At summer break, a legislative status report

by Patrick Gannon, The Insider, July 6, 2015.

With the General Assembly on vacation this week, here's a look back at what your state representatives and senators have accomplished and what they haven't since they arrived in January.

After reading, you decide whether they deserve a week-long break in the middle of the legislative session.

What they've done

They've made it illegal for tanning salons to allow teenagers younger than 18 to use their equipment. They've required moped riders to get liability insurance beginning July 1, 2016. They've made it easier for some out-of-state veterans to get in-state tuition at N.C. colleges and universities.

They've passed the so-called "biscuit bill," allowing convenience stores to set up tables and chairs so customers can sit down when eating sausage biscuits. They've allowed state correctional officers to carry concealed weapons when off-duty, under certain conditions.

They've extended the same 15-point grading scale for public school performance for two more years. They've increased punishments for graffiti vandalism and for abuse of those with mental illness, developmental disabilities or substance abuse disorders in certain settings.

They've allowed magistrates and register of deeds employees to recuse themselves from performing all weddings or issuing marriage licenses if they have "sincerely held religious objections" to same-sex marriages. That bill was vetoed by Gov. Pat McCrory, but the House and Senate overrode the veto.

They've prohibited cities and counties from adopting zoning laws that regulate certain design elements in residential buildings, such as color, location and design of windows and doors and the number or layout of interior rooms.

They've given terminally ill patients, with the support of their doctors, the authority to try experimental drugs with the hope of a cure or longer life. They've allowed foster families more discretion in how they raise foster kids so the children can lead more normal lives. They've let local school boards make public school playgrounds available to the public.

And they've passed a controversial redrawing of the city of Greensboro's city council districts, which McCrory said he would have vetoed, but he can't because it's a local bill.

About 140 pieces of legislation have become law this session.

What they haven't done

While they've been busy, they're saving most of the big-ticket items for last.

The General Assembly has not passed a state budget for the next two years, even though the new fiscal year began July 1. As of that day, 42 of the 50 states had enacted budgets for fiscal year 2016, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Legislators did pass a "continuing resolution," which, for the most part, allows spending to continue at the present rate until a new budget is approved.

It hasn't made any significant changes to tax laws, despite much discussion about how sales tax revenues should be distributed and other proposed changes.

Lawmakers haven't approved any new economic incentive programs or funding, despite the McCrory administration's consistent prodding for more money for job recruitment and rehabilitation of historic structures. They haven't agreed to put McCrory's proposal for bond referendums for transportation projects and state buildings on the ballot for voters.

They haven't reformed the way Medicaid is governed or operated, and the House and Senate appear to be as far apart as ever on what should be done with the program. And they haven't passed any sweeping new gun laws or a Religious Freedom Restoration Act, despite much rancor around these topics.

All of which means that when legislators get back to work in Raleigh next week, the vast majority of the most controversial items will be waiting for them. Over the next couple months (at least), expect a flurry of legislative activity as the most important issues come down to the wire.

Have they earned a break?