NC Representative Carl Ford
♦ The House continued its break-neck speed this week to make up for time lost to winter weather. This week, instead of back-to-back committee meetings, most efforts were spent drafting legislation to prepare for our first major bill drafting deadline. At a certain point each session (set by the House rules, House Bill 1), legislators are prohibited from drafting new legislation. With the drafting deadline for all legislation effecting local areas (bills that don’t affect the entire state) being next week, many legislators spent this week drafting their last bill proposals for the 2015 Long Session.
Bill Updates
“Phase-out of Fuel Tax.” – House Bill 203
Some of you might remember last week’s very contentious debate over Senate Bill 20, which included a gas tax hike inserted into one of our annual, revenue laws bills. This week, Representative Jeter, a Mecklenburg delegate, filed HB 203 which proposes to eliminate the gas tax entirely and replace it with a flat-rate, monthly “transportation usage fee” of $16.75 per-vehicle (which totals to an annual $201 bill per vehicle). While this bill will stabilize funding to the Highway Trust Fund, which is in desperate need of investment to fix our crumbling roads and bridges, it will charge folks that drive less the same as folks who drive a lot. I look forward to debating this bill in Transportation, should the Chairs decide to bring it up for consideration.
“Legislative 4-Year Terms” – House Bill 180
Our neighbor, the delegate from House District 77, Representative Harry Warren filed a bill that, if passed, would submit a constitutional amendment to all NC voters during the 2016 election. If passed, the constitutional amendment would extend legislative terms from 2 to 4 years in 2021. The proposal has some significant advantages, such as increasing voter participation in State elections and lengthening the time between campaign seasons. Eliminating an entire campaign season could potentially make legislators more productive by enabling legislators to gain more institutional knowledge and craft more comprehensive legislation.
It’s an interesting, yet major proposal. I look forward to debating it in committee should the chairs of Elections and Judiciary calendar it for discussion.
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. 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
