Legislative Update from Rep. Frank Iler – April 3, 2017

Last week in the North Carolina House of Representatives we met almost every hour Tuesday and Wednesday with committees and visitors, we worked on the budget early each morning, and we passed a repeal and reset of the controversial House Bill 2.

Last Tuesday was a big committee day with meetings for me as a member of Transportation Appropriations, Education K-12, House Transportation, and Insurance committees.  I then had to be in Education – Universities for the presentation of House Bill 339 – North Carolina Teaching Fellows to them. 

The lobbyists were very active Tuesday, dropping into the office with and without appointments.  It was also Arts day, and N.C. Arts council hosted a reception at the History Museum, as well as having displays in the building during the day.

Wednesday was Town Hall Day as well as Community College Day.  After more meetings on the budget, I had to present House Bill 397 – Carolina Shores de-annexation to the House Committee on State and Local government.  It was requested by the town and the property owners to make the town limit line up with the property line on a fraction of an acre.  It passed overwhelmingly and should be on the House floor this week.

For Town Hall Day we had officials from Southport, Oak Island, and Shallotte in town.  It was a pleasure to meet with them and discuss issues.  It was great also to have lunch with Mayor Walt Eccard of Shallotte.  We were joined at lunch by President Susanne Adams of Brunswick Community College.  She was in Raleigh for the N.C. Community College Presidents’ meeting and for Community College Day.  BCC also had a display at the Legislative Building emphasizing their aquaculture program.  Dr. Adams also attended a noon press conference on Community Colleges at which several Representatives including myself spoke.

Every morning we are meeting at 8:30 in budget talks in each area of the state budget.  In my case it is transportation.  We have to discuss and make decisions on each line of the budget, including highways, airports, rail, ferries, etc.

Thursday we had a controversial bill, House Bill 142 – Reset of S.L. 2016-3, come to the floor hurriedly for a vote.  The well-known repeal of House Bill 2 had a previous version that contained a religious freedom protection clause that I called the “cake baker” clause that protected small businesses from being sued if a customer’s request for service violated their religious convictions.  It was not in this bill.  Additionally, statements I made in a confidential caucus meeting were leaked back into our district, a flagrant violation of confidentiality from my trusted colleagues.  After a procedural vote to delay the vote on the bill failed 34 – 85 it was obvious the bill was going to pass overwhelmingly. I voted “yes” on this, which was like voting “no” on the bill.  After pressure from both sides and the breach of confidentiality, my frustration boiled over, and I protested by leaving the chamber and refusing to vote on the bill.  I have been criticized for that, but sometimes one has to stand up and send a message even if you stand alone.  As predicted, it passed 70 – 48, and my vote would have made no difference.  It was a most frustrating time.

This week I expect to focus on the budget and all the bills that are now in committees with my name attached to them as a sponsor.