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House Democrats Say Republicans Refuse Funding For Employee

North Carolina legislative building
Dave DeWitt
/
WUNC
N.C. General Assembly

Democratic leaders in the state House say Speaker Thom Tillis has refused to release funds for a full-time employee to manage their legislative operations. Minority Leader Larry Hall says he's had to let the Democratic caucus chief of staff go because Tillis would not release enough funding for that position to last past July 1st.

"Speaker Tillis has decided to defund the House Democratic Caucus. Now keep in mind these funds are funds that are allocated for the budget in this cycle, were voted on and approved by the governor, and traditionally the party in power has funded the other party and provided a minimal level at least of staffing support," said Hall.

Hall says at the beginning of the session, he was initially told he wouldn't have funding at all for the staff position because of his stand against new Legislative Building rules that clarify what protesters can and cannot do inside the building. The House Republican leadership has not responded to Hall's comments.

Jessica Jones covers both the legislature in Raleigh and politics across the state. Before her current assignment, Jessica was given the responsibility to open up WUNC's first Greensboro Bureau at the Triad Stage in 2009. She's a seasoned public radio reporter who's covered everything from education to immigration, and she's a regular contributor to NPR's news programs. Jessica started her career in journalism in Egypt, where she freelanced for international print and radio outlets. After stints in Washington, D.C. with Voice of America and NPR, Jessica joined the staff of WUNC in 1999. She is a graduate of Yale University.
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