State Rep. George Holmes says he has finally had enough.

Holmes, a Yadkin County Republican, told The Mount Airy News that he won't seek a 17th term in the state House.

Holmes is one of the longest serving members in the legislature. His first term in the House began in 1975. (That still doesn't top state Sen. R.C. Soles, the Columbus County Democrat who began his time in the legislature in 1969.)

Holmes told the newspaper that he was not seeking re-election because of his health. He has missed votes in the House during the last two years after being hospitalized on occasion.

"I made up my mind after I got sick that it was time to slow down," Holmes told the paper. "I didn't feel like going back."

Rep. Thomas Wright was on paid leave.

The Wilmington Democrat was one of 15 state lawmakers who were paid for the two-day special session even though they didn't show up for at least one day, according to a story in the Wilmington Star-News.

As per his usual routine, Wright did not return calls to a reporter.

According to the Wilmington Star-News, checks were sent to Wright and Reps. Becky Carney, Jerry Dockham, Phil Haire, Hugh Holliman, George Holmes, Edgar Starnes, Russell Tucker and R. Tracy Walker and Sens. Katie Dorsett, Eddie Goodall, Malcolm Graham, Jim Jacumin and Clark Jenkins.

Reps. Jeff Barnhart and Ric Killian were absent and asked not to be paid. Rep. Karen Ray missed the second day and asked not to be paid for it.

Two lawmakers — Reps. Ty Harrell and Grier Martin — were present, but asked not to be paid anyway.

Correction: The absences are based on final roll-call votes on the second day of the session. Sens. Jacumin, Dorsett and Goodall were in session on Sept. 10, according to votes taken that day. No roll calls were taken in the House on Sept. 10.