Jan 19, 2007
A look at the 2007 N.C. legislative session  
 

Gary Robertson - Associated Press

A look at some of the news and issues entering the 2007 session of the General Assembly, which convenes Jan. 24: 
WHO'S IN POWER: Democrats now hold 68 of the 120 seats in the House, an increase of five seats from last year and the most the party has held since 1994. Senate Democrats increased their advantage over Republicans to 31-19, an increase of two seats. 
LEADERS: House Democrats picked Rep. Joe Hackney of Orange County as their nominee for speaker, and barring a coalition between another Democrat and the Republicans caucus, he should be elected opening day. Democratic Sen. Marc Basnight of Dare county is set to win a record eighth term as Senate leader. For Republicans, Rep. Paul Stam of Wake County is the new House minority leader and Sen. Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, retains his title as Senate Republican leader. 
COMINGS AND GOINGS: At least three former lawmakers are back: Former House Speaker and Rep. Dan Blue, D-Wake; Rep. Jimmy Love, D-Lee; and Sen. Joe Sam Queen, D-Haywood. Jean Preston, R-Carteret, is moving to the Senate after seven terms in the House. Former House Co-Speaker Richard Morgan, R-Moore, is gone after losing in the May primary. Hertford County Democrats will name replacements for Sen. Robert Holloman and Rep. Howard Hunter, who died this month. 
LOOKING AHEAD: Several people considering runs for statewide office in 2008 will have a chance to build on their records this year, including gubernatorial hopefuls Sen. Fred Smith, R-Johnston, and Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue, a Democrat. 
BLACK'S FUTURE: Rep. Jim Black retained his seat in the House but did not seek a fifth term as the chamber's speaker, and his legal future remains cloudy. Former Rep. Michael Decker, awaiting sentencing in federal court on a conspiracy count, named Black as a co-conspirator in Decker's party-switching scheme in 2003 that provided leverage for Black to remain co-speaker. Black, who has not been charged with any crimes, said he has done nothing illegal. 
BUDGET: North Carolina will have a revenue surplus for the fourth year in a row, but the additional money won't be enough to cover all of the spending items legislative leaders consider among their top priorities. Hackney and Basnight both see the state's fiscal condition as relatively strong. 
TAXES: A pair of temporary tax increase approved in 2001 are set to expire, which will cost the state $300 million in the next fiscal year. Lawmakers could decide to keep the higher sales tax and income tax rate on the state's highest wage earners, but many Democrats would prefer to let them expire and deny the GOP a campaign issue in 2008. Legislators also could consider allowing counties to impose a halfpenny sales tax for school construction. 
TAX REFORM: A commission studying North Carolina's tax structure could recommend making services subject to the state's sales tax while lowering the overall rate; providing a menu of potential taxes all local governments could collect; and simplifying corporate taxes while closing what critics consider loopholes. 
MEDICAID: County commissioners will again press to rid themselves of sharing Medicaid costs with the state and federal governments, a bill that totals about $470 million annually. Last year, counties received $27.4 million from the state to help, but that was a one-time-only payment. 
SMOKING: Lawmakers are expected to consider bills that would ban smoking in restaurants, offices and other public places. The state's tobacco heritage has given way to health concerns in recent years, with lawmakers agreeing to higher cigarette taxes and a smoking ban at the Legislative Buildings. 
MENTAL HEALTH: A recent consultant's report placed the price tag to improve the state's struggling mental health system at more than $2 billion in the next five years. Sen. Martin Nesbitt, D-Buncombe, co-chairman of a mental health legislative oversight committee, said an additional $100 million per year is more realistic. 
LANDFILLS: The General Assembly agreed to a one-year moratorium on new landfills last summer. Two legislative committees are examining how to change current landfill regulations and whether disposal sites harm nearby communities. 
BONDS: Lawmakers will consider asking voters to approve issuing billions of dollars in bonds to pay for roads, public school construction, land and water conservation or local infrastructure projects. State Treasurer Richard Moore has warned North Carolina can only afford a limited increase in its debt. 
LOTTERY: North Carolina began its lottery last March, and officials expect it will generate $75 million less than originally expected. That could prompt legislators to tinker with the lottery. One possibility: expanding advertising for the games. 
DEATH PENALTY: A House committee examining capital punishment for the past year plans to make recommendations soon, and they could include a two-year moratorium on executions. The Senate approved a moratorium in 2003, but a similar version has never reached the House floor. Hackney supports a moratorium. 
RULES REVIEW: House Republicans will press for new rules governing how their chamber operates to provide for more robust debate on the budget and other key legislation. A reform group also wants all budget negotiation meetings open to the public and a ban on including policy issues in the spending plan.