This legislative update provides information on recent developments in the North Carolina state government. It discusses that April tax collections were higher than expected, bringing in $24.5 million more in revenue. This is seen as a positive sign for the economy. The update also mentions that the House budget plan passed includes a $1.4 billion tax cut, the largest in state history. Additionally, the House approved bills on annexation reform, state employee health insurance, and allowing renewable energy projects on government buildings.

1.
Capitol
Commentary
419B Legislative Office Building
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925
(919) 715-3009 ruths@ncleg.net
May 16, 2011 Legislative Update Raleigh, NC
They say that "April is the cruelest month," but it turns out that this past April was actually the
kindest in a long while for the state government's finances. For the first time in three years tax
collections were up, bringing in $24.5 million more than expected. That's good news -- first and
foremost -- because it could be a sign of an improving economic. And while the extra revenue
won't put much of a dent in our budget shortfall, I'm hoping that we can use it to reduce some of
the education cuts we are facing.
The news of this slight uptick also reminds me of how important it is that government stay out of
the way of any economic recovery. By letting the temporary sales tax expire as originally
scheduled, the House budget plan passed two weeks ago amounts to a $1.4 billion tax cut the
biggest in state history. Now is not the time to raise taxes; as the economy ramps up, tax revenue
will increase on its own.
While the Senate worked out its revisions to the budget plan, the House passed a variety of
non-budget bills you might be interested in hearing about.
Annexation Reform
The House approved a sweeping reform package that will update our antiquated annexation laws
for the first time in more than 50 years. The package, which received bipartisan support, will give
residents much greater say in whether their community is annexed by a city. While involuntary
annexation hasn't been a big issue in the Charlotte area for a while, I did play a role in getting this
legislation passed by mediating some of the disagreements among the various interested parties.
State Employee Health Insurance
A second proposal for shoring up the finances of the State Employee Health Insurance plan
received House approval. You may remember that the Governor vetoed the legislature's first
proposal last month because of objections by one special interest group even though this plan was
remarkably similar to the one she proposed. The plan the House passed last week is even closer to
the governor's proposal, but we are hearing that she may veto it as well. This is frustrating, as it
seems that our efforts to compromise are not being reciprocated and further delays in reforming
the are plan will cost the state millions.
Environment

2. On the local front, the House also approved a bill that I sponsored making it easier for
Mecklenburg County government to enter into agreements with private companies to use the tops
of government-owned buildings for renewable energy projects. Next time you're flying in or out
of the city, take a look down. That glare you see may be from solar panels on the top of the
Mecklenburg County Jail!
As always, if you have any questions or comments on these or other issues, I hope you'll send me
an email at ruths@ncleg.net or samuelsonla@ncleg.net, or call my office at (919) 715-3009.
In your service,
Ruth Samuelson, Majority Whip
NC House of Representatives, District 104
Mecklenburg County
http://www.ruthsamuelson.com