The leaders of the North Carolina House and Senate are both preparing for a busy start to the 2023 Legislative Session. House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger were in Charlotte this week, just days before the official start to the session, to provide a legislative preview to the business community and to answer questions about a range of policies.
2023 will be a long session for the North Carolina General Assembly and Berger said that the budget will be the main priority this year. He expects this year’s budget to look similar to past budgets and envisions three guiding principles in the spending plan: control growth of spending, reduce regulatory burdens on individuals and business, and save money for a rainy day.
Berger added that North Carolina is in very good fiscal shape, which bodes well for the prospects for growth in the private sector.
Moore said he expects to see additional investment in transportation and other infrastructure during the long session. More money is needed in workforce development, he added, as North Carolina continues to be one of the fastest-growing states in the nation.
“We’re a big state and we need to pass policies that make sense statewide,” Moore continued.
Higher education continues to be a focus of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance®, a view shared by the speaker and president pro tempore.
Moore said that the UNC System is one of the best in the world while remaining cost effective.
“We’ll continue to invest in these institutions,” he said.
Berger likewise lauded the higher education system in the state, UNC Charlotte, in particular.
“People in Charlotte are justifiably proud of UNC Charlotte’s growth and outcomes for students,” he said.
Berger remains committed to keeping higher education affordable in the state. He said that North Carolina provides significant funding for higher education.
On transportation infrastructure, both leaders were confident that more work would be done by the General Assembly.
“Policy must be based on metrics and data,” Moore said when asked about how he views transportation policy. “Funding transportation is one of the key things citizens expect government to do.”
With funds being transferred from general revenue to the Highway Fund and the Highway Trust Fund, the General Assembly is making progress on finding more sustainable funding sources for the state’s roads and bridges.
Berger said that more funding for transportation is one thing Republicans and Democrats agree on. He recognizes that North Carolina is a growing state and has more lane miles of road to manage than any other state. With counties not having responsibility for road maintenance, all upkeep falls on the state.
Berger said the Senate will continue to hear solutions and work to find agreement where they can.
Another key priority for the CLT Alliance is extension of the jet fuel sales tax exemption. The exemption serves as a key economic catalyst at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which is itself a key economic driver for the region.
The exemption, which applies to commercial aviation, is set to expire at the end of the year. Both Berger and Moore acknowledged the importance of extending the exemption and the impact the exemption has on the region and state, from an economic perspective. Berger hinted the extension of the exemption could end up being part of a larger tax package this session.
Medicaid expansion is another key priority for the CLT Alliance. Berger and Moore both mentioned that their bodies had bills last session, but not enough time to come to an agreement. Moore thinks a bill can get done this year and noted the differences between the House and Senate are not insurmountable. He noted that some guardrails around spending need to be included in a final package.
Berger saw real progress over the last year on Medicaid expansion. He sees fairly clear support in the House and Senate and knows additional parts of the package will need to be debated and agreed upon.
On housing, Berger and Moore acknowledged the need to address housing shortages. Both leaders said reducing the regulatory burdens, and therefore the costs, on building homes is key to increasing housing supply. Moore noted that the General Assembly allocated significant money toward infrastructure improvements like sewer and water upgrades. These funds were available to municipalities through a grant program.
Following voters in Charlotte approving another $50 million in affordable housing bonds ($150 million since 2018), the CLT Alliance will continue to work with local, state, and federal partners on finding solutions for affordable and workforce housing options.
On broadband, both leaders will look for results on the recent deployments and both appreciate partnerships with the private sector to get broadband in homes and businesses across the state.
“Having access to high-speed internet today is the same as having access to electricity in the past,” Berger said.
Public safety will be another key issue for the Charlotte business community. The General Assembly is willing to be responsive and must hear from local leaders about their needs. It will be important for the business community to bring ideas and solutions to the General Assembly on this topic during the session.
On sports wagering, Berger expects a renewed effort this session. He said the issue seems to have majority support in the General Assembly, as well as from the public. The prospects for movement on this issue are good, he said.
While both Moore and Berger are focused on 2023, their respective historical positions are noteworthy as well. Moore is set to become the longest-serving speaker in the history of the North Carolina House. He has served as speaker since 2015. Berger will become the longest-serving leader of a state legislative body in the country. He became president pro tempore in 2010, when he also became the first Republican leader of the North Carolina Senate in more than 100 years.
