The 2011-12 session of the General Assembly has come to a close. The second year of the session (called the "short session") is traditionally the year when the budget passed in the "long session" is tweaked, and unfinished business from the first year is completed. This session was historic for multiple reasons. It was the first time in 140 years that Republicans had majorities in both the House and Senate. The challenges were exceedingly abundant, but there were significant accomplishments on behalf of the citizens of North Carolina.
The new leadership inherited a massive $3 billion deficit, the largest in state history and among the nation's largest in 2011. However, the Republicans (68 in the House, 31 in the Senate) were joined by five moderate House Democrats and balanced the state budget without repeating the tax increases of the past. In fact, taxes were reduced by eliminating the $ 1 billion "temporary tax" imposed by Gov. Perdue and legislative Democrats that they wanted to continue indefinitely. With more tax relief for businesses scheduled for 2012, it is believed these efforts will help restore our economy and create long-term jobs in our state. However, for significant improvements to occur, we need to elect a new President and a conservative Governor in 2012. The state legislature cannot by itself fix the problems with this economy.
With a liberal governor and a conservative legislature, North Carolina had deeply divided government in 2011-12. Yet, with the help of a few moderate Democrats, the legislature achieved some significant improvements as the state's finances were put on better footing… certainly a good step in the right direction. Budget reforms were incremental rather than dramatic, but the growth rate of state spending was curbed significantly.
In the area of education, reforms were implemented to strengthen student literacy, encourage effective teachers, and improve graduation rates. Last year, legislators were also able to remove the cap on charter schools in response to parents and students that want opportunity to make the best educational decisions for their families. Over 20,000 students had been on charter school waiting lists. However, a tax credit allowing businesses to provide scholarships to low-income children attending private schools did not garner approval. This program and others have been successful in other states where educational performance is on the rise. Many parents are pleading for such opportunities in our state, as we have been flooded with letters and emails. Some even testified recently to our House Education committee on which I serve. As our state considers tax reform and education reform next year, we should step up our efforts to ensure children with special needs and those from low-income families have better access to quality education opportunities under the new system.
The energy sector was also revived through actions at the General Assembly as bipartisan legislation was passed to create jobs and attract businesses to North Carolina. The new law, the Clean Energy and Economic Security Act, will hopefully begin to lower energy prices as alternative sources are found and ultimately generate more revenue and jobs for our state. After years of stagnation in this area, our state has finally taken the first step to create a commission to ensure that any such activities emphasize safety first, while potentially making our state a leader in the production of much needed domestic energy.
An extremely popular measure statewide was the effort to protect citizens' property rights by reforming our archaic anti-citizen annexation laws. Gone is forced annexation as we knew it. Going forward, a referendum vote will be required by the area’s registered voters before that area can be annexed by a municipality. Lawmakers also de-annexed several towns that were involuntarily annexed and these towns may not be re-annexed for the next 12 years.
While there were several successes, a big disappointment was that we were unable to bring true election reform to our state. Every Republican in the General Assembly passed HB 351, the Restore Confidence in Government Act, which would have implemented a free photo voter ID for all voters to ensure integrity in our elections and decrease voter fraud. However, Gov. Perdue vetoed the bill, and no Democrats would help override that veto. About 80% of our state favors this measure, which other states have passed and has been upheld by the Supreme Court. It is unfortunate that it is a partisan issue in Raleigh. It will happen next year if we elect Pat McCrory governor and maintain Republican majorities in the House and Senate.
The realm of health care was also positively affected, but more could have been done with bipartisan help. The legislature passed tort reform and medical malpractice reform that will have a positive effect on lowering health costs and maintaining high quality of care. But, the bad news of Obamacare continues to keeping businesses from hiring and is a specter that will hurt the quality of care while increasing costs. The legislature passed the Protect Healthcare Freedom Act, HB 2, but it was vetoed by Gov. Perdue with no Democratic help for an override. The Freedom Act would have provided some protection for North Carolinians from the intrusive individual mandate. The majority of states had passed such legislation. Now, it appears the 2012 presidential election will decide our fate on Obamacare. While there may be a few decent provisions within the 2700 pages of this sweeping government intrusion of health care, the vast majority of this law will help bankrupt our country and destroy the health care system.
In May, voters were given the choice on a Constitutional Marriage Amendment. North Carolina joined 30 other states by affirming the definition of marriage as one man and one woman. Despite the huge influx of money and distorted presentations by nationwide anti-marriage groups, a large 61% supermajority voted for marriage. This included a whopping 75% in our House District. Clearly, North Carolinians support the traditional values of marriage. Every age group, political party, gender and race voted for marriage… a measure opposed by Gov. Perdue, Democrat gubernatorial candidate Dalton, and at least 62 of the 71 Democrats in the legislature. It is clear that whether the issues are taxes and spending, annexation reform, voter ID, or even marriage, the Democratic leadership is way out of touch with the majority in North Carolina.
The legislature also reformed a law that allowed convicted murderers on death row to appeal their sentence using arbitrary statistics to attempt to prove racial bias. The law had been an effective moratorium of the death penalty, as anyone and everyone could make such a claim… it had nothing to do with their race. In order to prevent criminals from abusing the law, the legislature limited the statistical analysis to the county or prosecutorial district where the sentence was imposed as opposed to using statewide and irrelevant statistics.
In short, the new legislative leadership had a successful two-year beginning. Many good changes were accomplished, but only a step toward much that needs to be done. There are still several opportunities to bring government back within its original authority. No doubt after many decades of progressive liberal policies, runaway taxes, spending and debt, the fixes will not come overnight.
July 25, 2012
May 1, 2012
Vote for the Marriage Amendment
Friends, It has continued to be a busy time for me in preparation for the upcoming Short Session beginning in two weeks. The House and Senate rules limit what legislation we will undertake in this session (or every session would be a Long Session, I suppose). But, I expect it will be somewhat 'fast and furious'.
I do not have an opponent in the May 8 primary, but I ask you to vote FOR the Marriage Protection Amendment. Let's be clear, the only legitimate reason to vote "no" is if you want homosexual marriage. If that is the case, vote your conscience and we'll agree to disagree.
Don't be confused by the barrage of deceptive ads by those against traditional marriage. Let's consider briefly a few myths versus facts in this debate. The opponents of traditional marriage are using a 'divide and conquer strategy' with odd, conflicting arguments. They know that 30 states already have Constitution protection of marriage. It has passed every time voters have had that opportunity. Every scientifically sound poll indicates a wide margin of NC voters support marriage.
I ask you to apply common sense to their main two arguments. First, they admit that the amendment simply affirms current marriage law and puts it in our Constitution. They argue it is therefore unnecessary. Of course, we know the amendment is necessary to keep a liberal activist judge from trying to challenge the law as in some other states. There is already a lawsuit by an elected official in NC for not allowing "same-sex marriages".
But then, opponents argue that if the amendment passes, all sorts of terrible things will happen. Not only are these claims false, but keep in mind that the definition of marriage between one man and one woman is already the law. No one will lose rights when this amendment passes. These terrible things do not occur now, and they do not occur in the 30 states with constitutional protection of marriage. These false claims are only attempts to confuse voters to oppose the amendment.
Finally, they appeal to 'limited government' conservatives by claiming this is "big government overreach". The truth is that there will be a legal definition of marriage one way or the other. This amendment vote allows citizens to decide, rather than a "big government" activist judge or potential future legislature changing our marriage laws against the will of the people.
All credible polls show the supporters of traditional marriage leading by huge margins even with all the deceptive ads in opposition. But, we cannot depend on polls or take victory for granted. People must be sure to vote. Let's make a strong statement for traditional, biblical marriage. Vote FOR Marriage! For more information, go to www.voteformarriagenc.com. For "Myths vs. Facts", see http://www.voteformarriagenc.com/docs/nc_mythsandfacts.pdf
Announcements: Thanks to all who came out for the Marriage Protection Amendment rally at the Rockingham County Governmental Center last week. The Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 to approve a resolution supporting the Marriage Protection Amendment that evening. Thanks to Commissioners Keith Mabe, James Kallam, and Craig Travis for voting for marriage. There will be another rally in Yanceyville, in the courthouse square in front of the Old Caswell County Courthouse, this Friday, May 4 at 5:30 pm. Please join us if you can for a brief 20 minute rally to affirm biblical, traditional marriage between a man and a woman.
I do not have an opponent in the May 8 primary, but I ask you to vote FOR the Marriage Protection Amendment. Let's be clear, the only legitimate reason to vote "no" is if you want homosexual marriage. If that is the case, vote your conscience and we'll agree to disagree.
Don't be confused by the barrage of deceptive ads by those against traditional marriage. Let's consider briefly a few myths versus facts in this debate. The opponents of traditional marriage are using a 'divide and conquer strategy' with odd, conflicting arguments. They know that 30 states already have Constitution protection of marriage. It has passed every time voters have had that opportunity. Every scientifically sound poll indicates a wide margin of NC voters support marriage.
I ask you to apply common sense to their main two arguments. First, they admit that the amendment simply affirms current marriage law and puts it in our Constitution. They argue it is therefore unnecessary. Of course, we know the amendment is necessary to keep a liberal activist judge from trying to challenge the law as in some other states. There is already a lawsuit by an elected official in NC for not allowing "same-sex marriages".
But then, opponents argue that if the amendment passes, all sorts of terrible things will happen. Not only are these claims false, but keep in mind that the definition of marriage between one man and one woman is already the law. No one will lose rights when this amendment passes. These terrible things do not occur now, and they do not occur in the 30 states with constitutional protection of marriage. These false claims are only attempts to confuse voters to oppose the amendment.
Finally, they appeal to 'limited government' conservatives by claiming this is "big government overreach". The truth is that there will be a legal definition of marriage one way or the other. This amendment vote allows citizens to decide, rather than a "big government" activist judge or potential future legislature changing our marriage laws against the will of the people.
All credible polls show the supporters of traditional marriage leading by huge margins even with all the deceptive ads in opposition. But, we cannot depend on polls or take victory for granted. People must be sure to vote. Let's make a strong statement for traditional, biblical marriage. Vote FOR Marriage! For more information, go to www.voteformarriagenc.com. For "Myths vs. Facts", see http://www.voteformarriagenc.com/docs/nc_mythsandfacts.pdf
Announcements: Thanks to all who came out for the Marriage Protection Amendment rally at the Rockingham County Governmental Center last week. The Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 to approve a resolution supporting the Marriage Protection Amendment that evening. Thanks to Commissioners Keith Mabe, James Kallam, and Craig Travis for voting for marriage. There will be another rally in Yanceyville, in the courthouse square in front of the Old Caswell County Courthouse, this Friday, May 4 at 5:30 pm. Please join us if you can for a brief 20 minute rally to affirm biblical, traditional marriage between a man and a woman.
March 1, 2012
Legislative Update, Townhall Meetings Continue
Since the last newsletter, I have filed to run for a second term in the North Carolina House of Representatives. I will continue to run and serve on the platform of honesty, integrity and fiscal responsibility. Everyone is invited to examine my stand on important issues at our website, www.BertJonesNCHouse.com. I will continue to serve true to these principles that I believe the large majority of our district shares.
Because of redistricting which the Constitution requires, and the population shifts in our state, the new House District 65 is expanding in geographical size and welcomes our friends in Caswell County. District 65 still includes the majority (about 2/3) of Rockingham County and all of Caswell County. Because Rockingham has a much larger population, about three-fourths of District 65 is in Rockingham County.
District 65 shares Rockingham County with District 91. Because of Rockingham County’s size, we have two House members. The county is too large for only one representative, and too small for two by itself. So, we share District 65 now with Caswell, and share District 91 with Stokes. It is too much to explain here, but these county groupings were not randomly chosen. They were mandated by court-ordered laws that determined the larger statewide plan.
District 91 is represented by Rep. Bryan Holloway, my good friend and an excellent legislator. We are likeminded and enjoy serving together. Among other things, Rep. Holloway is a teacher by profession and serves as Chairman on the House Education Committee on which I am also fortunate to serve. With redistricting, some Rockingham County residents were shifted from one of these House Districts to the other. This was unavoidable. However, Rep. Holloway and I want you to know that we are both delighted to serve you together, regardless which side of the District line you live on.
You can see a map of the House Districts at www.ncleg.net. Click on “Redistricting” on the bar that extends across the top of the page, and then in a gray box you will see “Enacted District Plans”, including the NC House, NC Senate, and Congressional plans. If you have friends or family in Caswell County that would like to begin receiving this newsletter, please reply and let us know so that we can begin to serve them in this way.
On another note, many citizens in the Reidsville area in particular have indicated they would like an update of the upcoming Freeway Drive road expansion project. NCDOT Division Engineer Mike Mills has been very helpful in responding to our request for an informational public meeting, as have the City of Reidsville officials been very cooperative as well. The meeting will be at Reidsville City Hall on Tuesday, March 13 from 5:00-7:00 pm. It is not too late for us to offer good recommendations. For example, we recently were able to get a traffic light approved for the busy Ashcroft Dr. intersection, which was needed for traffic and safety concerns. I encourage you to come to this meeting if you have questions or concerns.
We have continued to have Townhall Meetings around our District, and other opportunities to speak with groups. There is one scheduled at the Wray Center in Eden, Sat. April 7 at 10:00 am. I have enjoyed these meetings, and am told that citizens have found them very informational. If you have a group that might like a presentation regarding our work in the General Assembly or a townhall style meeting, please reply and let us know.
Because of redistricting which the Constitution requires, and the population shifts in our state, the new House District 65 is expanding in geographical size and welcomes our friends in Caswell County. District 65 still includes the majority (about 2/3) of Rockingham County and all of Caswell County. Because Rockingham has a much larger population, about three-fourths of District 65 is in Rockingham County.
District 65 shares Rockingham County with District 91. Because of Rockingham County’s size, we have two House members. The county is too large for only one representative, and too small for two by itself. So, we share District 65 now with Caswell, and share District 91 with Stokes. It is too much to explain here, but these county groupings were not randomly chosen. They were mandated by court-ordered laws that determined the larger statewide plan.
District 91 is represented by Rep. Bryan Holloway, my good friend and an excellent legislator. We are likeminded and enjoy serving together. Among other things, Rep. Holloway is a teacher by profession and serves as Chairman on the House Education Committee on which I am also fortunate to serve. With redistricting, some Rockingham County residents were shifted from one of these House Districts to the other. This was unavoidable. However, Rep. Holloway and I want you to know that we are both delighted to serve you together, regardless which side of the District line you live on.
You can see a map of the House Districts at www.ncleg.net. Click on “Redistricting” on the bar that extends across the top of the page, and then in a gray box you will see “Enacted District Plans”, including the NC House, NC Senate, and Congressional plans. If you have friends or family in Caswell County that would like to begin receiving this newsletter, please reply and let us know so that we can begin to serve them in this way.
On another note, many citizens in the Reidsville area in particular have indicated they would like an update of the upcoming Freeway Drive road expansion project. NCDOT Division Engineer Mike Mills has been very helpful in responding to our request for an informational public meeting, as have the City of Reidsville officials been very cooperative as well. The meeting will be at Reidsville City Hall on Tuesday, March 13 from 5:00-7:00 pm. It is not too late for us to offer good recommendations. For example, we recently were able to get a traffic light approved for the busy Ashcroft Dr. intersection, which was needed for traffic and safety concerns. I encourage you to come to this meeting if you have questions or concerns.
We have continued to have Townhall Meetings around our District, and other opportunities to speak with groups. There is one scheduled at the Wray Center in Eden, Sat. April 7 at 10:00 am. I have enjoyed these meetings, and am told that citizens have found them very informational. If you have a group that might like a presentation regarding our work in the General Assembly or a townhall style meeting, please reply and let us know.
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