| Voted Conservatively | Did Not Vote Conservatively |
| Did Not Vote | Absent |
This bill mandates that by 2021, 12.5 percent of all electricity used in North Carolina be produced from renewable resources. It also allows utility companies to apply for rate increases to cover the cost of manufacturing and constructing power plants before the plant comes online. In addition, it allows increases of up to $34 per year per residential account to comply with the requirement. It more or less allows for all costs for renewable generation, of which the total is unknown, to be passed along to the consumer. It is also unknown what the additional cost to state and local government may be as the State of North Carolina is the largest power consumer in the state. Civitas believes the conservative position is to oppose expensive new regulations that have limited benefits.
Roll Call Vote #717 (46-2)
7/3/2007
This bill requires local law enforcement to attempt to determine the legal status of anyone arrested for a felony or DWI. If they are unable to determine whether the person is a legal resident or citizen of the United States, they are to make an inquiry to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); the query will be considered notification to ICE that the person is in custody. Civitas believes the conservative position is to support the proper identification of all people who commit crimes in North Carolina.
Roll Call Vote #1205 (48-0)
8/1/2007
This bill would limit individual contributions to candidates for elected office in Carrboro to $250 per person. Civitas believes the conservative position is to oppose efforts that restrict 1st Amendment free speech rights.
Roll Call Vote #303
5/10/2007
This bill states that any elected official convicted of a felony in conjunction with their office will be stripped of their government pension. Civitas believes the conservative position is to support stiffer penalties for corrupt elected officials.
Roll Call Vote #666 (48-0)
6/26/2007
This bill would enter North Carolina into a national compact to allow its Electoral College votes to go to the nationwide winner of the popular vote for President and not necessarily to the candidate who won the most votes in North Carolina. Civitas believes the conservative position is to support the established Electoral College unless the method of electing a President is changed nationwide.
Roll Call Vote #344 (30-18)
5/14/2007
This bill would require that any person arrested for DWI or driving with a revoked license, who cannot be identified by a valid form of identification, be photographed and/or fingerprinted. Civitas believes the conservative position is to support proper identification of all people arrested for a crime in North Carolina.
Roll Call Vote #242 (48-0)
5/1/2007
This bill allows local governments to process payroll deductions for firefighters and EMS workers to pay their union dues. Making government a conduit to labor union transactions is the first step towards permitting collective bargaining, as this allowance must be in place before collective bargaining laws can be changed. Civitas believes the conservative position is to oppose efforts to unionize public employees.
Roll Call Vote #466 (26-24)
5/23/2007
This amendment would require that any increase in the dues deducted from an employee's paycheck be accompanied by a signed authorization from that employee. Civitas believes the conservative position is to protect transparency for all government employees.
Roll Call Vote #466 (26-24)
5/23/2007
This bill would change election rules to make the election of District Attorneys a non-partisan contest. Civitas believes the conservative position is to provide voters with more, not less information on the ballot to encourage civic participation.
Roll Call Vote #469 (26-24)
5/23/2007
This bill increases the registration fee for applicants for certification as a real estate appraiser from $150 to $200 and increases the fees private accreditation programs must pay to the state for oversight from $40 to $100. Civitas believes the conservative position is to oppose fees that raise revenue for the government and increase barriers to entry in an industry.
Roll Call Vote #1226 (47-0)
8/1/2007
This bill would impose a moratorium on the construction of new landfills in North Carolina and would require that any local government entity wishing to construct a new landfill seek state approval before doing so. It would also create a new $2 per ton tax on the disposal of refuse. Civitas believes the conservative position is to oppose new taxes and regulation.
Roll Call Vote #954 (27-15)
7/26/2007
This bill allows for voters to register to vote and cast ballots at one-stop voting locations during early voting periods through the Friday before Election Day without requiring a government issued identification as proof of identity. Civitas believes the conservative position is to oppose efforts to expose our voting systems to fraud by not requiring proof of identification when voting.
Roll Call Vote #600 (33-15)
6/20/2007
This Amendment would require a person registering to vote and casting a ballot during early voting to provide a government-issued photo ID. A motion to table was offered to avoid consideration of the amendment through a procedural motion. A "Yes" vote would table the amendment to avoid consideration. Civitas believes the conservative position is to oppose exposure of our voting systems to fraud by failing to require proof of identification when voting.
Roll Call Vote #597 (29-19)
6/20/2007
This bill allows law enforcement officers to take a photograph of a person cited for a moving violation who does not have a valid driver's license if the law enforcement officer has a reasonable question as to the veracity of the person's identity. Civitas believes the conservative position supports proper identification of all people committing crimes in North Carolina.
Roll Call Vote #935 (48-0)
7/25/2007
This bill allows the Town of Chapel Hill to publicly finance political campaigns for town offices including town council and mayor. Civitas believes the conservative position is to oppose the use of taxpayer dollars for political campaigns.
Roll Call Vote #784 (35-9)
7/12/2007
This bill creates a new state medical form for end-of-life choices, revises health care power of attorney language to favor a choice of death over life, and gives greater input over the end-of-life decision to physicians. Civitas believes the conservative position is to support a patient's right to retain decision making ability in issues that affect life and death.
Roll Call Vote #1042 (34-10)
7/28/2007
This bill would increase the fee for registration for the examination to become a landscape contractor from $50 to $75. It would also increase fees for late filings and for duplicate certificates. Civitas believes the conservative position is to oppose fees that raise revenue for the government and increase barriers to enter an industry.
Roll Call Vote #866 (49-0)
7/19/2007
This bill would mandate that nine specific mental health disorders be covered under all health insurance plans offered in North Carolina. It is estimated that mandating this coverage will increase the cost of health insurance between five and eight percent. Civitas believes the conservative position is to oppose mandates which increase the cost of health insurance coverage.
Roll Call Vote #734 (36-12)
7/3/2007
This bill allows for the state to take over the county share of Medicaid expenses. It also creates an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and increases taxes on annuities. Civitas believes the conservative position is to oppose new and increased taxes and mechanisms such as the EITC that are simply redistributions of wealth.
Roll Call Vote #823 (31-18)
7/17/2008
This bill allows for the state to take over the county share of Medicaid expenses. It also creates an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and increases taxes on annuities. Civitas believes the conservative position is to oppose new and increased taxes and mechanisms such as the EITC that are simply redistributions of wealth.
Roll Call Vote #774 (30-19)
7/11/2008
This is the final conference report for the FY2007-09 budget bill that: increases spending by 9.5 percent; makes permanent the ¼-cent temporary sales tax increase and implements an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). It also shifts ½-cent of the 2.5 cent local sales tax from the counties to the state in exchange for the state taking over the entire burden of Medicaid funding-and gives counties the option of imposing a ½-cent sales tax or a 0.4 percent land transfer tax. Civitas believes the conservative position is to oppose increasing state budgets beyond the rate of population growth plus inflation and to oppose new taxes and new non-voter approved debt.
Roll Call Vote #1016 (31-19)
7/30/2007
This bill creates a pilot program that allows candidates for State Auditor, Commissioner of Insurance and Superintendent of Public Schools to have taxpayers finance their campaigns for elected office should they meet minimum requirements, agree to spending limits and forgo traditional campaign financing techniques. Civitas believes the conservative position is to oppose the use of taxpayer dollars for political campaigns.
Roll Call Vote #1227 (26-21)
8/1/2007
This bill requires that elected officials of the state disclose any money collected for the purpose of funding a legal action against them related to their official capacity. The reporting would be similar to what is filed for campaign finance requirements. Civitas believes the conservative position is to support increasing disclosure of donations to politicians.
Roll Call Vote #1110 (47-0)
7/31/2007
This is the original "Goodyear" bill that granted $40 million in cash to Goodyear Tire and Rubber, Inc. to maintain and invest $200 million in upgrading its tire production facility in Fayetteville. This bill was later vetoed by the Governor. Civitas believes the conservative position is to oppose corporate welfare programs that create inequity in how taxes are levied.
Roll Call Vote #1156 (42-7)
8/1/2007
This bill further expanded the public financing of statewide judicial candidates by including a provision for "matching" funds for a candidate should there be any independent expenditures made by outside groups against the candidate. Civitas believes the conservative position is to oppose efforts that restrict 1st Amendment free speech rights and the use of taxpayer dollars for political campaigns.
Roll Call Vote #1203 (40-9)
8/1/2007
Unable to pass a budget by the July 1 beginning of a new fiscal year, the General Assembly passed what is commonly referred to as a "continuing resolution" that maintains tax and spending programs at their current levels until a new budget can be adopted. By continuing the previous budget, legislators reenacted the "temporary" ¼-cent sales tax increase that was scheduled to expire July 1, 2007. Civitas believes the conservative position is to oppose the implementation of new taxes.
Roll Call Vote #702 (29-18)
6/28/2007
This bill is a revised version of HB 1761, which was passed by the General Assembly but vetoed by Governor Easley. The revised bill increases the amount of cash to be given away to $60 million and increases the number of companies eligible for the grant to five, though only two actually qualify. Civitas believes the conservative position is to oppose corporate welfare programs that create inequity in how taxes are levied.
Roll Call Vote #1428 (27-18)
9/11/2007
This bill makes various amendments to election laws, including extending the pilot for instant run-off voting (IRV) and changing Political Action Committee (PAC) regulations to increase the amount of special-interest influence in elections. Civitas believes the conservative position is to oppose efforts to allow more outside money into elections without applying the same laws to candidate committees.
Roll Call Vote #1779 (35-6)
7/18/2008
This bill repeals the gift tax and reduces estate tax law for a net tax reduction of approximately $18 million per year. Civitas believes the conservative position is to support tax cuts.
Roll Call Vote #1300 (46-0)
6/3/2008
This bill reduces the Auditor's authority to investigate General Assembly complaints. Civitas believes the conservative position is to oppose efforts to reduce transparency and oversight in government.
Roll Call Vote #1772 (39-3)
7/17/2008
This bill would repeal the authority granted to counties to offer referendums on the land transfer tax. Civitas believes the conservative position is to support lower taxes by removing county authority to propose new taxes.
Roll Call Vote #1417 (38-9)
6/18/2008
This bill expands corporate welfare to the film industry, including tax breaks to actors making in excess of $1 million. The estimated cost is approximately $28 million per year. Civitas believes the conservative position is to oppose corporate welfare programs that create inequity in how taxes are levied.
Roll Call Vote #1478 (33-16)
6/26/2008
This bill increases the amount of money available under Job Development Investment Grants (JDIG) in 2008 from $15 million to $25 million and with a total cost of $126 million over the next twelve years. Civitas believes the conservative position is to oppose corporate welfare programs that create inequity in how taxes are levied.
Roll Call Vote #1744 (46-0)
7/17/2008
This amendment would remove the automatic denial for a permit to purchase a firearm for people involuntarily committed to outpatient treatment services (such as AA or Overeaters Anonymous), unless they are shown to be a danger to themselves or others. Civitas believes the conservative position is to support the 2nd Amendment rights of all citizens to keep and bear arms.
Roll Call Vote #1645 (30-19)
7/10/2008
This bill increases various fees. Civitas believes the conservative position is to oppose fees that raise revenue for the government and increase barriers to entry in an industry.
Roll Call Vote #1414 (34-15)
6/18/2008
This bill requires that all companies that install irrigation systems must be licensed by the state and pay a fee of up to $250. Civitas believes the conservative position is to oppose fees that raise revenue for the government and increase barriers to entry in an industry.
Roll Call Vote #1676 (45-0)
7/15/2008
This bill adopts the Senate version of the adjustments to the 2007-2009 budget, which authorizes $660 million in new non-voter approved state debt, increases the amount of rebates available under the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and transfers $145 million out of the Highway Trust Fund while reducing expenditures on road construction by $65.6 million. Civitas believes the conservative position is to oppose fee increases and new debt that is not voter approved.
Roll Call Vote #1412 (33-16)
6/18/2008
This bill adopts the conference report on the budget, which authorizes $857 million in new non-voter approved debt while committing future lawmakers to an additional $1.2 billion in new non-voter approved debt. It continues the raid on the Highway Trust Fund by $145 million while decreasing spending on road construction by $65.6 million. Civitas believes the conservative position is to oppose fee increases and to oppose issuing new debt that is not voter approved.
Roll Call Vote #1576 (34-16)
7/7/2008
This bill allows the Governor to take $1 million from each department in order to increase funding for Learn and Earn. Civitas believes the conservative position is to oppose efforts to reduce transparency in government and to oppose budgeting of items without proper authorization.
Roll Call Vote #1786 (20-15)
7/18/2008
This bill enacts new drought/water management policy for the State giving the Governor the authority to set water restrictions. Civitas believes the conservative position is to oppose efforts that restrict the rights of property owners and increase regulatory authority.
Roll Call Vote #1755 (36-9)
7/17/2008
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