On Jan. 11, the N.C. House of Representatives convened for its inauguration of House members and the start of North Carolina’s 2017-2018 legislative session.
Speaker of the House, Rep. Tim Moore of Cleveland County, was re-elected and appointed Rep. Mark Brody, R-Union, to take a leading role in the following committees:
• Agriculture Committee — Co-Chairman
• Community Colleges Committee — Co-Chairman
Rep. Brody is also a member of these committees:
• State & Local Government 1
• Commerce & Job Development
• Education-Universities
•Appropriations / Appropriations General Government
$552 Million Budget Surplus
The General Assembly’s Fiscal Research Division and the Office of State Budget and Management released their consensus revenue forecast predicting North Carolina’s 2016-17 tax collections would be $552.5 million above budget projections for the fiscal year. According to the revenue report, the anticipated surplus is “the result of stronger-than-expected wage growth increasing both personal income tax and sales tax collections.” At this current rate of growth, the revenue forecast predicts the 2018-19 fiscal year surplus is estimated to approach $1 billion.
NC Ranks No. 1 for IT Employment Growth
The N.C. Technology Association’s 2017 ‘State of Technology’ report ranks North Carolina first in the United States for information technology employment growth and the percentage of women in the sector’s workforce. The report compares tech job trends across the United States between 2010 and 2015, ranking North Carolina in the top-tier of key metrics like IT occupations, infrastructure and educational opportunities.
Upon the recommendation of Rep. Brody and the appointment of Speaker Moore, Piedmont High School students Madison and Ashley Swallows served as House Pages for the North Carolina House of Representatives for the week of February 20-23.
If you know a high school student interested in serving as a House Page, contact Brody’s office.
Unanimous Vote for Class Size Flexibility
The North Carolina House of Representatives voted unanimously to pass House Bill 13, Class Size Requirement Changes, to provide local school districts the flexibility they requested for class size scheduling in kindergarten through the third grade.
House Strengthens Savings Reserve Requirements
The North Carolina House of Representatives voted 110 to 3 to pass House Bill 7, Strengthen Savings Reserve. The legislation is part of an ongoing effort by Republicans in the General Assembly to save responsibly and prepare the state for potential emergency funding or disaster recovery needs. House Bill 7 directs the state to save at least 7.5 percent of the General Fund’s operating budget from the prior fiscal year. North Carolina now has over $1.4 billion in its Savings Reserve account. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Raleigh Meetings
Only a month into session, Rep. Brody has already had a number of meetings to discuss issues for this session:
• N.C. Travel Industry Association
• Dale Folwell — N.C. State Treasurer
• N.C. State Board of Education
• N..C Charter School Association
• National Guard Association
• Retired Governmental Employees
• N.C. Housing Finance Agency
• N.C. Banking Association
• Community Colleges
• Association Executives of North Carolina
• NCOAA Outdoor Advertising
• Nurses Association of NC District News District Meetings
• Anson County Toys for Tots Gratitude Banquet
• Monroe/Union County Economic Forecast event
• Burnsville Learning Center Martin Luther King Jr. event
• Union County Chamber of Commerce Elected Officials Reception
• Anson County Barn Blast
• Union County Commissioners Legislative Agenda meeting and Union County Board of Education Legislative Agenda meeting
• Meeting with the new SPCC President, Dr. Pharr
To contact Brody’s office, 2219 Legislative Building, Raleigh, call 919-715-3029, or the district office at 704-575-5906; or email brodyla@ncleg.net or mark.brody@ncleg.net.
