N.C. SENATE DELAYS VOTE ON METH PENALTY BILL

RALEIGH - The Senate delayed a vote that would increase penalties for
methamphetamine production after declining Wednesday to take up an
amendment to the legislation.

The bill would add prison time for those convicted of making the illicit
drug, authorities say.

Manufacturers could also be charged under the bill with second-degree
murder when a user overdoses on their product. Those who make the drug in
the presence of children would also face more stringent penalties.

Sen. Virginia Foxx, R-Watauga, sponsored an amendment to make it a crime
when firefighters or law enforcement officials dispatched to a meth lab are
seriously injured.

The Senate did not take up the amendment and instead sent the bill to its
Appropriations Committee.

Sen. Foxx, a co-sponsor of the bill and a candidate for the 5th District
congressional seat, called the move political.

"It's dirty pool," she said. "I cannot understand why they would not want
to increase penalties for injuring firefighters."

The bill's primary sponsor, Sen. Walter Dalton, D-Rutherford, could not be
reached for comment.

Co-sponsors of the bill from both political parties said they weren't sure
why the full Senate didn't vote on the amendment.

State law already considers the injury of a police officer, firefighter or
emergency medical technician an aggravating factor when sentencing
convicted felons.