Rep. Ray Warren, whose district includes Alexander County and Hickory, is the first Democrat in about 25 years to occupy a seat in the Legislature. The leadership in the House has taken note and intends to protect the investment.
When House Speaker Joe Hackney released the committee appointments for the 2007-09 session, Warren’s name appeared on some key bodies. He is vice chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Justice and Public Safety and the Judiciary III Committee. Additionally Rep. Warren will be a member of the following committees: Commerce, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Education Subcommittee for Community Colleges, Financial Institutions, and Homeland Security , Military and Veteran Affairs.
Warren has introduced a bill which would authorize Catawba County voters to determine if they would prefer a one-cent sales tax increase instead of a 9-cents property tax increase. He has been informed by Sen. Austin Allran and Rep. Mark Hilton, both of Catawba, they will oppose his bill.
OTHER APPOINTMENTS: Rep. Mitchell Setzer, now in his fourth term as a Republican legislator, has been appointed vice chair of the House Insurance Committee. He also is a member of the powerful Rules Committee which determine what bill gets heard and when. Setzer is a member of the House Finance Committee which hears all tax bills, and the Committee for Children, Youth and Families.
Rep. Mark Hilton is a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education and the Education Subcommittee on Universities. He also will serve on the Homeland Security and Military and Veteran Affairs Committee.
Over in the Senate, Austin Allran’s 26 years earned him a seat on the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources. He also is on the Higher Education Subcommittee, Finance, Judiciary II , Transportation and Ways and Means (which very rarely meets). Sen. Jimmy Jacumin, in his second term, from Burke, is on the Appropriations Base Budget Committee, the Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural Resources, Commerce, Small Business and Entrepreneurs, Health Care, Judiciary II, and Mental Health.
FURNITURE BILL: The Endangered Manufacturers Bill which would create a high-energy furniture technology center and a government-subsidized N.C. Furniture Council has been assigned to the House Commerce, Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. The Rules Committee chairman will determine when it is to be scheduled.
Sen. Jacumin has been the driving force behind the bill which emerged from a year-long study. Among members of the commission which developed the concept were Jay Reardon, president of Hickory Chair Co. and Eric Schenk, general manager of Century Furniture Co. Dr. Kenneth Boham, president of Caldwell Community College, also was a member of the commission, along with Sen. David Hoyle of Gaston County and longtime advocate for Lenoir-Rhyne College.
CILLEY SAYS NO: John Harper Cilley IV has declined appointment to a District Court judgeship, according to reports. Cilley’s appointment was announced in early February. According to friends, Cilley cited health reasons for his decision. He would have been required to run for re-election in 2008.
IT WAS A MISTAKE: Sen. Martin Nesbit of Asheville is an outspoken figure in the Legislature. When he was in the House, he served as chair of the powerful Appropriations Committee and he sponsored legislation that created the economic development partnerships across the state. This week he was reminiscing with The Informer, recalling that he tried to encourage development of a partnership with Catawba County as the anchor and the counties of Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Watauga Ashe, Alleghany and Wilkes. But former House Rep. George Robinson wanted to be in the Charlotte area, he said.
Caldwell and Burke have since joined with Advantage West which he headquartered in Hendersonville. Advantage West Director Dale Carroll says Google’s decision to locate a “server farm” in Lenoir was enhanced by the partnership’s commitment to high tech recruiting.
Catawba and Alexander made a mistake by linking their future to Charlotte. “Charlotte will always control the money and call the shots, Nesbit asserted.
