House Speaker Tim Moore Responds to Governor Cooper’s Veto of SB 43

North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore responded Friday to Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of SB 43 with the following statement:
 
“Today Governor Cooper vetoed SB 43, a bill to ‘Protect Religious Meeting Places.’ Senate Bill 43 passed through the House with veto-proof margins. It is a narrowly targeted legislation that simply allows North Carolinians to exercise their Second Amendment rights at a religious meeting place that is also the location of a school, as long as it is outside school operating hours.”
 
Speaker Moore continued, “North Carolina must always be steadfast in protecting our Second Amendment rights and our religious liberty.”

NEWS: House Speaker Tim Moore Responds to Consensus Revenue Forecast for N.C.

House Speaker Tim Moore responded Tuesday to consensus revenue forecasts released by North Carolina’s nonpartisan budget agencies.

Today the Consensus Revised Revenue Forecast was presented to the Joint Full Chairs Appropriations/ Finance.

Analysts for both the General Assembly’s nonpartisan Fiscal Research Division and the Office of State Budget and Management predicted expect an estimated $6.04 billion in overcollections when compared to the May 2020 forecast, with total GF revenue up 13.6%, individual income tax is up to 12.6%, and sales and use tax is up 14.5% with corporate and franchise tax up 35.4%.

Expected growth over the biennium is estimated at 8% with FY 2021-22 shift-adjusted growth expected to be 4.5% and FY 2022-23 growth 3.4%.

The forecast projected a new $2.354 billion in recurring funds over the February revenue forecast for next year and $2.245 billion for FY 2022-23 compared to the February revenue forecast.

House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) said in a statement:

“There is no question that the strength of North Carolina’s economic outlook is proof that Republican policies work, and it is no coincidence that our state is the number two destination for Americans fleeing other states with bleak economic outlooks. North Carolina’s overall fiscal policy has set the stage for a commitment to conservative tax policies and we will continue to work collaboratively with the Governor and the Senate to keep our state on an upward trajectory of economic growth.”

HB 453 Passes Through Senate, Heads to Governor for Signature

Today the North Carolina Senate passed House Bill 453, the Human Life Nondiscrimination Act/ No Eugenics.
 
In a statement, House Speaker Tim Moore said, “The unborn are the most vulnerable among us and should not be discriminated against based on a presumptive in-utero diagnosis. This violates natural law and robs society of the blessing each and every child is to all of us.”
 
He continued, “No child should have to be ‘screened’ to be given the chance to live.”
 
House Bill 453 now goes to the governor’s desk for signature.

NEWS: General Assembly Leaders Announce Agreement on State Budget Total

North Carolina Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) and House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) today announced an agreement on next year’s budget total.
 
General Fund spending for the fiscal year 2021-22 will not exceed $25.7 billion, a 3.45% increase in spending. The fiscal year 2022-23 expenditures will increase by 3.65%, to not exceed $26.7 billion.
 

In a joint statement, Sen. Berger and Speaker Moore said, “This agreement builds on the last decade of responsible Republican-led budgets resulting in a boom decade that put North Carolina on a strong trajectory to recover from the recession. As we work out the details of the budget, we intend to fulfill our commitment to balance the budget while saving for future needs and cutting taxes for the vast majority of residents.

“The agreement dedicates at least $4.2 billion in new capital spending funded through the State Capital and Infrastructure Fund to support critical needs across the state, including several transformational projects.”

Along with the topline budget figure, budget writers have agreed to terms that replenish the state’s “Rainy Day Fund,” significantly reduce taxes, and fund the State Capital and Infrastructure Fund. House and Senate budget writers have also agreed that their budgets will not include a bond or Medicaid expansion.
 
The latest projections from the nonpartisan Fiscal Research Division estimate revenues will total $27.4 billion next year.
 
The $25.7 billion figure does not include payments for the state’s debt service, which will come from the State Capital and Infrastructure Fund.

NC House Passes SB 116 to Get North Carolina Back to Work

Today the North Carolina House of Representatives passed SB 116, the “Get North Carolina Back to Work Act” in a 71-36 overwhelming bipartisan vote.
 
The bill would make unemployment benefits non-taxable income and withdraw our state from the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Agreement (FPUC.)
 
“This bill is the way to restore strength in our economy, and finally move forward, to put this pandemic in the rear view mirror,” said House Speaker Tim Moore.
 
He continued, “This is a common-sense, reasonable approach to taking care of the people of this state, businesses, and the overall economy of this state.”
 
Click here for the Speaker’s floor speech in its entirety.

NC House Moves to Get North Carolina Back to Work

SB 116, the “Get North Carolina Back to Work Act,” would make unemployment benefits non-taxable income and withdraw our state from the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Agreement (FPUC.)
 
“North Carolina businesses have reached their tipping point. While workers are being incentivized by the federal government to stay home, many business owners have cited the additional $300 per-week federal unemployment benefits as a prime reason why they can’t hire,” said Speaker Tim Moore.
 
He continued, “The bottom line is if we want to truly get our economy back on track and thriving again, we cannot continue punishing businesses in the name of helping individuals. We need a more holistic approach.”
 
The House will vote on SB 116 today.

North Carolina House Passes COVID Relief Bill (S172)

Yesterday the NC House of Representatives passed the 2021 COVID-19 Response and Relief bill with overwhelming bipartisan support.
 
The COVID-19 Response and Relief bill is focused on getting federal dollars where they are most needed in our state. Of the $6.4 billon total appropriated, $556,611,000 has been designated for rental assistance and $805,767,400 toward child care stabilization grants.
 
A total of $3,224,272,535 is designated for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, plus $21,500,000 allotted to charter and residential schools.
 
Local governments will receive a total of $705.4 million. A breakdown of how that total is allocated by county can be found here.
 
“As North Carolina and the rest of the country move forward and rebuild in the wake of a global pandemic, these are needed funds that will get businesses back on track and the economy moving in the right direction. The passage of S172 will ensure that these federal dollars get to those North Carolina businesses and citizens who need it,” commented Speaker of the House Tim Moore.
 
Senate Bill 172 will now be sent to the governor for his signature.

Office of Speaker Moore Adds Demi Dowdy as Director of Communications

Raleigh, N.C. – The Office of North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) is pleased to announce that Demi Dowdy has joined the Speaker’s Office as Director of Communications.
 
Dowdy is a first generation Cuban-American and lives in Harnett County. She brings 12 years of policy and communications experience, including three years as Communications Director for the Civitas Institute (now John Locke Foundation) here in Raleigh.
 
Dowdy is also a gifted columnist who has been featured in Town Hall, the Daily Caller, and more.
 
All future press inquiries will be directed to Demi Dowdy.
 
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House Education Committee Passes Legislation Addressing Critical Race Theory in North Carolina School Systems

North Carolina House Education Chairmen Torbett (R-Gaston) and Blackwell (R-Burke), today unveiled legislation preventing discriminatory concepts, like Critical Race Theory, from being taught as fact or endorsed in North Carolina school districts. 
 
A House Committee Substitute for House Bill 324, “Ensuring Dignity & Nondiscrimination/Schools,” would prevent students or teachers from being taught that one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex, or other related concepts that reduce individuals to their gender or skin color.

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House Passes Legislation Cracking Down on Riots and Civil Disorder

Raleigh, N.C. – Today, House Bill 805: Prevent Rioting and Civil Disorder, passed the North Carolina House of Representatives with an 88-25 vote.
 
House Bill 805 would seek to deter future civil unrest through multiple avenues. The legislation would significantly increase penalties for inciting a riot that leads to death, engaging in riots, and engaging in riots that lead to the physical injury of a first responder. Individuals whose person or property are damaged in a riot would be able to recover treble damages, court costs, and attorneys’ fees.

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