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Happy Birthday
Tuesday, July 8th Sen. Katie Dorsett (D-Guilford) Wednesday, July 9th Rep. Garland Pierce (D-Scotland) Saturday, July 12th Rep. Linda Coleman (D-Wake) Monday, July 14th NC Court of Appeals Judge John Tyson |
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| Worth Remembering | |
"You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness." - Erma Bombeck |
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FROM THE SGR NEWSDESK: LAWMAKERS REACH BUDGET COMPROMISE Legislative leaders reached a compromise Thursday on the annual state spending plan. The budget bill now heads to the floor Monday for the first of two required votes. The $21.3 billion plan includes more than $850 million in borrowed money, with $109 million allocated for capital projects. The budget now postpones two major tax code changes, part of an attempt to cut spending in light of revised revenue projections. Both the repeal of the state gift tax and the expanded earned income tax credit won’t begin until 2010, saving the state $30 million. Senate President Marc Basnight thinks the governor will be pleased with the latest budget. Click here to read more on the budget compromise Click here to find a link to the latest budget bill ------ AT :03 MINUTES PAST THE HOUR: HOUSE VOTES FOR ENERGY EFFICIENT STATE FLEET House lawmakers narrowly passed a measure that requires all state vehicles to be more energy efficient. House Bill 2720 mandates that the state acquire only new passenger vehicles that have a fuel economy in the top 15 percent of its class. The legislation passed by a margin of 62 to 46. Bill sponsor Rep. Charles Thomas (R-Buncombe) says the bill has such broad language to avoid being political. Furthermore, Rep. Grier Martin (D-Wake) believes the state should be setting an example for all North Carolinians. But Rep. Nelson Cole (D-Rockingham) argues that in certain cases, the only companies meeting the standard don't even bid on state contracts. Likewise, he says the current bidding process works just fine. ------ AT :17 MINUTES PAST THE HOUR: VETS STUDY RAISES SAFETY CONCERNS Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle are concerned about reports from the FDA that connect the use of the anti-smoking drug Chantix with an increase in suicidal and violent behavior, particularly since the drug continues to be tested on veterans diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Earlier this year, one subject attempted to coerce police officers to fire on him during a bout of depression and anxiety. SGR's Scott Carr discusses the matter with the Chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee Bob Filner (D-CA) as well as longtime House Armed Services Committee member Republican 3rd District Congressman from North Carolina Walter Jones. Jones also weighs in on the importance of considering the welfare of our men and women in the armed service as we celebrate America's Independence Day. ------ AT :33 MINUTES PAST THE HOUR: SGR WEEKLY NEWS REVIEW Ferrel Guillory, publisher of Data Net and former N&O chief capital reporter, and SGR's Josh Ellis join host Barlow Herget to see why the Easleys, the Governor and Mrs. Mary Easley, made news this week and the late-breaking story about George Stokes' dismissal as the director of the state employees and teachers Health Care plan. ------ ~ Playing now on SGR's "Politics & Newsmakers" page ~ PEOPLE IN POLITICS Tar Heel political gurus Ballard Everett (R) and Brad Crone (D) review what's on the political hot plate this week, the Barack Obama/John McCain battles, tributes to our troops this Independence Day, and the pair's weekly list of political Ups & Downs. |
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