Asheville Chamber in Raleigh: North Carolina General Assembly

The North Carolina General Assembly convened Wednesday, January 26, 2010 for the 112th Biennium and the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, represented by Jeff Joyce, was there advocating on behalf of Western North Carolina business.

Wednesday marked a historic day for the General Assembly as Republicans control both Houses for the first time in over 100 years and face a $3.7 billion dollar budget deficit. However, the gloom of the impending cuts was set aside as legislator’s family and friends crowded the building to watch the session convene.

The Senate voted Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, as Senate president pro tempore and the House voted Thom Thillis, R-Mecklenburg, as speaker of the house.

Legislation is expected to move fast this session and the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce will keep you informed. Please contact the Chamber with any questions or concerns. I look forward to serving the Asheville community in Raleigh.

For updated information on the legislative session follow me on twitter @avlbizvoice or email me at jjoyce@ashevillechamber.org.

Legislative Luncheon

Over 160 people attended the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2011 Legislative Luncheon presented by King Bio, Inc. making the event a huge success.

The Annual Legislative Luncheon allows the Chamber to present its legislative priorities to the Western North Carolina Delegation before the start of the legislative session on January 26, 2011. The event also allowed the delegation to remark on their priorities and what they hope to accomplish in the coming months

The Western North Carolina Delegation was represented by Senator Martin Nesbitt, Representative Susan Fisher, Representative Patsy Keever, Representative Tim Moffitt, Representative Chuck McGrady, and Representative Ray Rapp.

The priority of the General Assembly will be working to balance North Carolina’s budget, which currently has an estimated $3.7 billion deficit. The delegation told those in attendance to be prepared for cuts. The Chamber will work hard to represent the people and businesses of Western North Carolina throughout the session.

If you want to be more involved with public policy with the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, consider joining the Governmental Affairs Task Force. The Task Force works to set the Chamber’s legislative agenda and top priorities each year. They meet and discuss issues that will affect the businesses of Western North Carolina. To find out more contact Jeff Joyce at jjoyce@ashevillechamber.org.

Thank you to King Bio, Inc., Four Seasons, Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. of Asheville, Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College, AT&T, FASTSIGNS, and Mountain Express for sponsoring the event.