Good job in Raleigh
Monday, July 31st, 2006
By Chris Fitzsimon
N.C. legislature’s 2006 session was remarkably productive
When the 2006 N.C. General Assembly adjourned for the year shortly after 1 a.m. Friday, lawmakers headed home with the satisfaction of having participated in one of the most productive legislatures in memory.
The House and Senate adopted a progressive budget that sharply boosted state support for public schools, fully funding the low wealth schools formula for the first time and boosting money for the disadvantaged students supplement funding program. They also provided new money for mental health services, modestly cut sales and income taxes and gave the state courts a much needed infusion of money and staff.
Lawmakers also increased the state minimum wage by $1 an hour, a badly needed raise that is especially noteworthy as Congress continues to lack the courage to provide a long overdue boost in the federal minimum wage.
Legislators also adopted the most comprehensive ethics legislation since the 1970s. The reforms will change the way candidates raise money, the way elected and appointed officials disclose their financial holdings and the way lobbyists represent clients in Raleigh. While the bill doesn’t go quite far enough, creating a State Ethics Commission is a good step forward. (more…)
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