N.C. General Assembly Reconvenes May 13

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N.C. General Assembly Reconvenes May 13

Special Report - May 9, 2008
The preservation of marriage, the homosexual agenda in schools, destructive embryonic stem cell research, and unborn victims of violence are among the issues facing North Carolina legislators when they return to Raleigh next week for the 2008 “Short” Legislative Session. The General Assembly will reconvene for the “short” session at noon on May 13. This year’s session is technically a continuation of the 2007 Regular Session that ended last August, and legislators can only consider specific legislation, such as bills that made the “crossover deadline” last year, bills related to finance and appropriations, bills that propose constitutional amendments, and bills recommended by interim study committees.

Topping the list of family-related issues this year is legislation that would give North Carolinians the chance to vote on an amendment to the State Constitution that would define marriage as “the union of one man and one woman at one time.” For the past four years, legislative leaders in the General Assembly have denied lawmakers the opportunity to vote on the proposed amendment, making North Carolina the only state in the Southeastern U.S. to take no action on this important issue. “Defense of Marriage” legislation was introduced in both chambers last year but was never considered.

A pro-homosexual bill that is masquerading as an “anti-bullying” measure is also eligible for consideration. The “School Violence Prevention Act”—which passed the House last session—would force every local public school system in the state to amend its anti-bullying and harassment policy to include special protection on the basis of a student’s or school employee’s “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression.”

Lawmakers could also consider a bill that would allow state taxpayer dollars to be used to fund destructive embryonic stem cell research. The bill passed the House last year but was never acted upon by the Senate.

Finally, legislation that would address North Carolina’s lack of an “Unborn Victims of Violence” law may also be considered this year. The measure would ensure that criminals who harm pregnant women are held responsible not only for the crime resulting in injury or death to the mother, but also for a separate crime for the death of her unborn child.

The North Carolina Family Policy Council will be closely monitoring each of these measures in the coming weeks and will keep you posted on their status. Check our website for daily updates during the 2008 “Short” Session.