1. Capitol
Commentary
418B Legislative Office Building
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925
(919) 715-3009 – ruths@ncleg.net
July 18, 2010 Legislative Update Raleigh, NC
Capitol Commentary from Ruth Samuelson
The final week of this year’s legislative short session was a whirlwind of activity that ended just before
dawn Saturday morning. If the last-minute frenzy and late-night legislative wrangling was part of a
political strategy to slip through controversial bills under cover of darkness, it apparently did not work,
as there were no major surprises in Raleigh last week. However, there were some noteworthy
developments on a number of important topics that you should know about:
The Environment
Notwithstanding our recent the late afternoon downpours, we are having lower-than-average rainfall
again this summer, which highlights the importance of maintaining an abundant water supply.
Legislation approved last week will help us do just that, as it calls for the state to come up with a plan to
deal with droughts and address future water infrastructure needs.
We also passed a plan for dealing with the growing problem of electronic waste. With the support of the
electronics industry, recycling your old computers and televisions will now get even easier throughout
the state. Watch your mailbox for information from the city about how this new law could improve the
electronics-recycling program in Charlotte and keep more of these potentially hazardous items out of
landfills.
Public Safety

2. At the urging of several law enforcement groups, we passed a bill that will allow the state to collect
DNA samples from suspects charged with – but not yet convicted of -- serious crimes. While I am
sympathetic to the concerns of opponents, who argued that the new law could violate the privacy of
innocent people, I am reasonably satisfied that the limits it includes will sufficiently protect suspects’
constitutional rights.
Charter Schools
If the legislature scored two for the environment and one for public safety last week, I am sorry to say
that it dropped the ball on the issue of school choice. A bill that would have eased the 100-school cap on
charter schools in North Carolina – which passed in the House and last week looked like it might come
to a vote in the Senate – got stuck in committee in the waning days of the session. However, the issue
seems likely to arise again during the election season this fall and when the legislature reconvenes early
next year.
If you have any questions or comments about state legislative issues before then, please do contact me at
my legislative office at (919) 715-3009 or by email at ruths@ncleg.net or samuelsonla@ncleg.net.
Best wishes,
Ruth
Rep. Ruth Samuelson
District 104, Mecklenburg County
P.S. On a personal note, my husband Ken and I are thrilled to report our son David’s marriage to
Courtney Wood Samuelson. Just hours after the legislature adjourned Saturday morning, they wed in a
joyous ceremony in uptown Charlotte. We could not be more proud. I hope you are having an equally
blessed summer!
"The song is ended, but the melody lingers on."
-Irving Berlin
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Ruth Samuelson
1143 Andover Road Charlotte, NC 28211