The following is a statement from Speaker Joe Hackney on the House budget.
Just months before the start of this decade, Hurricane Floyd slowly pushed through eastern North Carolina. The storm pulled heavy rains along with it, but at first appeared to be nothing more than another relatively anonymous hurricane.
The truth proved to be far different. In the coming days, rivers spilled over their banks. Widespread flooding destroyed homes, businesses, communities and ways of life. About that same time, recession hit North Carolina and the nation. As we spent millions of dollars in savings to help hurricane victims, our thriving economy stalled, leaving us at times with more than a billion-dollar deficit.