Well, the House version of the 2009 - 2010 Budget is out. It calls for large cuts in spending and large tax increases. The Senate voted to not concur with the House Budget so the Appropriations Act of 2009 (SB 202) was sent to the Conference Committee to work out the differences between the Senate and House versions. I will not be on the Conference Committee because no one that voted against the Senate version is on the Conference Committee. This is unfortunate because we fiscal conservatives have some pretty good ideas on how to limit spending, reduce taxes and build up our ‘Rainy Day Fund.’
One idea for example is the Tax Payer Protection Act which I have co-sponsored every year for the past 5 years. Had we passed that our cuts would not have to be so dramatic. If this legislation had passed five years ago, we would have added about $3 billion to our ‘Rainy Day Fund’ for economic times such as this. The leadership has not allowed it to come to a vote. Historically we have not exercised prudence by spending all of our funds in times of surplus. The proposed legislation would have limited state government spending increases to the rate of inflation plus the rate of our population increase.
Also every year since 2005 we have advanced legislation called Zero Based Budgeting that would require each state governmental department or agency to periodically justify all of their line item expenditures. The difficulty in ever getting a government entity to cut unnecessary spending was the reason for this proposed legislation. Unfortunately, the leadership again has not allowed Zero Based Budgeting to even be debated in committee.
Tax increases and a meat clever approach to budgets are the worst aspects of the House budget. Exorbitant tax increases on personal income tax rates, and adding franchise fees to limited liability corporations are anti-business taxes and would have a direct negative impact on business and job creation. Raising taxes in an economic recession is a terrible idea! Instead we should take advantage of this economic downturn to restructure state government spending using Zero Based Budgeting and putting the curbs on spending as would happen under the Tax Payer Protection Act.
Money matters have dominated the conversation at the General Assembly but there are some other issues that have generated significant debate. One such issue is legislation requiring comprehensive sex education for students in grades 7 though 9. This legislation seems to be unnecessary as the existing Abstinence Until Marriage (AUM) program has been very effective. Rates for teen sexual activity, teen pregnancies and teen abortions all have been significantly reduced since the AUM program began in the early 1990's. In addition, school districts already have the option of opting out of AUM and instituting Comprehensive Sex Education. In fact 11 of our approximately 130 school districts across the state have selected that option.
Yesterday the Senate approved the Jordan Lake rules (HB 239 Restore Water Quality in Jordan Reservoir) to limit run off to improve the lake's water quality. The vote was unanimous! This is a good thing as Jordan Lake's water quality was significantly impaired. Hopefully we will soon get similar legislation in place to protect Falls Lake's water quality!
Another proposed bill was introduced by me that will generate lots of discussion. It is SB 515 and is titled the Prohibit Penning of Wildlife bill. This would stop the barbaric practice of training hunting dogs in large fenced enclosures using live bait. Foxes and coyotes constitute the bait. They are provided ways to escape while being tracked but many of these animals are trapped by the pack of hunting dogs and killed. The foxes and coyotes are not familiar with the surroundings since they are acquired by the fox pen owners and placed in the pen as bait. The fate of the bait is pretty much assured to be death. This is not an anti-hunting bill as it has been portrayed. I absolutely support our right to hunt but this fox pen legislation is about stopping an absolutely cruel activity.
I appreciate the opportunity to represent you in the NC Senate. I'm enjoying it and look forward to having a few more conservatives in 2010.
Neal
|
