXF3bV
http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/09/1400158/perdue-funds-swell-amid-malpractice.html
Between January and May 31, Perdue received $139,441 in campaign contributions from lawyers, according to her campaign report for the first six months of the year filed with the State Board of Elections.
But in June, lawyers donated $151,209 to her campaign as it became clear the medical malpractice bill was likely to pass, according to campaign records. She vetoed the bill on June 24, but the legislature over rode her veto July 25.
MORE: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/09/1400158/perdue-funds-swell-amid-malpractice.html
Read more: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/09/1400158/perdue-funds-swell-amid-malpractice.html#ixzz1UYRXF3bV
http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/09/1400158/perdue-funds-swell-amid-malpractice.html
Saturday, August 6, 2011
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: from Rep. Norman Sanderson, NC House District 3
August 6, 2011
Promises made. Promises kept.
The North Carolina Legislature finished a HISTORIC session just over one week ago! In just 87 days (the shortest "long session" since 1973), the Republican-led House and Senate passed legislation that will improve the state's economic solvency. Chief among our accomplishments was passing a bipartisan budget that cuts taxes, reduces spending, and reforms and improves public education - all while closing a $2.5 billion deficit. The budget fully funds classroom teachers and teaching assistants, makes important education reforms, and protects other core state services.
The state budget also sunsets a nearly $1 billion "temporary" sales tax hike that Gov. Perdue and legislative Democrats raised in the peak of the economic recession and promised would end this year. It also eliminates the "temporary" income tax surcharge and implements a $50,000 income exemption for private businesses - the job-creating engines of North Carolina. These tax savings will create as many as 15,000 jobs in the short term and thousands more in the future, economists say.
You are probably aware that the legislature has also been busy with the redistricting process. Please read below for an explanation of this and how you may be affected.
THANK YOU for making it your business to know what your state government is doing. If you have a question, suggestion, or want to tell me where you stand on an issue, please call me at (919) 733-5853 or (252) 671-9610 . The long session may be over, but I am still working for you!
Norman
Notable Republican Bills Signed Into Law
House Bill 36 - An act to require counties, cities and employers to use the Federal E-Verify program to verify the work authorization of newly hired employees was signed by the Governor on June 23, 2011.
House Bill 92 - An act to repeal the land transfer tax was signed into law by the Governor on March 31, 2011.
House Bill 542 - An act to provide tort reform for North Carolina citizens and businesses was signed into law by the Governor on June 24, 2011.
House Bill 588 - An act requiring local boards of education to teach a semester long course in high school entitled, "American History I - The Founding Principles." The course will include a study on The Creator - endowed inalienable rights of the people, rule of law, equal justice under law, private property rights, federalism, due process, individual responsibility, etc. The Governor made this act law on June 23, 2011.
House Bill 596 - An act to require that proceeds of certain dispositions of state-owned real property be used in part to support the general fund, in part to support the teachers' and state employees' retirement system of North Carolina, and in part to support the agencies to which the property was allocated; and to appropriate funds for these purposes. The bill became law by the Governor's hand on June 27, 2011.
House Bill 642 - The Justice Reinvestment Act was signed into law on June 23, 2011 by the Governor. The act is a major reform of the North Carolina Justice system.
House Bill 650 - An act to provide when a person may use defensive force and to amend various gun laws regarding the right to own, possess, or carry a firearm in North Carolina was signed into law by the Governor on June 23, 2011.
House Bill 762 - An act to protect landowner's rights was signed into law by the Governor on June 23, 2011.
House Bill 927 - An act to make changes to the statutes governing the teachers' and state employees' retirement system and the consolidated judicial retirement system to ensure the future solvency of those systems was signed into law by the Governor on June 23, 2011.
Notable Republican Bills That Became Law without the Governor's Signature
House Bill 48 - An act to reduce spending by eliminating statewide standardized testing in the public schools, except as required by Federal law or as a condition of a Federal grant. The bill became law on March 21, 2011.
House Bill 119 - An act to amend certain environmental and natural resources laws was presented to the Governor on June 20, 2011 and became law without her signature on July 1, 2011.
House Bill 744 - The "Safe Schools Act" states that a principal of any public school shall require the parent or guardian of any child presented for admission for the first time to that school to furnish (i) a certified copy of the child's birth certificate, which shall be furnished by the register of deeds of the county having on file the record of the birth of the child, or other satisfactory evidence of date of birth, as provided in Article 4 of Chapter 130A. The act became law on June 28, 2011.
House Bill 344 - An act to allow individual income tax credit for children with disabilities who require special education and to create a fund for special education and related services became law on July 1, 2011.
House Bill 845 - An act to reform the involuntary annexation laws of North Carolina became law on July 1, 2011.
Veto Overrides
Senate Bill 33 - An act to reform the laws relating to money judgment appeal bonds, bifurcation of trials in civil cases and medical liability became law on July 25, 2011 after the House and Senate voted to override the Governor's veto.
Senate Bill 496 - An act to provide requirements of Medicaid and health choice providers became law on July 25, 2011 after the House and Senate voted to override the Governor's veto.
Senate Bill 532 (HB 813) - An act to reform employment security laws by creating the Division of Employment Security within the Department of Commerce became law on July 26, 2011 after the House and Senate voted to override the Governor's veto.
Senate Bill 781 - An act to increase regulatory efficiency in order to balance job creation and environmental protection was vetoed by the Governor. The House and Senate overrode the Governor's veto on July 25, 2011 and the bill became law.
House Bill 854 - An act to require a 24-hour waiting period and the informed consent of a pregnant woman before an abortion may be performed became law on July 28, 2011 after the House and Senate voted to override the Governor's veto.
Legislative Redistricting 2011
The first phase of the 2011 redistricting process for North Carolina is complete. At the end of July, the NC Senate and House voted into law the new plans that will be in effect until the next census in 2020. Our state experienced unprecedented growth over the last ten years, exceeding over 1.45 million people. Because districts are determined by population and limited in number, most districts either expanded or decreased to allow for population change.
In House District 3, we lost several key communities in Craven County, picked up some important new ones and will have to expand into a substantial portion of Beaufort County. I believe it is good for the election process and the voters.
The next phase of the redistricting plan is to pass the scrutiny of the NC Courts, the Department of Justice and the Federal Courts in Washington, DC. We are confident that the districts have been drawn to withstand any challenges in spite of the negative press of the last few weeks. In an attempt to correct 100+ years of gerrymandering, remember that change is inevitable. When you elected a Republican majority in 2010, we promised the new districts would be drawn "Fair and Legal".
Promises made. Promises kept.
If you would like to examine the new districts and voter statistics related to them, CLICK HERE to visit the NC Legislature website. If you still have questions, please call me at 252-671-9610.
Promises made. Promises kept.
The North Carolina Legislature finished a HISTORIC session just over one week ago! In just 87 days (the shortest "long session" since 1973), the Republican-led House and Senate passed legislation that will improve the state's economic solvency. Chief among our accomplishments was passing a bipartisan budget that cuts taxes, reduces spending, and reforms and improves public education - all while closing a $2.5 billion deficit. The budget fully funds classroom teachers and teaching assistants, makes important education reforms, and protects other core state services.
The state budget also sunsets a nearly $1 billion "temporary" sales tax hike that Gov. Perdue and legislative Democrats raised in the peak of the economic recession and promised would end this year. It also eliminates the "temporary" income tax surcharge and implements a $50,000 income exemption for private businesses - the job-creating engines of North Carolina. These tax savings will create as many as 15,000 jobs in the short term and thousands more in the future, economists say.
You are probably aware that the legislature has also been busy with the redistricting process. Please read below for an explanation of this and how you may be affected.
THANK YOU for making it your business to know what your state government is doing. If you have a question, suggestion, or want to tell me where you stand on an issue, please call me at (919) 733-5853 or (252) 671-9610 . The long session may be over, but I am still working for you!
Norman
Notable Republican Bills Signed Into Law
House Bill 36 - An act to require counties, cities and employers to use the Federal E-Verify program to verify the work authorization of newly hired employees was signed by the Governor on June 23, 2011.
House Bill 92 - An act to repeal the land transfer tax was signed into law by the Governor on March 31, 2011.
House Bill 542 - An act to provide tort reform for North Carolina citizens and businesses was signed into law by the Governor on June 24, 2011.
House Bill 588 - An act requiring local boards of education to teach a semester long course in high school entitled, "American History I - The Founding Principles." The course will include a study on The Creator - endowed inalienable rights of the people, rule of law, equal justice under law, private property rights, federalism, due process, individual responsibility, etc. The Governor made this act law on June 23, 2011.
House Bill 596 - An act to require that proceeds of certain dispositions of state-owned real property be used in part to support the general fund, in part to support the teachers' and state employees' retirement system of North Carolina, and in part to support the agencies to which the property was allocated; and to appropriate funds for these purposes. The bill became law by the Governor's hand on June 27, 2011.
House Bill 642 - The Justice Reinvestment Act was signed into law on June 23, 2011 by the Governor. The act is a major reform of the North Carolina Justice system.
House Bill 650 - An act to provide when a person may use defensive force and to amend various gun laws regarding the right to own, possess, or carry a firearm in North Carolina was signed into law by the Governor on June 23, 2011.
House Bill 762 - An act to protect landowner's rights was signed into law by the Governor on June 23, 2011.
House Bill 927 - An act to make changes to the statutes governing the teachers' and state employees' retirement system and the consolidated judicial retirement system to ensure the future solvency of those systems was signed into law by the Governor on June 23, 2011.
Notable Republican Bills That Became Law without the Governor's Signature
House Bill 48 - An act to reduce spending by eliminating statewide standardized testing in the public schools, except as required by Federal law or as a condition of a Federal grant. The bill became law on March 21, 2011.
House Bill 119 - An act to amend certain environmental and natural resources laws was presented to the Governor on June 20, 2011 and became law without her signature on July 1, 2011.
House Bill 744 - The "Safe Schools Act" states that a principal of any public school shall require the parent or guardian of any child presented for admission for the first time to that school to furnish (i) a certified copy of the child's birth certificate, which shall be furnished by the register of deeds of the county having on file the record of the birth of the child, or other satisfactory evidence of date of birth, as provided in Article 4 of Chapter 130A. The act became law on June 28, 2011.
House Bill 344 - An act to allow individual income tax credit for children with disabilities who require special education and to create a fund for special education and related services became law on July 1, 2011.
House Bill 845 - An act to reform the involuntary annexation laws of North Carolina became law on July 1, 2011.
Veto Overrides
Senate Bill 33 - An act to reform the laws relating to money judgment appeal bonds, bifurcation of trials in civil cases and medical liability became law on July 25, 2011 after the House and Senate voted to override the Governor's veto.
Senate Bill 496 - An act to provide requirements of Medicaid and health choice providers became law on July 25, 2011 after the House and Senate voted to override the Governor's veto.
Senate Bill 532 (HB 813) - An act to reform employment security laws by creating the Division of Employment Security within the Department of Commerce became law on July 26, 2011 after the House and Senate voted to override the Governor's veto.
Senate Bill 781 - An act to increase regulatory efficiency in order to balance job creation and environmental protection was vetoed by the Governor. The House and Senate overrode the Governor's veto on July 25, 2011 and the bill became law.
House Bill 854 - An act to require a 24-hour waiting period and the informed consent of a pregnant woman before an abortion may be performed became law on July 28, 2011 after the House and Senate voted to override the Governor's veto.
Legislative Redistricting 2011
The first phase of the 2011 redistricting process for North Carolina is complete. At the end of July, the NC Senate and House voted into law the new plans that will be in effect until the next census in 2020. Our state experienced unprecedented growth over the last ten years, exceeding over 1.45 million people. Because districts are determined by population and limited in number, most districts either expanded or decreased to allow for population change.
In House District 3, we lost several key communities in Craven County, picked up some important new ones and will have to expand into a substantial portion of Beaufort County. I believe it is good for the election process and the voters.
The next phase of the redistricting plan is to pass the scrutiny of the NC Courts, the Department of Justice and the Federal Courts in Washington, DC. We are confident that the districts have been drawn to withstand any challenges in spite of the negative press of the last few weeks. In an attempt to correct 100+ years of gerrymandering, remember that change is inevitable. When you elected a Republican majority in 2010, we promised the new districts would be drawn "Fair and Legal".
Promises made. Promises kept.
If you would like to examine the new districts and voter statistics related to them, CLICK HERE to visit the NC Legislature website. If you still have questions, please call me at 252-671-9610.
Friday, July 29, 2011
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
July 29, 2011--From the North Carolina Federation of Republican Women
NC General Assembly
The legislators completed their business for the special session on Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 which included addressing the governor's vetos in override votes, and redistricting.
Leading from the front, Republicans with the help of a few Democrats were successful in overriding the governor's veto of the following bills:
1. "Abortion - A Woman's Right to Know Act" HB 854 - On Jul 26, 2011, the House was tenacious in overriding the governor's veto of this important legislation in a vote of 72 to 47 with 1 excused absence. Democrat Representatives Brisson, Crawford, Hill, and Spear joined with all Republicans in the override. In the Senate the override vote passed in a vote of 29 to 19 with 2 excused absences. Both Republican Senators Bingham and Stevens had excused absences. Previously, Senator Bingham voted against the measure and Senator Stevens did not vote. Since the two Senators were absent, the Senate only needed 29 votes instead of 30 for the override.
Thanks to all NCFRW members, and especially Joyce Krawiec for leading the Grassroots Activists, in communicating with our legislators on this important bill. Women in Numbers (WIN) make a difference!
2. "Medical Liability Reforms" SB 33 - On Jul 25, 2011 the override was successful in a vote of 74 to 42 with 2 not voting, and 2 with an excused absence. Most Republicans voted for the measure, except Representatives Blackwell, Daughtry, and Mills. Most Democrats voted against the bill except Representatives Brisson, Crawford, Goodman, Hamilton, Hill, Lucas, Owens, Parfitt, Wilkins, and Wray.
3. "Regulatory Reform Act of 2011" SB 781 - The veto override passed on Jul 25, 2011 in a vote of 76 to 42 with 2 excused absences. Democrat Representatives Brandon, Brisson, Crawford, Goodman, Hill, Jackson, McGuirt, Owens, Spear, and Wray joined with most Republicans in voting for the bill; except Republican Representative McGrady. All other Democrats voted against the bill.
4. "Employment Security Commission Jobs Reform" SB 532 - On Jul 26, 2011 the House passed the override in a vote of 72 to 47 with 1 excused absence. Democrat Representatives Brisson, Crawford, Hill, and Spear joined with all Republicans in the override.
5. "Medicaid and Health Choice Provider Requirement" SB 496 - On Jul 25, 2011 the House voted to override the veto in a vote of 74 to 41 with 3 not voting, and 2 excused absences. Democrat Representatives Brisson, Bryant, Crawford, Goodman, Hill, Jackson and Spear voted with all Republicans.
Redistricting
The General Assembly enacted District Plans, including the "Lewis-Dollar-Dockham 4" on Jul 28, the "Rucho Senate 2" on Jul 27, and the "Rucho-Lewis Congress 3" on Jul 28, 2011. You can access information on 2011 Redistricting by going to http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/.
Both the House and the Senate passed along party lines the "Omnibus Local Election Laws" bill (HB 719) that addressed local redistricting in Mecklenburg and Guilford counties.
Unfinished Business:
1. "Restore Confidence in Government" (HB 351/SB 352) - The Voter Photo ID vote was held in the House on Jul 26 but did not garner enough votes to override the governor's veto. The House vote was 68 to 51 with 1 excused absence. No Democrat voted for Voter Photo ID and no Republican voted against it. Four Democrat votes were required for the override.
2. "Energy Jobs Act" (SB 709) - The governor vetoed the bill on Jun 30, 2011. The bill aimed to initiate efforts for "offshore energy exploration and accelerate a method to collect natural gas in the Piedmont." (Star News Online ) No votes were taken.
3. "No Dues Checkoff for School Employees" (SB 727). No votes were taken to override the governor's veto that occurred on Jun 18, 2011.
Legislators will return to Raleigh on Sep 12, 2011, to discuss NC constitutional amendments, including the Marriage Amendment.
Sources: ncga; WRAL, "Senate leader defends abortion override vote," Jul 29, 2011; News & Observer, "N.C. Senate overrides Perdue's veto of abortion bill," by Lynn Bonner, Jul 29, 2011; and Star News Online, "NC lawmakers leave town after new maps, overrides," by Gary D. Robertson, Jul 29, 2011.
NC General Assembly
The legislators completed their business for the special session on Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 which included addressing the governor's vetos in override votes, and redistricting.
Leading from the front, Republicans with the help of a few Democrats were successful in overriding the governor's veto of the following bills:
1. "Abortion - A Woman's Right to Know Act" HB 854 - On Jul 26, 2011, the House was tenacious in overriding the governor's veto of this important legislation in a vote of 72 to 47 with 1 excused absence. Democrat Representatives Brisson, Crawford, Hill, and Spear joined with all Republicans in the override. In the Senate the override vote passed in a vote of 29 to 19 with 2 excused absences. Both Republican Senators Bingham and Stevens had excused absences. Previously, Senator Bingham voted against the measure and Senator Stevens did not vote. Since the two Senators were absent, the Senate only needed 29 votes instead of 30 for the override.
Thanks to all NCFRW members, and especially Joyce Krawiec for leading the Grassroots Activists, in communicating with our legislators on this important bill. Women in Numbers (WIN) make a difference!
2. "Medical Liability Reforms" SB 33 - On Jul 25, 2011 the override was successful in a vote of 74 to 42 with 2 not voting, and 2 with an excused absence. Most Republicans voted for the measure, except Representatives Blackwell, Daughtry, and Mills. Most Democrats voted against the bill except Representatives Brisson, Crawford, Goodman, Hamilton, Hill, Lucas, Owens, Parfitt, Wilkins, and Wray.
3. "Regulatory Reform Act of 2011" SB 781 - The veto override passed on Jul 25, 2011 in a vote of 76 to 42 with 2 excused absences. Democrat Representatives Brandon, Brisson, Crawford, Goodman, Hill, Jackson, McGuirt, Owens, Spear, and Wray joined with most Republicans in voting for the bill; except Republican Representative McGrady. All other Democrats voted against the bill.
4. "Employment Security Commission Jobs Reform" SB 532 - On Jul 26, 2011 the House passed the override in a vote of 72 to 47 with 1 excused absence. Democrat Representatives Brisson, Crawford, Hill, and Spear joined with all Republicans in the override.
5. "Medicaid and Health Choice Provider Requirement" SB 496 - On Jul 25, 2011 the House voted to override the veto in a vote of 74 to 41 with 3 not voting, and 2 excused absences. Democrat Representatives Brisson, Bryant, Crawford, Goodman, Hill, Jackson and Spear voted with all Republicans.
Redistricting
The General Assembly enacted District Plans, including the "Lewis-Dollar-Dockham 4" on Jul 28, the "Rucho Senate 2" on Jul 27, and the "Rucho-Lewis Congress 3" on Jul 28, 2011. You can access information on 2011 Redistricting by going to http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/.
Both the House and the Senate passed along party lines the "Omnibus Local Election Laws" bill (HB 719) that addressed local redistricting in Mecklenburg and Guilford counties.
Unfinished Business:
1. "Restore Confidence in Government" (HB 351/SB 352) - The Voter Photo ID vote was held in the House on Jul 26 but did not garner enough votes to override the governor's veto. The House vote was 68 to 51 with 1 excused absence. No Democrat voted for Voter Photo ID and no Republican voted against it. Four Democrat votes were required for the override.
2. "Energy Jobs Act" (SB 709) - The governor vetoed the bill on Jun 30, 2011. The bill aimed to initiate efforts for "offshore energy exploration and accelerate a method to collect natural gas in the Piedmont." (Star News Online ) No votes were taken.
3. "No Dues Checkoff for School Employees" (SB 727). No votes were taken to override the governor's veto that occurred on Jun 18, 2011.
Legislators will return to Raleigh on Sep 12, 2011, to discuss NC constitutional amendments, including the Marriage Amendment.
Sources: ncga; WRAL, "Senate leader defends abortion override vote," Jul 29, 2011; News & Observer, "N.C. Senate overrides Perdue's veto of abortion bill," by Lynn Bonner, Jul 29, 2011; and Star News Online, "NC lawmakers leave town after new maps, overrides," by Gary D. Robertson, Jul 29, 2011.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Obama Stands In the Way of Job Creation, Where Does Governor Perdue Stand?
Will Governor Perdue Stand Up to Obama and Labor Unions to Protect North Carolina’s Economic Future? (I think we know the answer to that!)
For Immediate Release Contact: NCGOP Press Office
Thursday, July 28, 2011 (919) 424-5555
RALEIGH, NC – President Obama’s appointees at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) have sued Boeing to prevent it from building a new plant in South Carolina, a right to work state. An editorial in today’s Wall Street Journal highlights the battle pitting Boeing, a private company committed to creating jobs, against the White House, the NLRB and their labor union allies.
In a statement, North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Robin Hayes urged Governor Perdue to step up and join other right to work governors in rejecting President Obama’s and the NLRB’s meddling with private companies and right to work states: “A number of governors in right to work states have stepped up to protect jobs. What is Governor Perdue waiting for? Now is the time for Governor Beverly Perdue to show real leadership by calling on President Obama to oppose the NLRB’s gross overreach and protect North Carolina’s economic future.”
The White House vs. Boeing
Wall Street Journal Editorial
July 28, 2011
Teenagers in the 1960s listened to Beatles records backwards in search of hidden meanings—a trick akin to the task of deciphering President Obama's statements on the battle between Boeing and the National Labor Relations Board. Since the NLRB sued the airplane company in April to prevent it from building a new plant in South Carolina, Mr. Obama's position has alternated between silent and incomprehensible.
At a press conference in June, the mellifluous one said he felt that "as a general proposition, companies need to have the freedom to relocate." In case anyone mistook that as a full-throated defense of a business's right to expand its operations and hire workers in any state it likes, Mr. Obama also emphasized that the NLRB is an "independent" agency and that the issue is being decided by a judge.
Finally on Tuesday, we got the straight story. In a formal statement of Administration policy, the White House opposed a bill sponsored by South Carolina Rep. Tim Scott that would reduce the power of the NLRB and prohibit it "from ordering any employer to relocate, shut down, or transfer employment under any circumstance." Translation: Mr. Obama intends to guard the NLRB for his union allies, but if no one notices, all the better.
In opposing the bill, the White House says "The [National Labor Relations Act] does not restrict the location of company operations, provided companies comply with the law." But companies don't live in this land of hypotheticals. The NLRB lawsuit is an explicit attempt to block Boeing from opening its new South Carolina factory, and either the Administration believes the NLRB is appropriately enforcing the law, or it believes the NLRB has exceeded its mandate and needs to be reined in. Now we know it's on the side of the NLRB, which is run by Mr. Obama's appointees.
As politics, the NLRB issue is a doozy for Democrats, who know that few voters will countenance a policy of punishing business for building plants and creating jobs in their states. In Virginia, Republican George Allen has been pressing the question with Tim Kaine, his opponent for an open Senate seat next year. If Mr. Scott's bill passes the House, Senate Democrats running for re-election will also be on the spot.
The NLRB's campaign against Boeing has captured political attention—and created business anxiety—because it is a government attempt to restrict the free movement of capital. It attempts to punish workers merely because their states passed right-to-work laws.
This strikes millions of people as contrary to the kind of freedom that America was founded on. The Administration has thrown its lot squarely with the unions, and full marks to Mr. Scott for forcing Mr. Obama finally to declare himself.
URL: http://www.ncgop.org/Stand-Up-to-NLRB
For Immediate Release Contact: NCGOP Press Office
Thursday, July 28, 2011 (919) 424-5555
RALEIGH, NC – President Obama’s appointees at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) have sued Boeing to prevent it from building a new plant in South Carolina, a right to work state. An editorial in today’s Wall Street Journal highlights the battle pitting Boeing, a private company committed to creating jobs, against the White House, the NLRB and their labor union allies.
In a statement, North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Robin Hayes urged Governor Perdue to step up and join other right to work governors in rejecting President Obama’s and the NLRB’s meddling with private companies and right to work states: “A number of governors in right to work states have stepped up to protect jobs. What is Governor Perdue waiting for? Now is the time for Governor Beverly Perdue to show real leadership by calling on President Obama to oppose the NLRB’s gross overreach and protect North Carolina’s economic future.”
The White House vs. Boeing
Wall Street Journal Editorial
July 28, 2011
Teenagers in the 1960s listened to Beatles records backwards in search of hidden meanings—a trick akin to the task of deciphering President Obama's statements on the battle between Boeing and the National Labor Relations Board. Since the NLRB sued the airplane company in April to prevent it from building a new plant in South Carolina, Mr. Obama's position has alternated between silent and incomprehensible.
At a press conference in June, the mellifluous one said he felt that "as a general proposition, companies need to have the freedom to relocate." In case anyone mistook that as a full-throated defense of a business's right to expand its operations and hire workers in any state it likes, Mr. Obama also emphasized that the NLRB is an "independent" agency and that the issue is being decided by a judge.
Finally on Tuesday, we got the straight story. In a formal statement of Administration policy, the White House opposed a bill sponsored by South Carolina Rep. Tim Scott that would reduce the power of the NLRB and prohibit it "from ordering any employer to relocate, shut down, or transfer employment under any circumstance." Translation: Mr. Obama intends to guard the NLRB for his union allies, but if no one notices, all the better.
In opposing the bill, the White House says "The [National Labor Relations Act] does not restrict the location of company operations, provided companies comply with the law." But companies don't live in this land of hypotheticals. The NLRB lawsuit is an explicit attempt to block Boeing from opening its new South Carolina factory, and either the Administration believes the NLRB is appropriately enforcing the law, or it believes the NLRB has exceeded its mandate and needs to be reined in. Now we know it's on the side of the NLRB, which is run by Mr. Obama's appointees.
As politics, the NLRB issue is a doozy for Democrats, who know that few voters will countenance a policy of punishing business for building plants and creating jobs in their states. In Virginia, Republican George Allen has been pressing the question with Tim Kaine, his opponent for an open Senate seat next year. If Mr. Scott's bill passes the House, Senate Democrats running for re-election will also be on the spot.
The NLRB's campaign against Boeing has captured political attention—and created business anxiety—because it is a government attempt to restrict the free movement of capital. It attempts to punish workers merely because their states passed right-to-work laws.
This strikes millions of people as contrary to the kind of freedom that America was founded on. The Administration has thrown its lot squarely with the unions, and full marks to Mr. Scott for forcing Mr. Obama finally to declare himself.
URL: http://www.ncgop.org/Stand-Up-to-NLRB
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
