Two Gavels, Three Amendments: Sen. Tom McInnis on Your Ballot

Sen Mcinnis: Welcome to a special session of the Carolina Cabinet. I'm Peter Patents.

Peter Pappas: Welcome to a special session of the Carolina Cabinet. I'm Peter Pappas.

Sen Mcinnis: My guest today is Senator Tom McGuinness, a Republican who represents North Carolina Senate District 21. That's Olifore County and part of Cumberland

Peter Pappas: My guest today is Senator Tom McGuinness, a Republican who represents North Carolina Senate District 21. That's all of Moore County and part of Cumberland County.

Sen Mcinnis: County.

Peter Pappas: Senator McGuinness grew up in Richmond County. He built and ran Iron Horse Auction Company and was first elected to the state senate in 2014. In this session, he chairs the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Regulatory Reform Committee. This November, he's running for another term in a two-candidate race against Democrat Paul Taylor of Spring Lake, who did sit down with us here at the Cabinet back in August.

Sen Mcinnis: Senator McGinnis grew up in Richmond County. He built and ran Iron Horse Auction Company and was first elected to the State Senate in 2014. In this session, he chairs the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Regulatory Reform Committee. This November, he's running for another term in a two-candidate race against Democrat Paul Taylor of Spring Lake, who did sit down with us here at the Cabinet back in August. Early voting is now open through October 31st, and election day is Tuesday, November 3rd. So Senator McGuinness, welcome to the Cabinet. Hey Peter, thanks for having us and enjoy this.

Peter Pappas: Early voting is now open through October thirty first, and election day is Tuesday, November third. So Senator McKinnis, welcome to the cabinet. Hey Peter, thanks for having us. And boy, this

Sen Mcinnis: is a beautiful day in North Carolina. Great day to go out and capture ballot. No rain, only sun, warm weather, short sleeves, political season, time to go vote. I no doubt what we're here to talk about then, I guess. With that lead in. So and this is the first time I've ever seen you out of a coat and tie.

Peter Pappas: is a beautiful day in North Carolina. Great day to go out and cast your ballot. No rain, only sun, warm weather, short sleeves, political season, time to go vote. No doubt what we're here to talk about then, I guess. Absolutely with that lead-in. So and this is the first time I've ever seen you out of a coat and tie.

Sen Mcinnis: And you're sporting this excellent camouflage sportsman from McKinnon's Hat. I love it. So what were you up to late earlier today? We had a shooting event for the Moore County Home Builders Association and they have a big fundraiser. They're kind enough to invite me to come out and say a few words to them and of course nothing happens in America, especially in the south, especially in Cumberland County, unless our new home is built or a business is built.

Peter Pappas: And you're sporting this excellent camouflage sportsman for McInna's hat. I love it. So what were you up to late earlier today? We had a shooting event for the Moore County Home Builders Association and they have a big fundraiser. They're kind enough to invite me to come out and say a few words to them. And of course nothing happens in America, especially in the South, especially in Cumberland County, unless a new home is built or a business is built.

Sen Mcinnis: And these folks are home builders and they're making things happen and

Peter Pappas: And these folks are home builders and they're making things happen. And we do have a seven hundred and fifty thousand unit shortage of housing units in North Carolina today.

Sen Mcinnis: We do have a seven hundred and fifty thousand unit shortage of housing units in North Carolina today.

Peter Pappas: So we need to be conscious of that because everybody needs a home. Absolutely, absolutely. And I guess that it's gonna be incumbent on you up there at the legislature to help us reduce some of these regulations that have been piled on for so many years, making it expensive for the home builders to

Sen Mcinnis: So we need to be conscious of that because everybody needs a home. Absolutely, absolutely. And I guess that is going to be incumbent on you up there for legislature to help us reduce some of these regulations that have been piled off so many years, making it expensive for the home builders to build a four glasses. Absolutely, Peter. And you know, it's been estimated by a lot of different economists and folks in the business that over thirty percent of the cost of a new home is directly attributed to excess regulation, stupid rules and crazy, crazy stuff.

Peter Pappas: build affordable houses. Absolutely, Peter. And you know, it's been estimated by a lot of different economists and folks in the business that over thirty percent of the cost of a new home is directly attributed to excess regulation, stupid rules and crazy, crazy stuff

Sen Mcinnis: That goes along policies that are just anti anti-American and we need to work on the well again we don't need to take away from the health, safety, and welfare of the public. That's not the point. Well,

Peter Pappas: that goes along, policies that are just anti, anti American and we need to work on those. Well again, we don't need to take away from the health, safety and welfare of the public. That's not the point. Well

Sen Mcinnis: I I told people, I'm sorry to interrupt you, but you know, people complain about vouchers, complain about this. I'm like, look, North Carolina, you live in a great state, and our budget and our we have the ability to do more than one thing at a time. Absolutely. And that's what people so before we get too deep though, I wanted to do some some

Peter Pappas: I told people, and I'm sorry to interrupt you, but you know, people that complain about vouchers, complain about this. And I'm like, look, North Carolina, you live in a great state and our budget and our we have the ability to do more than one thing at a time. Absolutely. And that's what people so before we get too deep though, I want to just do some some p people to get to know you a little bit. So I and this is one thing I've always wondered about you. you

Sen Mcinnis: people get to know you a little bit. So I and this is one thing I've always wondered about you. you

Peter Pappas: primarily are in Pinehurst, so

Sen Mcinnis: Primarily armpit nurse, so golf and pine nurse. Do you play or do you just try I I don't see you as a golf guy? Used to play a lot, played on the high school team and where I grew up and didn't play anything other than that competitively and of course amateur stuff, but had a bad fall, broke my shoulder about ten years ago and haven't got over it to get my golf swing back in line. So I'm a I'm a golfer from the couch watching to make sure that everybody does it right.

Peter Pappas: Golf in Pinehurst. Do you play or do you just try I I don't see you as a golf guy. Used to play a lot. Played on the high school team and where I grew up and well didn't play anything other than than that competitively and of course amateur stuff, but had a bad fall, broke my shoulder about ten years ago and haven't got over it to get my golf swing back in line. So I'm a I'm a golfer from the couch watching to make sure that everybody does it right.

Sen Mcinnis: I got you. Yeah, you're gonna analyze everybody else. I see how you are. yeah. Yeah, all right,

Peter Pappas: I got you. Yeah, you're gonna analyze everybody else. I see how you are. yeah. Yeah, the Monday morning. Back. Yeah. All right. All right. So tell me about the first car you ever owned. First car that I know it wasn't a horse and buggy. People can accuse you're a sixty five Ford Galaxy Five Hundred Fourdoor with manual three speed on the column and no air conditioning. Not conducive to going out taking some young lady out to the mall to get a soda pop.

Sen Mcinnis: all right. So tell me about the first car you ever owned. First car that I know it wasn't a horse and buggy. People gonna give you your age. Sixty five Ford Galaxy five hundred four door with manual three speed on the column and no air conditioner. Not conducive to going out taking some young lady out to the mall to get a soda pile. I can hear Tim Allen from the the home improvement show, rah rah, rah, when you say all that about that car. That definitely is a man car, it sounds like.

Peter Pappas: I can hear Tim Allen from the the home improvement show when you say all that about that car. That definitely is a man car, it sounds like. So you ran in business for years before you ever ran for office. So what made you decide in twenty fourteen that Raleigh needed an auctioneer? Well, i as you know, we all know that all the rules come from Raleigh and from DPI. And so when when I was on school board for almost nine years,

Sen Mcinnis: So you ran a business for years before you ever ran for office. So what made you decide in twenty fourteen that Raleigh needed an optimeer? Well as you know we all know that all the rules come from Raleigh and from GPI. And so when when I was on the school board for almost nine years, these rules, these regulations, restrictions, edits came down from Raleigh, but they didn't send any money, right? They didn't send any management, they didn't send any leadership, they said, here, do this and we'll worry about the outcome later.

Peter Pappas: these rules, these regulations, restrictions, the edits came down from Raleigh, but they didn't send any money. Right. They didn't send any management. They didn't send any leadership. They said, Here, do this and we'll worry about the outcome later. And

Sen Mcinnis: And I said, there's got to be a better way. And so I I said well at at that time I'm going to ride. I'm going I'm going to make a run. And I would have gone two years before, but the situation was in my district I had a a gentleman who

Peter Pappas: I said, There's got to be a better way. And so I I said R at that time, I'm going to Raleigh. I'm going I'm going to make a run. And I would have gone two years before, but the situation was in my district I had a a gentleman who

Sen Mcinnis: really wanted to run, but he didn't want to run a quality campaign. Nice guy, but he didn't want to run a quality campaign and and this game is about numbers, it's about winning. And if you're not gonna run a quality campaign you don't need to get in the game because this is it's a full time endeavor.

Peter Pappas: really wanted to run but he didn't want to run a quality campaign. Nice guy. But he didn't want to run a quality campaign and and this game is about numbers. It's about winning. And if you're not gonna run a quality campaign you don't need to get in the game because this is a it's a full time endeavor. You definitely yeah, I don't I don't

Sen Mcinnis: appreciate I see people running for office and they just kinda phoned it in. Yeah. You know, it's just gotta have a fire in the belt. You do, you do. And you gotta run like you're losing every day. Every day. No matter no matter where where those polls and those campaign folks wanna

Peter Pappas: appreciate I see people running for office they're just kinda phoning it in. Yeah. You know, it's just gotta have the fire in your belly. You do, you do. And you gotta run like you're losing every day. Every day. No matter no matter where where those polls and those campaign folks want to

Sen Mcinnis: tell you you're doing so well.

Peter Pappas: tell you you're doing so well, but you got to keep trying. So you're now you've now represented two different district maps. So how is today's district twenty one Moore County plus a piece of Cumberland a little different from what you started with? Well I started with Richmond, Anson, Scotland, Stanley, and a small sliver of Rowan. Okay. And of course we had Anson, Richmond, and Scotland were border counties of South Carolina, all very blue.

Sen Mcinnis: Right. So you now you now represent on two different district maps. So how is today's district twenty one, Moore County plus a piece of Cumberland, a little different from what you started with? Well it started with Richmond, Anson, Scotland, Stanley, and a small sliver of Lowland. Okay. And of course we had Anson, Richmond, and Scotland were border counties of South Carolina, all very blue.

Peter Pappas: never gonna be red and and we started chipping away at that that piece of the rock that our fellow friends in the Democratic Party had. And we picked them off one at the time. We got first Scotland turned turned

Sen Mcinnis: never gonna be red and and we started chipping away at that that piece of the rock that our fellow friends in the democratic party had and we picked them off one at the time. We got first Scotland turned turn

Peter Pappas: a a different color than blue and then it eventually turned red. Then we worked on Richmond and we finally got Anson which was of course a very, very strong Democratic

Sen Mcinnis: different color than blue and then it eventually turned red. Then we worked on Richmond and we finally got Anson, which was of course a very, very strong Democratic

Peter Pappas: a stronghold and it is now a a purple state. Okay purple county. Okay and of course Stanley was always big big Republican and Rowan the same way. So you know we we had a great great place there and then of course they redistricted and then they redistricted again and the last time when they did the redistrict I would have been double

Sen Mcinnis: stronghold and it is now a a purple state, a purple county. and of course Stanley was always big, big Republican and Roan the same way. So you know we we had a great great place there and then of course they redistricated and then they redistrict again and the last time when they did the redistrict I would have been double bunked with David Craven in the district that went from High Point, North Carolina to Waxaw, North Carolina. So that would have been

Peter Pappas: bunked with David Craven in the district that went from High Point, North Carolina to Waxhaw, North Carolina. Okay. So that would have been

Sen Mcinnis: Randolph part of all Montgomery, all of Richmond

Peter Pappas: Randolph part of all Montgomery, all of Richmond,

Sen Mcinnis: All of Anson and a portion of Union. And so th that was a no-win deal for anybody. I already already had a place in Moore County and all I had to do was get some new toothbrushes and a couple gallons of milk and some some bread and I and I moved in and there we are. Okay. Well definitely so what I'm hearing is gerrymandering isn't all bad.

Peter Pappas: all of Anson and a portion of Union. And so that that was a no win deal for anybody. I w al already had a place in Moore County and all I had to do was get some new toothbrushes and a couple of gallons of milk and some some bread and I and I moved in and there we are. Okay. Well definitely so what I'm hearing is gerrymandering isn't all bad. As we've moved and redrawn maps, we do it to represent the people that are

Sen Mcinnis: As we moved and redrawing maps, we do it to represent the people that are.

Peter Pappas: there. Well, gerrymandering is just exactly what it says. It is to accomplish the goals of the of the census. Yeah. And the census requires X number of people per district. And then there's very strict laws of how to get there. You can't be splitting this, you can't be splitting that. It gets a bad rap, and my point of brain saying it like that is like, look, you know, the

Sen Mcinnis: Well gerrymandering is just exactly what it says. It is to accomplish the goals of the of the census. Yeah. And the census requires X number of people per district and then there's very strict laws of how to get there. You can't be splitting this, you can't be splitting that. It's gotta have this, it's gotta have that.

Peter Pappas: like you said, you have to comply with the census to

Sen Mcinnis: Like you said, you have to comply with the census to meet the people where they're at and offer them the ab ability to have representative. You live by the sword, you die by the sword. Certainly, anyway. And my favorite is when people accuse either side of you do that. It's like soon as you're in office, you're gonna do the same damn thing. Well understand that when we won in two thousand nine, we beat the Democrats on their map that they drew to be in power forever.

Peter Pappas: Meet the people where they're at and offer them the of ability to have representative government. You live by the sword and you die by the sword. Certainly. And my favorite is when people accuse either side of, you do that. It's like as soon as you're in office, you're gonna do the same damn thing. Well, understand that when we won in two thousand nine, we beat the Democrats on their map that they drew to be in power forever. And that's how we won that election.

Sen Mcinnis: And that's how we won that election. If they ever beat us, it will be the exact polar opposite. They'll beat us on our maps that we drew to protect our edge. The Republicans beat him on the value proposition that they weren't doing a good job. That's right. That's that's it. That's crazy how it works. Gerrymandering has nothing to do with it, based on performance. So for a voter in Spring Lake or Western Cumberland who's never met you.

Peter Pappas: If they ever beat us, it will be the exact polar opposite. They'll beat us on our maps that we drew to protect our ends. The Republicans beat them on the value proposition that they weren't doing a good job. That's right. That's crazy how that works. Gerrymandering has nothing to do with us based on performance. So for a voter in Spring Lake or Western Cumberland who's never met you, what would be the one thing you've done in Raleigh that you would feel that has touched their life directly?

Sen Mcinnis: what would be the one thing you've done in Raleigh that you would feel that can touch their life directly? Well, you know, the greatest thing that we've done lately, of course, is cut forty one cents off their gas bill and their diesel bill. Thank you very much. That's a that's a huge deal. Wish we could make it a lot longer, but it it is a situation where we can only pause it. We can't eliminate it because we have to build roads and maintain bridges and railroads and airports and everything like that. But that particular endeavors will cost about three hundred and sixty-two million dollars.

Peter Pappas: Well, you know, the greatest thing that we've done lately, of course, is cut forty one cents off their gas bill and their diesel bill. Thank you very much. Appreciate that. That's a that's a huge deal. Wish we could make it a lot longer, but it is a situation where we can only pause it. We can't eliminate it because we have to build roads and maintain bridges and railroads and airports and everything like that. But that particular endeavors will cost about three hundred and sixty two million dollars.

Sen Mcinnis: And we just happen to be in the enviable position of having surpluses from past budget cuts, which is just an anomaly to some people, but a fact of life to others. And and so you know we're we're taking three hundred and sixty-three million dollars from a savings account of surplus money to do this. And that was gonna be another quote. I want to talk more before we because I I believe I have questions about that tax holiday. So it was favorable, I'm thinking

Peter Pappas: And we just happen to be in the enviable position of having surpluses from past budget cuts, which is just an anomaly to some people, but a fact of life to others. And and so w you know, we're we're taking three hundred and sixty three million dollars from a savings account of surplus money to do this. And that was gonna be another but I wanna talk more before we 'cause I I believe me, I have questions about that tax holiday, sir. it West Favel, I'm thinking

Sen Mcinnis: transportation wise.

Peter Pappas: transportation wise

Sen Mcinnis: or quality of life. What do you think? What's something that you've worked on that you definitely know is affected? I mean, you really think for the whole county, the whole state, you're not really focused on one area. One of my big two a couple of my biggest things of course is the fighting the opioid and the and the feminine fight. And we have created some laws to make sure that if you give, donate, barter, trade, rent, sell, give or whatever a a piece of drugs

Peter Pappas: or quality of life, what do you think? What's something that you've worked on that you definitely know has affected? I mean, you really think for the whole county and the whole state, you're not really focused on one area. One of one of my biggest two couple of my biggest things of course is the fighting the opioid and the and the fentanyl fight. And we have created some laws to make sure that if you give, donate, barter, trade, rent, sell, give or whatever a s a piece of drugs

Sen Mcinnis: that kills somebody and we can prove that, which is usually pretty easy because they do leave a lot of tracks on their phones. And that makes you guilty of death by distribution, which is a 20 year sentence in prison. And that is a pretty doggone good deterrent to not be selling drugs. And hopefully that's had some some some benefit. One of the other things that we've done that are very proud of we've touched the licensing focuses of our public school teachers.

Peter Pappas: that kills somebody and we can prove that, which is usually pretty easy because they do leave a lot of tracks on their phones. And that makes you guilty of death by distribution, which is a twenty year sentence in prison. that is a pretty doggone good deterrent to not be selling drugs. And hopefully that's had some some some benefit. One of the other things that we've done I'm very proud of we've touched the licensing focuses of our public school teachers. We have

Sen Mcinnis: We have came when we came to Raleigh in two thousand nine, it was so difficult to become a school teacher because you had to take these crazy tests. It's Pearson and this practice test. National stuff. National stuff. All it proves is you're a good test taker. It shows no delivery of the product in the classroom and what happens, forty percent of the people approximately have been estimated to have testing anxiety.

Peter Pappas: Can when we came to Raleigh in two thousand nine, it was so difficult to become a school teacher because you had to take these crazy tests. It's Pearson and this praxis test. National stuff. National stuff. All it proves is you're a good test taker. It shows no delivery of the product in the classroom. And what happens, forty percent of the people approximately, have been estimated to have testing anxiety. So we lose teachers because they can't pass the test. Well, they go get them a job doing something else. We've lost that teacher. Probably was a pretty good teacher.

Sen Mcinnis: So we lose teachers because they can't pass the test, or they go give them a job doing something else. We've lost that teacher probably was a pretty good teacher. So one of the things we've done is to do away with that particular test in several instances and even more. We're not lowering the threshold of of quality teachers. We're all lowering the barriers for getting a quality teacher in the classroom. One of the big problems is you got permanent subs. Permanent subs, the only requirement is a criminal background and a heartbeat.

Peter Pappas: So one of the things we've done is to do away with that particular test in several instances and even more. We're not lowering the threshold of quality teachers. We're all lowering the barriers for getting a quality teacher in the classroom. Okay. One of the big problems is you got permanent subs. Permanent subs, the only requirement is a criminal background and a heartbeat. And we've got to have quality teachers in the classroom to deliver a quality student, a quality product. Okay. Well

Sen Mcinnis: And we've got to have quality teachers in the classroom to deliver a quality student, a quality product. Okay. Well, let's go back to that tax holiday. I knew I was gonna bring it up with you. So

Peter Pappas: let's go back that tax holiday. I knew I was gonna bring it up with you. So

Sen Mcinnis: so I know it passed one hundred fifty two to one. So I mean that's damn near unanimous the problem. I mean that's that's awesome. it's rare to see Raleigh back united, but now, December first, the tax will return, right? So the forty one cents that you that

Peter Pappas: So I know it passed one fifty two to one. So I mean that's damn near unanimous in Raleigh. I mean that's that's awesome. it's rare to see Raleigh that United, but now December first, the tax will return, correct? So the forty one cents that you that were being deferred right now, how much of the gas is that all of the gas tax or is that just all the gas tax? That's so that so every gallon of gas I get had forty one cents. Wow. So whether it's And that's not the federal, that's just the state.

Sen Mcinnis: were being deferred right now. How much of the gas is that all of the gas tax or is that just all the gas tax so that so every gallon of gas I get had forty gas forty one cents. Wow. So whether it's that's not the federal state. So whether it's eighty seven, eighty nine or ninety three, I got forty one cents a gallon built into that? Yep. Wow. Yep. Okay.

Peter Pappas: So whether it's eighty seven, eighty nine, or ninety three, I got forty one cents a gallon built into that. Yep. Wow. Yep. Okay. So And that forty one cents pays for the maintenance, upgrade, building, and construction of all the roads, the bridges, some of the railroad inst is issues and some of the airport issues. So and drones. I mean there's a lot of different things in the transportation. Pretty much the transportation

Sen Mcinnis: So forty one cents pays for the maintenance, upgrade, building and construction of all the roads, the bridges, some of the railroad is in issues, and some of the airport issues. So and drones. I mean there's a lot of different things in the transportation. Transportation area. The bulk of their budget is I that's where they get that's the only way. When I say that, they of course get registrations and fees and other things like that. But that is a very big bulk of their of their income. Okay.

Peter Pappas: area. Bulk of their budget, isn't it? I that's where they get it. When I say that, they of course get registrations and fees and other things like that. But that is a very big bulk of their of their income. Okay. But we are using some of our savings to offset because we are my thing about the tax holiday was like it that's a great thing. We need less money out of our pockets is always a better deal. But we budgeted already for this year, considering we're going to have that revenue, we estimate

Sen Mcinnis: But we are using some of our savings to offset because we are my thing about the tax holiday was like that's a great thing. We need less money out of our pockets is always a better deal. But we budgeted already for this year, considering we're gonna have that revenue, we estimate. So where where was it gonna come from was my initial you know, I don't I don't read the headline, I try to think through things before I overreact to things. I'll still overreact.

Peter Pappas: So where where was it gonna come from was my initial you know, I don't I don't read the headline. I try to think through things before I overreact to things. I'll still overreact though. Let not your heart be troubled, Peter, because this one's coming from surpluses. Okay. That were amassed because when we cut taxes, we had surpluses each year.

Sen Mcinnis: Let not your heart be troubled, Peter, because this one's coming from surpluses. Okay. That were amass because when we cut taxes, we had surpluses each year. Okay.

Peter Pappas: Okay. And so we took part of those surpluses and we put in what's called an inflationary fund. Okay. So that if we ran into a situation on the construction of a building or whatever that inflation was a big impact and we needed to buffer that impact, we could get some money and there's over five hundred million dollars in that fund. I was interested that we had that it was named the inflationary.

Sen Mcinnis: And so we took part of those surpluses and we put in what's called an inflationary fund. Okay. So that if we ran into a situation on the construction of a building or whatever, that inflation was a big impact and we needed to buffer that impact, we could get some money. And there's over five hundred million dollars in that fund. I was interested that we had that it was named the inflationary. It wasn't just surplus. Yep. Okay. So there's some planning that goes in there. You guys do it a budget for let's

Peter Pappas: It wasn't just surplus. Yep. Inflationary fund. Okay. So there's some planning that goes in there. You guys do in a budget for Absolutely. Okay. So Let's see. There are three. So here is something that has been in my crawl. There are three amendments at the bottom of the ballot. amendment one, voter ID for mail in voting. I don't have a problem with amendment

Sen Mcinnis: see. There are three. So here is something that has been a microphone. There are three amendments at the bottom of the ballot. amendment one, voter ID for mail-in voting. I don't have a problem with amendment.

Peter Pappas: one. We already have voter ID rules in the book. So, okay. And to me, the only opposition that you can mount is if you're still trying to cheat something. That's correct. So I I don't even want to bring that up. But now amendment two and three, and those are the orders I give

Sen Mcinnis: We already have voter ID rules in the book, so okay. And to me the only opposition that you can mount is if you're still trying to cheat something. That's correct. So I I don't even want to bring that up. But now Amendment two and three, and those are the orders I give

Peter Pappas: them.

Sen Mcinnis: the income tax is gonna drop the constitutional ceiling. So is it currently in the constitution now? What are the income tax? So the rate is in the constitutional ceiling. So we're changing the rate. See that that's what's not widely known. Right. See

Peter Pappas: the income tax, it's gonna drop the constitutional ceiling. So is it currently in the constitution now? What are the income tax? Seven percent. So the rate is in the constitutional ceiling. Correct. So we're changing the rate. See, that that's what's not widely known. Right. See people think that we're trying to give money to corporations, which number one, I've never heard of one corporation going through economic development,

Sen Mcinnis: People think that we're trying to get money to corporations, which number one, I've never heard of one corporation going through economic development.

Peter Pappas: meeting with our local economic development and saying, you know.

Sen Mcinnis: meeting with our local economic development saying, you know, I really would like Fayetteville to accept that damn seven percent income tax. Nobody thinks about that. They want to put their company where they have the worst education and the best workforce, best facilities, best site, best infrastructure. I mean if they're making money, they pay taxes. They're happy to make the money. So I never thought that was a I never thought that was a big deal to oppose. But now amendment three.

Peter Pappas: I really would like Fayetteville accept that damn seven percent income tax. Yeah. Nobody thinks about that. Absolutely. They want to put their company where they have the the best education and the best workforce, best facilities, best site, best infrastructure. I mean, if they're making money, they pay taxes. They're happy to make the money. So I never thought that was a I never thought that was a big deal to oppose. But now amendment three, the property tax amendment. That let

Sen Mcinnis: Property tax amendment. To me, it lets Raleigh limit how much Fable and Cumberland County can raise their property taxes. And the limit's not written yet. So

Peter Pappas: To me, it lets Raleigh limit how much Favel and Cumberland County can raise their property taxes. And the limit's not written yet. So is there a number in mind? And why should local voters trust Raleigh to set it? Well, this is one that has huge ramifications across North Carolina, especially in some of our larger counties: the Wake, the Mecklenburg's, the Guildfords, the Cumberlands, the New Hanover, the Bunkham, all these big counties, a lot of times, and thank God.

Sen Mcinnis: Is there a number in mind and why should local voters trust Rawlings Senate? Well, this this is one that has huge ramifications across North Carolina, especially in some of our larger counties, the Wake, the Mecklenburg, the Guildfords, the Cumberlands, the New Hanover, the Bunkham, all these big counties a lot of times, and thank God we've got some strong good businessmen related folks that are in our county commission that are really men and women that are really

Peter Pappas: we've got some strong, good businessmen related folks that are in our county commission that are really men and women that are really

Sen Mcinnis: Paying attention to our budget. And that that budget has really seen a lot of work in the last two budget cycles. My hat's off to the commissioners of Cumlin County for doing the work. Same thing in Moore County. Moore County has the lowest tax rate except by one county in North Carolina at 29 cents. I remember you bragging about that last year, I think.

Peter Pappas: paying attention to our budget. And that that budget has really seen a lot of work in the last two s budget cycles. My hat's off to the commissioners of Cumberland County for doing the work. Same thing in Moore County. Moore County has the lowest tax rate except by one county in North Carolina and twenty nine cents. I remember you bragging about that last year, I think.

Sen Mcinnis: Big big deal. But again, Moore County and Cumberland are not targets on this. But when you have a county like Wake where one penny equals over

Peter Pappas: Big big deal. But again, Moore Moore County and Cumelin are are not targets on this. But when you have a county like Wake where one penny equals over

Sen Mcinnis: 20 million dollars. And you get a little heavy-handed on putting your foot on the gas on a revaluation. Well, the next thing you know, you've got a lot of extra money, and then the people start looking for places to plant flowers in front of the courthouse. There you go. And that is the reason for this particular constitutional amendment.

Peter Pappas: twenty million dollars, and you get a little heavy handed on putting your foot on the gas on a revaluation, well the next thing you know, you've got a lot of extra money and then the people start looking for places to plant flowers in front of the courthouse. There you go. And that is the reason for this particular constitutional amendment.

Sen Mcinnis: Now it is not clear because the reason being it's work in progress, but it gives us the ability to come back.

Peter Pappas: Now it is not clear because the reason being it's work in progress. But it gives us the ability to come back and have a formulated plan to where, you know, we got inflation, we got growth and population. Those are two things that must be addressed. But we don't need to go overboard and put an extra five percent on the folks

Sen Mcinnis: And have a formulated plan to where, you know, we got inflation, we got growth in population. Those are two things that must be addressed. But we don't need to go overboard and put an extra five percent on the folks that that are paying their taxes. And better yet, here's one that you'll love. This guy stopped me on the road the other day and he said, I paid for my house thirty years ago. I'm eighty years old, my house payment, taxes and insurance for two hundred and forty nine dollars a month.

Peter Pappas: that that are paying their taxes and better yet here's one that you'll love. This guy stopped me on the road the other day and he said, I paid for my house thirty years ago. I'm eighty years old. My house payment taxes and insurance was two hundred and forty nine dollars a month. He said, Believe it or not, today, thirty years later with no house payment, my my taxes and my insurance are two hundred and forty nine dollars a month plus fifty. They're two ninety nine a month. He said I've already paid for my darn house one time. What are we doing? Well

Sen Mcinnis: He said, believe it or not, today, thirty years later, with no house payment, my my taxes and my insurance are two hundred and forty nine dollars a month plus fifty, they're two ninety-nine a month. He said, I've already paid for my darn house one time. What are we doing? Well, that's where we need to have a real close examination of where the money's going. And if we're going up and down the road planting flowers in front I and I use that term loosely, planting flowers in in in in front of the courthouse.

Peter Pappas: That's where we need to have a real close examination of where the money's going. And if we're going up and down the road planting flowers in front and I use that term loosely, planting flowers in in in in front of the courthouse, we need to look about what kind of flowers are we planting. Right, right. Well, and so okay, so look, is this the first time that the legislature has tried to so based on what you said, I'm gonna interpret it as we have some bad actors, some larger

Sen Mcinnis: We didn't look about what kind of flowers are we plant. Right. Well and so okay, so look, is this the first time that the legislature has tried to so based on what you said I'm gonna interpret it as we have some bad actors, some larger and I'm sorry, but they're blue blue controlled counties including my own, that have run roughshod with their budgets and are out of control. So we see the need from legislature to

Peter Pappas: And I'm sorry, but they're blue blue controlled counties, including my own, that have run roughshod with their budgets and are out of control. So we see a need from the legislature to bring this in. Absolutely. Absolutely. Is this the first attempt during your tenure up there that that we've tried to do something? It is. And we've stood up a brand new committee of which I'm co chair of. Okay. And we will be looking at again. We're not here to harm any s county or any city.

Sen Mcinnis: Absolutely. Is this the first attempt during your tenure up there that that we tried to do something? It is. We stood up a brand new committee of which I'm co chair of. Okay. And we will be looking at again. We're not here to harm any s county or any city. That's not what we're doing. We're talking about the reining in of excess and stupid things.

Peter Pappas: That's not the what we're doing. We're talking about the reining in of excess and stupid things as far as expenditures that might not be the benefit of the whole. Okay. A s benefit of a specialty group or a a specialty ta taxi grimp zemp group that might have some connection to city hall or or the county office. I don't know that that goes on. I've heard a lot of rumors.

Sen Mcinnis: as far as expenditures that might not be the benefit of the whole. Okay benefit of a specialty group or a a specialty ta tax aggressip group that might have some connection to city hall or or the county office. I don't know that that goes on. I've heard a lot of rumors. We'll find out. We're going we're going to shut some corn and find out. I haven't discussed it.

Peter Pappas: We'll find out. We're going we're gonna shut some corn and find out. I haven't discussed it much, but what's going on in Charlotte Mecklenburg schools right now and the the superintendent and the people on the board and the the wives and the husbands that are benefiting as as What's been going on in Forsyth County? I mean these counties are these public schools, let me tell you. We need to put the money in the classroom

Sen Mcinnis: But what's going on Charlotte Mecklenburg schools right now and the the superintendent and the people on the board and the the wives and the husbands that are benefiting us. And as I look at the Scythe County. I mean these counties and these public schools, let me tell you, we need to put the money in the classroom and not in the flowers in front of the central office. Again, I use that cliche, but that's what it is. And we need to pay attention to where the money's going and how it can best effectively benefit.

Peter Pappas: Not in the flowers in front of the central office. Again, I use that cliche, but that's what it is. And we need to pay attention to where the money's going and how it can best effectively benefit

Sen Mcinnis: fit the taxpayers of North Carolina. I agree. I mean we and I don't know if it's gonna be in my notes here, but mean we in Cumberland County we got Hope Mills being put on an audio list. And you know that they're gonna have a shortfall in funding become the the Senate Rep. So

Peter Pappas: the taxpayers of North Carolina. I agree. I mean we and I don't know if it's gonna be in my notes here, but I mean we in Cumberland County, we've got Hope Mills being put on an Audi list again, you know, that they're gonna have a shortfall in funding come the December, I believe. So

Sen Mcinnis: switching around, Fort Bragg sits on the edge of your district. Now what has the legislature done or in your opinion failed to do for soldiers, military spouses and veterans living in western Cumberland?

Peter Pappas: Switching around. Fort Bragg sits on the edge of your district. Now, what has the legislature done, or in your opinion, failed to do for soldiers, military spouses, and veterans living in western Cumberland County? Well, one of the great things that we have done is to take the income tax off of the pensions of the retired military personnel in in North Carolina. I think they earned it. Now, let me tell you, that was a detriment to folks living here.

Sen Mcinnis: Well, one of the great things that we have done is to take the income tax off of the pensions of the retired military personnel in in North Carolina. I think they earned it. Now, let me tell you, that was a detriment to folks living here that wanted to retire here and stay here in North Carolina. We chipped away at that and got that one knocked out. of course we're always looking for ways to support our military. Of course we have the the veterans home here that had the the

Peter Pappas: that wanted to retire here and stay here in North Carolina. We've chipped away at that and got that one knocked out. Of course, we're always looking for ways to support our military. Of course we have the the veterans home here that had the the

Sen Mcinnis: the problems, the fiscal problems with the facility there and was closed. We've done a lot of work on that. Representative Diane Wheatley and myself chaired the an organization to bring forth some legislation to get an appropriation to repair it.

Peter Pappas: the problems the physical problems with the facility there and was closed. We've done a lot of work on that. Representative Diane Wheatley and myself chaired an organization to bring forth some legislation to get an appropriation to repair it

Sen Mcinnis: And the reason we wanted to repair it was we repair for 40 million or we'd build back new for almost 200, but because of the wait time on the new construction it'd be seventeen to nineteen years before we could have a new one.

Peter Pappas: And the reason we wanted to repair it, because we can repair for forty million or we can build back new for almost two hundred, but because of the wait time on the new construction, it'd be seventeen to nineteen years before we could have a new one. Now, our good folks representative Congressman Rouser and Congressman Hudson

Sen Mcinnis: Now our good folks representing Congressman Rouser and Congressman Hudson picked up on this issue. They brought forth federal legislation to get twenty acres over in the Harnett County side of the base and build a brand new facility and and use that money there. So while I I'm I'm really it pains me that we're moving it out of Cumberland County, we're on the base, we're next to Cumberland County and Harnett County, so I can live with that. I don't see that as a big deal.

Peter Pappas: Picked up on this issue, they brought forth federal legislation to get twenty acres over in the Harnett County side of the base and build a brand new facility and and use that money there. So while I I'm I'm really it pains me that we're moving it out of Cumberland County, we're on the base, we're next to Cumberland County and Harnett County, so I can live with that. I don't see that as a big deal. We need a veterans home.

Sen Mcinnis: need a veterans home.

Peter Pappas: Hundred percent. I mean Harnett County is a stone throws away. I don't feel like we lost anything. Now I was a little confused because I believe earlier in the year you came and saw us and

Sen Mcinnis: I mean Harnham County is so grows away. I don't feel like we lost anything. Now I was a little confused because I believe earlier in the year you came and saw us and

Peter Pappas: we were talking about the veterans. At that time you were putting that stuff together. So what happened with the appropriation that you did obtain now that this the federal government has stepped in and said, Here's twenty acres, let's build it. Are y'all

Sen Mcinnis: We were talking about the veteran side. At that time you were putting that stuff together. So what happened with the appropriation that you did obtain now that the s the federal government has stepped in and said here's twenty acres, let's build it. Are y'all It will hang there until we have a new budget and there or there is an amendment to the budget made for time. And again, I don't know what the final ramification was with the federal legislation. So it might have encompassed encircling that money and bringing it on over to local match. So we're not

Peter Pappas: It will hang there until we have a new budget and there or there is an amendment to the budget made for some. And again, I don't know what the final ramifications was with the federal legislation. So it might have encompassed encircling that money and bringing it on over as a local match. So we're we're not

Sen Mcinnis: not ready for prime time. So we still got it. Yeah. We're just hanging on to it. Absolutely. Okay. you're gonna love this. So data centers. boy. Cumberland County and Fayel have been wrestling with them all year. Yep.

Peter Pappas: not ready for prime time on that one. So we still got it. Yeah. We're just hanging on to it. Absolutely. Okay. you're gonna love this. So data centers. boy. Cumberland County and Fayel have been wrestling with them all year. Yep. should the state set the rules or leave it simply to the counties or the cities? I think it's got to be a mutual deal. I think that everybody's got to have skin in the game. let's go back and talk about data centers. Right now, there is a plot from

Sen Mcinnis: should the state set the rules or leave it simply to the counties or the cities? I think it's got to be a mutual deal. I think that everybody's got to have skin in the game. let's go back and talk about data centers. Right now there is a a plot from

Peter Pappas: the folks in China. This is a known existing situation that's going on. This is not conspiracy theory or anything. This is facts of who is gonna be the winner of the race.

Sen Mcinnis: Folks in China, this is a known existing situation that's going on. This is not conspiracy theory or anything, this is facts of who is going to be the winner of the race to bring forth AI and bring forth data centers in the world. Because he who controls the data and he who controls the the internet will control the destiny of a lot of people and a lot of countries.

Peter Pappas: To bring forth AI and bring forth data centers in the world. Because he who controls the data and he who controls the the internet will control the destiny of a lot of people and a lot of countries. And so we don't want China to get in front of us on that. We've got to pay attention. Now the flip side of that is we don't want to do it at great peril to our citizens and to our property and to our country and to our county. We need to make sure first of all.

Sen Mcinnis: And so we don't want China to get in front of us on that. We've got to pay attention. Now, the flip side of that is we don't want to do it at great peril to our citizens and to our property and to our country and to our county. We need to make sure, first of all, that if they're going to be using great amounts of electricity, it's not on the backs of the ratepayers of our electrical providers. Number one. If there's got to be infrastructure built,

Peter Pappas: That if they're going to be using great amounts of electricity, it's not on the backs of the ratepayers of our electrical providers. Okay. Number one. If there's got to be infrastructure built, it's going to be paid for somehow or another by those data center users. Next thing, water. If they use an open system, which they no longer do because we've put the quietus on that, it's a closed system that uses a minimal amount of water. Now another thing.

Sen Mcinnis: It's gonna be paid for somehow or another by those data center users. Next thing, water. If they use an open system, which they no longer do because we've put the quietness on that, it's a closed system uses a minimal amount of water. Now, another thing, it does not need to be built in a residential area. It needs to be built in an industrial area where noise is accepted and that sort of thing is there.

Peter Pappas: It does not need to be built in a residential area. It needs to be built in an industrial area where noise is accepted and that sort of thing is there because it's already industrially zoned. This is a heavy industrial deal. Well, and this is not light industrial. So let's go to the power for a minute. what legislation currently exists at the at your level now regarding them bringing their own power and stuff like that?

Sen Mcinnis: Because it's already industrialized. This is a heavy industrial deal. This is not light enough. So let's go to the power for a minute. what legislation currently exists at at your level now regarding them bringing their own power and stuff like that? It's not not enough. There's not enough.

Peter Pappas: Not a not enough. There's not enough. Yeah. We're we're we'll be addressing this as soon as we get back in January. Okay. Well, there was a City View article and there's been other talk about Fort Bragg getting their own little nuclear reactor. It was gonna be like, you know. And I said, hey, bring three of them. Yep. Let's go. You know, like what are we and that's part of the, I believe, Janice program, which is a bunch of different posts across the country with different private enterprises trying to build their prototype of a nuclear reactor so that we can test

Sen Mcinnis: there was a City of York, well there's been other talk about Fort Brad getting their own little nuclear reactor. It was gonna be funny, you know. And I said, hey, bring three of them. Yeah. Let's go. You know, like what do we and that's part of the I believe Janus program, which is a bunch of different posts across the country with different private enterprises trying to build their prototype of a nuclear reactor so that we can test because the military can afford this, to test the style of reactor to eventually

Peter Pappas: 'Cause military can afford this to test the style of reactor to eventually deploy

Sen Mcinnis: Yeah, the bear most people might not know it, recognize it, remember it, or have any recollection. But there's been a nuclear reactor, small box nuclear reactor, on the campus of North Carolina State University for thirty or forty years, maybe fifty. Okay. We've been supplying nuclear power and small batch applications to nuclear submarines for thirty or forty years.

Peter Pappas: nationwide. Most people might not know it, recognize it, remember it, or have any recollection. But there's been a nuclear reactor, small box nuclear reactor, on the campus of North Carolina State University for thirty or forty years, maybe fifty. Okay. We've been supplying nuclear power in small batch applications to nuclear submarines for thirty or forty years.

Sen Mcinnis: This is not something new. This is one of the situations where we've had a government

Peter Pappas: This is not something new. This is one of the situations where we've had a government that would not loose the strings of free enterprise and of technological advantages that we have in this country and bring forth a solution to our power. Nuclear power is the cleanest power there is. You get the most bang for the buck. We need to be putting our arms around it, lifting it up, getting it employed as quickly as we can. And that way the ratepayers get some relief.

Sen Mcinnis: That would not loose the strings of free enterprise and of technological advantages that we have in this country and bring forth a solution to our power. Nuclear power is the cleanest power there is. You get the most bang for the buck. We need to be putting our arms around it, lifting it up, getting it employed as quickly as we can. And that way the ratepayers get some relief. Because all the other types, you know, you e everybody thinks the the the sun is free and the wind free. Well it's not. All those machines that it takes to capture that stuff are very expensive and it is a per kilowatt rate that is excessive and and it doesn't work for the for the general public. Well and it wears out Nuclear does. And it doesn't wear out. It wears out and you can't recycle it. Absolutely. That's my favorite. Absolutely. Really? We built

Peter Pappas: Because all the other types you know, you everybody thinks the the the sun is free and the wind's free. Well it's not. All those machines that it takes to capture that stuff are very expensive and it is a per kilowatt rate that is excessive and and it doesn't work for the for the general public. Well, nuclear does and it doesn't wear out. It wears out and you can't recycle it. Absolutely. That's my favorite. Absolutely. Really? We built so

Sen Mcinnis: So yeah, I'm a proponent of nuclear, but now and again, our government since nineteens it was the Three Mile Island incident in seventy nine or eighty, but it was a minor meltdown. It wasn't even a big one. not that Chernobyl did Chernobyl. But you know, the Russians were like, Yeah, this thing will never explode and then well they proved it could. but this technology that we're discussing now

Peter Pappas: yeah, I'm a proponent of nuclear, but now and again, our government since nineteen s it was the three mile island incident in seventy nine or eighty. Yep. there was a minor meltdown. It wasn't even a big one. not that. Chernobyl, yeah. Chernobyl over Russia. But you the Russians were like, Yeah, this thing will never explode and then well, they proved it could. but this technology that we're discussing now I think is a new level of state. yeah, that's they're operated in a fail safe like if you don't apply power, it stops. Absolutely.

Sen Mcinnis: I think is a new level of state. They're operated in a fail-safe like if you don't apply power, it stops. Absolutely. So I mean it it it's a no lose situation for for our country and especially for Fort Bragg, the largest military base in the world that I'm honored to serve. And although I'm state, I'm not federal, but we work hand in hand of course with our federal counterparts in the Congress. But yeah, I mean w that those are the guys and girls that are called on when there's an emergency.

Peter Pappas: So I mean i it it's a no lose situation for for our country and especially for Fort Bragg, the largest military base in the world that I'm honored to serve. And although I'm state, I'm not federal, but we work hand in hand, of course, with our federal counterparts in the Congress. But yeah, I mean w that those are the guys and girls that are called on when there's an emergency somewhere in the world. They're on short notice to go give

Sen Mcinnis: somewhere in the world, they're on short notice to go give the the maximum participation with some giving all if if required. And and my hat's off to our military, I'm thankful for them and God bless them and God be with them every time they deploy. Well

Peter Pappas: the the maximum participation with some giving all if if required and and my hats off to our military. I'm thankful for them and God bless them and God be with them every time they deploy. Well

Sen Mcinnis: Very very much in fact. It's something I do want to point out. people that live on post can vote for I well, I think if that's still in district. Is that still in New York? Okay, so you know, people misperceive that a soldier living here can't vote in our local elections.

Peter Pappas: very very much in fact and something I do want to point out people that live on post can vote for I well I think if that's still in your district. Is that still indoors? Okay. So you know people misperceive that a soldier living here can't vote in our local elections.

Sen Mcinnis: Well they can't vote in our elec local election unless they register a vote. Right. But if they're from California or they're from Idaho and they want to keep their registration for their home, they can do that and vote remotely. Or if they want to become citizens

Peter Pappas: Well, they can't vote in our elec local election unless they register to vote here. But if they're from California or they're from Idaho and they wanna keep their registration for their home, they can do that and vote remotely. Or if they want to become citizens

Sen Mcinnis: They can spring shipping in North Carolina, but they can't do places. They can only be in one. No double dippings. No double dipping. But

Peter Pappas: of North Carolina and vote in North Carolina and vote in in Spring Lake and the township over there, they can do that. They can do Yeah, no double dipping. So double but

Sen Mcinnis: I think that's something that is missed, that they're still our neighbors. Absolutely. And we still need to give them a voice of the table.

Peter Pappas: I think that's something that is missed that they're still our neighbors. Absolutely. And we still need to give them a voice to the table now. You know, I don't get over to Moore County much. you know, I stay in my own little circle here, but I know that your county, Moore County is growing fast. How do you keep Pinehurst and Southern Pines from pricing out the people who already live there?

Sen Mcinnis: You know, I I don't get over to Moore County much. you know, I stay in my own little circle here, but I know that your county, Moore County is growing fast. How do you keep Pinehurst and Southern Pines from pricing out the people who are with them?

Peter Pappas: Well, we we go back to that comment that we talked about earlier about the percentage of cost of a new home

Sen Mcinnis: Well, we we go back to that comment that we talked about earlier about the percentage of cost of a new home for regulations, rules and restrictions. Okay. And I think we have one town over in Moore County where a water and sewer tap is twenty two thousand dollars for new construction.

Peter Pappas: For regulations, rules, and restrictions. Okay. And I think we have one town over in Moore County where a water and sewer tap is twenty two thousand dollars for new construction.

Sen Mcinnis: so you know, that that is in and to itself that is a negative. That is a cost factor that might not be attainable to a lot of people. Just that's just one one piece. That's a one of the things that's a water tap. One water tap, one sewer tap.

Peter Pappas: so you know that that is in and to itself that is a negative. Okay. that is a cost factor that might not be attainable to a lot of people. Just that's just one one piece. That's the one of the things that one water tap, one sewer tap.

Sen Mcinnis: So so one of the things that we're doing of course is the granny flats. To be able to build an accelerate ancillary

Peter Pappas: So so one of the things that we're doing of course is the granny flats. To be able to build an acceler an ancillary of unit in the backyard for the for the grandmother or for the mother in law or for the college student or for the the person that might be a a family member that doesn't have a place to live. Sure. We've got to use the assets and the resources that we have in the most expeditious way but the most

Sen Mcinnis: unit in the backyard for the for the grandmother or for the brother in law or for the college student or for the the person that might be a a family member that doesn't have a place to live. We've got to use the assets and the resources that we have in the most expeditious way but the most sensitive way that we don't overrun our infrastructure. We've got a problem in Moore County that you don't have here in in except to some degree in Cumberland that

Peter Pappas: sensitive way that we don't overrun our infrastructure. We've got a problem in Moore County that you don't have here in in in except to some degree in Cumberland, that is water. we are fastly quickly getting to the point of of of

Sen Mcinnis: we are vastly quickly getting to the point of

Peter Pappas: not having a sufficient water re source and supply. Now our commissioners are working on it and they have a plan and it is being expedited now. Of course

Sen Mcinnis: not having a sufficient water re source and supply. Now our commissioners are working on it and they have a plan and it is being expedited now. Of course we have the situation here in Cumbly County that fifty years ago when you could have built a water system and a sewer system with federal money for free. They didn't want it because they're going to get growth or get whatever their reasonable and we're paying a price for today Peter. Well we pay no fast in our water either that's exactly right. you know and okay advice I give lots of people running

Peter Pappas: We have the situation here in Cumley County that fifty years ago when you could have built a water system and a sewer system with federal money for free. Didn't want it. They didn't want it because they were going to get growth or get whatever their reason was. We're paying a price for it today, Peter. Well we need to PFAS in our water either, Magic. That's exactly right. you know, and okay, advice I give lots of people running

Sen Mcinnis: For office, dude, you don't know what you don't know.

Peter Pappas: for office, dude. You don't know what you don't know. Amen. And we did not know what we did not know back then. But I think the way the commission is attacking it, making water districts among our county, they're gonna be able to seek some grants. Great leadership, I do definitely I I didn't understand it at first, but it's come into focus a little bit. so in where do y'all get your water from in Moore County?

Sen Mcinnis: And we did not know what we did not know back then. But I think the way the commission is attacking it, making water districts among our county, they're going to be able to seek some grants. Great leadership, I definitely I I didn't understand it at first, but it's coming to focus a little bit. so in where do you all get your water from in Florida County?

Peter Pappas: We get it from six different places. Okay. Harnett County, Chatham County, Montgomery County.

Sen Mcinnis: get it from six different places. Okay. Harnett County, Chatham County, Montgomery County, from the wells of Aberdeen, from the public water system of Southern Pines and from the wells of Pine River. So the river southern Well it's coming from the river through Montgomery County to the Adkin River of the P D. Okay. It's coming through the Deep River rowing running into the Cape Fear with Chatham and with Harnett. So

Peter Pappas: From the wells of Aberdeen, from the public water system of Southern Pines and from the wells of Pinehurst. So no river supply? Well, it's coming from the river through Montgomery County through the Yadkin River, the P D. Okay. It's coming through the Deep River running into the Cape Fear with Chatham and with Harnett. So where where and this wasn't on my bingo card here, but where are we with the

Sen Mcinnis: Where and this was not my favorite card here, but where are we with the

Peter Pappas: the D E Q trying to or the

Sen Mcinnis: the EQ trying to or the permit from Pewway trying to get six million gallons of water a day from us. That stopped right now. That stopped right now. We're gonna try to keep it that's the innovation transfer. Yeah. I should know I suppose I've got to see we don't we don't need to be taking any more water out of the Cape Fear River that is or not already be taken and already obligated. There's not an infinite amount of water, especially when we've had a drought like we've had right now. I just went over the

Peter Pappas: permit from Fuquay trying to get six million gallons of water a day from us. Got it stopped right now. Got it stopped right now. We're going to try to keep it stopped. That's the interbasin transfer agreement. Yeah. Yeah. I should know. I sp I was like speaker number six. We don't we don't need to be taking any more water out of the Cape Fear River that is al not already be taken and already obligated. There is not an infinite amount of water, especially when we've had a drought like we've had right now. I just went over f the the big lake

Sen Mcinnis: The big lake. Jordan Lake.

Peter Pappas: Jordan Lake over there in in Wake County the other day. That thing's down ten or fifteen feet. I mean, and and falls of the noose up on the north side of town, Raleigh and Wake County, if they're not careful, they're gonna have a problem

Sen Mcinnis: That thing's down ten or fifteen feet. I mean, and and falls of the noose up on the north side of town, Raleigh and Wade County, if they're not careful, they're gonna have a problem.

Peter Pappas: because they got fifty or seventy five or a hundred people, two hundred people moving there per day. At the start of our recording, you know, you mentioned how many housing units were behind statewide. And I never would I ever have thought that my my local trade

Sen Mcinnis: At the start of our recording, you know, you mentioned how many housing units were behind statewide. And I never would I ever have thought that my my local trade association of Longleaf Pines Realtors would have gone to Hope County and recommended the county commissioners deny a building permit.

Peter Pappas: Association of Longleaf Pines Realtors would have gone to Hope County and recommended the commanding commissioners deny a building permit, but it was because of lack of resource. Infrastructure is not infinite. Yeah, they're overbuilding their capacity. And I was actually I was happy that our group went and said, No, don't do this. Well, common sense doesn't need to be checked at the door of the county commissioner's office, the city council office, or the general assembly.

Sen Mcinnis: But it was because of lack of resources. In the structure is not is not infinite. Yeah, they're overbuilding their capacity. And I was actually I was happy that our group went and said, No, don't do this. Common sense doesn't need to be checked at the door of the county commissioner's office, the city council office, or the general assembly. We need to use common sense ideas and common sense actions. Yeah, and some people don't need to run so far away from so fast away from the common sense I'd like to stick around with it. Amen. So

Peter Pappas: We need to use common sense ideas and common sense answers. Yeah, and some people don't need to run so far away from so fast away from the common sense. I'd like them to stick around a little bit. Amen. So

Sen Mcinnis: here's the deal.

Peter Pappas: here's the deal.

Sen Mcinnis: Should the legislature only have the power to cap how much Cumbler County and City if they have to raise their own property taxes?

Peter Pappas: Should the legislature and Raleigh have the power to cap how much Cumberland County and the City of Fayable can raise their own property taxes? is that what you feel? Let me rephrase this. Do you feel that they should have the legislature the power to cap how much Cumberland County and Fayable can raise their taxes? Well, see they technically have that right now. Okay. Because first of all, the counties are constitutionally created as children of the state.

Sen Mcinnis: Is that what you feel? Let me replace this. Do you feel that they should have the legislature the power to count how much home accounting they have cameras in taxes? Well, see they technically have that right now. Okay. Because first of all, the counties are constitutionally created as children of the state. The cities are chartered and they are subservient to the counties. We'll have a little civics lesson because.

Peter Pappas: The cities are chartered and they are subservient to the counties. We'll have a little civics lesson here in just a moment, which you're you're you already know. So for our listening public that might not know how this came about. So so our cities are subservient to the counties. The the the state, of course, is at the pinnacle,

Sen Mcinnis: You're you already know, so for our listening public that might not know how this came about. So so our cities are subservient to the county. The the the state of course is at the pinnacle.

Peter Pappas: and then it drifts down to the counties, then it drifts down to the to the municipalities, which there is almost five hundred and fifty municipalities. While I'm on the subject.

Sen Mcinnis: And then it drift down to the counties, then it drifts down to the to the municipalities, which there is almost five hundred and fifty municipalities. While I'm on the subject, if their note was called on all the municipalities in North Carolina, there would be a sum total number, I don't know what that is, ten, twenty, fifty, a hundred, whatever it is, that would not be able to pay their obligations and and

Peter Pappas: if their note was called on all the municipalities in North Carolina, there would be a some total number, I don't know what that is, ten, twenty, fifty, a hundred, whatever it is, that would not be able to pay their obligations and and and meet their obligations because of the financial situation they find themselves in. Okay. So there's a reason that we're having this. We don't need to have, you know, the situation in Spring Lake. Spring Lake, bless their heart.

Sen Mcinnis: meet their obligations because of the financial situation they find themselves in. So there's a reason that we're having this. We don't need to have, you know, the situation at Spring Lake, Spring Lake, bless their heart, got in a situation because of male feasas and office, the illegality and things going on there that were stole from, robbed blind, and and it cost them a lot of money, cost them a lot of opportunity and a lot of chances that they repent. They're working their way out of it.

Peter Pappas: got in a situation because of malfeasance in office illegality and and things going on there. They were stole from, robbed, blind, and and it cost them a lot of money, cost them a lot of opportunity and a lot of chances that they missed. They're working their way out of it. They they're their folks are working hard over it. They're out of the OG C and and so they're they're making things happen. But Senator, yeah, they did get in trouble, but then they repeated it a few years after the initial I mean

Sen Mcinnis: They they're they're folks are working hard. They're out of the L G C out of the LGC and and so they're they're making things out. But Senator, yeah, they did get in trouble, but then they repeated it a few years after the initial I mean, they we expect them to learn from what they did now. I'm happy that Spring Lake is on its own right now and that's look

Peter Pappas: They we expect them to learn what from what they do. Now that's the the happy that Spring Lake is on its own right now and that's and look God bless them and I hope they do tremendous. but now we have Hope Mills want to be kind of a

Sen Mcinnis: God bless and I hope they do tremendous. but now we have Hope Mills wanting to be kind of a

Peter Pappas: bad stepchild or whatever. But so look, if if we end up capping or we're able to control a little bit more of the local taxes, what if a hurricane or a recession just comes and blows a hole in the state budget?

Sen Mcinnis: bad stepchild or whatever. But so look, if if we end up capping or we're able to control a little bit more of the local taxes, what if a hurricane or a recession just comes and blows a hole in the state budget, should a future legislature be allowed to raise the income tax above three and a half without holding back to the budget? Well see they have something that's called sales tax, which has a more immediate reflect of of of of movement than than property tax. Okay. Okay. So so if if

Peter Pappas: Should a future legislature be allowed to raise the income tax above three and a half without going back to the voters? Well, see, they have something that's called sales tax, which has a more immediate reflect of of of of movement than than property tax to begin with. So so if if heaven forbid, heaven forbid some kind of natural disaster beyond relief b belief and always it is, you know, th the therein lies several different

Sen Mcinnis: Heaven forbid some kind of natural disaster beyond relief with belief and always is, you know, the therein lies several different buffers that we have. We just have Hurricane Helene that was a big draw on our budget. One thing that we have that we didn't have when we took over in 2009 is a budget surplus and savings account, multiple savings accounts of over six billion dollars.

Peter Pappas: Buffers that we have. I mean we just had Hurricane Helene. Yep. That was a big draw on our budget. And one thing that we have that we didn't have when we took over in two thousand and nine is a budget surplus and savings account, multiple savings accounts of over six billion dollars. This is money that's in reserve that's prepared for a disaster. And believe it or not, we're gonna have another natural disaster.

Sen Mcinnis: This is money that's in reserve that's prepared for a disaster. And believe it or not, we're gonna have another natural disaster. We're gonna have another financial disaster. There's gonna be a checking and

Peter Pappas: We're gonna have another financial disaster. There's gonna be a checking and of the of the assets in the stock market coming up sometime between now and the next hundred years. I don't know when it's gonna be, but then we'd both be wealthy. But the long and short of it is, you know, y you can only pair prepare so good but what what we can and I th and one other thing now, when we're talking about this, we've got a treasurer that's really doing a fabulous job. Our treasurer has maintained and expanded

Sen Mcinnis: the of the assets in the stock market coming up sometime between now and the next hundred years. I don't know when it's gonna be. But then we'd both be wealthy. But long and short of it is, you know, you can only pair prepare so good but what what we can and I and one other thing though, when we're talking about this, we've got a treasurer that's really doing a fabulous job. Our treasurer has maintained and expanded

Peter Pappas: the pension funds of North Carolina.

Sen Mcinnis: the pension funds in North Carolina exponentially since he's been on the job. Brad Briner, he is a godsend guy, and let me tell you, he is a smart guy. I just talked to him yesterday and and he he's making it happen. Everything works in in cycles as we know, but sometimes you can expand those cycles to keep the good cycle in place. He's doing that and we're making good things happen. Well and I I've heard him on another show he's very intelligent, very very eager

Peter Pappas: Exponentially since he's been on the job. Brad Briner, he is a godsend guy and let me tell you, he is a smart guy. I just talked to him yesterday and and he he's making it happen. Everything works in in cycles as we know, but sometimes you can expand those cycles to keep the good cycle in place. He's doing that and we're making good things happen. Well and I I've heard him on another show. He's very intelligent, very, very even keeled kind of guy. So

Sen Mcinnis: kind of guy. So okay,

Peter Pappas: Okay. So that takes care of my fear about that. So basically, we can fix the income tax into the Constitution and say it's three and a half. Yep. But if we have an issue, we could temporarily raise sales tax. We have something more Absolutely. We got a lot of qu arrows in the quiver. Yeah, yeah. A lot of arrows in the quiver. Okay. Okay. And again, heaven forbid that we have a natural disaster, especially one with loss of life

Sen Mcinnis: so that takes care of my fear about that. So basically we can fix the income tax into the Constitution and say it's three and a half. Yep. But if we have an issue, we could temporarily raise sales tax. We have something more Absolutely. We have a lot of qu arrows in the quick. Yeah, yeah. A lot of errors in the clip. Okay. Okay. And again, heaven forbid that we have a natural disaster, especially when we lost supplies.

Peter Pappas: or some kind of economic disaster.

Sen Mcinnis: Of some kind of economic disaster. which, you know, right now the stock market is booming, the price of real estate is strong, everything's going good. We've got a low unemployment, we've got a a community college system. I won't talk about that just a little bit. We've got a community college system here in North Carolina and one that is represented in both my parts of the district, the San Hills Community College and Federal Technical Community College, and both of those are at the pinnacle of operation. Both of them are increasing

Peter Pappas: which you know right now the stock market is booming the price of real estate is strong everything's going good we've got a low unemployment we've got a a community college system I want to talk about that just a little bit. Okay. We've got a community college system here in North Carolina and one that is represented in both of my parts of the district in San Hills Community College and Federal Technical Community College and both of those are at the pinnacle of operation. Both of them are increasing

Sen Mcinnis: significantly

Peter Pappas: significantly

Sen Mcinnis: the number of folks that are coming in for getting vocational training, for getting academic training, for getting training to do nursing and all the things that go along with that. And they're turning out folks to do the jobs of today, not the jobs of yesterday.

Peter Pappas: the number of folks that are coming in for getting vocational training, for getting academic training, for getting training to do nursing and all the things that go along with that. And they're turning out folks to do the jobs of today, not the jobs of yesterday. So we're on the cutting edge and the forefront. We've got a cybersecurity program at Fedville Tech that is unequaled and unparalleled across the United States. And Mark Sorrels is doing a yeoman's job.

Sen Mcinnis: So we're on the cutting edge and the forefront. We've got a cyber security program at Federal Tech that is unequaled and unparalleled across the United States. And Mark Sorrell is doing a yeoman's job over there. It's Dr. Sandy Stewart doing the same thing with drones and and also with the defense marketing and the defense industry coming over into more county. So we've got a lot of great opportunities that are untold, un unparalleled.

Peter Pappas: over there. It's Dr. Sandy Stewart doing the same thing with drones and and also with the defense marketing and the defense industry coming over into more county. So we've got a lot of great opportunities that are untold, un unparalleled. What I love

Sen Mcinnis: about the growth of those two community colleges that we are truly creating the curriculum to meet the people where they live and let's be relevant to the industries we have and growth.

Peter Pappas: about the growth of those two community colleges is that we are truly creating the curriculum to meet the people where they live and let's be relevant to the industries we have and grow them.

Sen Mcinnis: And I I am just I I love seeing these I grew up here. So Fable Tech was kind of like where you didn't want to end up kind of thing. Like you don't you know last resort instead of first short. Exactly. And now I think it definitely has evolved to you can get quite a heck of a degree in a career at a fable tech. So I'm very, very happy to see that. And of course, they're across the street from me, so they've you know, I'll take their lunch money too.

Peter Pappas: And I I am just I I I love seeing because I mean I went to school. I I grew up here. So Fable Tech was kind of like where you didn't want to end up kind of thing. Like you don't, you know, last resort instead of first choice. Exactly. And that's the opposite. I think it definitely has evolved to you can get quite a heck of a degree in a career out of Fable Tech. So I'm very, very happy to see that. And of course, they're across the street from me. So they, you know, I'll take their lunch money too. So hundred percent.

Sen Mcinnis: So Senator McGuinness, I want to thank you for sitting down with us at the Carolina Catholic.

Peter Pappas: So, Senator McGuinness, I wanna thank you for sitting down with us at the Carolina Cabinet.

Sen Mcinnis: So, where can voters find you and learn more about your campaign? Well, we're of course on Facebook and on Twitter and all the different social medias, and we do have a website, Kenneth's for State Senate dot com, and it also has a place on there that talks about some of our issues and some of our our skill sets that we're involved in, as well as our our current

Peter Pappas: So where can voters find you and learn more about your campaign? Well, we're of course on Facebook and on Twitter and all the different social medias, and we do have a website, McKinnis for State Senate dot com. And it also has a place on there that talks about some of our issues and some of our our our skill sets that we're involved in, as well as our our current

Sen Mcinnis: committee assignments and that sort of thing. And all that'll be changing come January 1. We're going to long session, so all that'll be changing will

Peter Pappas: committee assignments and that sort of thing. And all that'll be changing come January one. We go into the long session. So all that'll be changing. We'll

Sen Mcinnis: have new opportunities and new chances to to serve and and that sort of thing. So course we have an office in Raleigh and we do have a a newsletter that is a digital newsletter. You can go on there and on the internet call up our office in Raleigh and get that address that's McKinnon Tom dot McKinnas at N C L E G

Peter Pappas: have new opportunities and new chances to to serve and and that sort of thing. So of course we have an office in Raleigh and we do have a a newsletter that is a digital newsletter. You can go on there and on on the internet, call up our office in Raleigh and get that address. That's McKinnis Tom dot McKinnis at N C L E G

Sen Mcinnis: dot gov is my web is my email address and glad to have you and and

Peter Pappas: dot gov is my web is my email address and glad to have you and and write us on any issue. You know if you're in my district my allegiance is to you. We get a lot of people that call us from all over the United States, wanting this or wanting that. Well we put them on the sidebar and we look after our two hundred and five plus thousand members of our district first. But understand

Sen Mcinnis: You know, if you're in my district, my allegiance is to you. We get a lot of people that call us from all over the United States, want this or want that. Well, we put them on the side for and we look after our 205 plus thousand members of our district first. But understand, I had one the other day, a lady said, You didn't get back to me for 24 hours. I said, Well, ma'am, I got 6,100 emails in the last 24 hours.

Peter Pappas: I had one the other day, lady said you didn't get back to me for twenty four hours. I said, Well, ma'am, I got sixty one hundred emails in the last twenty four hours

Sen Mcinnis: And I had to pick through all of them to find yours. I apologize. But I we're gonna take care of

Peter Pappas: and I had to pick through all of them to find yours. Yeah. I apologize. But I we're gonna take care of you. But I'm here now. But I'm here now. We're gonna take care of you. So so we we pride ourselves on constituent services and

Sen Mcinnis: you. But I'm here now. But I'm here now. We're gonna take care of you. So so we we pride ourselves on constituent services and

Peter Pappas: look forward to being able to help anybody on any issue they have with State Government. Well, I do wanna mention your mobile

Sen Mcinnis: Look forward to being able to help anybody on any issue they have with statehouse. Well, I do want to mention your mobile mobile office is that truck of yours that I don't know how many thousand miles you put on that thing. And so to everyone watching in Moore County and Cumberland County, early voting is open now through October thirty first. Election day is Tuesday, November third. Check your sample ballot. by the way, you can go to the state board of elections, type in your own information, and it'll give you your sample ballot. So that's where you go. Find your early voting site and you please

Peter Pappas: mobile office is that truck of yours that I don't know how many thousand miles you put on that thing. Absolutely. So to everyone watching in Moore County and Cumberland County, early voting is open now through October 31st. Election day is Tuesday, November 3rd. Check your sample ballot. by the way, you can go to the state board of elections, type in your own information, and it'll give you your sample ballot. So that's where you go. Find your early voting site and you please

Sen Mcinnis: go take a front. So

Peter Pappas: go vote. Take a friend. So

Sen Mcinnis: our invitation to you stand, Senator, please come back after the election and tell us how everything's going. And remember those of you that have not voted, you do not have to vote in your precinct in early voting. You can go to any precinct that has early voting in your county. So you do not have to go to a specific precinct. Any of the early voting sites in your county are available to receive your vote. So if C vote here, then stop here. Yep. Please do.

Peter Pappas: Our invitation to you stand, Senator. Please come back after the election and tell us how everything's going. And remember, those of you that have not voted, you do not have to vote in your precinct and early voting. You can go to any precinct that has early voting in your county. So you do not have to go to a specific precinct. Any of the early voting sites in your county are available to receive your vote. So if C vote here, then stop here. Yep. Please do.

Sen Mcinnis: And with that,

Peter Pappas: And with that,

Sen Mcinnis: that concludes the cabinet for today. You all have a good afternoon. Thank you for watching. We'll see you next time. Thank you, Peter. See you soon.

Peter Pappas: That concludes the cabinet for today. You all have a good afternoon. Thank you for watching. We'll see you next time. Thank you, Peter. See you soon.