Governor Perdue vetoed a bill that would have required voters to show a valid photo ID before casting a ballot.
According to the bill, voters would have to produce a valid photo identification such as a driver's license, passport, or military ID. Local boards of elections would provide voter ID cards - free of charge - to voters who do not posses a valid photo ID.
If a voter went to the polls and did not have a valid photo ID, he or she would be able to cast a provisional ballot, which would be counted at a later time when a valid photo ID is provided.
The purpose of the bill is to curtail possible voter fraud and to protect the integrity of the voting process. Backers of the bill argue that it would improve voting confidence and promote fair elections.
Opponents of the bill argue that it would infringe on the right of citizens to vote and would provide an unnecessary obstacle in the voting process. But it is hard to make that argument when you consider the fact that local board of elections would provide voter ID cards - free of charge - to eligible voters
The concept of requiring voters to produce a valid photo ID is popular among voters. Earlier this year, an Elon University Poll found that 75 percent of adults in North Carolina support photo ID requirements for voters.
It is important that we protect the integrity of our voting system. Requiring voters to provide a valid photo ID is a reasonable course of action in protecting the integrity of our elections process. Unfortunately, Governor Perdue had a different take on the situation.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
General Assemby Overrides Perdue's Budget Veto
The North Carolina General Assembly has successfully voted to override Governor Perdue's historic budget veto.
Early Wednesday morning, shortly after midnight, the N.C. House voted 73-46 to override Perdue's veto. Five Democrats joined with the entire GOP House delegation in favor of the override. On Wednesday afternoon, the N.C. Senate voted 31-19 along party lines to override Perdue's veto.
Now that the veto override is complete, the $19.7 billion becomes official and will go into affect July 1.
In addition to making necessary cuts to the state's budget, the new budget allows two temporary taxes to expire and adds another tax cut for small businesses. These tax breaks will improve North Carolina's business environment, which will encourage economic growth and job creation.
Many will consider the veto override to be a major political defeat for Governor Perdue and a victory for the GOP. That may be true, but the real winner are the citizens of North Carolina.
Early Wednesday morning, shortly after midnight, the N.C. House voted 73-46 to override Perdue's veto. Five Democrats joined with the entire GOP House delegation in favor of the override. On Wednesday afternoon, the N.C. Senate voted 31-19 along party lines to override Perdue's veto.
Now that the veto override is complete, the $19.7 billion becomes official and will go into affect July 1.
In addition to making necessary cuts to the state's budget, the new budget allows two temporary taxes to expire and adds another tax cut for small businesses. These tax breaks will improve North Carolina's business environment, which will encourage economic growth and job creation.
Many will consider the veto override to be a major political defeat for Governor Perdue and a victory for the GOP. That may be true, but the real winner are the citizens of North Carolina.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Governor Perdue Vetoes GOP Budget
On Sunday, June 12, Governor Perdue vetoed the Republican-led General Assembly's budget plan. This marks the first time in North Carolina history that a governor has vetoed a proposed budget.
Perdue's veto comes as a disappointment to those who were hoping see a more responsible state budget. To their credit, North Carolina Republicans worked hard to create a budget that cuts government spending, allows a temporary sales tax to expire, and does not raise taxes.
The budget that the GOP proposed was a positive step towards stabilizing North Carolina's economic future. It would help to bring down the cost of government while creating a better business environment for the private sector. Unfortunately, Perdue had a different view of the situation and decided to exercise her veto power.
Now that the budget has been vetoed, the General Assembly will attempt an override. Republicans have a veto-proof majority in the Senate, but are four votes short in the House. Five Democrats in the House voted with Republicans to pass the budget. In order for the veto override to be successful, Republicans will need at least four of those five Democrats to join them.
It is expected that the General Assembly will attempt a veto override in the next day or two.
Perdue's veto comes as a disappointment to those who were hoping see a more responsible state budget. To their credit, North Carolina Republicans worked hard to create a budget that cuts government spending, allows a temporary sales tax to expire, and does not raise taxes.
The budget that the GOP proposed was a positive step towards stabilizing North Carolina's economic future. It would help to bring down the cost of government while creating a better business environment for the private sector. Unfortunately, Perdue had a different view of the situation and decided to exercise her veto power.
Now that the budget has been vetoed, the General Assembly will attempt an override. Republicans have a veto-proof majority in the Senate, but are four votes short in the House. Five Democrats in the House voted with Republicans to pass the budget. In order for the veto override to be successful, Republicans will need at least four of those five Democrats to join them.
It is expected that the General Assembly will attempt a veto override in the next day or two.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
N.C. House Gets Ready to Advance $19.6 Billion Budget
The N.C. House is on the verge of sending a final version of the General Assembly's state budget to Governor Perdue.
The budget, which passed the Senate on Thursday before moving to the House, totals somewhere around $19.6 billion. It cuts state spending and allows a temporary sales tax to expire. It also allows an income tax surcharge to expire and exempts the first $50,000 of small business earnings from taxation.
Republican legislators claim that the budget is a responsible effort that will help to balance North Carolina's economic future. Democratic opponents of the bill, including Governor Perdue, claim that the cuts in the budget are too deep.
If the budget goes on to pass the House and ends up on Perdue's desk, it will then become a question of whether or not Perdue uses her veto power. If she vetoes the bill, there is a chance that the General Assembly could override her veto.
Republicans currently have a veto-proof majority in the Senate, but they are slightly short of a veto-proof majority in the House.
The House voted in favor of the budget by a vote of 73-44. All Republicans voted in favor of the budget and they were joined by five Democrats. In order to override a possible veto, Republicans would need at least four of those Democrats to join them in the override.
We will now have to wait and see what Perdue does. If she vetoes the bill, it is almost certain that the General Assembly will attempt an override.
The budget, which passed the Senate on Thursday before moving to the House, totals somewhere around $19.6 billion. It cuts state spending and allows a temporary sales tax to expire. It also allows an income tax surcharge to expire and exempts the first $50,000 of small business earnings from taxation.
Republican legislators claim that the budget is a responsible effort that will help to balance North Carolina's economic future. Democratic opponents of the bill, including Governor Perdue, claim that the cuts in the budget are too deep.
If the budget goes on to pass the House and ends up on Perdue's desk, it will then become a question of whether or not Perdue uses her veto power. If she vetoes the bill, there is a chance that the General Assembly could override her veto.
Republicans currently have a veto-proof majority in the Senate, but they are slightly short of a veto-proof majority in the House.
The House voted in favor of the budget by a vote of 73-44. All Republicans voted in favor of the budget and they were joined by five Democrats. In order to override a possible veto, Republicans would need at least four of those Democrats to join them in the override.
We will now have to wait and see what Perdue does. If she vetoes the bill, it is almost certain that the General Assembly will attempt an override.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Happy Memorial Day!
This is a day when we commemorate those who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. There is no way that we could enjoy freedom without the selfless sacrifice of those who gave their life serving our country. Please remember to thank a veteran for his or her service and let us remember those who gave their life in defense of our freedom.
Best wishes to you and your family for a happy and safe Memorial Day!
Best wishes to you and your family for a happy and safe Memorial Day!
Monday, May 16, 2011
North Carolina Republicans Work to Reform Annexation Laws
As it stands currently municipalities have the ability to annex unincorporated areas without the consent of those who live in the area that is being annexed. Many people feel that this is a breach of property rights and an abuse of government power. Republicans in the North Carolina General Assembly, however, are working to restrain the government's ability to exercise forced annexation.
The Annexation Reform Act of 2011 (House Bill 845) would give property owners facing forced annexation a voice in the process. If passed, the bill would give people the ability to stop a proposed annexation by getting 60 percent of property owners to sign a protest petition. It would also require cities to provide water and sewer services to annexed property owners at no cost to the property owner.
This particular bill passed its second reading in the House on Thursday and is expected to pass a final reading on Monday. If it passes the House it will advance to the Senate where it is likely to face minimal opposition.
There is no question that forced annexation is a serious violation of property rights and personal liberty. Fortunately, our leaders in the General Assembly are taking the initiative to address the problems with North Carolina's annexation laws.
The Annexation Reform Act of 2011 (House Bill 845) would give property owners facing forced annexation a voice in the process. If passed, the bill would give people the ability to stop a proposed annexation by getting 60 percent of property owners to sign a protest petition. It would also require cities to provide water and sewer services to annexed property owners at no cost to the property owner.
This particular bill passed its second reading in the House on Thursday and is expected to pass a final reading on Monday. If it passes the House it will advance to the Senate where it is likely to face minimal opposition.
There is no question that forced annexation is a serious violation of property rights and personal liberty. Fortunately, our leaders in the General Assembly are taking the initiative to address the problems with North Carolina's annexation laws.
Friday, April 29, 2011
North Carolina Legislators Seek Public Input on Redistricting
Last night I attended a public hearing on redistricting in Guilford County that was hosted by North Carolina Senator Bob Rucho (R- Mecklenburg). The purpose of the hearing was to allow private citizens to voice their opinions about the current redistricting process to members of the General Assembly. Each individual who chose to speak was given five minutes to do so.
Senator Bob Rucho, who presided over the meeting, is chairman of the Redistricting Committee in the NC Senate. Also present were several members of Guilford County's House and Senate delegation, including Representatives John Faircloth, Maggie Jeffus, Alma Adams, and Pricey Harrison. Senators Don Vaughan and Gladys Robinson were also present.
The prevailing sentiment among those who expressed their opinions was that legislative districts should be fair, legal, and apolitical. It was clear that some speakers were liberal and some were conservative, but almost everyone seemed to agree that politics shouldn't play a role in redistricting. Some speakers even made specific recommendations as to how certain districts should be reconfigured.
Due to the importance of the issue I felt compelled to sign up as a speaker. When it was my turn to speak, I contended that gerrymandering has played a role in how current districts are configured and that the General Assembly should cast aside any temptation to reconfigure districts based on partisan politics.
Also, I pointed out that we have six House districts in Guilford County and that not one of them is competitive. Districts 61 and 62 are so heavily Republican that they are uncompetitive. On the other hand, districts 57, 58, 59, and 60 are so heavily Democratic that it is nearly impossible for a Republican to compete in any of those districts.
This, of course, represents a fundamental problem because it takes competition out of the equation and creates "safe seats" for the incumbents. Unfortunately, this leads to a situation where voters have little choice over who they want their representatives to be.
I also pointed out that I ran for public office last year as a Republican in House District 57, which is heavily Democratic. Before attending the meeting last night, I called the Guilford County Board of Elections to confirm the breakdown of voter registration in District 57. I was informed that the district is 51 percent Democratic, 25 percent Republican, 23 percent unaffiliated, and less than two percent Libertarian.
While Republicans only make up 25 percent of voters in District 57, I was able to obtain 44 percent of the vote. This, I contended, indicates that I would have likely won the election if the numbers in the district were competitive.
Furthermore, I appealed to the General Assembly to draw districts that are fair and legal and competitive. I also asked that our elected officials follow state and federal guidelines when implementing the redistricting process.
At the hearing, Senator Rucho stated that the General Assembly is committed to configuring districts that are fair and legal and that all of the necessary guidelines will be followed. He asserted that the process will be done in a way that is efficient and transparent. Senator Rucho also stated that maps will become available for the public to see in late May or early June.
More than likely, the General Assembly will vote on a redistricting plan in June. If the plan passes the House and Senate, it will be submitted to the United States Justice Department for approval.
Senator Bob Rucho, who presided over the meeting, is chairman of the Redistricting Committee in the NC Senate. Also present were several members of Guilford County's House and Senate delegation, including Representatives John Faircloth, Maggie Jeffus, Alma Adams, and Pricey Harrison. Senators Don Vaughan and Gladys Robinson were also present.
The prevailing sentiment among those who expressed their opinions was that legislative districts should be fair, legal, and apolitical. It was clear that some speakers were liberal and some were conservative, but almost everyone seemed to agree that politics shouldn't play a role in redistricting. Some speakers even made specific recommendations as to how certain districts should be reconfigured.
Due to the importance of the issue I felt compelled to sign up as a speaker. When it was my turn to speak, I contended that gerrymandering has played a role in how current districts are configured and that the General Assembly should cast aside any temptation to reconfigure districts based on partisan politics.
Also, I pointed out that we have six House districts in Guilford County and that not one of them is competitive. Districts 61 and 62 are so heavily Republican that they are uncompetitive. On the other hand, districts 57, 58, 59, and 60 are so heavily Democratic that it is nearly impossible for a Republican to compete in any of those districts.
This, of course, represents a fundamental problem because it takes competition out of the equation and creates "safe seats" for the incumbents. Unfortunately, this leads to a situation where voters have little choice over who they want their representatives to be.
I also pointed out that I ran for public office last year as a Republican in House District 57, which is heavily Democratic. Before attending the meeting last night, I called the Guilford County Board of Elections to confirm the breakdown of voter registration in District 57. I was informed that the district is 51 percent Democratic, 25 percent Republican, 23 percent unaffiliated, and less than two percent Libertarian.
While Republicans only make up 25 percent of voters in District 57, I was able to obtain 44 percent of the vote. This, I contended, indicates that I would have likely won the election if the numbers in the district were competitive.
Furthermore, I appealed to the General Assembly to draw districts that are fair and legal and competitive. I also asked that our elected officials follow state and federal guidelines when implementing the redistricting process.
At the hearing, Senator Rucho stated that the General Assembly is committed to configuring districts that are fair and legal and that all of the necessary guidelines will be followed. He asserted that the process will be done in a way that is efficient and transparent. Senator Rucho also stated that maps will become available for the public to see in late May or early June.
More than likely, the General Assembly will vote on a redistricting plan in June. If the plan passes the House and Senate, it will be submitted to the United States Justice Department for approval.
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