THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 10, 1995 TAG: 9502100500
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY BETTY MITCHELL GRAY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RALEIGH LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. called for bipartisan cooperation in the state legislature for lower taxes, crime-fighting programs and education reform in his State of the State address to a joint House and Senate session Thursday.
``Our job is to move beyond campaign rhetoric and partisan turf-fighting,'' he said. ``Our job is to find common ground here where we can discuss important issues on their merit, where we can listen to each other and learn from each other.
``You and I may never get another chance like this one, to build a better future for North Carolina.''
Eastern Republican lawmakers could find little to criticize in Hunt's 30-minute speech. But his basically conservative agenda had other legislators worrying.
``His address raised some concerns about the direction he seems to be going,'' said Rep. Howard J. Hunter Jr., a Northampton County Democrat.
But several eastern Republicans were clearly delighted by Hunt's remarks.
``An election does wonderful things,'' said Rep. W. Robert Grady, R-Onslow. ``I think that all the Republicans on the floor will tell you (Hunt and his advisors) took our contract and delivered his State of the State address from it.''
Rep. Zeno L. Edwards agreed: ``That was one of the best Republican speeches I have ever heard.''
Hunt's speech also appealed to conservative eastern North Carolina Democrats.
``I thought it was super,'' said Rep. W.C. ``Bill'' Owens Jr., a Pasquotank County Democrat.''
In his speech, Hunt repeated his call for $483 million in tax cuts.
Most of Hunt's tax cuts - $373 million - would go to individuals. Those cuts include an increase in the standard income tax deduction for individuals, new tax credits to help working families with children and a larger homestead exemption for the elderly.
Hunt also proposes $110 million in tax cuts for business, including cuts in the corporate income tax and elimination of the intangibles tax on stocks and bonds.
Hunt has also called for a 23 percent cut in unemployment insurance taxes that employers pay - the third cut in as many years.
But he also proposed some ideas that will cost the state money:
Building space for 4,000 new prison beds in the state over the next four years.
Requiring alternative schools and education boot camps for gun- and
drug-toting public school students.
Raising teachers' salaries.
Cutting first-grade class size down to 23 students.
Expanding Smart Start to 24 more counties in the next two years.
Hunt also reiterated his plan for getting tough on crime:
Imposing tougher sentences for some convicted felons.
Requiring the registration of sex offenders.
Passing a victims rights amendment to the state Constitution.
Cracking down on parents who fail to pay child support.
``I want us to do whatever it takes,'' he said.
``Let's take away their drivers licenses, hunting and fishing licenses, their professional and business licenses,'' he said. ``Let's track them down in ways they never dreamed of.''
The specifics of his agenda - including details on how he proposes to pay for the largest tax cut in state history - won't be revealed until early next week. by CNB