Posts by Frank Iler

The North Carolina House and Senate held no voting sessions for almost two weeks, so there was no article in this series last week. There were “skeleton sessions” held to comply with the constitution, which says we must meet every four days while in session. These sessions are attended by members who live in the…

There was a major announcement last Monday that an agreement had been reached on the budget. This is the budget bill, Senate Bill 744 – Appropriations Act of 2014, that adjusts the biennial budget passed last year for the current year of 2014 – 2015. Major adjustments had been made, and the bill had to…

This past week in Raleigh will not be remarkable in the history books, but it is one that I will always remember. The reasons for that are both good and bad. The spirit of cooperation on the 2014 – 2015 budget adjustments was much improved, but still apart on a few major items. We also…

We started last Monday in Raleigh with high hopes that a budget deal could be completed during the week. We were hoping to wrap up this session. We went into a caucus meeting on Monday afternoon expecting to hear whether or not there was a new offer on the budget but didn’t hear much about…

It was an interesting week in Raleigh, although the majority of the House members were not required to be there. Only the members on the budget conference committee or conference committees for other bills were needed in Raleigh. So, after the July 4th parade and other Independence Day activities, I prepared to wait for the…

It was clear by Monday of last week that the weather in North Carolina would be stormy by week’s end. It was also clear that the debate in Raleigh would be stormy as well. We learned early in the week that we would be taking up two major bills. The subjects of the bills are…

Almost daily, the question being asked by people back home is, “When will the short session be over?” It’s hard to answer, as we are pushing to finish our work, but the budget negotiations are continuing. Our business in Raleigh started early last week. Committee meetings began Monday afternoon and full voting sessions of the…

It was as hot and steamy in Raleigh this past week as it was the week before.  This was the weather as well as the activity in the General Assembly.  The temperature in Raleigh is always hotter than our Brunswick beaches.  I’m always kidding my colleagues there about not having any sea breezes to cool…

Last week in the North Carolina House of Representatives was “Budget Week”.  The Senate had finished with the budget, Senate Bill 744, the previous week.  It was our job in the House to review it, make our changes, and send it back to them for their agreement and approval.  This budget actually consists of adjustments…

The fourth week of the short session started with a flurry of bills being considered in committees.  Then some of them moved quickly to the House floor for debate and votes.  On Tuesday our House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation reviewed the Governor’s budget adjustments for the 2014 – 2015 fiscal year, as well as the…