As summer winds down, students are going back to school and legislators are getting back to business by overriding more of the Governor's vetoes and finishing up with the State Budget process. Over the last few weeks, we've been working behind-the-scenes to negotiate and build consensus with our colleagues in the NC House — and we are very close to a final product (more information follows below).

Most of our work has been conducted via phone calls and virtual meetings, which has allowed for us to enjoy time at home, in our districts. I've taken this opportunity to connect with constituents and leaders across Beaufort, Craven, and Lenoir counties, taking a pulse on the local issues of importance.

We've put together the below newsletter to keep you up-to-date and in-the-know. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office should you need any assistance. Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

At your service,
Jim

Senator Jim Perry
North Carolina General Assembly

Voter ID Update: No Photo, No Ballot...

It appears the NC State Board of Elections is attempting to go around the spirit of the Voter ID law approved by voters and passed by the General Assembly.

Take a look at this Photo ID Exemption Form designed by the NCSBE:

Ignorance of the law is no excuse for breaking the law, nor is it an excuse for a partisan board to ignore the law. This is an unacceptable attempt to circumvent the decision of the people to require voter ID in our state's constitution. I believe some people are playing games by referencing the language that a prior General Assembly considered under a previous version of voter ID that was struck down by the courts.

You will note that these temporary forms also have a section at the top that provides an assurance that your vote will count, which sets up future court cases. Only legal votes should count, and we can’t guarantee that everyone who fills out a form is eligible to vote. Partisan gamesmanship is alive and well at the State Board of Elections.

Rest assured, the Chairmen of our Senate Committee on Elections are aware of this issue and and it will be addressed promptly.

READ MORE >>>

NC Ranks #1 State for Business...Again!

For the second year in a row, North Carolina earned the #1 position in CNBC's annual "America’s Top States for Business" rankings. Securing the top spot two years in a row is evidence that the pro-business and pro-growth reforms created and enacted by the Republican-led state legislature are working.

Since 2007, CNBC has ranked all 50 states across several categories to determine which state is the best for business. North Carolina was named No. 1 for the first time in 2022 and retained the top position this year, with CNBC citing North Carolina's best-in-the-nation workforce, booming economy, and strong career education.

CNBC notes that winning consecutively is a rare feat, and that in 2023, North Carolina "has amassed a trophy case full of economic development wins." Among the categories measured by CNBC, North Carolina scored first in Workforce, third in Economy, seventh in Education, and tenth in Business Friendliness.

READ MORE >>>

Legislative Update

Much of the General Assembly's work this summer has been behind-the-scenes, developing a fiscally conservative State Budget that will help us retain our status as the best place to live, work, and raise a family.

We've been working hard to negotiate with our colleagues in the NC House of Representatives, and find agreement on key provisions. We all want what's best for our North Carolina, but there can be different ideas on how to get there.

Last week, Senate Leader Phil Berger announced that we have reached an agreement with House Speaker Tim Moore on the big picture items:

It's shaping up to be that we'll have a final State Budget ratified by mid-September. More information will follow soon.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE STATE BUDGET BILL >>>