Senator Harris Blake
Senate District 22
Senate Update
2010 Legislative Session
July 19, 2010

 

The North Carolina General Assembly adjourned sine die at 5:30 a.m. Saturday July 10th.
Most of the heat was centered on the so-called ethics bill and the DNA bill . The ethics
bill began as just that; but was later gutted by the leadership then morphed into ethics
legislation that included public financing of political campaigns. After much debate and
hard work, it no longer contains public financing of campaigns. Many, however, believe
the bill simply does not do enough. The DNA bill essentially allows law enforcement to
extract DNA upon arrest for certain misdemeanors and felonies. This legislation will go
into effect 2011.

The main focus of the Short Session was, of course, the budget. The leadership pegs the
budget as being good for small business and thinks it does what is necessary to get us
through this year. However, the leadership failed to prepare for the enormous shortfall on
the horizon.

The upcoming November elections will set the stage for next year. Hopefully, there will
be a change of leadership within the Senate – the likes of which we have not experienced
in over 100 years. It is time for the North Carolina General Assembly to be accountable
to our fellow North Carolinians.

As another Session comes to a close, I offer my thanks to all of you for your support. The
next budget cycle in 2011 will require us to look at our challenges together. I ask that you
stay in touch with me as we walk through these difficult times.

Senator Harris Blake
Raleigh Office: (919)733-4809
Pinehurst Office: (910)295-3613
harrisblake@earthlink.net
harrisblake.com