Rep. Stam defends House budget proposal Print
SGR Exclusive
Sunday, 08 May 2011 19:00

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House Majority Leader Paul Stam, R-Wake, tells host Barlow Herget that the House and Senate have worked closer than any session in 20 years, meeting jointly to discuss important legislation.  Stam says the House budget will eliminate 18,000 "positions", many of which are unfilled. He says the Republican cuts are not as "draconian" as portrayed, but concedes that teaching assistants in 2nd and 3rd grades will be hardest hit. Stam also tells Herget that revenue figures from April 15 are not complete but there will be no billion dollar, happy surprises.  Stam believes the $1.4 billion in tax cuts will stimulate the economy, and relations between the Republican legislature and Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue could be headed for standoff rather than compromise.