The NC House of Representatives is ready to get down to business.  Speaker Joe Hackneyon Wednesday announced appointments to all standing committees. I am pleased to report that my assignments to several key committees will allow me to have a meaningful role in crafting many important legislative initiatives. I will serve on the following committees in the current session of the NC House:  Agriculture, Alcoholic Beverage Control, Finance, Election Law, Homeland Security, Military and Veteran’s Affairs, and Judiciary III. I previously served on these committees and look forward to building upon my experience to do the best possible job representing the people of Harnett County.

 

The 148^th Session of the General Assembly will undoubtedly be historic and contentious, with state budget deficits estimated to exceed $2 billion, massive shortfalls in the State Health Plan, as well as serious problems in the criminal justice system and mental health care facilities – all problems to be solved in the shadow of the current economic downturn. Republican members are reviewing suggested cuts in inefficient and redundant programs while preparing to resist the anticipated calls for higher taxes and fees.

 

During the opening days of this session, Republican Leaders of the House and Senate announced initiatives to address critical issues affecting educational opportunities in North Carolina as well as the criminal justice system.

 

Among the priorities to improve education:

 

 

Republican Leaders also released plans to introduce legislation to provide additional measures of protection for the public. These bills will allow all sworn probation and law enforcement officers to conduct warrantless searches of convicted criminal as a condition of probation and to limit suppression of evidence in criminal trials due to technicalities.

 

 

All 52 House Republicans and all 20 Senate Republicans sent a letter this week to our NC Congressional delegation in opposition to the so-called “Employee Free Choice Act” or “card check” legislation.   If enacted, this bill would undermine the fundamental right of every worker to a secret ballot in making his or her decision on unionization of the workplace. Many Members were present for a joint House-Senate press conference to emphasize their united opposition to this legislation, soon to be considered in Washington.

 

The federal “card check” bill also mandates binding arbitration for a newly unionized business if the union and management cannot agree on a contract within 90 days. This puts a government official solely in charge of making decisions critical to that company’s profitability and the terms of employment for its workers. The competitive economic advantage North Carolina currently enjoys would be ruined under this bill. We also called on our Democratic colleagues to contact the NC Congressional delegation to oppose this onerous legislation.

 

 

In other news, House Republicans completed their organization for the current session with appointments to eight policy committees of the caucus. These committees review pending legislation and prepare initiatives on high profile issues, providing all of our members the benefit of this expertise so we may complete our legislative goals and thoughtfully oppose those we cannot support. Our legislators are eager to offer conservative, taxpayer-friendly solutions to the challenges currently facing our state.

 

For this session, I will serve as Chairman of the Budget Policy Committee. This fits well with my appointment to the House Finance Committee. 

 

The primary focus in Raleigh for the coming weeks will be on our budget deficit which is expected to exceed $2 billion. Recent briefings for legislators indicate critical shortages in the state health insurance plan, Medicaid, transportation, as well as budget challenges in education, mental health and the court system.

 

As always, please fill free to contact my office on any issues of concerns. I always look forward to hearing from you.   My number in Raleigh is (919) 715-3015 and my local number is (910) 897-8100. My legislative email is davidl@ncleg.net and my personal email is davidlewis@usermail.com. My “new” office address is 300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 533, Raleigh, NC 27603.

 

Thank you for the continued honor and privilege to serve as our Representative in the North Carolina House.

 

David