Your blogger has just learned that this procedure is being televised on statewide television via UNC-TV.  Because KCC has been sick for six days with a severe sinus infection, she will now sign off, and retire to her sick bed.

Please tune in to the television broadcast.   If that is not possible, you may go to our previous post and listen to the House feed over the Internet.

Thank you for reading Katy’s Conservative Corner. Up Next: the election of Majority Leader, Rep. “Skip” Stam (R-Wake).

In his acceptance speech, Folwell stated that he cannot achieve anything alone.  He thanked Jesus Christ, his wife Cynthia, his children, his mother, his father, and so on.  Again, Folwell is your blogger’s very favorite legislator.  Not because he is a great member, but because he is a great person.  North Carolina is lucky to have him, even if some may not agree with his ideas.

Justice Paul Newby, NC Supreme Court is administering the Oath of Office to Speaker Pro Temp  Folwell.

Congratulations to New Speaker Pro Temp, Rep. Dale Folwell. KCC believes him to be honest and sincere.  Escort committee being called.  Folwell will then make a short speech to the body.

Election of Speaker Pro Temp.

Vote: roll call now

Rep. William Wainright (D-Craven) also nominated.  He is a minister.  He is the previous Speaker Pro Temp.  Rep. Bill Faison (D-Orange) seconds the nomination of William Wainright.   Faison is in the news himself, these days.  He is one of two candidates running for the chairmanship of the Democratic Party.

Dale Folwell (R-Fosyth) nominated.  Talked about how he enjoys the legislative process and he enjoys life.  He enjoys his motorcycle and once rode it 30,000 miles to raise money for charity.  Rep. Bill McGhee (R-Forsyth) seconds Rep. Folwell’s nomination for Speaker Pro Temp.

The rules will be debated in full in the rules committee and on the floor.  Rep. Hackney had a number of questions about the rules, and said he would not debate them today, but he did have reservations about items such as the ten bill limit.  Citizens can go to the home page of the North Carolina Assembly to view all resolutions and bills.

Rep. Tim Moore (Cleveland) HR-1 To adopt the rules of the regular session.  These are the proposed temporary rules of the house.  Recognize the desire of the majority to have a more open process and protect the rights of the minority.  They reflect the number of hours of many folks, including Rep. Stam.

He is honored to serve “as your speaker” as he concludes his remarks.

He named the gavel after his father, “Ray”, after Thomas Raymond Tillis.

With the help of volunteers and donors, his gavel was created from an old tree that was alive during the colonial period.  It was felled during the civil war and was used in a home.  It’s made of North Carolina’s state tree, the long leaf pine.  He didn’t want a gavel ordered from a catalog.

Called members of the “minority” party our friends.   He said “he’s soaking up this moment, including simple things like this gavel.”

House members are in their perm. seats and offices and tomorrow, they will roll out committee assignments.  Republican Men wearing coordinated ties/shirts.  Republican Women wearing red flowers.

He offered his thanks to Speaker Hackney and called him a “gentleman, a statesman” and Tillis thanked him for his leadership.

This transition to the GOP favors limited govt, free markets, and less taxes.  He believes that the TEA in tea party stands for Taxed Enough Already.

Ensure that all regulations are “fair to all parties and to job creators”.  He want to leave the debate for “our legislative agenda for another time” but he does want to advance it and get out of town sometime around June 4th.

Speaker stated that he would provide details on these things “soon”.

Speaker Tillis talking about the good things North Carolina has, things that many would envy.  Says we must provide choices that are vital to providing the best educated work force in the world.  Must manage our fiscal challenges but our human services are our number one expenses.

Speaker Tillis says they “must lower the heightened expectation of what government is expected to do for us.  We will sunset the income taxes and the small business tax increases that were pushed on working families in the previous session”.  Added they will impose term limits on the Speaker.

Speaker Tillis now making his remarks.  He says he was going to just say “Thank You” but Rep. Dale Folwell (R-Forsyth) said his has to be shorter and all he would be able to say is just “Thanks”.  Great one.  KCC says that Rep. Folwell of Winston-Salem is probably one of her favorite, if not her very favorite legislators.

Speaker Tillis being sworn in by Mark Martin, Justice, NC Supreme Court

Escort committee appointed to walk  Tillis to his post.  They are now joining the Speaker in the rear of the chamber for his official presentment.

Rep. Tillis, having received 74 votes, is declared the Speaker of the House of North Carolina.

Cute moment: Thom Tillis’ name called and he yells his own name back.  Members giggle and everyone stops to applaud.

Tolson does not answer the roll call.

The outcome is known, as the vote is along party lines.

Now role of the House will be called in alphabetical order.  Members shall either vote Tillis or Hackney.

Rep. Deborah Ross (D-Wake) seconds nomination of Hackney. Gives a passionate speech about how intelligent former Speaker Hackney is.  Come on folks. This is going on a bit too long.  Ross adds that he is a problem solver in difficult times.  Thank you Rep. Ross.

Rep.  (D-Durham) seconds nomination of Joe Hackney.  Says that Hackney understand that he can translate promises into reality and do it with distinction.  He made sure that “our institutions remained the best in America, and not just the best value”.  KCC apologizes to the gentleman from Durham for not catching his name.

Rep. Verla Insko (R-Orange) nominates Joe Hackney (D-Orange).  ”We all know Joe for his 30 year distinguished career.  He is a patient, distinguished statesman.”

Rep. Paul Stam (R-Wake) seconds nomination of Thom Tillis.  Says they’ve worked together “for four years and with pleasure.”

Rep. Julia Howard seconds nomination of Thom Tillis.  Says Tillis always listens and asks the question “what is the right thing to do” in this situation?  Believes core of “leadership comes from the heart.”

Rep. Harold Brubaker (R-Randolph) has nominated Thom Tillis (R-Mecklenburg) for Speaker of the House.  Is giving speech about his background, focusing on Leadership.  Says he has the right leadership for this time in our state’s history.

Time to Elect a Speaker.  This is merely a formality as the GOP members have already elected Thom Tillis and they have the majority.

Not adopted rules yet, so House goes by its customs.  Members cannot pass on a roll call vote.

Oath of office administered by NC Supreme Court Justice Mark Martin

Have you heard your Rep’s name called yet?

The prayer and pledge have just been “done”.  Currently the House role is being called.  Each member is being asked to stand and say “present” after their name is called.  Some are more vocal than others.

Please keep refreshing your screen.   This is a live blogging session.

Comments are closed.