Update

House Bill 92 (S228)  Repeal of the Land Transfer Tax, has been ratified and sent to the Governor for her signature.  This may help in getting the real estate business moving again.  Let's hope so.

On another front,  there is talk of pending legislation that would do away with the Golden Leaf Foundation.  As most of you know, this foundation dispenses the tobacco settlement money and is a major player in North Carolina's economic development efforts.  The name of the game in the ecomonic development world is incentives and Golden Leaf has been instrimental in making sure we can play the game.  I think it would be a bad move to abolish the foundation and divert the money to the general fund.  It may help in the short run but it doesn't solve the long run problem of spending more than you bring in.  After the tobacco money is gone we will have to look to other means to balance the budget.  Bring jobs to North Carolina is one of the best things we can do to help our budget problems.  More jobs=more taxes.  Let's hope this proposed bill never sees the calendar.

New Law

Senate Bill 22 (APA Rules: Increasing Costs Prohibition.) has now been signed by the Governor and should result in fewer regulations for the business community.  The new law seeks to limit  new agency regulatory requirements that result in substantial additional costs.  Before an agency can adopt a new rule it must make a determination as to the cost associated with the rule.  Hopefully this will decrease the number of new rules and regulations faced by business.


We have one new law but watch this piece of legislation - SENATE BILL 386.  This bill would repeal the prohibition on contracts between governmental entities and labor organizations for the purpose of collective bargaining.  Does the word "Wisconsin" come to mind.  Lets hope this bill is put to rest very quickly.

Bills to Watch

Are you guilty of driving and talking?  Lawmakers who already have banned young drivers from using cell phones and everyone else from texting or emails while behind the wheel are considering whether to go further. A House commerce panel debated a measure (H44) that would make using a cell phone while driving illegal unless the motorist can talk hands free using a Bluetooth or a voice-activated phone. Fines would be $100 or more but wouldn't result in insurance points. The debate centered again on whether safety and enforcement trumps personal freedoms to dial while driving.

Joint Regulatory Reform Meeting Schedule

Here are the meeting places and times for the Joint Regulatory Reform Committee.  This is your chance to make your voice heard concering burdensome state rules and regulations.  If you decide to attend one of these meetings, please let the Chamber know. (michael@clevelandchamber.org)

Triad – Monday. March 28
Guilford Technical Community College – Jamestown Campus
Koury Hospitality Careers Center Auditorium
601 High Point Road
Jamestown, N.C.
Signup to make a two minute statement: 12:30 p.m.
Meeting: 1 to 3 p.m.

Eastern N.C. – Monday, April 4
Pitt Community College
Goess Building, Rooms 137-139
1986 Pitt Tech Road
Winterville, N.C.
Signup to make a two minute statement: 12:30 p.m.
Meeting: 1 to 3 p.m
.
Western N.C. – Friday, April 15
Blue Ridge Community College
Thomas Auditorium
180 West Campus Drive
Flat Rock, N.C.
Signup to make a two minute statement: 12:30 p.m.
Meeting: 1 to 3 p.m.

Raleigh – Thursday, April 21
Legislative Building Auditorium (3rd Floor)
16 W. Jones Street
Raleigh, N.C.
Signup to make a two minute statement: 12:30 p.m.
Meeting: 1 to 3 p.m.

A website for the committee has been launched at www.ncleg.net/regreform. The website includes a form to submit public input, as well as an email address for those that cannot attend meetings but would still like to send comments (or for those who do attend and want to submit additional comments or materials). The public email address is regreform@ncleg.net. Written comments may also be mailed to Regulatory Reform Comments, 16 West Jones Street, Room 2007, Raleigh, N.C. 27601.

Updates on Various Bills

House members voted 79-37 on Tuesday to approve S109: Spending Cuts for the Current Fiscal Year. The bill, which serves as a replacement for the previously vetoed budget-savings bill, S13, directs Governor Perdue to find savings in the amount of $538 million by the end of June, but does so without specifying the source(s) of the savings. Chris Mackey, a spokeswoman for Governor Perdue, has already confirmed that the governor plans to sign the bill into law, putting to rest the fear of another veto. Mackey also stated that the governor has already identified $400 million in savings, a promise made in the governor’s State of the State address.  The bill will be presented to the governor for final action shortly.

This week S99: Reform UI Tax Structure/Expedite Analysis won final approval in the General Assembly on Wednesday. North Carolina currently owes the federal government $2.6 billion that it borrowed to pay its share of unemployment checks. Under the bill, the Department of Commerce will hire an external consultant to aid in the determination of the best strategies to reduce unemployment debt.

H223, which mandates paid sick leave for all employees,  has been referred to the Committee on Commerce and Job Development.  Watch this one closely.

New Communication Method

At the last meeting of the Legislative Action committee we discussed the fact that it was difficult for everyone to make the meeting.  Ken Pflieger made the suggestion that we utilize a blog to aid in the communications among the committee members.  Here is the out come of that suggestion.  I'm not an expert at blogging so bear with me.  We should be able to get information to you much quicker and you can let me know how you feel about a particular piece of legislation.  I think we can act quicker and aquire more information.  So, lets' try it for awhile and see how it goes.

Your comments are welcomed.

Opportunity to let the Legislators know.

Don’t miss the public hearings hosted by the legislative Joint Regulatory Reform Committee. The committee is soliciting input on rules and regulations that are costly and burdensome to North Carolina businesses. Once the public hearings are concluded, the committee will make recommendations to the General Assembly that address the concerns voiced in the hearings.

It’s imperative that our state leaders hear from the business community on regulatory reform – reducing red tape will allow you to focus on your company and employees.  Look for updates on future meetings as that information is released. The first meeting of the committee was held in Wilmington with others scheduled across the state throughout March and April.

Other upcoming meeting dates are (details TBA):
3/21      Charlotte
3/28      Greensboro
4/4        Greenville
4/18      Hendersonville
4/21      Raleigh
Please let the Chamber know if you plan to attend any of the meeting