Update on Governor Perdue’s Actions on Pending Legislation

Governor (Beverly) Perdue has been reviewing more than 200 bills since Monday, Jun 20.  She has until Jun 30th to sign, veto, or let the bills become law without her signature.

The status of key bills:

1.  Voter Photo ID - The governor vetoed the bill on Jun 23, 2011 stating, “North Carolinians who are eligible to vote have a constitutionally guaranteed right to cast their ballots, and no one should put up obstacles to citizens exercising that right.”

It is obvious to 75 percent* of voters in NC that a photo ID serves to determine “eligibility” of voters, and is a deterrent to those who attempt to vote more than once, or who are not the person they purport to be.

(*From Elon University polling in April 2011.  Other NC polling on Voter Photo IDs has ranged from 70% to 84% approving of the legislation.)

Opponents allege that some people do not have photo identification, it would be an additional cost they cannot afford, and they would be “disenfranchised.” However, the facts are that the bill “requires the state to provide a photo ID to those who don’t have one at no cost to those citizens.”

(Press Release from President Pro Tempore Phil Berger)

Senate President Pro Tempore Berger said, “We shouldn’t be surprised by how far the governor will go to score political points with the liberal wing of her party.  A measure that ensures voters are who they say they are is a no-brainer, and most North Carolinians agree.  It’s a shame Gov. Perdue is playing politics with the integrity of elections.”

[House Speaker Thom Tillis "announced Friday that the North Carolina House will attempt to override Gov. Bev Perdue's veto of the voter ID bill when the body reconvenes in July." ] See post, here.

2.  Employers Must E-Verify Immigration Status (HB36) - Governor Perdue signed the bill into law Friday, Jun 24.  It requires employers with 25 or more employees to use the federal E-Verify program to determine the legal status of new employees. For large companies the law is effective in 2012 and for small companies it is effective in 2013.  The legislation also requires that local governments use E-verify in Oct 2011.

3.  Gun-Rights Law (HB650) – Gov. Perdue signed a bill that gives citizens more “legal standing to protect themselves against unlawful entry into their homes, workplaces and vehicles,” effective Dec 1, 2011.  (News & Record)

4.  Laura’s Law (HB49) – Signed Jun 24, the law “creates harsher punishment for repeat DWI offenders.” The bill was inspired by the death of Laura Fortenberry, a Gaston County teenager killed last year by a drunk driver.  Her grandmother is Kay Roukema, Caldwell County Republican Women.  (WRAL)

5.  Important bills being considered by the governor are the following:  Medical Malpractice (SB33); Workers’ Compensation (HB709); Abortion – A Woman’s Right to Know (HB854); Annexation Reform (HB945); Oil and Gas Exploration (SB709); and Restrictions on Lawsuits (HB542), among others.

The governor’s office has received over 1,000 telephone calls about the legislation awaiting her decisions, and “. . . more than a fourth were in opposition to SB709″ that focuses on energy independence in NC by encouraging “offshore oil and gas exploration and inland shale gas exploration.”  Other calls to the governor concerned the abortion bill that includes a 24-hour waiting period and information from a medical doctor to the pregnant woman before the life of a baby is terminated.  Records show that 56% of those calling the governor support the bill.  However, 78% of those emailing were opposed.  (News & Observer)

She has also received more than 32,000 emails on legislative issues, “. . . more than 4000 that addressed SB781,” a bill that environmentalists oppose.    (News & Observer)

The Left, including environmentalists and pro-choice advocates, are busy emailing and calling the governor.  We must be proactive in the same way.  Governor Perdue’s telephone numbers are: (800) 662-7952 and (919) 733-2391.  Her Fax is (919) 733-2120.  Her email is: governor.office@nc.gov.

North Carolina Redistricting

On Thursday, Jun 23 the Senate and House Re-districting Committees held public comment meetings at seven different locations in NC, including:  Raleigh, Jamestown (Guilford County), Charlotte, Ahoskie, Greenville, Fayetteville, and Wilmington.

The Senate and House Voting Rights Act (VRA) maps and statistical information were available for attendees.  VRA maps were presented last week via the NC General Assembly’s website.  The public comment forums were in a video-conference format so that observers from all locations could hear and see the speakers.  Senator Bob Rucho (Mecklenburg) presided over the meeting.  He said the event on Jun 23rd was the first step in public viewing and commenting on the proposed VRA redistricting maps and its purpose was to comply with the Voting Rights Act.

As an observer for the first two hours at the Jamestown location,

opponents from across the state representing the NAACP and the Democrat party appeared to read from talking points supplied by one source. Many of the speakers used the exact same words in describing the proposed redistricting VRA maps stating it was a return to “segregation,” “disenfranchised minorities by suppressing the black vote,” and “packing” and “cracking” minorities.

(Definitions from WRAL.com:  “Packing” is “trying to concentrate minority voters into a few VRA districts in order to minimize their impact in neighboring districts.”  “Cracking” is “splitting up minority communities to dilute their voting power.”)

Although the Associated Press did not make the connection above, they quoted opponents of the redistricting plan citing racism and unfairness, including one self-declared Republican who spoke concerning the “splitting of precincts,” and “shifting voters around to protect GOP candidates.”

Both Senator Bob Rucho and Rep David Lewis of Dunn, Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Redistricting have issued a joint letter concerning “public misstatements and incorrect assertions from editorial boards, activists and members of the legislature” about the proposed redistricting.  They stated that their “plan includes 24 majority-minority African American districts in the House and nine majority-minority districts in the Senate.”

(News & Observer)

In step two, congressional maps will be released next week, and in step three the complete proposed maps will be released on Jul 11. 

Additional hearings will be held on Jul 7 for public comments on the congressional maps, and on Jul 18 for comments on the complete proposed maps.

Go to ncga.state.nc.us for redistricting information. Please attend all of the meetings possible, due to the overwhelming numbers of Democrats and liberals attending.  In short, we need conservatives at these meetings.  - KCC

U.S. House of Representatives

1.  On Jun 23 the House passed H Resolution 320 that provides appropriations for the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2012.  The vote was 251 to 173, with 7 not voting.

NC Representatives voting for the Resolution:  Renee Ellmers (R-2nd), Walter B. Jones (R-3rd), Virginia Foxx (R-5th), Howard Coble (R-6th), Mike McIntyre (D-7th), Larry Kissell (D-8th), Sue Myrick (R-9th), Patrick T. McHenry (R-10th), and Heath Shuler (D-11th).

NC Representatives voting against the Resolution;  G.K. Butterfield (D-1st), David E. Price (D-4th), Melvin  L. Watt (D-12th), and Brad Miller (D-13th). (Editor’s Note: Pardon the pun, but clearly we know who to target in 2010)

2.  Also on Jun 23 the House voted to amend title 35 of the US Code for Patent Reform.

The vote was 304 to 117, with 10 not voting.  All NC Representatives voted for the legislation except Representative Walter B. Jones (R-3rd).  The Senate passed the legislation in March.

Opponents of the change have said that it weakens the U.S. patent system; it affects small businesses and inventors by cutting off innovations; and that it gives unfair advantage to large companies.

Supporters say that it will help the Patent and Trademark Office to address a 700,000 patent application backlog.

3.  On Jun 22 the House passed HR 2021 that is a “Jobs and Energy Permitting Act of 2011.”

The vote was 253 to 166, with 12 not voting.  The legislation “amends the Clean Air Act to require any air quality impact of Outer Continental Shelf sources to be measured or modeled and determined solely with respect to the impacts in the corresponding onshore area.”

All NC Republican Representatives voted for the measure except Walter B. Jones (R-3rd) who joined with all NC Democrat Representatives in voting against it.

U.S. Senate

1.   On Jun 23 the Senate rejected an amendment (S.Amdt 499 to S679) “to end the appointments of presidential Czars who have not been subject to the advice and consent of the Senate and to prohibit funds for any salaries and expenses for appointed Czars.”  The vote was 47 to 51, with 2 not voting.  Senator Richard Burr voted for the amendment and Senator Kay Hagan voted to retain President Barack Obama‘s current Czar procedure of giving authority and power to unelected officials.

2.  Also on Jun 23 the Senate rejected an amendment (S.Amdt 510 to S679) that is the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011 that is “to strike the provision relating to the Director, Bureau of Justice Statistics.”  The vote was 41 to 57, with 2 not voting.    Senator Burr voted for the amendment and Senator Hagan voted against it.

3.    On Jun 21 the Senate voted on a cloture motion concerning S782 the Economic Development Revitalization Act of 2011. The bill amends “the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to reauthorize that Act.“  The vote failed 49 to 51, since 60 votes were required.  Senator Burr voted against it and Senator Hagan voted for it.

4.  Leon Panetta was unanimously confirmed as the Secretary of Defense by the Senate on Jun 21, 2011.

House of Representatives

On May 13, 2011 the House passed the Intelligence Authorization Act for FY 2011 (HR 754) which authorizes current fiscal year funding for intelligence and intelligence related programs.  The vote was 392 to 15 with 24 not voting.

NC  Representatives voting for the bill:  G.  K. Butterfield (D-1st), Renee Ellmers (R-2nd), David E. Price (D-4th), Virginia Foxx (R-5th), Howard Coble (R-6th), Mike McIntyre (D-7th), Larry Kissell (D-8th), Sue Myrick (R-9th), Patrick T. McHenry (R-10th), Heath Shuler (D-11th), Melvin Watt (D-12th), and Brad Miller (D-13th).

NC Representative voting against the bill:  Walter B. Jones, Jr. (R-3rd).

Senate

1.  On May 17th the Senate rejected a motion to proceed on the consideration of S. 940 which is titled by the Democrats, “A bill to reduce the Federal budget deficit by closing big oil tax loopholes, and for other purposes.” This is the “test vote” promised by Senate Democrats.  This bill will do nothing to decrease the price of gasoline at the pump, and the fault with the high prices lies with President Obama’s policies on energy, according to Investors Business Daily.

The vote failed 52 to 48 with Senator Hagan voting for the bill and Senator Burr voting against it. Three Democrats voted with the Republicans against the bill:  Senators Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Ben Nelson (D-NE), and Mark Begich (D-Alaska).  Republican Senators Collins and Snowe of Maine were the only Republicans to vote with the Democrats for the punishment of big oil.

2.  On May 18th the Senate rejected a motion sponsored by Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) for a measure titled, “A bill to authorize the conduct of certain lease sales in the Outer Continental Shelf, to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to modify the requirements for exploration, and for other purposes.” The main purpose was to force the Obama Administration to act on oil and gas leases and to increase offshore oil production.  It is similar to bills that previously passed in the House.

The vote failed 42 to 57 with 1 not voting.  Senator Hagan voted against the motion and Senator Burr voted for it.

3.  On May 19th the Senate rejected a cloture motion for the nomination of Goodwin Liu of California for the U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit.  The vote was 52 to 43 with one voting present (Senator Hatch (R-UT), and 4 not voting.  Sixty votes were required under cloture rules to end the debate and move to a final vote.  Senator Hagan voted for cloture and Senator Burr voted against it.

The issue surrounding Liu is that he is “President Obama’s most radical judicial nominee and the man who Obama would dearly like to make the first Asian-American Supreme Court Justice,” according to Red State.  He is a Berkely law professor “whose vocal and unabashed championing of judicial activism has made him a star on the legal left.”  Liu said, he “envisions the judiciary . . . as a culturally situated interpreter of social meaning,” also reported by Red State.

The nomination was effectively defeated, but Senator Hagan perhaps voted her ideology.  Contact her at (202) 224-6342 if you think Americans do not want other activist judges appointed by the Obama administration.

Note on Senator Hagan
Senator Hagan is an “honorary co-leader of Third Way, a Democratic-leaning business-friendly think tank in Washington,” according to the News & Observer.  While at a breakfast meeting last week CNN asked her some questions.  Senator Hagan said she is for raising the debt ceiling; she is for tax reform and fairness; she favors raising taxes on people making more than $1 million a year; and she supports ending tax breaks for oil companies.  She indicated that she wants cuts in defense spending including in the acquisition process; and believes that more competition in the “industrial defense complex” system would be advantageous.  Finally she sees that rising gas prices have had an effect on military budgets, because filling up a F-15 fighter jet is “huge.”  (Senator Hagan’s voting record does not indicate that she is serious about domestic energy production of gas and oil.)

1.  State Health Plan – Republicans and Governor Perdue have worked on a plan for state workers’ health care to replace the bill that Perdue vetoed in April that would have required state employees to pay for the very first time a small amount for their own health insurance premiums.

Because $55 million was available in the budget and unspent, the state can still afford to continue requiring no premiums to be paid by employees who have the most basic health programs of 70/30 policies.  If state employees have more expensive coverage (80/20) they will pay modest premiums.  Governor Perdue reportedly agrees with the two companion bills that passed the Senate in a vote of 33 to 16 and passed in the House 90 to 24, which help to close the $515 million deficit in the budget for the state health plan through the middle of 2013.  The legislation also changes the oversight for the state employees health plan from the Legislature to the State Treasurer.

2.  Major Bills: Two notable bills remain in conference to be negotiated between the Senate and the House, because different versions were passed in each chamber.  They are the “No Cap on Number of Charter Schools” (Senate Bill 8) that passed the Senate 33 to 17 on February 24th, and the House 68 to 51 on April 11.  Also the “Medical Liability Reforms” (Senate Bill 33) passed the Senate on March 2, 36 to 13; and the House on April 20, 91 to 27.

Other bills have either passed in the Senate or in the House and have been assigned to various committees including:

• Eminent Domain (House Bill 8) passed by the House 98 to 18 on April 28, now in the Senate Judiciary I Committee;
• Castle Doctrine (House Bill 34) passed by the Senate on Feb 28 in a vote of 35 to 13, now in the House Judiciary Committee.
• Involuntary Annexation Moratorium (Senate Bill 27) passed the Senate on March 7 in a vote of 36 to 12, now in the House Rules Committee.
• The Energy Jobs Act (Senate Bill 709) passed the Senate on May 10 in a vote of 38 to 12, and is now in the Senate Committee on Public Utilities.

3.   Photo Voter ID – Last week, Senator Debbie Clary (R-Cleveland) presented to a Senate committee another version of the photo ID bill that is similar to the House bill that is still in committee.  Senate bill 595 requires a driver’s license or other evidence of a photo ID to vote so that fraud can be avoided.  Without a photo ID, the voter could cast a provisional ballot that is counted when the voter presents to elections board officials a valid photo ID within 10 days of the election date.  Democrats are urging Governor Perdue to veto the legislation which is expected to pass, and that 84% of North Carolinians polled think is necessary in NC.

South Carolina Republican Governor Nikki Haley signed a bill into law on May 18th that would require voters in South Carolina to present a photo ID before casting a ballot.  Haley remarked, “If you can show a picture to buy Sudafed , if you can show a picture to get on an airplane, you should be able to show a picture ID to (vote).”

What will Governor Perdue do?  According to Civitas, Perdue’s job approval rating is 46% in recent polling, and represents an increase of 3% since March 2011.    

4. Last week the House voted on a bill that reduces the “early-voting” timeframe.   The vote was 60 to 58, mostly along party lines.  The measure reduces early-voting time by a week from the 2 1/2 week period.  Money is the issue and researchers in the legislature have estimated that $2000 per voting site will be saved if the bill is approved.  Democrat legislators fear that fewer Democrats will vote if the measure passes.  The bill is now in the Senate.

5.  Restoring Unemployment Benefits – A compromise bill is expected by next week, but the 37,000 long-term unemployed seeking benefits has increased to 42,000.  Both Republican Senate and House and leaders are working to reach an agreement on a bill that Governor Perdue will sign.

6.    Redistricting – Senator Bob Rucho (R-Mecklenburg), Chairman of the Senate Redistricting Committee, said last week that a public hearing will be held in Raleigh, with satellite access at four other sites, for the public to see the redistricting maps which are expected to be completed next month.

7.  Legislative Day and the Marriage Rally in Raleigh, May 17th.

Thanks to the NCFRW members who attended the Marriage Rally and Legislative Day activities last week.  NCFRW Parliamentarian Mary Frances Forrester addressed the estimated 3500 people attending the rally with sincere and compelling oratory on the merits of the Marriage Amendment for North Carolina.  She was outstanding in her comments and demeanor.

Among the speakers for our separate Legislative session was House Speaker Thom Tillis who accepted our Marriage Amendment petitions and inspired us to have confidence that the Republicans will do as they pledged during the election.  Specifically to pass important bills that matter to North Carolina, such as cutting spending, creating jobs, and passing legislation including the Voter Photo ID bill, the Marriage Amendment, Eminent Domain, and other measures that are favored by North Carolinians.

Other Republican Representatives who took time from their busy schedules to speak to the NCFRW members included:  Marilyn Avila (Wake), John Blust (Guilford), John Faircloth (Guilford), Speaker Pro Tempore Dale R. Folwell (Forsyth), Craig Horn (Union), Pat B. Hurley (Randolph), Linda P. Johnson (Cabarrus), Tim  Moore (Cleveland), Tom Murry (Wake), G. L. Pridgen (Hoke, Robeson, Scotland), Phil R. Shepard (Onslow), and John A. Torbett (Gaston).   We enjoyed hearing their updates of important legislation.

We especially thank Speaker Pro Tempore Dale R. Folwell for working with Joyce Krawiec, NCFRW Grassroots Activism Chairman, to schedule the event; along with Paige Fitzgerald Barefoot, Senior Staff Associate, who finalized the arrangements including a conference room to meet with the legislators.