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April 2010 • vol. 1 • no. 4
Hot Flashes and Cocaine for Monkeys:
The 10 Worst Federal Stimulus Projects in North Carolina • BY Brian Balfour
2. North Carolina Dance Theatre: $50,000
P
rior to signing his federal “stimulus” bill in early 2009, President Obama warned, “If we do not move swiftly to sign (the act) into law, an economy that is already in crisis will be faced with catastrophe.” Here in North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue similarly declared that we were “facing the consequences of the national economic crisis,” and that failure to pass the stimulus bill would “jeopardize the education of our children and the health care of our citizens.” She further noted that the stimulus will help “create jobs, stimulate the economy, and provide relief to North Carolina’s families.” One year later, the debate over the stimulus bill’s effectiveness rages on. A close inspection of stimulus grants and contracts awarded to North Carolina reveals a rather ques-
Do you support or oppose Congress passing a second stimulus bill in an attempt to improve the economy?
This grant is used to retain four professional dancers from the North Carolina Dance Theatre’s second company. Nice for them, but why are tax dollars financing what should be a privately-funded philanthropic organization? 3. Reducing hot flashes through yoga: $147,694
Your tax dollars hard at work. What does PETA think? Photo: Fox8 WGHP
tionable strategy for the disbursement of stimulus funds. Many projects seem completely unrelated to avoiding an economic “catastrophe,” but rather an ad hoc satisfaction of countless dubious wish lists. The Civitas Institute poured through the federal Web site charged with tracking stimulus spending, and created the following list – The 10 Worst Federal Stimulus Projects in North Carolina. 1. Study of monkeys using cocaine: $71,623
Not Sure 11%
Ethical 9%
Wake Forest University was granted money to “study the effects of self-administering cocaine on the glutamate system on monkeys.” Well, at least the monkeys will be stimulated.
Funds granted to Wake Forest University to study “preliminary data on the efficacy of integral yoga for reducing menopausal hot flashes.” The President warned us that the stimulus plan was needed to avoid an economic “catastrophe.” How does this study help revive the economy? 4. Collecting, researching and reporting on the stimulus act: $492,940
Nearly half a million taxpayer dollars will go toward funding more propaganda selling the “benefits” of the stimulus plan. The federal government created the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, while North
Carolina established the Office of Economic Recovery & Investment for these very purposes. Apparently, that’s just not enough propaganda. 5. Create interactive dance performance technology: $762,372
This grant to UNC-Charlotte will fund the development of computer technology to digitally record the dance moves of performers. The recorded movements can then be reviewed and manipulated by a computer program. Although creating virtual-reality type technology for dance movements may be interesting to those involved, how does this serve to “protect the education of our children?” At an average salary of roughly $47,000, this money could have saved 16 North Carolina teacher jobs. 6. American Dance Festival, Inc.: $50,000
A graphic designer and archivist will retain their jobs thanks to this grant. The American Dance Festival hosts dance classes, workshops and engages Stimulus continued on pg 9
Empty Wallets, Empty Tanks
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Support 31% Not Sure 10%
Oppose 59% Refused >1%
Civitas Poll January 2010
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Cocaine for Monkeys Empty Wallets, Empty Tanks
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From the Editor Scandal
North Carolina drivers can anticipate paying up to $3 or more per gallon to fill up their vehicles in the coming months. Photo: Jana Benscoter
• BY BRIAN BALFOUR
I
t wasn’t enough that the state of North Carolina introduced $1.1 billion in new taxes into the current state budget. Lawmakers also imposed a $50 million increase to the state gas tax. As it looks right now, motorists can anticipate paying up to $3 or more per gallon to fill up their vehicles in the coming months. Part of that reason here is due to a bill that established a temporary floor to the state’s gas tax that began July 1, 2009 and is slated to end June 30, 2011. There was not much media attention on Senate Bill 200, “Temporary Floor for Motor Fuels Tax Rate,” which passed in the state Senate with a 28 to 19 margin, and a 64 to 52 vote in the state House. Because the North Carolina gas tax includes a variable component, the total gas tax charged to customers changes based on the average retail price of gasoline. Prior to passage of the 2009 bill , the Legislature imposed a cap on the state gas tax. That meant that, regardless of how high or low the retail price of gasoline fluctuated, the total state gas tax could not exceed 29.9 cents per gallon. This bill, however, establishes a minimum rate for the state gas tax of 29.9 cents. The new Gas Tax continued on pg 8
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Legislators recognize “Sexual Orientation” as a Special Class • BY Jessica Custer
A
fter much heated debate, the final vote on a state bullying bill in the North Carolina House of Representatives heralded a narrow victory for homosexual advocates last session. As such, North Carolina is the first southern state to legally recognize “gender identity” in a state statute.
All school districts are required by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) to enforce anti-bullying policies, which protect all students. Introduced in chambers as House Bill 548 and Senate Bill 526, “School Violence Prevention Act,” it now requires public schools to adopt policies against
Lawmakers who voted to include sexual orientation in NC Law (HB 548) in 2009 Senate Republicans (0) Senate Democrats (26)
Albertson Dannelly Graham Purcell Stein
Atwater Davis Jenkins Queen Vaughan
Basnight Berger, D. Dorsett Foriest Jones Kinnaird Rand (Resigned 12/31/09) Weinstein (Resigned 9/30/10)
Boseman Garrou McKissick Shaw
Clodfelter Goss Nesbitt Soles
House Republicans (0) House Democrats (63)
Adams Bordsen Cotham Faison Gill Harrison Jeffus Martin Pierce Tolson Whilden
Alexander, K. Alexander, M. Allen (Resigned 4/6/10) Braxton Bryant Carney Coates Crawford Dickson (Resigned 1/21/10) Earle Farmer-Butterfield Fisher Floyd,E. Glazier Goforth Goodwin Haire Hill Holliman Hughes Insko Jones Love Lucas Luebke McLawhorn Michaux Mobley Owens Rapp Ross Spear Stewart Tucker Underhill Wainwright Warren, E. Wilkins Williams Womble Wray
Bell Cole England Gibson Harrell (Resigned 9/20/09) Jackson Mackey Parmon Tarleton Weiss Yongue
Lawmakers who voted to protect ALL students equally from bullying in 2009 Senate Republicans (19) Allran Brunstetter Hunt Tillman
Apodaca Clary Jacumin
Berger, P. East Preston
Senate Democrats (3) Hoyle
Snow
House Republicans (51)
Avila Brubaker Dockham Guice Iler Langdon Mills Samuelson Tillis
Blackwell Burr Dollar Gulley Ingle Lewis Moore Setzer West
Bingham Forrester Rouzer
Brock Goodall Rucho
Brown Hartsell Stevens
Blust Cleveland Frye Holloway Justice McCormick Randleman Starnes
Boles Current Gillespie Howard Justus McElraft Rhyne Steen
Brown Daughtry Grady Hurley Killian McGee Sager Stevens
Swindell Blackwood Burris-Floyd Folwell Hilton Johnson McComas Neumann Stam Wiley
House Democrats (0)
Not voting Blake (R)
Excused Absence House
Barnhart (R)
Brisson (D)
Hall (D)
Sexual Orientation continued on pg 8
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tion to all students at public schools and did not include a list of enumerated classes. However, this anti-bullying bill saw no action and was not allowed as a committee substitute to HB 548. What is more, the North Carolina Legislature took a step away from the United States Supreme Court. The High Court grants protected status to immutable characteristics,
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normal and acceptable, a majority of voters polled replied no. Specifically, of the voters polled, 66 percent said they opposed the policy, 24 percent said they supported it and 10 percent said they were unsure of what they thought about it. Also in the 2009 long session, House Minority Leader Rep. Paul Stam (R-Wake) introduced HB 776, “No Bullying Anyone at Public Schools.” This bill provided protec-
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Sexual orientation, gender identity and expression are among this list of specifically protected classes under the “School Violence Protection Act.” Photo: Jana Benscoter.
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Francis X. De Luca Francis.Deluca@nccivitas.org MANAGING EDITOR
Jana Benscoter
bullying and harassment. Sexual orientation, gender identity and expression are among the list of specifically protected classes. According to Civitas Institute Polling, when asked, do you think public schools in North Carolina should implement an anti-bullying policy that requires students are taught homosexuality, bisexuality, cross-dressing and other behaviors are
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Do you think public schools in North Carolina should implement an anti-bullying policy that requires students be taught that homosexuality, bisexuality, cross-dressing and other behaviors are normal and acceptable?
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They’re Back – General Assembly Returns in May • BY Chris Hayes
T
he first item of business for the North Carolina General Assembly will be dealing with the fiscal condition of state government finances. The budget it passed last year was supposed to be balanced for a twoyear cycle. However, as the state has continued to see unemployment rise and tax revenues decline, the budget will need to be adjusted to reflect the continuing rough economic times. Current estimates predict General Assembly members will confront a budget shortfall between $500 million to $1 billion. Given that the General Assembly raised taxes by more than $1 billion last year, and that this year is an election year where all 170 members will be on the ballot, voters can expect legislators to do everything possible to avoid more unpopular tax increases. Closing that large of a budget hole may require equally unpopular budget cuts to education and other social programs. The General Assembly is otherwise limited in what it can consider in the short session. The short session is held in evennumbered years and designed so that legislators can make minor changes to the two-year budget passed in oddnumbered years, as well as address any other critical issues that may arise.
Often, however, many of the changes and new laws passed during the short session are far from minor. Only bills that have passed in either the House or Senate last year but not in both chambers, that raise or spend revenues or are recommended from study committees can be considered. However, there are usually a few issues that pop up that don’t meet that criteria but somehow seem to get discussed. Not least of which this year will be reforming the state’s ethics and campaign finance laws in the wake of the investigation into former Democratic Gov. Mike Easley and his chief counsel Ruffin Poole, who has been indicted on corruption and money laundering charges. The challenge ahead for the General Assembly is a daunting one. Legislators return May 12. The timing of reconvening in Raleigh lands one week after the May 4 North Carolina primary election. Undoubtedly there will be other critical issues that will emerge and the Civitas Institute will be there to monitor and report back on what is going on. Be sure to visit our website at www. nccivitas.org and sign up for our email newsletter so you can stay informed this summer on the latest happenings from the General Assembly and state government. w
Get Rid of Repetitive Failed Policies • BY Brian BalfouR
A
majority of North Carolina voters believe state government is failing them. According to Civitas Institute March 2010 polling results, 57 percent of likely voters believe that the state is on the “wrong track,” compared to only 24 percent who replied that the state is headed in the right direction. North Carolina deserves better. High unemployment, failing schools, corruption, overspending, tax increases and declining family values all are the results of a generation of corrupt politicians implementing endless rounds of failed policies. But merely criticizing is not
Do you feel things in North Carolina are generally headed in the right direction or have gotten off on the wrong track?
Ethical 9%
Right Direction 24% Wrong Track 57% Not Sure 18% Civitas Poll March 2010
enough. Fresh, alternative policies are needed to turn things around. Indeed, North Carolina can do better. With that in mind, the Civitas Institute presents its 2010 Policy Agenda: “20 Changes for 2010: A Primer for State Reform.” The agenda addresses a number of failed policies that are greatly in need of reform in North Carolina. Each policy recommendation offers a solution not only long neglected by most out-oftouch North Carolina lawmakers, but also supported by a significant majority of voters. Polling results are provided to better inform elected officials and candidates about the depth of public support for the policies included in our 2010 Policy Agenda. These policy recommendations are meaningless, however, without the help of three key stakeholder groups: • Citizens: North Carolina residents tired of government corruption and failed policies need to inform themselves of better policy alternatives. • Elected Officials: Current lawmakers need the courage and desire to transform these popular policy recommendations into action, so as to better reflect the wishes of their constituents. • Candidates: During the upcoming election season, candidates need to articulate these ideas to voters effectively. Doing so will help educate citizens and present a welcome alternative compared to more of the same policies that have failed North Carolinians for decades. w
General Assembly members return for the 2010 short session on May 12. Photo: Jana Benscoter
POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS 1) Ease tax burden on small businesses with an across-the-board tax rate reduction.
each activity in order of importance, so lower items can be eliminated when revenues are short.
2) Stop corporate welfare and level the playing field for all busi9) Strengthen existing marriage nesses by eliminating targeted laws by passing a constitutional tax breaks and government amendment defining marriage handouts to specific companies as being between one man and and instead lower the corporate one woman. tax rate. 10) Insure justice and deterrence by 3) Exercise state sovereignty and restoring the death penalty. protect North Carolinians from 11) Pass legislation to prohibit illefederally-mandated purchase gal immigrants from enrolling in of health insurance. State-level community colleges or the UNC opt out legislation would free system. citizens from being forced to 12) Prohibit annexation of unincorpurchase health insurance as parated areas without prior vote mandated by the recently enof residents in the area targeted acted federal health care reform. for annexation. 4) Expand consumer choice and 13) Protect private property against competition to reign in insureminent domain abuse. ance premiums by allowing North Carolinians to purchase 14) Protect unborn victims of viohealth insurance across state lence by a law stating that an aslines. sault against a pregnant woman that results in harm to the fetus 5) Better protect the integrity of will be viewed as two crimes. North Carolina elections by requiring voters to present a 15) Allow more educational choices government issued photo ID for parents and children by liftwhen voting. ing the cap on charter schools. 6) Enact a teacher retiree protec16) Empower principals to reward tion act. This act would restrict teachers based on performance the growth of the state budget and results, rather than merely while setting aside excess revtime served. enues into a fund dedicated to 17) Focus dropout prevention profinancing the health benefits of grams to areas of highest need, state retirees, most of whom are create synergies with local busiteachers. nesses. 7) Ensure a public vote on all state 18) Reform UNC system state aid debt. criteria to focus on graduation. 8) Clearly establish state spending 19) Enhance transparency in state priorities through zero-based government . budgeting. The process of zero-based budgeting merely 20) Increase Transparency in requires state agencies to rank Campaigns.
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North Carolina Candidates Filed in Contested Primary Elections The following is a list of candidates who will be on the ballot Tuesday, May 4. US SENATE (DEM) Marcus W. Williams, Lumberton, NC 28359 Ann Worthy, Gastonia, NC 28053 Elaine Marshall, Raleigh, NC 27601 Ken Lewis, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Susan Harris, Old Fort, NC 28762 Cal Cunningham, Lexington, NC 27292 US SENATE (REP) Larry Linney, Charlotte, NC 28212 Brad Jones, Lake Toxaway, NC 28747 Eddie Burks, Asheboro, NC 27203 Richard Burr, Winston-Salem, NC 27104 US HOUSE DISTRICT 1 (DEM) Chad Larkins, Macon, NC 27551 G.K. Butterfield, Wilson, NC 27894 US HOUSE DISTRICT 1 (REP) Ashley Woolard, Washington, NC 27889 Jim Miller, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Jerry Grimes, Goldsboro, NC 27530 John Carter, Wilson, NC 27893 US HOUSE DISTRICT 2 (REP) Todd Gailas, Morrisville, NC 27560 Renee Ellmers, Dunn, NC 28335 Frank Deatrich, Louisburg, NC 27549 US HOUSE DISTRICT 3 (REP) Craig Weber, Morehead City, NC 28557 Walter B. Jones, Farmville, NC 27858 Bob Cavanaugh, Newport, NC 28570 US HOUSE DISTRICT 4 (REP) Frank Roche, Apex, NC 27539 William (B.J.) Lawson, Apex, NC 27523 George Hutchins, Raleigh, NC 27624 David Burnett, Cary, NC 27511 US HOUSE DISTRICT 5 (REP)
US HOUSE DISTRICT 10 (DEM)
NC SENATE DISTRICT 10 (REP)
NC SENATE DISTRICT 34 (REP)
Jeff Gregory, Shelby, NC 28150 Anne N. Fischer, Morganton, NC 28680
Brent Jackson, Autryville, NC 28318 Chris Humphrey, Kinston, NC 28504
US HOUSE DISTRICT 10 (REP)
NC SENATE DISTRICT 11 (DEM)
Vance Patterson, Morganton, NC 28655 Patrick McHenry, Hickory, NC 28603 Scott Keadle, Mooresville, NC 28117 David Michael Boldon, Maiden, NC 28650
A.B. Swindell, Nashville, NC 27856 Dennis Nielsen, Red Oak, NC 27868
Robert Dale Stirewalt, China Grove, NC 28023 John H. Ferguson, Advance, NC 27006 Andrew C. Brock, Mocksville, NC 27028
US HOUSE DISTRICT 11 (DEM) Aixa Wilson, Asheville, NC 28806 Heath Shuler, Waynesville, NC 28786 US HOUSE DISTRICT 11 (REP) Kenny West, Hayesville, NC 28904 Gregory A. Newman, Hendersonville, NC 28739 Jeff Miller, Hendersonville, NC 28739 Ed Krause, Marion, NC 28752 James (Jake) Howard, Franklin, NC 28734 Dan Eichenbaum, Murphy, NC 28906 US HOUSE DISTRICT 12 (REP) William Gillenwater, Greensboro, NC 27407 Greg Dority, Washington, NC 27889 Scott Cumbie, Winston-Salem, NC 27114 US HOUSE DISTRICT 13 (REP) William (Bill) Randall, Raleigh, NC 27624 Bernie Reeves, Raleigh, NC 27628 Dan Huffman, Wake Forest, NC 27587 Frank Hurley, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 NC SENATE DISTRICT 3 (DEM) Clark Jenkins, Tarboro, NC 27886 Frankie L. Bordeaux, Greenville, NC 27835 Florence Arnold Armstrong, Tarboro, NC 27886 NC SENATE DISTRICT 3 (REP)
Keith Gardner, Hickory, NC 28601 Virginia Foxx, Banner Elk, NC 28604
Henry Williams, Tarboro, NC 27886 C.B. Daughtridge, Rocky Mount, NC 27801
US HOUSE DISTRICT 6 (REP)
NC SENATE DISTRICT 4 (DEM)
James Taylor, Pinehurst, NC 28374 Jeff Phillips, Greensboro, NC 27455 Jon Mangin, Stokesdale, NC 27357 Cathy Brewer Hinson, High Point, NC 27262 Howard Coble, Greensboro, NC 27409 Billy Yow, Greensboro, NC 27406 US HOUSE DISTRICT 7 (REP) Ilario Gregory Pantano, Wilmington, NC 28404 Randy Crow, Kelly, NC 28448 Will Breazeale, Wilmington, NC 28412 US HOUSE DISTRICT 8 (DEM) Nancy Shakir, Fayetteville, NC 28304 Larry Kissell, Biscoe, NC 27209 US HOUSE DISTRICT 8 (REP) Harold Johnson, Concord, NC 28025 Hal Jordan, Charlotte, NC 28212 Lou Huddleston, Fayetteville, NC 28305 Tim D’Annunzio, Raeford, NC 28376 Darrell Day, Hamlet, NC 28345 Lee Cornelison, Charlotte, NC 28266
Edward (Ed) Jones, Enfield, NC 27823 Tee Ferguson, Ahoskie, NC 27910 NC SENATE DISTRICT 4 (REP) Warren Scott Nail, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 Rich Halbert, Edenton, NC 27932 NC SENATE DISTRICT 7 (DEM) Doug Berger, Youngsville, NC 27596 Ronald R. Alligood, Butner, NC 27509 NC SENATE DISTRICT 8 (REP) Bill Rabon, Southport, NC 28461 Bettie Fennell, Rocky Point, NC 28457 NC SENATE 9 (REP) Michael Lee, Wilmington, NC 28403 Thom Goolsby, Wilmington, NC 28402 NC SENATE DISTRICT 10 (DEM) Gordon E. Vermillion, Kinston, NC 28504 Dewey Hudson, Clinton, NC 28328
NC SENATE DISTRICT 11 (REP) Donnie Weaver, Rocky Mount, NC 27803 E.S. (Buck) Newton, Wilson, NC 27894 Randy J. Johnson, Bailey, NC 27807 NC SENATE DISTRICT 13 (DEM) Michael Walters, Fairmont, NC 28340 R. Benjamin Clark III, Raeford, NC 28376 NC SENATE DISTRICT 21 (DEM) Curtis Worthy, Fayetteville, NC 28314 Eugene Stackhouse, Fayetteville, NC 28311 Eric L. Mansfield, Fayetteville, NC 28303 Robert Lee Evans, Fayetteville, NC 28311 Lula Crenshaw, Fayetteville, NC 28311 NC SENATE DISTRICT 22 (REP) Richard Timothy Morgan, Eagle Springs, NC 27242 Harris D. Blake, Pinehurst, NC 28374 NC SENATE DISTRICT 23 (REP) Ryan A. Hilliard, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 Jon Greg Bass, Roxboro, NC 27574 NC SENATE DISTRICT 28 (DEM) Gladys A. Robinson, Pleasant Garden, NC 27313 Evelyn W. Miller, Greensboro, NC 27409 NC SENATE DISTRICT 28 (REP) Trudy Wade, Greensboro, NC 27407 John Wayne Welch, Greensboro, NC 27406 Robert Brafford, Jr, Jamestown, NC 27282 Jeffrey A. Brommer, Jamestown, NC 27282 NC SENATE DISTRICT 30 (DEM) Robert Nickell, Westfield, NC 27053 Ric Marshall, Ararat, NC 27007 NC SENATE DISTRICT 30 (REP) Paul M. Johnson, Pilot Mountain, NC 27041 Don W. East, Pilot Mountain, NC 27041 NC SENATE DISTRICT 32 (DEM) Linda Garrou, Winston-Salem, NC 27106 Edward (Ed) Hanes, Winston-Salem, NC 27105 NC SENATE DISTRICT 32 (REP) Brian C. Miller, Winston-Salem, NC 27106 Nathan Jones, Winston-Salem, NC 27127
NC SENATE DISTRICT 35 (REP) Tommy Tucker, Waxhaw, NC 28173 Fern Shubert, Marshville, NC 28103 NC SENATE DISTRICT 37 (REP) C. Morgan Edwards, Charlotte, NC 28215 Vince Coscia, Charlotte, NC 28205 NC SENATE DISTRICT 40 (DEM) John Montgomery, Newell, NC 28126 Malcolm Graham, Charlotte, NC 28269 NC SENATE DISTRICT 41 (REP) Mark Richard Vanek, Troutman, NC 28166 James (Jim) Forrester, Stanley, NC 28164 NC SENATE DISTRICT 43 (REP) Will Neumann, Belmont, NC 28012 Kathy Harrington, Gastonia, NC 28056 Ken Bowen, Cherryville, NC 28021 James (Jim) England, Gastonia, NC 28052 NC SENATE DISTRICT 44 (DEM) Heath Wynn, Hudson, NC 28638 Beth Jones, Lenoir, NC 28645 NC SENATE DISTRICT 45 (REP) Dan Soucek, Boone, NC 28607 Jeffrey C. Elmore, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 NC SENATE DISTRICT 47 (REP) Andy Webb, Marion, NC 28752 Ralph E. Hise, Jr, Spruce Pine, NC 28777 Tamera Frank, Burnsville, NC 28714 NC SENATE DISTRICT 49 (REP) R. L. Clark, Asheville, NC 28804 Don Yelton, Weaverville, NC 28787 NC SENATE DISTRICT 50 (REP) Jimmy Goodman, Franklin, NC 28734 Jim Davis, Franklin, NC 28734 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 8 (DEM) Edith D. Warren, Farmville, NC 27828 Mildred A. Council, Greenville, NC 27834 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 13 (REP) Wyatt Rike, Morehead City, NC 28557 Patricia (Pat) McElraft, Emerald Isle, NC 28594 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 15 (REP) Phillip Shepard, Jacksonville, NC 28540 Tracey Louise Miller, Sneads Ferry, NC 28460 Martin Aragona, Jr, Jacksonville, NC 28541
For additional information on finding your legislative district by county please visit civitasaction.org
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NC HOUSE DISTRICT 17 (DEM)
NC HOUSE DISTRICT 55 (DEM)
NC HOUSE DISTRICT 99 (REP)
David Shawn Clark, Newton, NC 28658
James A. Knox, Leland, NC 28451 Leonard Jenkins, Leland, NC 28541
W.A. (Winkie) Wilkins, Roxboro, NC 27574 R. Miles Standish, Durham, NC 27712 Fred Foster, Jr, Durham, NC 27704
Michael T. Wilson, Huntersville, NC 28078 Gwendolyn D. McGowens, Charlotte, NC 28262
COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE (CALABRIA SEAT)
NC HOUSE DISTRICT 57 (REP)
NC HOUSE DISTRICT 101 (DEM)
Wendell H. Sawyer, Greensboro, NC 27410 Jon Hardister, Greensboro, NC 27404 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 58 (DEM) Ralph C. Johnson, Greensboro, NC 27401 Alma Adams, Greensboro, NC 27406 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 60 (DEM) Earl Jones, Greensboro, NC 27406 Marcus Brandon, Greensboro, NC 27406 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 61 (REP) Georgia Nixon-Roney, Jamestown, NC 27282 Paul Norcross, High Point, NC 27261 Gerald T. Grubb, High Point, NC 27265 John Faircloth, High Point, NC 27265
Beverly Miller Earle, Charlotte, NC 28202 Rocky Bailey, Charlotte, NC 28216
NC HOUSE DISTRICT 62 (REP)
Kelly E. Hastings, Cherryville, NC 28021 Pearl Burris Floyd, Dallas, NC 28034
NC HOUSE DISTRICT 17 (REP) Mac Tyson, Shallotte, NC 28470 Frank Iler, Oak Island, NC 28465 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 18 (DEM) James L. Utley, Jr, Wilmington, NC 28403 Susi Hamilton, Wilmington, NC 28401 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 18 (REP) J. Michael Hutson, Wilmington, NC 28411 Beth Dawson, Wilmington, NC 28402 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 20 (DEM) Ken Waddell, Chadbourn, NC 28431 Dewey L. Hill, Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 22 (DEM) William Brisson, Dublin, NC 28332 Robert Jacobs Brooks, Council, NC 28434 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 30 (REP) Randy Stewart, Durham, NC 27705 Jason Chambers, Hillsborough, NC 27278 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 33 (DEM) Rosa U. Gill, Raleigh, NC 27610 Doctor K. Aal Anubia, Raleigh, NC 27601 Bernard Allen, Raleigh, NC 27610 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 33 (REP) Paul Terrell, Raleigh, NC 27604 Susan Byrd Leventhal, Raleigh, NC 27610 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 34 (REP) Brian Tinga, Raleigh, NC 27624 J. H. Ross, Raleigh, NC 27609 Steve Henion, Raleigh, NC 27609 Jamie Earp, Raleigh, NC 27609 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 39 (DEM) Darren Jackson, Raleigh, NC 27610 Jeanne Milliken Bonds, Knightdale, NC 27545 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 41 (REP) David Sloane, Raleigh, NC 27613 Tom Murry, Morrisville, NC 27560 Todd A. Batchelor, Raleigh, NC 27613 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 43 (DEM) Mary E. McAllister, Fayetteville, NC 28311 Elmer Floyd, Fayetteville, NC 28301 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 44 (REP) Brian Kent, Fayetteville, NC 28303 Lois A. Kirby, Fayetteville, NC 28303 Johnny Dawkins, Fayetteville, NC 28303 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 45 (DEM) Tina Odom, Hope Mills, NC 28348 Rick Glazier, Fayetteville, NC 28303 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 45 (REP) Jackie Warner, Hope Mills, NC 28348 Patrick Mitchell, Hope Mills, NC 28348 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 47 (DEM) Ronnie Sutton, Pembroke, NC 28372 Charles Graham, Lumberton, NC 28358 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 53 (DEM) Abraham Oudeh, Dunn, NC 28334 Thomas E. Ellis II, Dunn, NC 28334
Michael K. Garrett, Greensboro, NC 27402 John M. Blust, Greensboro, NC 27410 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 68 (REP) Craig Horn, Matthews, NC 28104 Jeff Gerber, Monroe, NC 28110 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 70 (REP) Pat B. Hurley, Asheboro, NC 27203 Fred Burgess, Climax, NC 27233 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 72 (DEM) Earline W. Parmon, Winston-Salem, NC 27105 Gardenia M. Henley, Winston-Salem, NC 27105 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 77 (REP) Harry Warren, Salisbury, NC 28144 Lauren Raper, Spencer, NC 28159 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 78 (REP) Arnold Lanier, Denton, NC 27239 Harold J. Brubaker, Asheboro, NC 27205 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 80 (REP) Dick Johnson, Denton, NC 27239 Jerry C. Dockham, Denton, NC 27239 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 81 (REP) Fred D. McClure, Lexington, NC 27293 Rayne Brown, Lexington, NC 27295 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 82 (REP) Larry G. Pittman, Concord, NC 28025 Jeff Barnhart, Concord, NC 28027 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 85 (DEM) Aaron Bradley Scott, Connelly Springs, NC 28612 Beth Ostgaard, Marion, NC 28752 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 86 (DEM) Jim Cates, Morganton, NC 28655 Walter Church, Jr, Valdese, NC 28690 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 94 (REP) Shirley Blackburn Randleman, Wilkesboro, NC 28697 John Reavill, Wilkesboro, NC 28697 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 99 (DEM) Nick Mackey, Charlotte, NC 28262 Rodney W. Moore, Charlotte, NC 28215
NC HOUSE DISTRICT 102 (DEM) Kim Ratliff, Charlotte, NC 28215 Ken Davies, Charlotte, NC 28204 Becky Carney, Charlotte, NC 28204 Matt Miller, Charlotte, NC 28204
Mark E. Klass, Lexington, NC 27293 Jane Gray, Raleigh, NC 27612 Ann Marie Calabria, Morrisville, NC 27560 COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE (ELMORE SEAT) Steven Walker, Raleigh, NC 27602 Rick Elmore, Raleigh, NC 27636 Leto Copeley, Hillsborough, NC 27278 SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE DISTRICT 3B
NC HOUSE DISTRICT 104 (REP)
John E. Nobles, Jr, Morehead City, NC 28557 Ken Crow, New Bern, NC 28563 Benjamin G. Alford, New Bern, NC 28562
Ruth Samuelson, Charlotte, NC 28211 Jerry Drye, Charlotte, NC 28270
SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE DISTRICT 12C
NC HOUSE DISTRICT 110 (REP)
Mary Ann Tally, Fayetteville, NC 28302 John Marsh (John M.) Tyson, Fayetteville, NC 28301 Ronnie M. Mitchell, Fayetteville, NC 28302 Timothy M. (Tim) Dunn, Fayetteville, NC 28303 James (Jim) Floyd Ammons, Jr, Fayetteville, NC 28303
NC HOUSE DISTRICT 103 (REP) Bill Brawley, Matthews, NC 28105 Lloyd Austin, Charlotte, NC 28227
NC HOUSE DISTRICT 112 (REP) Alan Toney, Bostic, NC 28018 Jim Wayne Newton, Ellenboro, NC 28040 Mike Hager, Rutherfordton, NC 28139 Dennis Davis, Lattimore, NC 28089 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 115 (DEM) Patsy Keever, Asheville, NC 28803 D. Bruce Goforth, Asheville, NC 28803 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 119 (DEM) Phil Haire, Sylva, NC 28779 Bruce (Avram) Friedman, Dillsboro, NC 28725 NC HOUSE DISTRICT 120 (REP) Roger West, Marble, NC 28905 Tim West, Andrews, NC 28906 DA DISTRICT 6B (DEM) Gregory L. Perry, Gaston, NC 27832 Valerie Mitchell Asbell, Ahoskie, NC 27910 DA DISTRICT 9A (DEM) Sandra Strader Pugh, Ruffin, NC 27326 Roger A. Echols, Jr, Timberlake, NC 27583 DA DISTRICT 11 (REP) Joy Jones, Smithfield, NC 27577 Susan Doyle, Clayton, NC 27527 DA DISTRICT 13 (DEM) Harold G. (Butch) Pope, Whiteville, NC 28472 Rex Gore, Shallotte, NC 28470 DA DISTRICT 19A (REP) Roxann Vaneekhoven, Concord, NC 28026 John M. Lewis, Mount Pleasant, NC 28124 DA DISTRICT 20A (DEM) Reece Saunders, Rockingham, NC 28379 Michael Parker, Rockingham, NC 28380 DA DISTRICT 20B (REP) John Snyder, Weddington, NC 28104 Clayton Jones, Weddington, NC 28104 DA DISTRICT 25 (REP) James (Jay) Gaither, Jr, Hickory, NC, 28602
SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE DISTRICT 14B Chris Shella, Durham, NC 27712 Dan Read, Durham, NC 27701 Michael O’Foghludha, Durham, NC 27701 James E. (Jim) Hardin, Jr, Durham, NC 27705 James H. Hughes, Durham, NC 27703 Elaine M. Bushfan, Durham, NC 27703 SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE DISTRICT 15A James K. (Jim) Roberson, Burlington, NC 27215 Robert F. (Rob) Johnson, Burlington, NC 27215 Wayne Abernathy, Burlington, NC 27215 SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE DISTRICT 24 Hal G. Harrison, Spruce Pine, NC 28777 Gary Gavenus, Burnsville, NC 28714 Charles Phillip (Phil) Ginn, Boone, NC 28607 SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE DISTRICT 26B F. Lane Williamson, Charlotte, NC 28209 Nancy Norelli, Charlotte, NC 28207 Hugh Lewis, Charlotte, NC 28211 Donnie Hoover, Charlotte, NC 28211 Bill Constangy, Charlotte, NC 28226 SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE DISTRICT 28 Alan Z. Thornburg, Asheville, NC 28804 Marvin Pope, Asheville, NC 28802 Kate Dreher, Asheville, NC 28814 For additional information on finding your legislative district by county please visit civitasaction.org
6
April 2010
Civitas
CAPITOL CONNECTION
nccivitas.org
State to Begin Taxing Services • BY BRIAN BALFOUR
ditures and as a means to broaden the tax base to lower the state tax rates. Most services purchased in North Carolina are not regularly taxed by the existing state sales tax. The state sales tax rate is 5.75 percent. Most counties apply an additional 2 percent, making it 7.75 percent in 92 out of the 100 counties. The sales tax, they say, needs to remain high in order to generate enough revenue to fund state expenditures. The move is intended to reflect the growing service sector. According to research presented by the UNC School of Government, North Carolinians are more likely to purchase services than goods. Spending on services now makes up 60 percent of
N
orth Carolina lawmakers are looking at ways to tax more economic activity, but do so at a lower tax rate. Probably the most often discussed and controversial potential tax change involves extending the sales tax to services, such as lawn care, haircuts or auto repairs. Tax reformers hope to couple the new service tax with a lowering of the sales tax rate. Such services have never been taxed in North Carolina before. A committee that has come together to study the North Carolina tax structure, however, views the new tax as an ideal way to help pay for state expen-
A state committee is considering extending the sales tax to services, such as haircuts, lawn care, and home repair. Photo: Jana Benscoter
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Service Tax continued on pg 9
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consumption spending in the state. Proponents of taxing more services say it is only fair to tax services at the same rate as the purchase of goods. For instance, if someone purchases a lawn mower to cut his own grass, he pays sales tax on that purchase. On the other hand, if he pays someone to cut his grass, there is no tax applied to the payment for that service. This unequal tax treatment of similar economic activity creates distortions in the spending decisions of consumers. Naturally, lobbyists representing the interests of service industries are seeking to kill any proposals to tax their services. Other opponents of applying the sales tax to services are concerned that once the tax is applied to services and the existing sales tax rate is lowered, it will become very tempting for lawmakers to raise the sales tax rate back up, while keeping the sales tax on services intact. As authorized by a provision in the fiscal year 2009-10 state budget, the newly formed Interim Joint House and Senate Finance Committee has
GET ACTIVE!
Wilmington Hilton Riverside
Given the current situation in Raleigh, do you agree or disagree that we should replace all current state legislators with new people regardless of their political party?
Wilmington Hilton Riverside
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT
WWW.NCTEAPARTYSUMMIT.COM Or call (919) 834-2099 for more information or to register.
Strongly agree 19% Somewhat agree 21% Strongly disagree 30% Somewhat disagree 19% Not Sure 11% Civitas Poll March 2010
nccivitas.org
April 2010
CAPITOL CONNECTION
Civitas
7
Latest Report Shows North Carolina Still Plagued with Rising Unemployment • BY MARIANNE SUAREZ
Metro Unemployment Rates, February 2010 (Not Seasonally Adjusted)
T
he national unemployment rate is hovering at 10 percent, while in North Carolina, according to the latest report by the state’s Employment Security Commission (NCESC), statewide unemployment reached 11.8 percent in February. These numbers highlight a troubling trend – the consistently increasing rate of unemployment. Since the economic downturn, North Carolina has experienced a continual increase in the unemployment rate. This latest report marks a 0.1 percent increase from the past month and an overall 1.2 percent gain over the year. Unemployment increased in 58 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in February, decreased in 19 counties, and remained the same in 23. A large majority of the state’s counties, 58 of 100, reported an unemployment rate above the statewide unadjusted unemployment rate of 11.8 percent. Graham County reported the highest rate of unemployment at 19.4 percent, or one-fifth of the population. Orange County reported the lowest unemployment rate at 6.9 percent, followed by Gates County at 8.1 percent. Unemployment increased in six of the state’s 14 metropolitan areas,
16%
15.8%
12%
8%
8.4%
8.6%
Jacksonville
9.6%
9.8%
9.8%
Goldsboro
10%
Fayetteville
11.8% 10.7%
10.2%
13.2%
12.8%
12.4%
Durham/Chapel Hill
Unemployment Rate
14%
14.7%
11.6%
11.1%
6% 4%
Hickory/Lenoir/ Morganton
Rocky Mount
Burlington
Charlotte/Gastonia/ Rock Hill NC/SC
Greensboro/ High Point
Wilmington
Winston-Salem
Greenville
Asheville
North Carolina
0%
Raleigh/Cary
2%
Source: North Carolina Employment Security Commission * All December 2009 labor force data are preliminary
with all but five reporting rates above 10 percent. To qualify in real terms, unemployment by workers increased from 531,281 in January to 535,986 in
North Carolina. The counties receiving the highest amount of unemployment insurance benefits in February were Forsyth, Gaston, Guilford, Mecklenburg and Wake. w
February – leaving 4,705 people out of work. In February, $211.9 million has been spent to fund regular unemployment insurance benefits, and a total of $5.2 billion in the last year in
North Carolina Unemployment Rates by County
February 2010
North Carolina Unemployment Rates by County February 2010 ALLEGHANY
ASHE WATAUGA MITCHELL MADISON
11.3
HAYWOOD GRAHAM
19.4
CHEROKEE
16.8
CLAY
13
17.6
MACON
13.4
9.7
HENDERSON
JACKSON
11.4
TRANSYLVANIA
11.4
10.3
11.4
14.6
CALDWELL
17.6
14.5
BUNCOMBE
12.3
SWAIN
YANCEY
14.4
MCDOWELL
16
BURKE
15.6
POLK
10.2
YADKIN
11.9
ALEXANDER
14.5
CATAWBA
12.8
13.9
ROWAN
CLEVELAND
15.5
GASTON
14.5
12.9
FORSYTH
10.6
DAVIDSON
14.3
14
LINCOLN
14.7
STOKES
DAVIE
IREDELL
15.3
RUTHERFORD
17.9
13.6
WILKES
9.4
AVERY
SURRY
15.3
16.2
CABARRUS
13.4
MECKLENBURG
ROCKINGHAM
15.2
ORANGE
GUILFORD
11.8
6.9
ALAMANCE
ANSON
17.1
13
JOHNSTON
11.2
HARNETT
11.1
GREENE
9.8
CUMBERLAND
9
DUPLIN
9.7
SCOTLAND
Unemployment 6.9 - 9
HYDE
12.1
CRAVEN
11
12.4
10
17.4
February 2010
13.9
DARE
BEAUFORT
11.4
JONES
SAMPSON
9.9
TYRRELL
13.4
17.4
10.6
LENOIR
10.4
10.8
10.6
WASHINGTON
11.4
12.4
HOKE
11.8
MARTIN
CURRITUCK
9.5
PASQUOTANK
PITT
WAYNE
12.1
MOORE
14.5
17.1
WILSON
8.4
RICHMOND
EDGECOMBE
CAMDEN
PERQUIMANS CHOWAN
11.6
NASH
9.2
14.5
14
13.9
BERTIE
13.4
LEE STANLY MONTGOMERY
HERTFORD
10.1
HALIFAX
WAKE
11.8
UNION 11.8
8.5
GATES 8.1
14.6
11.4
CHATHAM
12.9
11.8
14
FRANKLIN
DURHAM
13.2
RANDOLPH
NORTHAMPTON
VANCE WARREN
CASWELL PERSON 14.4 13.6 12.8 GRANVILLE 11.4
14
PAMLICO
10.6
CARTERET
10.4
ONSLOW ROBESON
12.8
8.6
BLADEN
13.1
PENDER
12.2
COLUMBUS
14
NEW HANOVER 10.6
BRUNSWICK
13.4
9.1 - 10.8 10.9 - 13 13.1- 15.1 15.2 - 19.4
Data Not Seasonally Adjusted Source: Employment Security Commission of North Carolina
8
April 2010
Gas Tax
Civitas
CONTINUED FROM PG 1
law dictates that the gas tax never drops below 29.9 cents regardless of how low the variable portion of the tax falls. According to projections, the gas tax floor will end up costing North Carolina motorists $50 million more in taxes this year. So while gas prices have remained relatively low over the past several months, they could be even lower if North Carolina lawmakers hadn’t implemented the gas tax floor. The average North Carolina motorist spends 4.10 percent of their income on gasoline, or $1,440.40. The Natural Resources Defense Council experts predict that that “gas prices will rise nationally to more than
CAPITOL CONNECTION
$3 per gallon this spring.” With the new retail price of gas, the council estimates that the average motorist will spend 7.19 percent of their income to fill up their tanks, or spend $2,523.73. The cost of gasoline also is determined on a state’s dependency on oil. North Carolina is ranked 19th in the country for oil addiction. North Carolina is still struggling through the devastating effects of the current recession. The state unemployment rate remains among the 10 highest in the nation. Forcing struggling North Carolinians to pay an additional $50 million in taxes at the gas pump only makes things more difficult for people already struggling to pay their bills. w
nccivitas.org
If you had to choose only one, which of the following tax increases would have the greatest negative financial impact on you and your family’s financial well-being? An increase in the... Income Tax 45% Sales tax 20%
Gas tax 30% Not Sure 5%
Civitas Poll October 2009
Lawmakers who voted for $50 Million Increase in State Gas Tax (SB 200) in 2009 Senate Republicans (3) Bingham
Hartsell
Stevens
Senate Democrats (25)
Albertson Atwater Basnight Dannelly Dorsett Foriest Jenkins Jones Kinnaird Rand (Resigned 12/31/09) Snow Vaughan Weinstein (Resigned 9/30/09)
Berger, D. Garrou McKissick Soles
Boseman Graham Nesbitt Stein
Clodfelter Hoyle Purcell Swindell
House Republicans (1) Gulley
House Democrats (63)
Adams Bordsen Cotham Faison Glazier Harrison Jones McLawhorn Rapp Tucker Whilden
Alexander, K. Alexander, M. Allen (Resigned 4/6/10) Braxton Brisson Bryant Coates Earle Crawford Dickson (Resigned 1/21/10) Farmer-Butterfield Fisher Floyd, E. Goforth Goodwin Haire Hall Hill Holliman Hughes Insko Love Lucas Luebke Mackey Michaux Mobley Owens Parmon Ross Spear Stewart Sutton Underhill Wainwright Warren, E. Warren, R. Wilkins Williams Womble Wray
Bell Cole England Gibson Harrell (Resigned 9/20/09) Jeffus Martin Pierce Tolson Weiss Yongue
Lawmakers who voted against $50 Million Increase in State Gas Tax Senate Republicans (16) Allran Clary Preston
Apodaca East Rouzer
Senate Democrats (3)
Berger, P. Forrester Rucho
Davis
Goss
Queen
Avila Brown Daughtry Grady Johnson McComas Neumann Stam Tillis
Barnhart Brubaker Dockham Guice Justice McCormick Randleman Starnes West
Blackwell Burr Dollar Hilton Justus McElraft Rhyne Steen Wiley
House Republicans (50)
Brock Goodall Tillman
Brown Hunt
Brunstetter Jacumin
Blackwood Burris-Floyd Folwell Holloway Killian McGee Sager Stevens
Blust Boles Cleveland Current Frye Gillespie Howard Hurley Langdon Lewis Mills Moore Samuelson Setzer Stiller (Resigned 6/15/09)
House Democrats (2) Jackson
Tarleton
Not voting Senate Shaw (D)
House
Hackney (D)
Excused Absence Senate Blake (R)
House
Carney (D)
Roll Call
House #681 Senate #265 * For contact information, read pages 10 and 11.
If the election for North Carolina State Legislature were held today, would you be voting:
Democratic 35% Republican 37% Neither 8% Not Sure 20%
Civitas Poll March 2010
North Carolina motorists will pay an extra $50 million in taxes at the gas pump this year. Photo: Jana Benscoter
Sexual Orientation CONTINUED FROM PG 2
present from birth and has not recognized “sexual orientation” as a protected class. Commonly known as “The Bullying Bill,” opponents argue that the bill was merely the means to promote a homosexual agenda in North Carolina. The final House vote came down to a narrow 58-57 margin. Reps. Dewey Hill (D-Columbus) and Jamie Boles (R-Moore) switched their votes from yes to no, Ronnie Sutton (DRobeson), who had previously voted no, did not vote and William Brisson (D-Bladen) and Ray Warren (D-Alexander) were absent and did not vote. The first vote for passage of the House Bill was 59-57. The notable votes were the seven House Democrats that voted against the bill: Reps. Van Braxton (D-Lenoir), Brisson, Jim Crawford (D-Granville), Jimmie Love (D-Lee), Tim Spear (D-Washington), Sutton and Arthur Williams (D-Beau-
fort). (With the exception of Sutton and Crawford, they all tended to be from rural, swing districts.) Boles was the lone Republican who voted in favor of the bill. Reps. Larry Hall (D-Durham) and Ruth Samuelson (R-Mecklenburg) were absent from the chamber for the first vote, and in accordance with custom, Speaker Joe Hackney did not vote on the bill. Warren was present but abstained from voting. The “School Violence Prevention Act” was introduced in the General Assembly on March 12, 2009 for the third time under the pretense of “protecting students.” Some might argue when a student is being bullied, action for that student’s protection needs to be taken, no matter how they are classified. Gov. Bev. Purdue signed the bill into law on June 30, 2009 providing a victory for homosexual lobbying groups and supporters throughout the state. w
nccivitas.org
April 2010
CAPITOL CONNECTION
Civitas
Stimulus
CONTINUED FROM PG 1
US Lawmakers who voted in favor of spending $787 billion on stimulus package and increase taxes on future generations Senate Republicans (0) Senate Democrats (1)
Do you think the stimulus package passed by Congress earlier this year is making things better, worse, or having no effect on the economy? Not Sure 11%
Kay Hagan
House Republicans (0) House Democrats (7) George Butterfield (NC-1) Bob Etheridge (NC-2) David Price (NC-4) Mike McIntyre (NC-7) Larry Kissell (NC-8) Melvin Watt (NC-12) R. Miller (NC-13)
9
Ethical 9%
US Lawmakers who voted no Senate Republicans (1) Richard Burr
Senate Democrats (0) House Republicans (5)
Walter Jones (NC-3) Virginia Foxx (NC-5) Howard Coble (NC-6) Sue Myrick (NC-9) Patrick McHenry (NC-10)
Better 20% No effect 45%
House Democrats (1)
Worse 22% Not sure 12%
Heath Shuler (NC-11)
Civitas Poll July 2009
Service Tax CONTINUED FROM PG 6
been meeting regularly during this legislative off-season. The Joint Committee is also examining the state’s personal income tax. With one of the highest income tax rates in the nation, North Carolina relies very heavily on income tax revenue to finance the state budget. The reliance on the income tax has increased sharply in North Carolina over the past few decades, and the state relies heavier on the income tax than most states in the nation. Members of the committee have expressed concern over this because the income tax is more volatile than other tax revenue sources, making budgeting less predictable and more subject to dramatic swings during economic recessions.
Similar to the sales tax, recommendations for the personal income tax that the committee is considering include broadening the base of taxable income for the personal income tax, while lowering the rate and possibly including a zero tax bracket for the first $10,000 of taxable income. Broadening the income tax base would mean eliminating certain state tax credits and deductions. According to the General Assembly’s Fiscal Research Division, North Carolina state income tax credits and deductions reduce state revenue by $1.2 billion a year. Major tax deductions include the interest paid on home mortgages, portions of Social Security income and charitable gifts. Major state tax credits include the standard tax credit for each child in one’s family and child care expenses.
Most of these tax credits and deductions are very popular with those taxpayers who benefit from them. Moreover, most of the credits and deductions also have powerful lobbying groups that exist to protect them. Politically, these credits and deductions would prove to be incredibly difficult to reverse. Several committees have examined North Carolina’s tax structure over the
past 15 years. Each has come up with the same recommendation: broaden the base and lower the rates. The recommendations, however, have never been implemented by state lawmakers. This year’s committee is also tasked with finding ways to broaden the base and lower tax rates in North Carolina. Only time will tell if lawmakers actually follow through. w
TOP PAID LEGISLATORS IN NORTH CAROLINA
Mandated by North Carolina General Statute 120-3
Senate Do you support or oppose a plan by the General Assembly that would extend the sales tax to services like home repair, auto repair, warranties and other services, but would reduce the overall rate of sales and income taxes?
Senate President Pro Tempore Marc Basnight (D-Dare) – $38,151 yearly; $1,413 per month for expenses. Deputy Senate President Pro Tempore Charlie Smith Dannelly (D-Mecklenberg) – $21,739 yearly; $836 per month for expenses. Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand (D-Cumberland) –$17,048 yearly; $666 per month for expenses. (Resigned Dec. 31, 2009)
Strongly Support 15% Somewhat Support 15% Somewhat Oppose 14% Strongly Oppose 38% Not sure 19%
Senate Minority Leader Phil Berger (R-Guilford) – $17,048 yearly; $666 per month for expenses.
Civitas Poll December 2009
House Speaker of the House Joe Hackney (D-Orange) – $38,151 yearly; $1,413 per month for expenses.
Which of the following issues in North Carolina are you most concerned about: 4% 3%
The economy and jobs 47% Holding down taxes 9%
9%
3%
47% 17%
All other legislators receive a yearly salary of $13,951 and an expense allowance of $559.00 per month. They are paid 29 cents per mile travel reimbursement and a monthly $104 per diem regardless of their rank or party.
Illegal Immigration 3% Public Education 9% Moral Issues 3% Not Sure 4%
House Majority Leader Rep. Hugh Holliman (D-Davidson) – $17,048 yearly; $666 per month for expenses. House Minority Leader Rep. Paul Stam (R-Wake) – $17,048 yearly; $666 per month for expenses.
Government Corruption 7% Reducing Healthcare costs 17%
Speaker Pro Tempore of the House Rep. William L. Wainwright (D-Lenoir) – $21,739 yearly; $836 per month for expenses.
7%
9%
Civitas Poll March 2010
10 April 2010
Civitas
CAPITOL CONNECTION
nccivitas.org
How do I Contact My Legislator? House 1 Camden, Currituck, Pasquotank, Tyrrell Bill Owens (D) Rm. 635, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-0010 Bill.Owens@ncleg.net 2 Chowan, Dare, Hyde, Washington Timothy L. Spear (D) Rm. 402, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-3029 Tim.Spear@ncleg.net 3 Craven, Pamlico Alice Graham Underhill (D) Rm. 1206, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5853 Alice.Underhill@ncleg.net
16 New Hanover, Pender Carolyn H. Justice (R) Rm. 306A3, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-9664 Carolyn.Justice@ncleg.net
This legislative directory provides legislative phone number and legislative address. Jones St. zip code is 27601. The Salisbury St. zip code is 27603.
4 Duplin, Onslow Russell E. Tucker (D) Rm. 416B, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-3021 Russell.Tucker@ncleg.net
17 Brunswick Frank Iler (R) Rm. 306A2, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-301-1450 Frank.Iler@ncleg.net
5 Bertie, Gates, Hertford, Perquimans Annie W. Mobley (D) Rm. 638, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5780 Annie.Mobley@ncleg.net
18 New Hanover, Pender Sandra Spaulding Hughes (D) Rm. 537, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5754 Sandra.Hughes@ncleg.net
6 Beaufort, Pitt Arthur Williams (D) Rm. 637, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5906 Arthur.Williams@ncleg.net 7 Halifax, Nash Angela R. Bryant (D) Rm. 542, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5878 Angela.Bryant@ncleg.net 8 Martin, Pitt Edith D. Warren (D) Rm. 416A, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-3023 Edith.Warren@ncleg.net 9 Pitt Marian N. McLawhorn (D) Rm. 1217, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5757 Marian.McLawhorn@ncleg.net 10 Greene, Lenoir, Wayne R. Van Braxton (D) Rm. 2219, 16 West Jones St. 919-715-3017 Van.Braxton@ncleg.net
19 New Hanover Daniel F. McComas (R) Rm. 506, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5786 Danny.McComas@ncleg.net 20 Brunswick, Columbus Dewey L. Hill (D) Rm. 1309, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5830 Dewey.Hill@ncleg.net 21 Sampson, Wayne Larry M. Bell (D) Rm. 538, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5863 Larry.Bell@ncleg.net 22 Bladen, Cumberland William D. Brisson (D) Rm. 1325, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5772 William.Brisson@ncleg.net 23 Edgecombe, Wilson Joe P. Tolson (D) Rm. 307B2, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-3024 Joe.Tolson@ncleg.net
11 Wayne Efton M. Sager (R) Rm. 508, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5755 Efton.Sager@ncleg.net
24 Edgecombe, Wilson Jean Farmer-Butterfield (D) Rm. 528, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5898 Jean.Farmer-Butterfield@ncleg. net
12 Craven, Lenoir William L. Wainwright (D) Rm. 301F, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5995 William.Wainwright@ncleg.net
25 Nash Randy Stewart (D) Rm. 1219, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5802 Randy.Stewart@ncleg.net
13 Carteret, Jones Pat McElraft (R) Rm. 603, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-6275 Pat.McElraft@ncleg.net
26 Johnston N. Leo Daughtry (R) Rm. 1013, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5605 Leo.Daughtry@ncleg.net
14 Onslow George G. Cleveland (R) Rm. 504, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-6707 George.Cleveland@ncleg.net
27 Northhampton, Vance, Warren Michael H. Wray (D) Rm. 405, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5662 Michael.Wray@ncleg.net
15 Onslow W. Robert Grady (R) Rm. 302, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-9644 Robert.Grady@ncleg.net
28 Johnston, Sampson James H. Langdon, Jr. (R) Rm. 610, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5849 James.Langdon@ncleg.net
29 Durham Larry D. Hall (D) Rm. 417B, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5872 Larry.Hall@ncleg.net
45 Cumberland Rick Glazier (D) Rm. 2215, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5601 Rick.Glazier@ncleg.net
30 Durham Paul Luebke (D) Rm. 529, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-7663 Paul.Luebke@ncleg.net
46 Hoke, Robeson, Scotland Douglas Y. Yongue (D) Rm. 2207, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5821 Douglas.Yongue@ncleg.net
31 Durham Henry M. Michaux, Jr. (D) Rm. 1227, 16 West Jones St. 919-715-2528 Mickey.Michaux@ncleg.net
47 Robeson Ronnie Sutton (D) Rm. 1321, 16 West Jones St. 919-715-0875 Ron.Sutton@ncleg.net
32 Granville, Vance James W. Crawford, Jr. (D) Rm. 1326, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5824 Jim.Crawford@ncleg.net
48 Hoke, Robeson, Scotland Garland E. Pierce (D) Rm. 301C, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5803 Garland.Pierce@ncleg.net
33 Wake Rosa U. Gill (D) Rm. 1305, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5880 Rosa.Gill@ncleg.net
49 Franklin, Halifax, Nash Currently Not Filled
34 Wake Grier Martin (D) Rm. 2123, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5758 Grier.Martin@ncleg.net 35 Wake Jennifer Weiss (D) Rm. 532, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-3010 Jennifer.Weiss@ncleg.net 36 Wake Nelson Dollar (R) Rm. 1209, 16 West Jones St. 919-715-0795 Nelson.Dollar@ncleg.net 37 Wake Paul Stam (R) Rm. 613, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-2962 Paul.Stam@ncleg.net 38 Wake Deborah K. Ross (D) Rm. 2223, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5773 Deborah.Ross@ncleg.net 39 Wake Darren G. Jackson (D) Rm. 301N, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5974 Darren.Jackson@ncleg.net 40 Wake Marilyn Avila (R) Rm. 1017, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5530 Marilyn.Avila@ncleg.net 41 Wake Chris Heagarty (D) Rm. 2121, 16 W. Jones Street 919-733-5602 Chris.Heagarty@ncleg.net 42 Cumberland Marvin W. Lucas (D) Rm. 417A, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5775 Marvin.Lucas@ncleg.net 43 Cumberland Elmer Floyd (D) Rm. 1311, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5959 Elmer.Floyd@ncleg.net 44 Cumberland Diane Parfitt Rm. 2221, 16 W. Jones Street 919-733-9892
50 Caswell, Orange Bill Faison (D) Rm. 611, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-3019 Bill.Faison@ncleg.net 51 Harnett, Lee Jimmy L. Love, Sr. (D) Rm. 305, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-3026 Jimmy.Love@ncleg.net 52 Moore James L. Boles, Jr. (R) Rm. 501, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5903 Jamie.Boles@ncleg.net 53 Harnett David R. Lewis (R) Rm. 533, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-3015 David.Lewis@ncleg.net
60 Guilford Earl Jones (D) Rm. 536, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5825 Earl.Jones@ncleg.net
70 Randolph Pat B. Hurley (R) Rm. 607, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5865 Pat.Hurley@ncleg.net
61 Guilford Laura I. Wiley (R) Rm. 513, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5877 Laura.Wiley@ncleg.net
71 Forsyth Larry Womble (D) Rm. 534, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5777 Larry.Womble@ncleg.net
62 Guilford John M. Blust (R) Rm. 1109, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5781 John.Blust@ncleg.net
72 Forsyth Earline W. Parmon (D) Rm. 541, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5829 Earline.Parmon@ncleg.net
For additional information on finding your legislator by county or to see how they vote, please visit
civitasaction.org
54 Chatham, Moore, Orange Joe Hackney (D) Rm. 2304, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-3451 Joe.Hackney@ncleg.net
63 Alamance Alice L. Bordsen (D) Rm. 530, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5820 Alice.Bordsen@ncleg.net
55 Durham, Person W. A. (Winkie) Wilkins (D) Rm. 1301, 16 West Jones St. 919-715-0850 Winkie.Wilkins@ncleg.net
64 Alamance Dan W. Ingle (R) Rm. 1019, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5905 Dan.Ingle@ncleg.net
56 Orange Verla Insko (D) Rm. 307B1, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-7208 Verla.Insko@ncleg.net
65 Rockingham Nelson Cole (D) Rm. 1218, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5779 Nelson.Cole@ncleg.net
57 Guilford Pricey Harrison (D) Rm. 2119, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5771 Pricey.Harrison@ncleg.net
66 Montgomery, Richmond Melanie Wade Goodwin (D) Rm. 1307, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5823 Melanie.Goodwin@ncleg.net
58 Guilford Alma Adams (D) Rm. 304, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5902 Alma.Adams@ncleg.net
67 Montgomery, Stanly, Union Justin P. Burr (R) Rm. 1315, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5908 Justin.Burr@ncleg.net
59 Guilford Maggie Jeffus (D) Rm. 2204, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5191 Maggie.Jeffus@ncleg.net
68 Union Curtis Blackwood (R) Rm. 1317, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-2406 Curtis.Blackwood@ncleg.net 69 Anson, Union Pryor Gibson (D) Rm. 419A, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-3007 Pryor.Gibson@ncleg.net
73 Davidson, Forsyth Larry R. Brown (R) Rm. 609, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5607 Larry.Brown@ncleg.net 74 Forsyth Dale R. Folwell (R) Rm. 306A1, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5787 Dale.Folwell@ncleg.net 75 Forsyth Wm. C. “Bill” McGee (R) Rm. 531, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5747 William.McGee@ncleg.net 76 Rowan Fred F. Steen, II (R) Rm. 514, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5881 Fred.Steen@ncleg.net 77 Rowan Lorene Coates (D) Rm. 633, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5784 Lorene.Coates@ncleg.net
WHY WE GIVE PARTY AFFILIATIONS: The Legislature is managed as a partisan institution. Lawmakers segregate themselves by party in matters from daily meetings to electing leaders. They have separate and taxpayer-financed staffs. As such, gaining a full understanding of the vote of an individual lawmaker requires knowing his or her partisan affiliation.
nccivitas.org
Civitas
CAPITOL CONNECTION
78 Randolph Harold J. Brubaker (R) Rm. 1229, 16 West Jones St. 919-715-4946 Harold.Brubaker@ncleg.net
92 Iredell, Surry, Yadkin Darrell G. McCormick (R) Rm. 1211, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5654 Darrell.McCormick@ncleg.net
109 Gaston William A. Current, Sr. (R) Rm. 418A, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5809 Bill.Current@ncleg.net
79 Davie, Iredell Julia C. Howard (R) Rm. 1106, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5904 Julia.Howard@ncleg.net
93 Ashe, Watauga Cullie M. Tarleton (D) Rm. 2221, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-7727 Cullie.Tarleton@ncleg.net
110 Cleveland, Gaston Pearl Burris-Floyd (R) Rm. 1319, 16 West Jones St. 919-715-2002 Pearl.Burris-Floyd@ncleg.net
80 Davidson Jerry C. Dockham (R) Rm. 1213, 16 West Jones St. 919-715-2526 Jerry.Dockham@ncleg.net
94 Wilkes Shirley B. Randleman (R) Rm. 1025, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5935 Shirley.Randleman@ncleg.net
111 Cleveland Tim Moore (R) Rm. 604, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-4838 Tim.Moore@ncleg.net
81 Davidson Hugh Holliman (D) Rm. 2301, 16 West Jones St. 919-715-0873 Hugh.Holliman@ncleg.net
95 Iredell Grey Mills (R) Rm. 1111, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5741 Grey.Mills@ncleg.net
112 Cleveland, Rutherford Bob England, M.D. (D) Rm. 303, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5749 Bob.England@ncleg.net
82 Cabarrus Jeff Barnhart (R) Rm. 608, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-2009 Jeff.Barnhart@ncleg.net
96 Catawba Mark K. Hilton (R) Rm. 1021, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5988 Mark.Hilton@ncleg.net
113 Henderson, Polk, Transylvania W. David Guice (R) Rm. 1015, 16 West Jones St. 919-715-4466 David.Guice@ncleg.net
97 Lincoln Johnathan Rhyne, Jr. (R) Rm. 1323, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5782 Johnathan.Rhyne@ncleg.net
114 Buncombe Susan C. Fisher (D) Rm. 420, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-2013 Susan.Fisher@ncleg.net
98 Mecklenburg Thom Tillis (R) Rm. 1002, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5828 Thom.Tillis@ncleg.net
115 Buncombe Bruce Goforth (D) Rm. 1220, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5746 Bruce.Goforth@ncleg.net
99 Mecklenburg Nick Mackey (D) Rm. 403, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5606 Nick.Mackey@ncleg.net
116 Buncombe Jane Whilden (D) Rm. 1303, 16 West Jones St. 919-715-3012 Jane.Whilden@ncleg.net
100 Mecklenburg Tricia Ann Cotham (D) Rm. 418C, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-0706 Tricia.Cotham@ncleg.net
117 Henderson Carolyn K. Justus (R) Rm. 1023, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5956 Carolyn.Justus@ncleg.net
101 Mecklenburg Beverly M. Earle (D) Rm. 634, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-2530 Beverly.Earle@ncleg.net
118 Haywood, Madison, Yancey Ray Rapp (D) Rm. 2213, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5732 Ray.Rapp@ncleg.net
102 Mecklenburg Becky Carney (D) Rm. 1221, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5827 Becky.Carney@ncleg.net
119 Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain R. Phillip Haire (D) Rm. 639, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-3005 Phillip.Haire@ncleg.net
This legislative directory provides legislative phone number and legislative address. Jones St. zip code is 27601. The Salisbury St. zip code is 27603. 83 Cabarrus Linda P. Johnson (R) Rm. 1006, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5861 Linda.Johnson2@ncleg.net 84 Avery, Caldwell, Mitchell, Yancey Phillip Frye (R) Rm. 602, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5661 Phillip.Frye@ncleg.net 85 Burke, McDowell Mitch Gillespie (R) Rm. 1008, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5862 Mitchg@ncleg.net 86 Burke Hugh Blackwell (R) Rm. 606, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5805 Hugh.Blackwell@ncleg.net 87 Caldwell Edgar V. Starnes (R) Rm. 503, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5931 Edgar.Starnes@ncleg.net 88 Alexander, Catawba Ray Warren (D) Rm. 306C, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-8361 Ray.Warren@ncleg.net 89 Catawba, Iredell Mitchell S. Setzer (R) Rm. 1204, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-4948 Mitchell.Setzer@ncleg.net 90 Alleghany, Surry Sarah Stevens (R) Rm. 509, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-1883 Sarah.Stevens@ncleg.net 91 Rockingham, Stokes Bryan R. Holloway (R) Rm. 502, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5609 Bryan.Holloway@ncleg.net
103 Mecklenburg Jim Gulley (R) Rm. 1313, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5800 Jim.Gulley@ncleg.net 104 Mecklenburg Ruth Samuelson (R) Rm. 418B, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-3009 Ruth.Samuelson@ncleg.net
4 Bertie, Chowan, Gates, Halifax, Hertford, Northampton, Perquimans W. Edward Jones (D) Rm. 623, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-3032 Edward.Jones@ncleg.net
For additional information on finding your legislator by county or to see how they vote, please visit
civitasaction.org 5 Greene, Pitt, Wayne Donald Davis (D) Rm. 525, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5621 Don.Davis@ncleg.net 6 Jones, Onslow Harry Brown (R) Rm. 521, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-3034 Harry.Brown@ncleg.net 7 Franklin, Granville, Vance, Warren Doug Berger (D) Rm. 526, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-8363 Doug.Berger@ncleg.net 8 Brunswick, Columbus, Pender R. C. Soles, Jr. (D) Rm. 2022, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5963 RC.Soles@ncleg.net 9 New Hanover Julia Boseman (D) Rm. 309, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-2525 Julia.Boseman@ncleg.net 10 Duplin, Lenoir, Sampson Charles W. Albertson (D) Rm. 523, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5705 Charlie.Albertson@ncleg.net 11 Nash, Wilson A. B. Swindell (D) Rm. 629, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-3030 AB.Swindell@ncleg.net 12 Johnston, Wayne David Rouzer (R) Rm. 520, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5748 David.Rouzer@ncleg.net
120 Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Macon Roger West (R) Rm. 1004, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5859 Roger.West@ncleg.net
13 Robeson, Hoke Michael Walters (D) Seat recently filled
Senate
14 Wake Daniel T. Blue, Jr. (D) Rm. 314, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5752 Dan.Blue@ncleg.net
105 Mecklenburg Ric Killian (R) Rm. 1010, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5886 Ric.Killian@ncleg.net
1 Beaufort, Camden, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Pasquotank, Tyrrell, Washington Marc Basnight (D) Rm. 2007, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-6854 Marc.Basnight@ncleg.net
106 Mecklenburg Martha B. Alexander (D) Rm. 2208, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5807 Martha.Alexander@ncleg.net
2 Carteret, Craven, Pamlico Jean R. Preston (R) Rm. 1121, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5706 Jean.Preston@ncleg.net
16 Wake Joshua H. Stein (D) Rm. 410, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-6400 Josh.Stein@ncleg.net
107 Mecklenburg Kelly M. Alexander, Jr. (D) Rm. 632, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5778 Kelly.Alexander@ncleg.net
3 Edgecombe, Martin, Pitt S. Clark Jenkins (D) Rm. 308, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-3040 Clark.Jenkins@ncleg.net
17 Wake Richard Y. Stevens (R) Rm. 406, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5653 Richard.Stevens@ncleg.net
108 Gaston Wil Neumann (R) Rm. 510, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5868 Wil.Neumann@ncleg.net
15 Wake Neal Hunt (R) Rm. 1102, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5850 Neal.Hunt@ncleg.net
18 Chatham, Durham, Lee Robert Atwater (D) Rm. 312, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-3036 Bob.Atwater@ncleg.net
April 2010
11
19 Bladen, Cumberland Margaret Highsmith Dickson (D) Rm. 300C, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5776 Margaret.Dickson@ncleg.net
35 Mecklenburg, Union W. Edward Goodall, Jr. (R) Rm. 332, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-7659 Eddie.Goodall@ncleg.net
20 Durham Floyd B. McKissick, Jr. (D) Rm. 621, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-4599 Floyd.McKissick@ncleg.net
36 Cabarrus, Iredell Fletcher L. Hartsell, Jr. (R) Rm. 518, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-7223 Fletcher.Hartsell@ncleg.net
21 Cumberland Larry Shaw (D) Rm. 311, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-9349 Larry.Shaw@ncleg.net
37 Mecklenburg Daniel G. Clodfelter (D) Rm. 408, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-8331 Daniel.Clodfelter@ncleg.net
22 Harnett, Moore Harris Blake (R) Rm. 517, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-4809 Harris.Blake@ncleg.net
38 Mecklenburg Charlie Smith Dannelly (D) Rm. 2010, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5955 Charlie.Dannelly@ncleg.net
23 Orange, Person Eleanor Kinnaird (D) Rm. 2115, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5804 Ellie.Kinnaird@ncleg.net
39 Mecklenburg Bob Rucho (R) Rm. 1118, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5655 Bob.Rucho@ncleg.net
24 Alamance, Caswell Anthony E. Foriest (D) Rm. 411, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-301-1446 Tony.Foriest@ncleg.net
40 Mecklenburg Malcolm Graham (D) Rm. 620, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5650 Malcolm.Graham@ncleg.net
25 Anson, Richmond, Scotland, Stanly William R. Purcell (D) Rm. 625, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5953 William.Purcell@ncleg.net
41 Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln James Forrester (R) Rm. 1129, 16 West Jones St. 919-715-3050 James.Forrester@ncleg.net
26 Guilford, Rockingham Philip Edward Berger (R) Rm. 1026, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5708 Phil.Berger@ncleg.net 27 Guilford Don Vaughan (D) Rm. 622, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5856 Don.Vaughan@ncleg.net 28 Guilford Katie G. Dorsett (D) Rm. 2106, 16 West Jones St. 919-715-3042 Katie.Dorsett@ncleg.net
42 Catawba, Iredell Austin M. Allran (R) Rm. 516, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5876 Austin.Allran@ncleg.net 43 Gaston David W. Hoyle (D) Rm. 300-A, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5734 David.Hoyle@ncleg.net 44 Burke, Caldwell Jimmy R. Jacumin (R) Rm. 1113, 16 West Jones St. 919-715-7823 Jim.Jacumin@ncleg.net
29 Montgomery, Randolph Jerry W. Tillman (R) Rm. 628, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5870 Jerry.Tillman@ncleg.net
45 Alexander, Ashe, Watauga, Wilkes Steve Goss (D) Rm. 1028, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5742 Steve.Goss@ncleg.net
30 Alleghany, Stokes, Surry, Yadkin Don W. East (R) Rm. 1120, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5743 Don.East@ncleg.net
46 Cleveland, Rutherford Debbie A. Clary (R) Rm. 515, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-3038 Debbie.Clary@ncleg.net
31 Forsyth Peter S. Brunstetter (R) Rm. 522, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-7850 Peter.Brunstetter@ncleg.net
47 Avery, Haywood, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Yancey Joe Sam Queen (D) Rm. 1117, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-3460 JoeSam.Queen@ncleg.net
32 Forsyth Linda Garrou (D) Rm. 627, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-733-5620 Linda.Garrou@ncleg.net 33 Davidson, Guilford Stan Bingham (R) Rm. 2117, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5665 Stan.Bingham@ncleg.net 34 Davie, Rowan Andrew C. Brock (R) Rm. 1119, 16 West Jones St. 919-715-0690 Andrew.Brock@ncleg.net
48 Buncombe, Henderson, Polk Tom M. Apodaca (R) Rm. 1127, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5745 Tom.Apodaca@ncleg.net 49 Buncombe Martin L. Nesbitt, Jr. (D) Rm. 300-B, 300 N. Salisbury St. 919-715-3001 Martin.Nesbitt@ncleg.net 50 Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain, Transylvania John J. Snow, Jr. (D) Rm. 2111, 16 West Jones St. 919-733-5875 John.Snow@ncleg.net
12
April 2010
•
Civitas
SCANDAL
CAPITOL CONNECTION
•
State Auditor Tenure Marked by Mishaps
I
n 2008, Beth Wood campaigned for state auditor on a promise to be the people’s full-time financial watchdog and to restore the previous high standards of the auditor’s office. Now 16 months after taking office, Wood finds herself dogged by a list of troubles, which raise questions about her professional judgment and her ability to manage finances. The everlengthening list includes: Suppresses Release of State Audit:
In spring 2009, Wood was accused of suppressing the release of a state audit that raised questions about former first lady Mary Easley’s salary ($170,000) at North Carolina State University. Although Wood claims her staff convinced her to not release the report, it seems the presence of former majority leader, Tony Rand – who represented Mary Easley during a state audit of Easley’s European travels – likely played a role in Wood’s decision. In August 2009, during testimony before a federal grand jury, Wood acknowledged she told her staff that she thought Rand was a good attorney. She inferred that he would poke holes in the Mary Easley audit like he had on former Gov. Mike Easley’s travel audit. Questionable Training: In November 2009, a state auditor employee accused Wood of spending $10,000 on “touchy feely” training. The training, developed by Spectrum Development helped employees identify and learn about their “personality type.” The training grouped personality types by color: gold, blue, green, or orange. Wood said the training was intended to help people understand “how people behave the way they do.” Ignores Law on State Reimbursement:
An investigation last fall conducted by Civitas Staff revealed that Wood had not been reimbursing the state for commuting with a state car to and from her office in Raleigh. Three days after making a request for mileage documents, Wood submitted a personal check for $1,584 to the state department of administration. The costs should have been
nccivitas.org
F R O M T H E E D I T O R
Tea Parties: Not a One-Sided Affair BY JANA BENSCOTER
deducted monthly from her wages. Late on Property Taxes: Wood was
late paying her $1,200 property tax bill in 2009 for her Raleigh residence. Wood said she was late because she had to repay a $90,000 loan to finance her state auditor campaign. In a later interview, Wood said she was late because she works from a budget and her decision to pay her taxes late – along with the penalties – was a “choice” she made. A review of Wake online property tax records reveals Wood incurred penalties for late property tax payments in 2009 and also 2008. Since 1995, Wood also incurred interest penalties for late tax payments for vehicles three times. Campaign Finance Troubles: A No-
vember 2009 State Board of Elections (SBOE) audit found campaign donation violations and discrepancies in Beth Wood Campaign records. The audit asked Wood to make corrections and forfeit $767 to the SBOE by Jan. 9, 2010. As of early April, no response from the Wood Campaign was posted on the SBOE Web site. When contacted about the situation, an official at SBOE said in December that Wood requested an extension for payment until Feb. 28, 2010. The extension was granted. On February 26, SBOE stated Wood submitted a check for $657 (the campaign is contesting the difference with the original amount). No evidence supporting these statements is available on the SBOE Web site. The Civitas Institute offers training in investigative journalism and exposing government corruption. We hold monthly meetings for those who want to learn more and connect with others to combat public corruption. For more information contact Bob Luebke at 919834-2099, Ext. 135. Scandal is a regular column in Capitol Connection that will explore public corruption in NC Government. Have a local corruption story? Email us at: corruption@nccivitas.org or call 919-834-2099. w
Beth Wood on her phone at Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue’s inaugural ceremony in January 2009. Photo by David Bass of Carolina Journal
Despite recent criticisms, Tea Party goers continue to organize. Photo: Jana Benscoter
I
t didn’t take long for Tea Party activists to be labeled as something utterly derogatory. Those who spoke out against and adamantly opposed the government’s expansionist policies and excessive spending in 2009, are now being labeled as racists in 2010. There is no doubt that racism exists. There is no doubt that ageism exists. There is no doubt that sexism exists. There is no doubt that lots of ...isms exist; pick your ...ism. But where is the truth when bold statements are made that lump hard-working, in tuned, freedom-fighting Americans into these types of groups? To say the Tea Party organized around like-minded people, who believe in racism, is an outrageous claim by those who are only perpetuating a racial divide that exists in this country. Fueling the fire are activists and lobbyists from all political backgrounds. The timeliness of such claims can be attributed to the fact that Americans –regardless of age, gender, or race – are adhering to their first amendment right to petition the government and use their freedom of speech to air their grievances on tax day, as well as other days throughout the year. Ward Connerly of National Review Magazine recently wrote, “In the courtrooms, on college campuses, and, most especially, in our politics, race is a central theme. Where it does not naturally rise to the surface, there are those who will manufacture and amplify it. Such is the case with the claims that the ‘Tea Partiers’ are a bunch of racists and that many of them spat upon members of the Congressional Black Caucus. I am convinced beyond any doubt that all of this is part of the strategic plan being implemented by the Left in its current campaign to remake America.” As reported in The Washington Post, Thomas Sowell wrote on the GOPUSA Web site, “stay away from injecting race into political issues” doubting news reports and firsthand accounts by members of Congress that tea party protesters directed racial slurs at black legislators as they walked to the Capitol to cast their votes. “This is a serious charge – and one deserving of some serious evidence,” Sowell said. “But, despite all the media recording devices on the scene, not to mention recording devices among the crowd gathered there, nobody can come up with a single recorded sound to back up that incendiary charge. Worse yet, some people have claimed that even doubting the charge suggests that you are a racist.” Above all else, it would be great if we would allow the people to make the decision for themselves based on the facts. Rasmussen Poll reports that 48 percent of voters’ views are closer to Tea Party than President Barack Obama; 50 percent of independents identified with Tea Partiers over Obama, and 38 percent of independents said they matched the President’s views. When it comes to party affiliation, “57 percent of Tea Party members called themselves Republicans, another 28 percent said they were independents, and 13 percent were Democrats. Two-thirds of Tea Party members identify as conservatives but 26 percent say they are moderate and 8 percent described themselves as liberal,” according to The Washington Examiner. w