NC Rep. Harry Warren
♦ For months we have all been subjected to a barrage of political ads on television, radio, in the newspaper and on signs along the highways and by-ways of the county, the state and the country. While the “robo” automated phone calls, campaign coverage, and political forums can be overwhelming and sometimes annoying, it is the trademark of the greatest self – government system in the world, where the average person can volunteer to represent their friends and neighbors in making the policy decisions that will affect their way of life going forward.
While we had several compelling races for County Commissioner and school board members, here in Rowan County, we also had some very heated competitions in the North Carolina General Assembly. The net result was a loss of a mere three seats for the Republican House and a net gain of one more in the Senate. Each chamber still holds a veto – proof majority. The House has 74 Republican members, while the Senate now occupies 34 seats. Here is an MVA Public Affairs summarization of the state races, including the judge’s contests, in case you haven’t seen them as yet. The voting percentages may give you an idea of how supportive the electorate was for each individual candidate.
Also included in this newsletter is a recap of some of the committee meetings that have been held since my last report to you.
I would like to thank you for this renewed opportunity to represent you in the General Assembly in the 2015 – 2016 session, which will begin on January 14, 2015. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve on your behalf. Monthly Town Hall meetings will resume in February, 2015, as will my weekly updates.
ELECTION ANALYSIS
U.S. Senate
North Carolina voters cast 2.7 million ballots in yesterday’s election, setting a record for turnout in a midterm year. At the top of the ticket, Republican state House Speaker Thom Tillis defeated incumbent Democrat U.S. Senator Kay Hagan in the nation’s most expensive Senate contest, exceeding $100 million. Tillis’ victory helped secure a Republican majority in the United States Senate for the first time since 2007. In what many political observers are calling a wave, Republicans added at least seven Senate seats, with three races still outstanding in Alaska, Louisiana and Virginia.
U.S. House
North Carolina’s congressional delegation will remain Republican dominated, with the GOP adding the 7th District to hold 10 seats to Democrats’ three. Nationally Republicans picked up seats to expand their control of the U.S. House to at least 246 seats, their largest majority since World War II.
North Carolina General Assembly
In the state Senate, Republicans gained one seat and expanded the Republican supermajority to a total of 34 seats, leaving Democrats with 16. In one of the closely watched contests, incumbent Senator Gene McLaurin (D-Richmond) lost to Ellerbe business owner Tom McInnis. McInnis received 50.42 percent of the final votes cast while McLaurin received 47.09 percent. The Libertarian candidate, P.H. Dawkins, received 2.49 percent.
Republican John Alexander leads Tom Bradshaw by less than one percent for District 15, an open seat in Wake County due to Senator Neal Hunt’s retirement. Democratic challenger and former Raleigh Mayor Tom Bradshaw may call for a recount.
In the state House, Republicans still hold a significant 74 to 46 majority, but Democrats knocked off several influential Republican lawmakers to make for a net GOP loss of three seats. Republicans lost two seats around the Asheville area, one in Wake County and one in Lee County. Republicans picked up District 2, which represents Granville and Person Counties. This was an open seat since Representative Winkie Wilkins (D-Granville, Person) is retiring.
Democrat Cary Town Council member Gale Adcock defeated incumbent Representative Tom Murry (R-Wake). Murry served two terms and was the Chairman of the House Commerce and Job Development Committee.
In the western part of the state, Representative Tim Moffitt (R-Buncombe), was defeated by Democrat Brian Turner. Moffitt served two terms and served as the Chairman of the House Regulatory Reform Committee.
Republican incumbent Nathan Ramsey (R-Buncombe) lost to Democrat John Ager, and Democrat Brad Salmon defeated Representative Mike Stone (R-Lee) of Sanford.
Republican Gary Pendleton narrowly defeated Democrat Kim Hanchette in the race for District 49. Pendleton was appointed earlier this year to fill the seat for the late Representative Jim Fulghum.
Overall, Republicans continue to hold supermajorities in both the Senate and House, giving them the votes needed to override a veto by the governor.
North Carolina Judicial Races
Four of the seven seats on the North Carolina Supreme Court were up for election this year. Mark Martin won his race for Supreme Court Chief Justice with more than 70 percent of the vote against Ola Lewis. In Associate Justice contests, Sam Ervin IV defeated Bob Hunter, and Robin Hudson defeated Eric Levinson. Both Ervin and Hudson won by more than 52 percent. Cheri Beasley leads Mike Robinson for the final Associate Justice seat by less than one half of one percentage point, so a recount could be called.
Mark Davis, Lucy Inman and John Tyson won competitive races for seats on the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Davis and Inman each received a majority of the votes in their respective races. Tyson received over 23 percent of the vote in a race that featured 19 candidates. In the final Court of Appeals race, Donna Stroud ran unopposed and retained her seat.
Here is the MVA Committee meeting summaries and a schedule of upcoming committee meetings. Remember, if you would like to attend but can’t make it to Raleigh, you can still “attend” many of the meetings by listening online, just as you may have for the Interim Committee meetings. You must first determine in what room the committee is meeting. If the committee meets in either room 544 or 643, you can listen online. To access the audio version of a meeting, go to: www.ncleg.net, click on “audio” on the bar near the top, then select either “Finance Committee Room (Room 544)” or “Appropriations Committee Room (Room 643)” to listen.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services, Medicaid Reform/DMA Reorganization Subcommittee
On Monday, October 20, the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services, Medicaid Reform/DMA Reorganization Subcommittee held a public hearing to receive input with respect to ideas for Medicaid reform and a possible reorganization of the State entity responsible for administering the State Medicaid program. For approximately 1.5 hours, the Committee heard from a variety of stakeholders about various proposals. Brief committee discussion followed, but there was no formal presentation for the meeting.
Joint Legislative Program Evaluation Oversight Committee, Medicaid and Health Administration Subcommittee
On Monday, October 20, the Joint Legislative Program Evaluation Oversight Committee, Medicaid and Health Administration Subcommittee held a brief meeting. Steve Owen of the Fiscal Research Division gave an explanation of the year-end financial status of the State Medicaid program. The program had a cash balance of $63.6 million at the end of the 2013-14 State fiscal year. However, the General Assembly estimated that the program would have unpaid claims of $136.5 million at the end of the year leaving it with a budget deficit of just under $73 million. This still compares favorably with past years when the program finished the year with a budget deficit in excess of $400 million. Next, Pamela Taylor of the Program Evaluation Division gave an overview of the nine administrative functions that, under federal law, each state must provide for its Medicaid program and an explanation of which agencies in North Carolina had responsibility for all or part of each of those functions.
Joint Legislative Program Evaluation Oversight Committee, Medicaid and Health Administration Subcommittee
The Joint Legislative Program Evaluation Oversight Committee, Medicaid and Health Administration Subcommittee met on Monday, October 27. The subcommittee agreed to further consider a proposal to keep Medicaid under the Department of Health and Human Services but governed by an independent board. The subcommittee is expected to continue to evaluate the proposal and develop more specifics with the input of stakeholders. John Turcotte, Director of the Program Evaluation Division, also gave a presentation on proposed performance measures for the Medicaid program.
IN THE NEWS
Associated Press: NC in-person early voting reaching toward 700,000
WNCN: McCrory considering Medicaid expansion
Raleigh News & Observer: North Carolina leaps to No. 16 in business tax ranking
Asheville Citizen-Times: Duke: WNC can’t move beyond coal
Charlotte Observer: Uber points to DC regulations as model for Charlotte
TWC News: NC US Senate Campaigning Exceeds $100 Million
Charlotte Business Journal: Operations at Philip Morris site could grow to 6,000 employees
WRAL: Stam: Lottery ads misleading
Charlotte Observer: NC expects incentive payback if Chiquita moves
Wilmington Star: N.C. regulators give OK to gas pipeline
Associated Press: Film industry advocates doubt new incentives will bring in much business
CALENDAR
I would like to take this time to again, thank you for the opportunity to represent District 77 in the State House. I appreciate your input and your support.
Harry
Representative Harry Warren
N.C. House of Representatives
District 77, Rowan County
611 Legislative Office Building
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603
