What’s a Whip? What do Whips in the legislature actually do? According to Slate Magazine, “they count votes. The principle task of a party whip … is to keep track of the number of votes for and against a piece of legislation. They’re also responsible, along with the party’s leader, for ‘whipping up’ support for […]
Like a Prayer
With his opening prayer on the first day of the 2015-2016 Session, Representative John Torbett was not only carrying on an American tradition — he was telling the story of how that tradition started on a sweltering day in Philadelphia more than two centuries ago. The date was June 28, 1787 and the Constitutional Convention was off […]
That’s a lot of Sausage
There’s nothing quite more thrilling for state government geeks (like us) than the annual publication of the General Assembly’s Summaries of Substantive Ratified Legislation. This weedy tome, of which only a few hundred are printed, is produced at the end of each legislative session by the good folks of the Research Division. The Research Division is a non-partisan central office […]
Majority Leader Mike Hager on 2015
[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/TNZ4gVxZbgk” width=”580″ modestbranding=”1″ autohide=”1″ fs=”1″ border=”1″ hd=”1″] House Majority Leader Mike Hager sits down with UNC-TV’s Kelly McCullen for the latest episode of Legislative Week in Review to discuss the House Republican Caucus’s agenda for the upcoming session of the North Carolina General Assembly. Legislative Week in Review is must-see TV for state government geeks (like us). It airs on Fridays […]
Moore Elected Speaker of the House
Representative Tim Moore of Cleveland County was elected by acclamation this morning to serve as the next Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives. Speaker Moore succeeds Thom Tillis, who was elected last fall to serve in the United States Senate. “It is a high honor to stand before you today having been elected […]
The Conversion of Paul (Tine)
Speaker of the House Designee Tim Moore and incoming House Majority Leader Mike Hager released the following statement this afternoon regarding Representative Paul Tine’s recent decision to end his affiliation with the Democrat Party and caucus with House Republicans: The North Carolina Republican House Caucus has admitted Representative Paul Tine of North Carolina House District 6 […]
Happy New Year
On the first day of 2015, we’re treated to something very special compiled by the office of Speaker Pro Tem Paul Stam. His hard-working staff has transcribed the opening prayers which have been offered in the North Carolina House of Representatives on each day of session for the last four years (2011 to 2014). Special thanks to Christin […]
Unanimous Vote on Teacher Pay
The North Carolina House of Representatives voted unanimously today for an average five percent pay raise for teachers and to protect classroom resources for the 2014-2015 school year. The plan was first announced on Wednesday in a joint press conference alongside Governor Pat McCrory, superintendents, teachers and parent groups. The bill, which will allow schools […]
House Passes Budget
From Speaker of the House Thom Tillis: Includes Teacher and State Employee Raises With a bi-partisan vote, the North Carolina House of Representatives passed its budget allocating $21.09 billion for the 2014-2015 fiscal year. Key provisions in the budget include an average five percent raise for North Carolina teachers, a $1000 annual increase for state […]