Legislative Report #07-01

Report 07-01
July 28, 2006

GENERAL ASSEMBLY BEGINS 2007 SESSION

The 2007 Session of the General Assembly opened at Noon on Wednesday, January 24. Senator Marc Basnight was elected to a record eighth term as President Pro Tem of the Senate. The House elected Representative Joe Hackney as the new Speaker of the House. Representative William Wainwright was chosen as Speaker Pro Tem.

Appointment of committees is expected to take about two weeks. Governor Easley is expected to present the proposed State Budget for the 2007-09 Biennium in mid- to late February.

BILLS INTRODUCED THIS WEEK

Two bills of interest were filed on the opening day of the Session. These are summarized below.

House Bill 8: Increase Fire and Rescue Pensions
(Primary Sponsor – Rep. Julia Howard)

This bill would increase the monthly pension payment for retired members of the Firemen’s and Rescue Squad Workers’ Pension Fund from the current $165 to $167.

House Bill 3: Long -Term Care Insurance Tax Credit
(Primary Sponsor – Rep. Setzer)

The bill would restore a state income tax credit for long term care insurance premiums. The bill provides a 15% annual state income tax credit to a maximum amount of $350. The credit would apply to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2007.

LEGISLATOR INFORMATION

The General Assembly web page contains a wealth of information, including contact information for legislators (addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses). The web page can be accessed at www.ncga.state.nc.us

LEGISLATIVE REPORT SCHEDULE

Our Legislative Report will be transmitted every Friday afternoon during the 2007 Session of the General Assembly. We invite your feedback on both the format and the content of these reports.

AARP NORTH CAROLINA SEEKS VOLUNTEERS

One of our partner organizations, AARP North Carolina, has asked that we share the following information with our members. AARP-NC is seeking volunteers to serve as Key legislative Contacts. Their aim is to have at least one volunteer in each of the 120 state House districts. Volunteers will be expected to attend an all expenses paid  2-day training session in Raleigh on April 2nd and 3rd. If you are a member of AARP and interested in serving as a Key Legislative Contact, you can obtain more information by contacting the following AARP-NC staff prior to January 31:

Mary Bethel (919) 508-0297 mbethel@aarp.org
Bill Wilson (919) 508-0299 biwilson@aarp.org