december legislative newsletter from senator neal hunt

8/13/2019 December Legislative Newsletter from Senator Neal Hunt

1/6

LEGISLATIVE NEWSLETTER

December 20, 2013

We recently received good news concerning the states

unemployment rate. The United States Bureau of Labor and

Statistics and the North Carolina Department of Commerce recently

presented the new unemployment rates to the Economic

Development Oversight Committee.

First, lets see how far weve come. Around this time in 2012, North

Carolinas unemployment rate had reached 10%, which was the fifth

highest unemployment rate in the nation.

With tax reform and our efforts to streamline state government in

place, we are already seeing our unemployment rate drop. North

Carolinas unemployment rate has dropped to 8%and Wake

Countys unemployment rate has dropped from 9.3% in February2010 to 6.6%.

Obviously, we want these rates to drop even further, but were

clearly moving in the right direction. Instead of being the fifth highest

unemployment rate in the nation, were now the thirteenth

highest. We anticipated that our policies of lower tax rates and less

regulation would lead to job growth, but it is encouraging to see it

happening so fast!

At a meeting in Wilmington last week, Commerce Secretary Sharon

Decker announced that a California business is currently in the

process of moving its operations to North Carolina simply because

our new tax rates cannot even compare with Californias high and

burdensome tax rates. Add in our low cost (yet high quality) of

living, we anticipate more companies will be moving to our great

state.

As more companies move to our now business-friendly

state, hopefully we will see our unemployment rate dropping to one

SENATOR NEAL HUNT

Proudly Representing WakeCounty in the North Carolina

Senate

15thDistrict

LEGISLATIVE OFFICE

300 N. Salisbury Street,

Room 309

Raleigh, NC 27603

(919)733-5850

[email protected]

DISTRICT OFFICE

2600 Fairview Road

Raleigh, NC 27608

(919)781-3464
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


2/6

of the lowest in the nation.

Rep. Jason Saine (R-Lincoln) and I speaking to the press concerning the passage ofHB 930at a dogadoption event held at the Governors Mansion on November 16

th.

NC COMMERCE LISTENING TOURS

North Carolina has to get back on the path to prosperity. Our tax

reform goes a long way in attracting businesses and jobs to ourstate, but theres still a lot more we must do. I applaud our

Department of Commerce and Secretary Sharon Decker for hosting

Listening Tours throughout the state from September to December.

These Listening Tours have been designed so that we can hear

directly from business owners, economic developers, UNC and

community college officials, and local elected officials. We will soon

receive a formal report from the Commerce Department on the

advice they have received.

Kyle Hall, my Research Assistant, attended three of the ListeningTour events. Some of the advice he received from business leaders

on how to improve North Carolinas business climate included:

eliminating government red tape, finish transportation projects

(Highway 264, Highway 17, Interstate 77, and the Garden Parkway

near Charlotte), improve public education, eliminate business

incentives, and attract the film industry.

[email protected]

STANDING COMMITTEES

Appropriations, Co-Chair

Commerce

Finance

Health Care

Program Evaluation

Redistricting

Transportation

INTERIM COMMITTEES

Economic Development andGlobal Engagement Oversight

Commission on GovernmentalOperations

Commission on Jordan Lake

Program Evaluation Oversight

Transportation Oversight

VOTING RECORD

BILLS INTRODUCED

LINKS OF INTEREST

ABC-11 coverage ofGovernor McCrorysdog adoption event

WXII-12 (Winston-Salem, Greensboro,High Point) coverageof Sen. Brunstettersretirement

Information on the NC
http://ncleg.net/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2013&BillID=h930&submitButton=Gohttp://ncleg.net/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2013&BillID=h930&submitButton=Gohttp://ncleg.net/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2013&BillID=h930&submitButton=Gomailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://ncleg.net/gascripts/voteHistory/MemberVoteHistory.pl?sSession=2013&nMMUserID=200&sChamber=Shttp://ncleg.net/gascripts/voteHistory/MemberVoteHistory.pl?sSession=2013&nMMUserID=200&sChamber=Shttp://ncleg.net/gascripts/members/reports/introducedBills.pl?nUserID=200&Chamber=Shttp://ncleg.net/gascripts/members/reports/introducedBills.pl?nUserID=200&Chamber=Shttp://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=9324573http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=9324573http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=9324573http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=9324573http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=9324573http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=9324573http://www.wxii12.com/news/politics/NC-Senator-Brunstetter-Retiring/-/9677658/23094360/-/fewepkz/-/index.htmlhttp://www.wxii12.com/news/politics/NC-Senator-Brunstetter-Retiring/-/9677658/23094360/-/fewepkz/-/index.htmlhttp://www.wxii12.com/news/politics/NC-Senator-Brunstetter-Retiring/-/9677658/23094360/-/fewepkz/-/index.htmlhttp://www.wxii12.com/news/politics/NC-Senator-Brunstetter-Retiring/-/9677658/23094360/-/fewepkz/-/index.htmlhttp://www.wxii12.com/news/politics/NC-Senator-Brunstetter-Retiring/-/9677658/23094360/-/fewepkz/-/index.htmlhttp://www.wxii12.com/news/politics/NC-Senator-Brunstetter-Retiring/-/9677658/23094360/-/fewepkz/-/index.htmlhttp://www.wxii12.com/news/politics/NC-Senator-Brunstetter-Retiring/-/9677658/23094360/-/fewepkz/-/index.htmlhttp://www.wxii12.com/news/politics/NC-Senator-Brunstetter-Retiring/-/9677658/23094360/-/fewepkz/-/index.htmlhttp://www.wxii12.com/news/politics/NC-Senator-Brunstetter-Retiring/-/9677658/23094360/-/fewepkz/-/index.htmlhttp://www.nccommerce.com/news/listening-tourshttp://www.nccommerce.com/news/listening-tourshttp://www.nccommerce.com/news/listening-tourshttp://www.twitter.com/SenatorNealHunthttp://www.facebook.com/SenatorNealHunthttp://www.twitter.com/SenatorNealHunthttp://www.facebook.com/SenatorNealHunthttp://www.twitter.com/SenatorNealHunthttp://www.facebook.com/SenatorNealHunthttp://www.nccommerce.com/news/listening-tourshttp://www.wxii12.com/news/politics/NC-Senator-Brunstetter-Retiring/-/9677658/23094360/-/fewepkz/-/index.htmlhttp://www.wxii12.com/news/politics/NC-Senator-Brunstetter-Retiring/-/9677658/23094360/-/fewepkz/-/index.htmlhttp://www.wxii12.com/news/politics/NC-Senator-Brunstetter-Retiring/-/9677658/23094360/-/fewepkz/-/index.htmlhttp://www.wxii12.com/news/politics/NC-Senator-Brunstetter-Retiring/-/9677658/23094360/-/fewepkz/-/index.htmlhttp://www.wxii12.com/news/politics/NC-Senator-Brunstetter-Retiring/-/9677658/23094360/-/fewepkz/-/index.htmlhttp://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=9324573http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=9324573http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=9324573http://ncleg.net/gascripts/members/reports/introducedBills.pl?nUserID=200&Chamber=Shttp://ncleg.net/gascripts/voteHistory/MemberVoteHistory.pl?sSession=2013&nMMUserID=200&sChamber=Smailto:[email protected]://ncleg.net/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2013&BillID=h930&submitButton=Go


3/6

The rotunda of the Legislative Building just outside the Senate chambers is beautifully decorated forChristmas

NEWS OBSERVER WRONG ON TEXTBOOKS

On Monday, December 16th, the News and Observer published a

biased article concerning textbook funding (click here for the article).

Not uncharacteristic of the News and Observer, this article

contained many factual errors and omissions, so I would like to take

this opportunity to give you the full truth behind textbook funding.

The News and Observer claimed that no money is set aside for

computers or other digital devices for every student. The fact is

nearly $12 million in lottery funds has been set aside in the budget

in each of the next two years for technology and digital learning.

We have also given local school boards the flexibility to spend

money on where they see fit their districts individual needs by

appropriating $43 million for classroom supplies and $200 million for

low wealth LEAs.

One fact the News and Observer surprisingly left out of their

article: from 2008 to 2011, the Democrats cut textbook funding from

$100.5 million to $2.5 million! Since we have been in the majority,

we have funded textbooks and digital learning at much greater

levels than the Democrats.

The News and Observer totally misrepresenting the conservative

point of view should not surprise anyone. A constituent recently

contacted me about the News and Observer refusing to publish any

Commerce ListeningTours

United States Bureauof Labor and StatisticsUnemployment Ratesfor States
http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/12/15/3463202/nc-schools-deal-with-fewer-dollars.htmlhttp://www.newsobserver.com/2013/12/15/3463202/nc-schools-deal-with-fewer-dollars.htmlhttp://www.newsobserver.com/2013/12/15/3463202/nc-schools-deal-with-fewer-dollars.htmlhttp://www.nccommerce.com/news/listening-tourshttp://www.nccommerce.com/news/listening-tourshttp://www.nccommerce.com/news/listening-tourshttp://www.bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htmhttp://www.bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htmhttp://www.bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htmhttp://www.bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htmhttp://www.bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htmhttp://www.bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htmhttp://www.bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htmhttp://www.bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htmhttp://www.bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htmhttp://www.bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htmhttp://www.bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htmhttp://www.nccommerce.com/news/listening-tourshttp://www.nccommerce.com/news/listening-tourshttp://www.newsobserver.com/2013/12/15/3463202/nc-schools-deal-with-fewer-dollars.html


4/6

of his ten previously submitted letters, apparently because his

opinions were contrary to the leftist opinions of the newspapers

editors. Although it may be appropriate for the News and Observer

to promote their liberal/progressive agenda, it is intellectually

dishonest for facts and the conservative viewpoint to not be

representative of our community in the Letters to the Editor section.

Senator Peter Brunstetter (R-Forsyth, Yadkin) and I at a press conference to release the Senates

version of SB 402 Appropriations Actof 2013. We served as co-chairs of the Senate

Appropriations/Base Budget Committee.

SENATOR PETER BRUNSTETTER

Senator Peter Brunstetter (R-Forsyth, Yadkin) announced his

retirement from the North Carolina Senate beginning on December

15th. Pete first started in the Senate in 2006 after he was appointed

to fill the remainder of Senator Ham Hortons term. Before his

tenure in the Senate, Pete served as a Forsyth County

Commissioner from 1991-2004.

For the past two sessions, Pete and I have served as co-chairs of

the Senate Appropriations/Base Budget Committee. Needless tosay, we have spent a lot of time together during the past three

years and we will certainly miss his budgeting skills. He has served

the people of North Carolina honorably and I wish him much

success in his future endeavors.

In January, the Forsyth County and Yadkin County Republican

Executive Committees will meet to recommend a candidate to

replace Senator Brunstetter. Governor McCrory will then appoint


5/6

that individual to serve the remainder of the term. A new

Appropriations Committee co-chair will be appointed soon as well to

join me and Senator Harry Brown (R-Onslow).

This Christmas tree sits atop the red carpet stairway in the Legislative Building. I encourage you to

visit the Legislative Building and State Capitol to see all the beautiful decorations

(Photo Credit: Will Tomlinson, Senator Phil Bergers staff)

MERRY CHRISTMAS

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government

shall be upon his shoulders, and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of

Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down

from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow

due to change. James 1:17

Although Christmas has become synonymous with shopping,

overindulging, and stress, its important that we remember what

Christmas is truly about: love, family, hope and faith in the risen

Christ.

I wish you and your family a merry and blessed Christmas and a

prosperous New Year!

Sincerely,


6/6

Neal Hunt

You are receiving this email because you expressed interest in the activities of Senator Neal Hunt andthe North Carolina Senate.

Unsubscribe from this list

Newsletter inquiries
mailto:[email protected]?subject=Unsubscribemailto:[email protected]?subject=Unsubscribemailto:[email protected]?subject=Newsletter%20inquirymailto:[email protected]?subject=Newsletter%20inquirymailto:[email protected]?subject=Newsletter%20inquirymailto:[email protected]?subject=Unsubscribe

december legislative newsletter from senator neal hunt

Documents