Rep. Darren Jackson, D-Wake, proposes to reinstate the sin taxes on cigarettes, beer, and wine that were taken out of the original budget proposal. He’d reallocate that money to support teachers. The House would have to suspend the rules to do it. The motion fails, 100-4.
Rep. Skip Stam, R-Wake, moves to suspend the rules so an amendment that would requiire the same usage rules apply for the state health plan and the state abortion plan. The speaker ruled it’s against the rules becuase it is not a budget matter, but a policy matter. The motion to suspend the rules fails, 52-61. It looks to be along party lines.
Rep. Hugh Blackwell, R-Burke, has an amendment to extend the two-year moratorium of transition severance packages, aka “golden parachutes,” for state employees, to an ongoing rule. It passes, 68-45.
Having heard all amendments and with four material amendments being adopted, today’s activites are the first reading on those amendments.
The second reading vote has to be held on another legislative day. They will reconvene at 8 p.m. tomorrow for that vote.
Good night!
