The NC legislature passed a fiscally responsible budget for 2012 that closed a large deficit through spending cuts and tax reductions, despite the governor's insistence on tax increases. This year's budget continues responsible practices by funding education and job programs without new taxes, though the governor again opposes the lack of tax hikes. The legislature also aims to allow regulated fracking and find compromise on dental regulation, while temporarily allowing Sunday alcohol sales during the Democratic National Convention.

1. June 11, 2012 Legislative Update Raleigh, NC
Around this same time last year, NC legislators passed a state budget that not only closed a
$3 billion budget hole, but also included tax cuts of more than $1 billion. With bipartisan
support from a handful of House Democrats, we were able to override a veto of that budget by
the governor, who was insisting at the time that there would be dire consequences if we didn’t
raise your taxes.
This year, because of that responsible budgeting in 2011, we have an improving fiscal
outlook. So I’m pleased to report that the House has passed a budget plan that puts
more money back into public education and bolsters job creation by increasing
funding for small business loan programs and for work training initiatives at
community colleges.
Once again, we were able to achieve this without any new taxes. And, once again, the
governor and other Democrat leaders are adamant that this budget is disastrous because it
does not include tax increases! I hope you will support this fiscally responsible budget,
which addresses our dual priorities of stimulating further economic recovery and
improving our education system.
While the budget is the primary matter we’re addressing in this short session, there are a few
other issues on which I can report progress:
Fracking
This week the House is expected to vote on a bill that would allow for the possibility of
hydraulic fracturing – also known as fracking – in N.C. The bill, already approved by the
Senate, lets us move forward with developing the regulations and safeguards that would
need to be put in place before any of the state’s natural gas resources were tapped using this
drilling method. I support the bill, primarily because it to gives the legislature final authority
over the permitting process and, if we determine that it can’t be done safely, to disallow
fracking completely.
Dental regulation
I’ve been working hard to find a compromise on a controversial bill that would increase
regulation on investor-owned, large-group dental practices. Both sides of the debate have
launched major public relations campaigns in support of their views, which I think offer a very

2. incomplete picture of a very complex issue. Though there’s no vote scheduled at this point, I
still hope we can develop a fair and reasonable compromise that will keep dental treatment
both affordable and safe in North Carolina.
Liquor sales exception
I was a primary sponsor of a bill that passed in the House last week, to allow ABC stores to
open on Labor Day this year in Mecklenburg County. I believe this one-time exception will
make it easier for our local small businesses – such as restaurants and bars – to safely
maximize their profits from the Democratic National Convention, which will be held in
Charlotte that week. Whether your drink is sweet tea or cold beer, and whether you’re a
Republican or a Democrat, I think we can all raise a glass to that!
I’ll keep you posted on further legislative developments as we work to finish the session by
the end of this month – less than three weeks from now. We’re moving quickly so members
can get out of Raleigh and back to our districts where we belong -- talking to and hearing from
our constituents. I know I will raise a glass to that as well!
In your service,
Ruth
Click to view this email in a browser
If you no longer wish to receive these emails, please reply to this message with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line or simply click on the following
link: Unsubscribe
Friends of Ruth Samuelson
1432 Ferncliff Road
Charlotte, North Carolina 28211
US