Posted on 07/31/2006 9:01:09 AM PDT by TaxRelief
State legislators have gone home. That's a good thing.The session began in May with much hope that with better economic times, lawmakers would seize the opportunity to give taxpayers a much-needed break and repeal the "temporary" taxes enacted during the 2001 recession. Many hoped that the General Assembly would also seize the opportunity to adopt a constitutional amendment protecting property owners from eminent domain abuse.
Instead, the General Assembly made half-hearted attempts to appease taxpayers and property owners.
Lawmakers trimmed back those tax increases, but wouldn't eliminate them altogether.
As far as protecting property, the General Assembly repealed legislation that allowed a handful of local governments to use their eminent domain powers for private development. And they tightened up rules for cities that condemn property that is considered blighted.
Unfortunately, that gives property owners no guarantee of protection in the future.
Meanwhile, the General Assembly, all giddy with a $2 billion surplus, chose to increase spending by nearly 10 percent in its $18.9 billion budget.
To be fair, legislators didn't spend it all. They tucked away more than $300 million in the rainy day fund. They also voted to reduce the amount of money they siphon out of the Highway Trust Fund into the general fund.
Legislators then went to meddling into other areas.
They chose to stick their nose into private business by increasing the minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.15 an hour. Wages are something that should be set by the marketplace, not by the government. Yet legislators, who are quite good at reading poll numbers, decided to interfere.
Lawmakers also did some good things with ethics, lobbying and campaign reform legislation. They banned the conversion of campaign funds for personal use. They outlawed a practice which allowed campaign contributors to write checks but leaving the payee line blank. And they put a number of reporting requirements on lobbyists so that more light will be shed on how business is conducted in Raleigh.
Unfortunately, one of the ethics bills likely crossed constitutional boundaries by prohibiting campaign contributions by lobbyists.
Lawmakers also chose to step into the back seat of our cars by requiring all passengers in vehicles to buckle up. And they took the first step at banning cell phone use by motorists when they outlawed the practice in most circumstances for teens younger than 18 who are behind the wheel.
This year, we'd hoped for some good things from our lawmakers. Once again, we were often disappointed in their performance.
At least now that they're gone, we can breathe a little easier.
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR..........
It is almost too sickening to post. It is a good thing that we have the Kinston Free Press to fill us in occasionally.
Can you add me?
The Straight Vermonter family hopes to be the Straight North Carolinian family soon.
Absolutely!
Ya better check and see if "Straight Tar Heel" is available as an FR name, though... ;-)
LOL, that does have a better ring to it.
Cause the article doesn't say if these guys are GOP or not.... can't tell by reading it.
The Dems control the house, the senate and the governor's mansion. (They also control anyone who wants to do business in NC.)
You are correct Tax Relief!
The state Dems are a lot like a crime family in NC.
I am glad to know of the Kinston Free Press. That is the heart of yellow dog country. I am surprised.
The government can't give any of their money to the regular people because they obviously don't deserve it. And to give any breaks to business would be illegal. Of course you knew that.
Yet they keep getting elected.
Shall I wait to add Straight Vermonter to the ping until a decision has been made in re Freep Name?
No, go ahead and add me. I'll be SV for awhile yet.
Okay -- Thank you!
Don't stop until after you pass the big sombrero.
We have have a GOP house, GOP senate, GOP Governor, two GOP Senators and 4/6 GOP representatives, soon 5/6. We are weeding out the Rinos (Like Lindsey) and we have an early primary which allows us to send posers like McCain packing. Life is good.
Dang! You're making me jealous!
I guess I need that explained...
You've never driven I-95 South very far, have you?
I believe you'll see the first billboard around New York city...
Only 617 miles to South of the Border.
Makes me want to move to Kinston.
I didn't realize he had a place named after him.
j/k
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