Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, predicts the General Assembly will pass a tax reform measure this year, and he sees likely agreement on a voter photo identification measure as well. Berger also discussed Medicaid’s continuing budget concerns and other top legislative issues during a morning news conference previewing the 2013 legislative session.
The item that attracted the most attention from assembled reporters was his criticism of congressional leaders — particularly Democratic U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan — for a fiscal cliff deal that limits North Carolina’s options in addressing unemployment insurance reform. Because Berger mentioned Hagan by name, the first questions addressed to him asked whether he plans to challenge Hagan when she runs for re-election next year. Berger said only that he’s running for no other office at this point.
Click play below to watch the 36:38 briefing.
