Editor's note: The following is a release from the Republican Legislative Caucus.

Raleigh  - Senate and House Republicans today called on Legislative Democrats to allow bills currently in committee but not yet scheduled for a hearing this week a chance to advance to a floor vote by the "crossover deadline." This deadline requires most bills to pass one of the chambers by May 14th or lose eligibility for further consideration.

 "This year, as in years past, a number of introduced bills are sent to committee and are never heard of again," said Berger. "Many of these bills are supported by a majority of our citizens. Democrats have refused to allow debate or votes on these proposals. It is past time for a more open process in the North Carolina General Assembly -- one in which a bill, if filed, is entitled to a committee hearing."

 "We have a full agenda this week. However, too often it is full of the wrong things," said Stam.

See a list of bills, and what the Democrats consider a priority, after the jump.

 The following are a sample of some bills that have stalled in committee:

 * S.B. 87 and H.B. 183 -- Taxpayers' Protection Act. An act to impose Constitutional limits on the growth of the state budget.
* S.B. 1052 and H.B. 1549 -- Limit General Fund Expenditures. An act to provide that General Fund expenditures shall not exceed revenue for the previous calendar year.
* S.B. 494 -- Annexation/Meaningful Services and Oversight. An act to amend the annexation laws to require meaningful services and meaningful oversight.
* S.B. 156 -- Session Limits. An act to amend the North Carolina Constitution to limit the length of legislative sessions and to provide for an earlier convening of the General Assembly.
* S.B. 351 -- No Felon as Sheriff. An act to amend the Constitution of North Carolina to provide that no person convicted of a felony is eligible to be elected sheriff.
* S.B. 272 and H.B. 361 -- Defense of Marriage. An act to amend the state's Constitution to provide marriage between a man and a woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be recognized in the state.
* H.B. 687 -- Tax Credits for Children with Disabilities. An act to allow an individual income tax credit for the expense of private education for children with disabilities who require special education.
* S.B. 25 and H.B. 252 -- Horton Independent Redistricting Comm. An act to amend the state Constitution to establish the Hamilton C. Horton Jr. Independent Redistricting Commission.
* S.B. 210 and H.B. 168 -- "Choose Life" Special Plate. An act to authorize the DMV to issue a "choose life" special license plate.
* H.B. 776 -- No Bullying Anyone at Public Schools.

 In contrast, the following are a sample of bills introduced by Democrats that are scheduled for committee hearings or a vote this week:

 · S.B. 219 -- Report Bicycle Crashes to Law Enforcement. An act to require the report of a crash involving a motor vehicle and a bicycle where the total property damage exceeds $500.

* S.B. 695 -- Restraining of Dogs. An act to make it a Class 1 misdemeanor for a person to fasten or restrain a dog to a tree, fence, post, dog house, or other stationary object for more than three hours in a 24 hour period
* S.B. 990 -- Increase Penalty/Timber Theft. An act to increase the criminal penalty for cutting, injuring or removing another's timber.
* S.B. 994 -- Establish State Athletics Commission.
* H.B. 588 -- Adopt Official N.C. Potato Festival.