Raleigh, September 19, 2011 – On Sept. 13, Rep. Bill Faison and 35 of his House Colleagues held a House Democrats’ Business Caucus Meeting to hear the stories of employees who lost their jobs. The 35 House Democrats put forth a JOBS Plan for NC with three key components: Cut the Penny Sales Tax by 30 percent and put it in the Budget, Enact a Smart Tax Policy, restore both State and Private Sector Jobs, and cut unemployment below 6 percent putting almost 200,000 back to work.

On Sept. 8 and Sept. 13, Rep. Bill Faison called on the Republicans to dedicate the special Session held last week to creating jobs for North Carolinians, not wasting money on Constitutional Amendments. Faison said, “We can amend the State Budget to bring back both public and private sector jobs and implement a smart tax policy that stimulates small businesses to hire.”

Instead, the three day Special Session focused on Constitutional Amendments at a cost of $150,000 to the NC taxpayer. “The Republicans did absolutely nothing to create a single job. They just wasted more of our money”, says Faison.

Also speaking out at the press conference were Representatives Rodney Moore, Kelly Alexander, Jean Farmer-Butterfield, Marian McLawhorn and Susi Hamilton.

Rep. Faison, together with Representatives Alma Adams, Kelly Alexander, Larry Bell, Alice Bordsen, Marcus Brandon, William Brisson, Angela Bryant, Becky Carney, Beverly Earle, Jean Farmer-Butterfield, Elmer Floyd, Rosa Gill, Charles Graham, Phillip Haire, Larry Hall, Susi Hamilton, Pricey Harrison, Dewey Hill, Maggie Jeffus, Patsy Keever, Marvin Lucas, Frank McGuirt, Marian McLawhorn, Henry Michaux, Jr., Annie Mobley, Rodney Moore, Earline Parmon, Garland Pierce, Ray Rapp, Joe Tolson, William Wainwright, Edith Warren, W. A. (Winkie) Wilkins, Larry Womble, Michael H. Wray called on the NC GOP Leadership in the House to answer the challenge of working families.

“Every elected official in NC should focus on helping working families when they need it most,” continued Faison. “I am working to regain control of the House so we can enact a practical common sense JOBS plan that will work. I plan to run for my House Seat, not in a gubernatorial primary. The House Democrats and I are focused on the JOB at hand, helping people. We can fix this.”

“Unemployment is rising. We face the very real risk of a worsening economy. The Center Piece of the NCGOP jobs plan is a tax break for some that could be worth at most $3,500, not enough to hire anybody. We must pass real tax relief for small businesses,” said Faison. “Eighty-seven (87) percent of our NC employers are small businesses employing less than 20 folks. With everyone working together, we can fix this.”

The NC House Black Caucus endorsed the plan at their Caucus Meeting Tuesday, Sept. 13.

“Communities are in distress as unemployment rises. Small businesses need a jump-start and the effect of losing matching funds for Medicaid and SCHIP has led to additional job loss,” said Faison “We can enact this plan and stop the rising tide of unemployment.”

The full House Caucus has not yet had the opportunity to vote on the plan as an official position or discuss it in detail. Senate and House Democrats will be across the State in a NC Forward Bus Tour this week talking about jobs, the economy and the effects of the State Budget.