The State budget crisis has caused serious discussion regarding the scope of government and the tax burden on the citizens of North Carolina.  Unfortunately, the democrat leadership as failed to implement a process that engages members on a bipartisan basis, and some have resorted to fear tactics to lay the groundwork for a major tax increase.  This week the budget will come to the floor for debate and approval, yet all signs are the House budget is "half baked."  The budget contains cuts in the wrong areas and spending that should be eliminated.

 

House republicans have sent a clear message to the House leadership that we are prepared to help but we must be allowed to contribute. CLICK this link to view a press conference of the House Republican Caucus were Tillis speaks on issues with the budget process.

 

We cannot afford to allow the budget to pass in its current form.  Please take a moment to contact the legislators and voice your concern.  Please visit my website (CLICK this link) and look on the right for the "CALLS TO ACTION" and send a message to the House leadership.

I have taken a firm stand against the Senate Bill 461 - Racial Justice Act.  Even if you accept that this is the right thing to do, and I do not, it is the wrong time and the wrong way to do it.  In the name of "racial justice," we enable the worst-of-the-worst criminals in our prisons to have their capital sentences vacated at the expense of funding for our courts.

 

We could see millions of dollars shifted away from prosecuting other criminals so that prisoners with as many as 9 murders and 13 rapes can use the funds to allege racial bias was a deciding factor in their capital sentence.  I believe the so-called Racial Justice Act is, in fact, unjust to the citizens of North Carolina.  While we struggle to secure funding for a Magistrate in North Mecklenburg and for our courts in general, we have legislators advocating for policy that puts us further away from providing the badly-needed funding to for our criminal justice system.

I have prepared a summary of the issues with SB 461, including a detailed listing of the 163 death row inmates, with photos, and a summary of their crimes.  To view the 7 page PowerPoint Summary prepared by Rep. Tillis, CLICK this link.

Want to learn more about North Carolina's death row inmates?  To view a detailed list (prepared by Rep. Tillis) of North Carolina's 163 death row inmates and the devastation they have caused, CLICK this link.