‘Short’ session, milestone deals
Monday, July 31st, 2006
By Chris Fitzsimon
Legislators tackle major issues of a decade in a flurry of bills
By Mike Baker
Associated Press
Raleigh | North Carolina’s "short" legislative sessions, which fall in even-numbered years, are generally a time to shore up the odd deficiency in budgets and policies from the year before.
This year it turned out to be a session of efficiency.
In less than three months, lawmakers tackled many of the state’s largest policy issues of the past decade, passing new laws at a pace that surprised even political veterans.
"I certainly have not seen a session of this magnitude in the years I’ve been here," Rep. Alma Adams, D-Guilford, said before the General Assembly adjourned for the year shortly after 1 a.m. Friday. "This has truly been a history-making session."
During the past two years, legislators filed some 5,000 bills - the most in more than 90 years, according to official estimates. Among the major policy changes was raising the state’s long-stagnant minimum wage by $1, a response to Adams’ nine-year campaign on the issue. (more…)
Last 5 posts in Daily News
- N.C. foreclosure plan to be national model - December 5th, 2008
- N.C. lottery ticket sales slipping - December 4th, 2008
- Apodaca leaving leadership role in state GOP - December 4th, 2008
- Freeman wraps up 38-year government stint - December 4th, 2008
- Editorial: States right to seek federal stimulus plan - December 4th, 2008
Email This Post
Print This Post
