Legislative Update from Rep. Frank Iler – May 3, 2016
Last week in the North Carolina House of Representatives, we received the Governor’s proposed budget, we began meeting to discuss the proposed budget and establish a process time line, and we met with Republican women during their day at the legislature.
We started the 2016 session of the 2015 General Assembly on Monday, April 25th with a short 7:00 p.m. floor session. No bills had been submitted, so there were no votes. Immediately after the session, I filed a bill amending transportation laws with minor changes requested by the Department of Transportation. Also on Monday there were competing rallies for and against House Bill 2. I understand that the rally for it was several times larger than the one against.
On Tuesday, several bills were read in, but no votes were taken. However, Tuesday morning I was visited by a delegation from the Brunswick County Republican Women. We were able to have nearly an hour discussion on current political topics. It was good to see these folks from back home so early in the session. I look forward to many visits from Brunswick County people interested in state and local issues.
Wednesday morning the full House Appropriation Committee met to receive the Governor’s budget. The Senate members joined us. The new director of the Office of State Budget and Management presented it and took questions from the committee. It comprises 22.3 billion in General Fund spending for the 2016 – 2017 fiscal year, and 3.4 billion in Transportation funds.
Thursday morning the committee dealing with each budget sub-division met. I met with the House Appropriations Committee on Transportation, of which I am Co-chair. We reviewed the Governor’s transportation spending plan in detail. We will be meeting each morning early to map out our ideas on the transportation budget spending. At this time it appears there may be additional funds to enhance road maintenance and construction. In response to a question from me on the increased Road Use Tax funds, the presenter answered that vehicle sales are up and they project an 8% increase in vehicle sales for next year, heavily in trucks. This is a welcome projection and seems to bode well for our economy. The Road Use Tax is paid when someone buys a vehicle.
Also on Thursday we voted on appointments to the Utilities Commission, Industrial Commission, and Special Superior Court judgeship. All appointments passed unanimously.
Policy committees will start this week to vote out bills for us to consider in the full House. I look forward to spirited debate on many of them.