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Unprecedented NC Supreme Court Ruling Undermines Voters, Constitution

Today the NC Supreme Court ruled against two key constitutional amendments approved by the duly elected representatives of North Carolina.

NC House Speaker Tim Moore said, “This party-line ruling is in direct contradiction to the rule of law and the will of the voters. The people of North Carolina will not stand for the blatant judicial activism and misconduct that has seized our state’s highest court, and neither will I.”

He continued, “I will continue to fight for the Voter ID and Tax Cap Amendments, which were overwhelmingly approved by the people of North Carolina. It’s time to end the judicial coup that is unilaterally altering our constitution and subverting the will of North Carolina voters.”

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Governor Cooper Signs Budget: Speaker Moore, Senator Berger Respond in Joint Statement

Today Governor Cooper signed the state budget that previously passed by strong bipartisan margins in both the House and Senate.
 
NC House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger said, “The General Assembly passed the 2022 budget with strong bipartisan support, and we are pleased Governor Cooper signed this responsible spending plan into law. Moving forward, we are committed to working together to improve healthcare access and expand Medicaid, while providing the necessary safeguards to preserve the state’s fiscal strength. Active negotiations are occurring now toward that end.”
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North Carolina House Passes Budget in Strong Bipartisan Vote

Today the North Carolina House approved the budget in a bipartisan vote of 84-28.
 
The $27.9 billion budget includes significant investments in school safety, teacher and state employee raises, infrastructure, economic development, and water and sewer.
 
House Speaker Tim Moore said, “This is a good budget that keeps North Carolina on the same path of conservative spending that has put us on good footing ahead of a possible recession.”
 
He continued, “I’m encouraged that many of our colleagues across the aisle support this spending plan. I believe we have prioritized what North Carolinians need the most– more money in their pockets, investments where they are most needed, and savings for a secure future in these uncertain economic times.”
 
The budget can be read in full here.
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United States Supreme Court Agrees to Hear North Carolina Redistricting Case

On Thursday the United States Supreme Court agreed to review Moore v. Harper, a case seeking to confirm the constitutional authority of state legislatures to set the time, place and manner of elections.
 
North Carolina House Speaker Moore said, “This case is not only critical to election integrity in North Carolina, but has implications for the security of elections nationwide.”
 
He continued, “On the heels of another victory at the U.S. Supreme Court, I am confident that this court recognizes what our State Supreme Court failed to recognize— that the United States Constitution explicitly gives the General Assembly authority to draw districts and that authority must be recognized.”
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NC General Assembly Leaders Unveil State Budget Investments in Schools, Economic Development, Infrastructure

North Carolina Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) and House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) today announced a budget agreement.
 
The total spend of the budget is $27.9 billion and includes significant investments in teacher and state employee raises, infrastructure, economic development, and water and sewer.
 
Some highlights include:
 
  • Teachers will receive a 4.2% average increase in FY 22-23 and will receive a 9.1% total increase over the biennium.
  • School employees will receive the greater of 4% or an increase to $15/hour.
  • State agency employees will receive a 3.5% pay increase.
  • State Retirees: will receive an additional 1.0% one-time retiree supplement (total of 4% over biennium).
  • Economic Development: $876 million to supplement major projects.
  • School Safety Grants: $32 million for Safety Equipment, Students in Crisis, and Safety Training.
  • Mental health programs: $14.8 million.
  • Water and sewer: $600 million additional and $2.5 billion over the biennium.
 
In a joint statement, Sen. Berger and Speaker Moore said, “This is a responsible budget that responds to our current needs and plans for an uncertain economic future. This budget takes into account the strain of runaway spending from our federal government that is stretching North Carolinians’ budgets thin, and the burden of skyrocketing fuel prices and inflation. It’s imperative that we stay on track and continue the good work we’ve done in North Carolina to strengthen our economy, meet the needs of our citizens, and secure a bright future for our state.”
 
The budget can be read in full here.
 
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NC House Speaker Tim Moore Statement on U.S. Supreme Court Dobbs Ruling

Today the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
 
House Speaker Tim Moore said, “Today’s decision from the United States Supreme Court is long overdue and a major win for protecting life! The end of Roe v. Wade rightfully returns authority back to the states to determine abortion law.”
 
He continued, “While I remain unequivocally pro-life, the short budget adjustment session does not afford us sufficient time to take up the issue. However, North Carolinians can rest assured that we are taking the necessary steps to ensure that current restrictions on the books will be enforced. North Carolinians can also expect pro-life protections to be a top priority of the legislature when we return to our normal legislative session in January.”
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U.S. Supreme Court Rules 8-1 to Allow the NC General Assembly to Intervene in Voter ID Case

Today the United States Supreme Court ruled 8-1 that the North Carolina General Assembly can intervene in the federal voter ID case.
 
House Speaker Tim Moore said, “North Carolinians overwhelmingly support voter ID, and they deserve nothing less than the strongest representation from those who would uphold the will of the voters and our constitution, not a tepid defense by an attorney general who has a record of opposing voter ID. As stated in today’s decision, ‘More than once a North Carolina attorney general has opposed laws enacted by the General Assembly and declined to defend them fully in federal litigation.’”
 
He continued, “The U.S. Supreme Court has rightfully agreed with us that, without the participation of the General Assembly in defending voter ID, ‘important state interests would not be represented.’ Also, ‘ … while serving as a state senator the attorney general voted against an earlier voter-ID law and filed a declaration in support of a legal challenge against it.’ I am proud of our General Counsel and legal team for their diligent work on behalf of the voters. Rest assured, I will continue to fight to defend the will of the people for voter ID to become law as decided by the voters.”
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House Health Committee Will Hear “Rural Healthcare Access and Savings Plan”

Tomorrow, June 23, the House Health Committee will hear SB 408, the “Rural Healthcare Access and Savings Plan.”
 
Among other things, the bill would:
 
  • Establish a Legislative Medicaid Rate Modernization and Savings Oversight Committee (“Oversight Committee”).
  • Increase access to healthcare in rural areas of the State and help preserve hospitals in rural areas of North Carolina.
  • Direct the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a Medicaid Modernization and Savings Plan (“Plan”) to be presented to the Oversight Committee for a vote on December 15, 2022.
  • Give the Secretary of Health and Human Services the necessary authority to negotiate with the federal government to alter Medicaid eligibility, subject to a vote by the General Assembly, and would set certain guardrails to ensure no net cost to the state.
  • If the Oversight Committee approves the Plan presented to committee for legislative approval, legislation implementing the Plan would be voted on by the General Assembly on or after December 16, 2022.
Benefits to the State include:
 
  • Roughly $1.5 billion over 2 years in federal Medicaid receipts from the ARPA enhancement that will enable the State to re-direct General Fund dollars to other priorities.  $1 billion of this total would be used to address substance abuse and mental health.
  • As much as $3.1 billion in additional HASP reimbursements to support hospitals without spending additional General Fund dollars.
  • Up to $60 million in additional gross premiums tax from the HASP reimbursements would go into the General Fund.
  • An additional $4.5 – $5 billion annually in federal Medicaid receipts to support the new eligibility category.
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Rep. Erin Paré of Wake County Launches Women in STEM Task Force

Raleigh, NC— Today Rep. Erin Paré (R-Wake) announced the formation of The House Select Committee on Advancing Women in STEM, which has been established by the Speaker of the House of Representatives pursuant to G.S. 120-19.6(a1) and to Rule 26(a) in Section 1 of the Rules of the House of Representatives of the 2021 General Assembly.
 
The Committee will study issues related to developing future generations of women leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The 12 members of the committee are:
 
Representative Erin Pare, Chair
Representative Donna White, Vice Chair
Representative Alison Dahle
Representative Jon Hardister   
Representative Dean Arp
Representative Amos Quick
Representative Kristin Baker M.D.
Representative Diane Wheatley
Representative Hugh Blackwell
Representative Matthew Winslow
Representative John Bradford 
Representative Shelly Willingham
 
Rep. Erin Paré said, “Imagination, creativity, and curiosity are essential to innovation. Women who pursue careers in STEM not only bring greater diversity to the ideas and solutions in these fields; they innovate and pave the way for future generations of women to follow in their footsteps and drive progress even further.”
 
She continued, “As more tech companies flock to North Carolina, the need for workers in STEM has increased dramatically in our state. My hope is that this committee can find tangible ways to support the women who are interested in these fields and encourage more women to pursue STEM careers in the future.”
 
The Women in STEM Task Force will begin meeting after the legislative short session ends.
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