SENATOR JERRY TILLMAN SENATE MAJORITY WHIP

SENATE UPDATE
June 16, 2011 End of Session Historic Veto Override The North Carolina Senate on Wednesday voted to override Governor Beverly Perdues veto of the bipartisan budget, the final step before the state spending plan becomes law. Final passage of this bipartisan budget signals a new, more responsible era in North Carolina state government. One in which legislators spend tax dollars wisely, fuel job creation in the private sector, and refuse to settle for average results in public education. Despite the governors frantic media campaign, apocalyptic rhetoric, and creative accounting, the facts are clear. Our $19.7 billion budget will do more for public classrooms and help the economy create more jobs than her proposal. At this historic time, the will of the voters and the representatives they elected prevailed over the governors desperate attempts to defend the status quo. You will see The five House Democrats who voted for the budget held firm to their convictions and did not fold, even under intense pressure. I will not soon forget their courageous vote. My hats off to Representatives Crawford, Spear, Hill, Owens, and Brisson. Now lets get on with the work before us and do what the people sent us here to do, make North Carolina a better place to live, work, and do business. Note: Having an approved budget out before July 1st is in itself a rare feat. If you deal with budgets contingent on state appropriations, you can begin your budget year knowing exactly what you have to work with.

Senate Approves Bill Requiring Photo ID to Vote The North Carolina Senate on Wednesday passed a hugely popular, common-sense bill that requires North Carolinians to show a photo ID when they vote. Requiring voters to show a photo ID will boost their confidence and increase participation at the polls, two things the governor should join most North Carolinians in supporting. If she is serious about protecting the integrity of elections instead of scoring political points with her liberal base, she will sign this bill. Lets wait and see if the governor vetoes this one. 75% of all voters want a photo ID bill and believe it will add confidence and help ensure every vote is a valid and legal vote. We will see Budget Funds Directed to Classrooms The 2011-12 budget funds all teachers and teacher assistants. When you see a reduction in force involving teachers and teacher assistants, it is being done at the local level. Many of you have contacted me about losing your job. Two things are in play here. Many systems sent out

pink slips earlier this spring in anticipation of large budget cuts in the range of 10-12%. The actual cut to K-12 education is less than 5.8%. Also, after July 1st, local school systems will not be allowed to transfer teacher and teacher assistant appropriations into other budget items. Worth noting, 1,100 additional teacher positions are funded in grades 1 through 3 to reduce class sizes to 1-15 over the next 3 years. U.S. Economic Recovery Maybe, maybe not Im not too sure the economy is in recovery mode. What do you think? It still seems tired and sluggish to me. My hope is that it doesnt fall back into a double dip recession. With a staggering and unprecedented debt load and extremely poor and ill-advised economic policy coming out of Washington, the future does not look all that bright to me. Time will tell, but I would not rush out and sell the farm. Other negative factors include: Quote This place reminds me of a saying I use often: Its too much, too often, too little, too soon, and not enough always. Senator Jerry Tillman can be reached on Facebook Are you on Facebook? You can reach Senator Jerry Tillman by clicking this link. http://www.facebook.com/jerrywtillman Once you get to Jerrys page, just hit the like button at the top of the page and youll start getting updates during the week. If you don't have a Facebook account, you can sign up for an account so you can start getting Jerry's updates. High oil prices Failed U.S. energy policy Perception the government cant fix economic demise Housing still mired in a slump Foreclosures and bankruptcies at an all time high Highest capital gains tax in the industrialized world Businesses lack trust in the Obama administrations policies Governments inability to curb spending Outdated tax system

Then tell your friends and neighbors who might want to know what Jerry is doing in Raleigh for the folks in Randolph and Montgomery counties. Again, just click: http://www.facebook.com/jerrywtillman To connect today. You Can Follow Senator Tillman on Twitter Go to http://www.twitter.com/jerrytillman and sign up to follow Senator Tillman.

SENATOR JERRY TILLMAN SENATE MAJORITY WHIP 628 Legislative Office Building Raleigh, NC 27601-2808 Phone: 919.733.5870 Fax: 919.754.3339 jerryt@ncleg.net To unsubscribe, please reply to this e-mail with unsubscribe in the subject line.