Press Release
♦ Fifth Week of the 2015 Long Session
At this point, one wonders if even Punxsutawney Phil, First Groundhog of the United States, would have even poked his head from his burrow if he foresaw the weekly blizzards of 2015. Another week of canceled business at the General Assembly means that we can look forward to a legislature running on all cylinders for the coming months of the 2015 Long Session. Please stay tuned to these newsletters as I will share some exciting and significant news.
Bill Updates
“2015 Appropriations Act.” – House Bill 97
It is time to start getting familiar with hearing House Bill (HB) 97. This Tuesday, Representative Dollar, Chairman of the Appropriations Committee filed the 2015 Appropriations Act, which will set the budget for all governmental operations for North Carolina in 2015. The Legislature’s sessions revolve around this annual bill; its filing and passage are quickly preceded and followed by the opening of session and adjournment. While late February marks the filing of this empty bill, House leadership and members have been hard at work in committees over the past few weeks and throughout the 2014-15 interim to craft proposals that will address key budgetary concerns such as transportation infrastructure funding, Medicaid, teacher pay, and our reorganization after significant revenue reforms.
In the next few weeks, the bill will be amended in Committee with the propositions drafted in the Appropriation Committee’s various subcommittees, which cover all the functions of State government: Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources, Capital, Education, General Government, Health and Human Services, Information Technology, Justice and Public Safety, and Transportation. As a member of the Transportation Subcommittee, I look forward to providing a detailed update on our proposal to address our deteriorating infrastructure system and funding crises. If you are interested, please check here for our committee meeting dates and listen in here.
Thank you for taking the time to read about the work I was able to accomplish this week for Cabarrus and Rowan. Expect to hear big news as the 152nd resumes its legislative session and budget process.
Please share this newsletter with your friends and family in the district. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
God Bless,
Carl
Legislative Office: (919) 733-5881
District Office: (704) 305-3541
carl.ford@ncleg.net
