Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

February 1, 2007 issue

Goss, Tarleton Report from Raleigh

Story by Kathleen McFadden

The North Carolina General Assembly convened last Wednesday, January 24, and two of the new faces among the 120 state representatives and 50 state senators were from local districts.

Senator Steve Goss

Senator Steve Goss—representing Alexander, Ashe, Watauga and Wilkes counties—identified his legislative priorities for the coming year in a statement from the state capital on the first day of the legislative session:

• Relieving counties from their share of Medicaid costs

• Increasing teacher pay toward the national average and creating safe learning environments with modern technology and equipment

• Finding ways to make health insurance more available, especially for small businesses that are struggling to provide health coverage to their workers

• Toughening criminal penalties for sex offenders and those who use the Internet to prey on children

• Promoting biofuels and alternative energy sources as a way to clean up the environment and reduce dependency on foreign oil

• Improving the economy by focusing on targeted job-creation tools and by keeping taxes low

• Ensuring that North Carolina continues to be one of the nation’s most fiscally responsible states by continuing to look for budget savings and ways to make government work more efficiently and effectively.

“We have a big job ahead of us this year, but I know that we can build on the progress we’ve made,” Goss said in the statement. “I feel confident that by working together we can get things done for the people of our community and our state.”

Representative Cullie Tarleton

On the House side, Representative Cullie Tarleton—representing Watauga and Ashe counties—also issued a statement on the first day of the session.

Tarleton first addressed the election of Joe Hackney as Speaker:

“As our first order of business, House members elected Rep. Joe Hackney of Orange County as the new Speaker of the House. Hackney, who is beginning his 14th term in the House, replaces outgoing four-term Speaker Jim Black, D-Mecklenburg. He was elected speaker by a vote of 68 to 52, with all Republicans voting for Republican Minority Leader Skip Stam, R-Wake. Rep. William Wainwright, D-Craven, was elected Speaker Pro Tempore.  Rep. Hugh Holliman, D-Davidson, who was previously selected by the House Democratic Caucus, will serve as House Majority Leader.  Democrats now hold a 68-52 advantage over Republicans in the House, and a 31-19 advantage in the Senate.”

Tarleton then listed his legislative priorities: “My top priorities this year will continue to be improving our children’s education, making health care more affordable and accessible for all North Carolinians, strengthening our economy and creating good paying jobs. Higher teacher pay, funding for Appalachian State University and money for roads and highways will also be a priority for me.”