1.
Capitol
Commentary
419B Legislative Office Building
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925
(919) 715-3009 ruths@ncleg.net
August 1, 2011 Legislative Update Raleigh, NC
They say that if you want something done, you should ask a busy person to do it. Sometimes, it
just seems like the less time you have, the more focused and disciplined you are and, ultimately,
the more you get accomplished. I think we saw that principle in action at the state Capitol last
week. During a mere four days that the legislature was in session, we got a tremendous amount of
work done for the people of North Carolina. Here are the highlights:
Redistricting
The state legislature completed the once-a-decade redistricting process, approving new maps for
U.S. Congress and N.C. legislative districts using the 2010 census figures. For the first time in
our state's history, the maps were drawn by Republicans, and they were vetted for weeks in an
unprecedented series of public hearings. I am confident that they are both fair to North Carolina
voters and meet the requirements imposed on us by redistricting laws.
Under the new redistricting plan, there will be significant changes to the House district I
represent, the 104 th. The district will migrate south, past N.C. 51, picking up Arboretum-area
neighborhoods such as Raintree. It will drop some areas north of N.C. 51, including Myers Park
and Quail Hollow.
If you are among those who live in the current 104 th but not the future one, please know that I
still represent you in the state House, and I hope you will continue to contact me with your state
government-related questions, opinions and needs. While the new district lines won't take effect
until the 2012 election, I hope those who are residents of future 104th neighborhoods will feel
free to contact me as well, as I'm very interested in getting to know the concerns and needs of
these areas.
The legislature also took the unusual step of approving new districts for the Mecklenburg County
Board of County Commissioners. It would have been much preferable for those districts to have
been drawn by the commissioners themselves, as is the usual procedure. But it's my
understanding the districts being considered by the commissioners had raised serious and
legitimate concerns among representatives of Mecklenburg's small towns. So it was unfortunately
necessary for the state legislature to intervene. The good news is that new districts are very
similar to the ones that are currently in place, and don't give any kind of new advantage to either
party or any special interest.

2. Veto Overrides
The state legislature voted to override the governor's veto of five bills. Three of those bills
ESC/Jobs Reforms, Medical Liability Reforms and the Regulatory Reform Act of 2011 -- are
focused on giving the economy a boost and decreasing our stubbornly high unemployment rate.
We failed to override the governor's veto of a bill requiring voters to show identification at their
polling place. That was disappointing given the bill's high level of public support which is as
much as 80 percent by some measures. It is possible we could make another run at overriding this
particular veto, however, so if you are in that majority, all hope is not lost.
And finally, we overrode the governor's veto of the Woman's Right to Know Act. Prior to this
bill's passage North Carolina was in the minority of states that required no special informed
consent for women considering abortion. As a primary sponsor of that bill, I am proud to have
been a part of something that will make women safer and abortion more rare in North Carolina.
The legislature has now concluded its official business until this fall, when we will meet again for
a special session on which state constitutional amendments you will see on your ballot in 2012.
During this hiatus, the best way to contact me with your comments or questions is still at my
legislative office at (919) 715-3009 or by email at ruths@ncleg.net or samuelsonla@ncleg.net.
Best wishes,
Ruth Samuelson, Majority Whip
NC House of Representatives, District 104
Mecklenburg County
http://www.ruthsamuelson.com