Proposed amendment would limit terms of House, Senate leaders
A bill approved Wednesday in the House would put a constitutional amendment on the ballot calling for term limits for House and Senate leaders.
Posted — UpdatedHouse Bill 9 would cap the terms of the House speaker and Senate president pro tem at two sessions of the General Assembly, or four years.
Lawmakers approved a similar proposal two years ago, but the House and Senate couldn't agree on the details.
"People at the top of leadership should not stay there forever because things freeze," said Rep. Paul Stam, R-Wake, one of the sponsors of the bill.
The measure passed 84-35, easily gaining the two-thirds vote needed for amendments, and now moves to the Senate.
Estate tax repeal wins final approval
The House also voted 82-37 to end the state estate tax, sending that proposal to the Senate.
Opponents criticized the move as a gift to the wealthiest families that costs the state millions that could be used to expand pre-kindergarten classes or Medicaid access.
Proponents said wealthy individuals shouldn't be penalized for building wealth during their lives. They noted that North Carolina is the only state in the Southeast with a "death tax," which could be hurting the economy.
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