Becki Gray submits the following:

Whew! Finally done. It’s a historic session for many reasons. It’s been long, yes, indeed, but it’s also been extremely productive, tackling tough issues long avoided, reforms that are tough but necessary, and confronting tough opposition too long entrenched in bureaucracy.

From Medicaid reform, to a $2 billion tax cut, to eliminating a 38-year subsidy that’s driving up the cost of energy and killing jobs — this has been a historic session.

We’ll be digging out, analyzing, commenting, and giving our opinions on details of the 2015 session in days and weeks ahead as we lay groundwork for advancing freedom for the short session.

But before we turn in for a little rest and relaxation, here are my main takeaways from the session, my “Three Rs”:

  • Restrained the growth of government spending to 3 percent, which is within the limits of inflation and population growth. Even with a $450 million surplus, there was the discipline to restrict the growth of state spending.
  • Revealing all government budgets and expenditures. Starting next year, all state agencies, cities, counties, and local school systems will post their check books to an accessible, easily searchable Internet website — updated monthly. Transparent and open government calls North Carolina home.
  • Rebuilding reserves and savings accounts provides a cushion in case of a natural disaster and a barrier against future tax increases when we experience another recession. Prudent decisions to save will build our reserves to $1.5 billion.

So the 2015 North Carolina legislative session is over. Long? Yes. But responsible, reformist, and reflective decisions are what will be remembered and will move North Carolina forward toward more economic prosperity, more personal liberties, and more freedom.

Now how ’bout a little rest and recreation?