This week, we continued our work to improve the lives of the people of North Carolina. We moved a number of important bills to make life easier for our military members, improve education and protect your safety. A number of these initiatives continue to work through our committees and will be discussed on our chamber floor within the next few weeks.
As always, I welcome your thoughts and ideas about my work in Raleigh, and I have included below information about some of the legislation we are considering. I look forward to hearing from you.
Military
_Members of the House voted unanimously in favor of legislation that would make it easier for soldiers, reservists and National Guard members to renew their drivers’ licenses (HB 98). Under current law North Carolinians may renew their drivers’ licenses as much as six months prior to the expiration date. If enacted, this legislation would allow members of the armed forces to renew their licenses upon receipt of deployment orders. The bill would also allow a 30-day grace period for the renewal of an expired license upon release from active duty. The bill will now go to the Senate.
Education
_Legislation that would encourage policies to facilitate graduation has been approved in the House (HB 187). If enacted, the legislation would direct local boards of education to encourage local businesses to adopt personnel policies to permit parents to attend school conferences. The legislation would also encourage local boards of education to adopt policies to implement programs that: (1) assist students in making a successful transition between the middle school and high school years, (2) increase parental involvement in student achievement, and (3) reduce suspension and expulsion rates and encourage academic progress during suspensions. In addition, the bill would direct local school boards to modify policies on pregnant and parenting students that would better enable those students to graduate. The bill is now being considered in the Senate.
_The State Board of Community Colleges would be authorized to waive tuition for members of the National Guard under legislation filed in the House this week (HB 795).
Health
_Counties interested in establishing health insurance pilot demonstration projects to provide a model for affordable employer-based health insurance would be authorized to do so under a bill that passed the House this week (HB 212). The bill will now go on to the Senate.
_Legislation that would appropriate money for the State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees and make other changes related to the State Health Plan was debated in the House Committee on Insurance this Thursday (SB 287). The bill will remain in the Insurance Committee for further discussion next Tuesday.
_The Division of Emergency Management would be authorized to establish a registry that counties and municipalities could use to identify functionally and medically fragile people during a disaster. House Bill 382 passed the House this week and would also authorize counties and municipalities to operate similar registries. The intent of this legislation is to improve the safety of medically vulnerable individuals in the event of a disaster. The bill will now go on to the Senate.
_A bill to ban smoking in restaurants and workplaces was found favorable in the House Committee on Judiciary I on Wednesday (HB 2). Supporters of the bill say it will improve health. Opponents of the bill say that it infringes on personal property rights.
Miscellaneous
_Local governments could object to the location of Alcoholic Beverage Control stores in their districts under legislation approved this week (HB 186). The bill establishes a procedure for municipalities to object and allows them extra time to conduct a public hearing or submit a resolution concerning a potential store location. The ABC Commission would still have the final authority to determine the location of ABC stores. The bill has now gone to the Senate, where it was referred to the Senate Committee on State and Local Government.
_The penalty for altering, destroying, or removing the permanent serial number of a firearm would be increased from a misdemeanor to a penalty under legislation filed in the House this week (HB 787). The existing Class I misdemeanor would be upgraded to a to a Class H felony if the law passes.
Notes
_The American Cancer Association visited the General Assembly on Tuesday for their "Smoke Free" Lobby Day.
_YMCAs of North Carolina visited the General Assembly on Tuesday and Wednesday.
_The North Carolina Biodiesel Association visited the General Assembly on Wednesday.
_"People of Color" day took place on Wednesday in the Legislative Auditorium.
Please remember that you can listen to each day’s session, committee meetings and press conferences on the General Assembly’s website at www.ncleg.net. Once on the site, select "audio," and then make your selection – House Chamber, Senate Chamber, Appropriations Committee Room or Press Conference Room.
Prepared with the assistance of the Speaker's Office of Communications
From the Office of Representative Jimmy L. Love, Sr. - March 19, 2009
March 19, 2009
Governor Perdue released her proposed budget for 2009-2011 this week and as expected, made many deep cuts. The governor’s proposal would cut at least 20 government programs, close seven prisons and result in the loss of hundreds of jobs.
The governor also made it clear that education would continue to be her priority. Her proposed budget would actually increase per pupil spending in North Carolina, just as she promised to do in her State of the State address. While neither the University of North Carolina campuses nor the community college system would see an increase in funding, the Governor’s budget would target money to boost financial aid and to help train students of all ages for work in emerging fields. Like the governor, I remain committed to providing every child in North Carolina with a world class education that will enable them to compete in the global economy. Education is the key to North Carolina’s long-term economic success.
Aid from the federal stimulus package will play a major role in shoring up North Carolina’s expected $3.4 billion budget shortfall. Among other things, federal money will be used for much needed transportation projects and will help increase education spending by $350 million over the next two years. You can get more information about her budget proposal by visiting: http://www.governor.state.nc.us/budget.aspx.
Thank you as always for your interest in your state. Please contact me if I can be of any assistance.
Children
_Two pieces of legislation that would strengthen the penalties for violations of child labor laws were approved in the House this week. House Bill 23 would double the fine for first-time violators of the state's child labor law from $250 to $500 and create a $1,000 penalty for further violations. The bill would also authorize the NC Department of Labor to fine a company up to $14,000 for workplace safety violations that injure a worker younger than 18, which is double the amount of the current maximum fine. There are regulations in place that bar young workers from performing a host of hazardous jobs, and this legislation is meant to act as a stronger deterrence against employer violations.
House Bill 22 would enhance youth employment protections by requiring the Commissioner of Labor to report on youth employment enforcement activities. The objective of the legislation is to enhance the safety of children in the workplace by making more information on workplace violations available. Both bills now go to the Senate for consideration.
_A bill that would create a process to set aside an order of paternity has received approval in the House and is now headed to the Senate. House Bill 307 would authorize trial courts to set aside an order of paternity and to set aside affidavits of parentage (after 60 days) if the order or affidavit was entered as the result of fraud, duress, mutual mistake, or excusable neglect, and genetic tests establish that the reported father is not the biological father of the child. If the court sets aside the order, future child support obligations of the putative father would be excused.
Good government
_Legislation that would make improvements to North Carolina’s absentee voting laws has been referred to the Committee on Election Law and Campaign Finance Reform (HB 614). The bill is especially intended to improve the ability of military and overseas voters to cast timely ballots. If favorable, the bill will then go on to the Committee on Homeland Security, Military, and Veterans Affairs.
_The Treasurer’s Governance and Transparency Act of 2009 received a favorable report from the Committee on Pensions and Retirement, and now goes to the Finance Committee. The legislation (HB 556) would expand the membership of the State Treasurer’s Investment Advisory Committee by adding two additional members of the general public.
_An act to provide for four-year staggered terms of office for members of the Legislative Ethics Committee received unanimous approval in the House this week. If enacted, the legislation (SB 136) would also amend the timing of ethics training for legislators based on the recommendations of the Legislative Ethics Committee. Currently, legislators and legislative staff must complete ethics training within three months of their election or appointment, and this bill would change that time period to two months.
Health
_ A bill that would authorize some counties to establish pilot programs to serve as models for affordable health insurance has been approved by the Insurance Committee. House Bill 212 now goes to the Committee on Commerce, Small Business, and Entrepreneurship.
_Legislation that would allow local mental health officials to inspect licensed facilities is now pending in the House. The bill (HB 576) would allow representatives authorized by the area director to conduct such inspections and to keep information obtained in the course of the inspection confidential. Previously, the law allowed only representatives of the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct such inspections.
_Legislation that would require health benefit plans and the State Health Plan to cover hearing aids and replacement hearing aids has been referred to the Committee on Health. If found favorable by the Committee on Health, the bill (HB 589) will go to the Committee on Insurance, and if favorable there, the bill will go to the Committee on Appropriations.
Tax Credits
_Legislation that would expand the mill rehabilitation tax credit passed its first reading in the House on Monday and has now been referred to the Committee on Commerce, Small Business, and Entrepreneurship (HB 592). If favorable, the legislation will then go to the Committee on Finance. Essentially, this legislation would allow a taxpayer, who incurs at least $3 million in redevelopment expenses with respect to a redevelopment site, to take a tax credit equal to a percentage of the redevelopment expenses. The bill would also set forth procedures and limitations on taking the credit.
_Legislation that would increase the Disabled Veteran Property Tax Homestead Exclusion passed its first reading in the House on Monday and has now been referred to the Committee on Commerce, Small Business, and Entrepreneurship (HB 594). Under current law, the first $45,000 of the appraised value of the residence is excluded from taxation, and this bill would increase that amount to $65,000. If favorable, it bill will go to the Committee on Finance.
Miscellaneous
_ Legislation that would create a Joint Legislative Study Committee on High-Speed Internet in Underserved Urban Areas is pending in a House committee. The bill (HB 595) would direct the committee to examine the availability of high-speed internet access in low-wealth areas of the state having a population of 100,000 or more according to the most recent federal decennial census.
Notes
_Two nursing groups visited the General Assembly this week, the NC Association of Nurse Anesthetists and the NC Nurses Association. Thank you to members of both of these groups and to the nurses across our state for the work you do in our communities and your dedication to health care.
Please remember that you can listen to each day’s session, committee meetings and press conferences on the General Assembly’s website at www.ncleg.net. Once on the site, select “audio,” and then make your selection – House Chamber, Senate Chamber, Appropriations Committee Room or Press Conference Room.
Prepared with the assistance of the Speaker's Office of Communications
Governor Perdue released her proposed budget for 2009-2011 this week and as expected, made many deep cuts. The governor’s proposal would cut at least 20 government programs, close seven prisons and result in the loss of hundreds of jobs.
The governor also made it clear that education would continue to be her priority. Her proposed budget would actually increase per pupil spending in North Carolina, just as she promised to do in her State of the State address. While neither the University of North Carolina campuses nor the community college system would see an increase in funding, the Governor’s budget would target money to boost financial aid and to help train students of all ages for work in emerging fields. Like the governor, I remain committed to providing every child in North Carolina with a world class education that will enable them to compete in the global economy. Education is the key to North Carolina’s long-term economic success.
Aid from the federal stimulus package will play a major role in shoring up North Carolina’s expected $3.4 billion budget shortfall. Among other things, federal money will be used for much needed transportation projects and will help increase education spending by $350 million over the next two years. You can get more information about her budget proposal by visiting: http://www.governor.state.nc.us/budget.aspx.
Thank you as always for your interest in your state. Please contact me if I can be of any assistance.
Children
_Two pieces of legislation that would strengthen the penalties for violations of child labor laws were approved in the House this week. House Bill 23 would double the fine for first-time violators of the state's child labor law from $250 to $500 and create a $1,000 penalty for further violations. The bill would also authorize the NC Department of Labor to fine a company up to $14,000 for workplace safety violations that injure a worker younger than 18, which is double the amount of the current maximum fine. There are regulations in place that bar young workers from performing a host of hazardous jobs, and this legislation is meant to act as a stronger deterrence against employer violations.
House Bill 22 would enhance youth employment protections by requiring the Commissioner of Labor to report on youth employment enforcement activities. The objective of the legislation is to enhance the safety of children in the workplace by making more information on workplace violations available. Both bills now go to the Senate for consideration.
_A bill that would create a process to set aside an order of paternity has received approval in the House and is now headed to the Senate. House Bill 307 would authorize trial courts to set aside an order of paternity and to set aside affidavits of parentage (after 60 days) if the order or affidavit was entered as the result of fraud, duress, mutual mistake, or excusable neglect, and genetic tests establish that the reported father is not the biological father of the child. If the court sets aside the order, future child support obligations of the putative father would be excused.
Good government
_Legislation that would make improvements to North Carolina’s absentee voting laws has been referred to the Committee on Election Law and Campaign Finance Reform (HB 614). The bill is especially intended to improve the ability of military and overseas voters to cast timely ballots. If favorable, the bill will then go on to the Committee on Homeland Security, Military, and Veterans Affairs.
_The Treasurer’s Governance and Transparency Act of 2009 received a favorable report from the Committee on Pensions and Retirement, and now goes to the Finance Committee. The legislation (HB 556) would expand the membership of the State Treasurer’s Investment Advisory Committee by adding two additional members of the general public.
_An act to provide for four-year staggered terms of office for members of the Legislative Ethics Committee received unanimous approval in the House this week. If enacted, the legislation (SB 136) would also amend the timing of ethics training for legislators based on the recommendations of the Legislative Ethics Committee. Currently, legislators and legislative staff must complete ethics training within three months of their election or appointment, and this bill would change that time period to two months.
Health
_ A bill that would authorize some counties to establish pilot programs to serve as models for affordable health insurance has been approved by the Insurance Committee. House Bill 212 now goes to the Committee on Commerce, Small Business, and Entrepreneurship.
_Legislation that would allow local mental health officials to inspect licensed facilities is now pending in the House. The bill (HB 576) would allow representatives authorized by the area director to conduct such inspections and to keep information obtained in the course of the inspection confidential. Previously, the law allowed only representatives of the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct such inspections.
_Legislation that would require health benefit plans and the State Health Plan to cover hearing aids and replacement hearing aids has been referred to the Committee on Health. If found favorable by the Committee on Health, the bill (HB 589) will go to the Committee on Insurance, and if favorable there, the bill will go to the Committee on Appropriations.
Tax Credits
_Legislation that would expand the mill rehabilitation tax credit passed its first reading in the House on Monday and has now been referred to the Committee on Commerce, Small Business, and Entrepreneurship (HB 592). If favorable, the legislation will then go to the Committee on Finance. Essentially, this legislation would allow a taxpayer, who incurs at least $3 million in redevelopment expenses with respect to a redevelopment site, to take a tax credit equal to a percentage of the redevelopment expenses. The bill would also set forth procedures and limitations on taking the credit.
_Legislation that would increase the Disabled Veteran Property Tax Homestead Exclusion passed its first reading in the House on Monday and has now been referred to the Committee on Commerce, Small Business, and Entrepreneurship (HB 594). Under current law, the first $45,000 of the appraised value of the residence is excluded from taxation, and this bill would increase that amount to $65,000. If favorable, it bill will go to the Committee on Finance.
Miscellaneous
_ Legislation that would create a Joint Legislative Study Committee on High-Speed Internet in Underserved Urban Areas is pending in a House committee. The bill (HB 595) would direct the committee to examine the availability of high-speed internet access in low-wealth areas of the state having a population of 100,000 or more according to the most recent federal decennial census.
Notes
_Two nursing groups visited the General Assembly this week, the NC Association of Nurse Anesthetists and the NC Nurses Association. Thank you to members of both of these groups and to the nurses across our state for the work you do in our communities and your dedication to health care.
Please remember that you can listen to each day’s session, committee meetings and press conferences on the General Assembly’s website at www.ncleg.net. Once on the site, select “audio,” and then make your selection – House Chamber, Senate Chamber, Appropriations Committee Room or Press Conference Room.
Prepared with the assistance of the Speaker's Office of Communications
From the Office of Representative Jimmy L. Love, Sr.
March 12, 2009
Governor Beverly E. Perdue delivered her historic first “State of the State” address this week to a joint session of the General Assembly, and I was honored to be among those in the audience.
In her speech, the governor made it clear that, despite the economic slowdown, education will remain the state’s top priority. Providing every child in North Carolina with a world class education will be imperative to our state’s economic survival in the long term. In this ailing economy, it will also be vital to break down the financial barriers that restrict access to higher education for many young people.
Most House members share the governor’s priorities. We realize we need to continue to help build new, burgeoning industries such as biotechnology and biofuels. We need to support small businesses and we need to provide resources for our students.
I have included below information about some of the legislation we are considering. As always, I welcome your thoughts and ideas about my work in Raleigh, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Education
_ North Carolina’s high school dropout rate would be clarified under legislation filed in the House this week (HB 470). The bill would amend the powers of the State Board of Education, to specify that calculations of the dropout rate must not include students who transfer to a community college, college, or university and enroll in a degree program, but that students who voluntarily withdraw or are expelled from school and do not finish at another school shall be considered to have dropped out.
_ Community colleges would be authorized to teach developmental courses and college success skills courses at any time during the year, including the summer term if a new bill (HB 491) is approved. A separate proposal would allow community colleges to include certain occupational extension courses in the headcounts they use to qualify for state money based on enrollment.
_ An act to repeal the sunset on the law authorizing teachers to take personal leave without penalty under certain circumstances was filed in the House this week (HB 441). The bill would give teachers some additional freedom to take paid days off.
_ A proposed law would require parents to give written permission to the schools before corporal punishment is administered to their children. The legislation (HB 442) would also require each local school board to annually report to the State Board of Education the number of times that corporal punishment is administered each year according to the student’s grade, age, gender, race, and whether the student was receiving special education services.
_ The Nicolas Adkins School Bus Safety Act (HB 440) was filed in the House this week and would provide for the use of automated camera and video systems to detect and prosecute those who pass stopped school buses. The legislation would also allow admission of photos and videos recorded by these systems in any proceedings. Nicolas Adkins was a 16-year-old student from Rockingham County who was hit and killed by a driver who ignored the activated school bus sign and passed his school bus in January.
Energy Efficiency
_ North Carolina would create a Solar Energy Incentive Grant program to encourage the production of solar panels in the state according to a bill filed in the House this week (HB 462). The bill is modeled after a similar program in Virginia.
_ Builders of energy-efficient homes would receive a tax credit if legislation filed in the House this week (HB 504) is approved.
_ New incentives for high-performance homes for North Carolina residents and new incentives for renewable energy for commercial property have been proposed in a bill filed this week. The legislation (HB 512) would also require public schools and state institutions of higher learning to report on energy usage.
Equality
_ The North Carolina Racial Justice Act (HB 472) was filed in the House this week to provide for the fair and reliable imposition of capital sentences. The legislation provides that no person shall be subject to or given a sentence of death or shall be executed based on race. The act would also establish a procedure for hearing such claims.
Crime/Justice
_ Legislation that would prohibit cell phones in prison (HB 8) was unanimously approved in the House this week. The bill also makes it unlawful for a prison guard to provide a phone to an inmate. Some prison officials had reported that more prisoners were smuggling in phones.
Notes
_ After the inventory of red-lettered license plates has been depleted, North Carolina will return to the blue-lettered license plates of the past. Both motor vehicle customers and law enforcement personnel requested the change back to blue lettering because it is easier to see at a distance.
_ The North Carolina Technology Association visited the General Assembly on Tuesday to emphasize the importance of the technology industry to the state economy as a whole. A dozen companies, including AT&T, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Lenovo and SAS set up tables in the Legislative Building where they shared information.
_ The Girl Scouts of America came to the General Assembly on Wednesday and hosted a cookie reception.
Please remember that you can listen to each day’s session, committee meetings and press conferences on the General Assembly’s website at www.ncleg.net. Once on the site, select “audio,” and then make your selection – House Chamber, Senate Chamber, Appropriations Committee Room or Press Conference Room.
Prepared with the assistance of the Speaker's Office of Communications
Governor Beverly E. Perdue delivered her historic first “State of the State” address this week to a joint session of the General Assembly, and I was honored to be among those in the audience.
In her speech, the governor made it clear that, despite the economic slowdown, education will remain the state’s top priority. Providing every child in North Carolina with a world class education will be imperative to our state’s economic survival in the long term. In this ailing economy, it will also be vital to break down the financial barriers that restrict access to higher education for many young people.
Most House members share the governor’s priorities. We realize we need to continue to help build new, burgeoning industries such as biotechnology and biofuels. We need to support small businesses and we need to provide resources for our students.
I have included below information about some of the legislation we are considering. As always, I welcome your thoughts and ideas about my work in Raleigh, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Education
_ North Carolina’s high school dropout rate would be clarified under legislation filed in the House this week (HB 470). The bill would amend the powers of the State Board of Education, to specify that calculations of the dropout rate must not include students who transfer to a community college, college, or university and enroll in a degree program, but that students who voluntarily withdraw or are expelled from school and do not finish at another school shall be considered to have dropped out.
_ Community colleges would be authorized to teach developmental courses and college success skills courses at any time during the year, including the summer term if a new bill (HB 491) is approved. A separate proposal would allow community colleges to include certain occupational extension courses in the headcounts they use to qualify for state money based on enrollment.
_ An act to repeal the sunset on the law authorizing teachers to take personal leave without penalty under certain circumstances was filed in the House this week (HB 441). The bill would give teachers some additional freedom to take paid days off.
_ A proposed law would require parents to give written permission to the schools before corporal punishment is administered to their children. The legislation (HB 442) would also require each local school board to annually report to the State Board of Education the number of times that corporal punishment is administered each year according to the student’s grade, age, gender, race, and whether the student was receiving special education services.
_ The Nicolas Adkins School Bus Safety Act (HB 440) was filed in the House this week and would provide for the use of automated camera and video systems to detect and prosecute those who pass stopped school buses. The legislation would also allow admission of photos and videos recorded by these systems in any proceedings. Nicolas Adkins was a 16-year-old student from Rockingham County who was hit and killed by a driver who ignored the activated school bus sign and passed his school bus in January.
Energy Efficiency
_ North Carolina would create a Solar Energy Incentive Grant program to encourage the production of solar panels in the state according to a bill filed in the House this week (HB 462). The bill is modeled after a similar program in Virginia.
_ Builders of energy-efficient homes would receive a tax credit if legislation filed in the House this week (HB 504) is approved.
_ New incentives for high-performance homes for North Carolina residents and new incentives for renewable energy for commercial property have been proposed in a bill filed this week. The legislation (HB 512) would also require public schools and state institutions of higher learning to report on energy usage.
Equality
_ The North Carolina Racial Justice Act (HB 472) was filed in the House this week to provide for the fair and reliable imposition of capital sentences. The legislation provides that no person shall be subject to or given a sentence of death or shall be executed based on race. The act would also establish a procedure for hearing such claims.
Crime/Justice
_ Legislation that would prohibit cell phones in prison (HB 8) was unanimously approved in the House this week. The bill also makes it unlawful for a prison guard to provide a phone to an inmate. Some prison officials had reported that more prisoners were smuggling in phones.
Notes
_ After the inventory of red-lettered license plates has been depleted, North Carolina will return to the blue-lettered license plates of the past. Both motor vehicle customers and law enforcement personnel requested the change back to blue lettering because it is easier to see at a distance.
_ The North Carolina Technology Association visited the General Assembly on Tuesday to emphasize the importance of the technology industry to the state economy as a whole. A dozen companies, including AT&T, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Lenovo and SAS set up tables in the Legislative Building where they shared information.
_ The Girl Scouts of America came to the General Assembly on Wednesday and hosted a cookie reception.
Please remember that you can listen to each day’s session, committee meetings and press conferences on the General Assembly’s website at www.ncleg.net. Once on the site, select “audio,” and then make your selection – House Chamber, Senate Chamber, Appropriations Committee Room or Press Conference Room.
Prepared with the assistance of the Speaker's Office of Communications
February 26, 2009
We received notice this week that with the passage of the federal stimulus bill, North Carolina is on track to receive about $6.1 billion over the next 27 months. The Governor’s office and members of the General Assembly are working diligently to determine how the money will be best spent.
Governor Perdue has already announced 70 highway and bridge projects that will soon get under way across the state. These 70 projects will be paid for with $466 million in federal stimulus money. The money is half of what the state will receive for transportation projects and had to be obligated within four months. It is expected to create about 14,000 jobs for the state.
The following projects will begin in Lee County: resurfacing Route US 1 from US 1 Business to SR 1423 at a cost of $3,000,000 and widening NC 78 to 3 lanes from US 1 to SR 1001 at an estimated cost of $7,000,000. It is estimated that these projects will begin sometime in June 2009.
Even as our focus remains on the state’s fiscal situation, we have also remained busy with other matters. Below are a few of the bills filed recently that you many be interested in, including several that would help members of our military.
As always, feel free to contact my office if you need any assistance.
Military
_ The state would add two more family assistance centers to help military personnel and their families under a bill filed in the House (H15). The additional centers would cost an estimated $600,000.
_ The Division of Motor Vehicles would be allowed to waive the commercial motor vehicles skills test for qualified military personnel who have operated similar vehicles for at least two years prior to applying to the state. The bill (H271) also waives the requirement if the applicants have completed similar skills test while in the military
_Money would be appropriated to the North Carolina Military Business Center according to a bill filed in the House (H58). If enacted, the legislation would appropriate $1.25 million for 2009-10 and $1.25 million for 2010-11 from to the community college system for the center. The center helps assist businesses in the states win federal contracts and helps develop business originating from the state’s military bases.
Education/Dropout Prevention
_Legislation has been filed that would shorten the waiting period between retirement and re-employment for retired teachers, so that teachers may return to the classroom without a loss of retirement benefits (H229). Existing law requires teachers to not work for at least six months after retirement or risk losing unemployment benefits. This bill would reduce the waiting period to four months.
_Money would be appropriated for the North Carolina PTA Parent Involvement/Dropout Prevention initiative according to a bill filed in the House this week (H308). If enacted, the legislation would appropriate $1.5 million for the 2009-2010 fiscal year and $1.5 million in recurring funds for the 2010-2011 fiscal year to the North Carolina Congress of Parents and Teachers, Inc., a nonprofit organization, for the continuation of the North Carolina PTA Parent Involvement/Dropout Prevention Initiative.
Recycling
_ Restaurants, bars and other establishments with ABC licenses already required to recycle would receive a tax credit of up to $500 annually based on how much they recycle under legislation filed in the House this week (H249).
Health
_The Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Branch of the Division of Public Health in the Department of Health and Human Services would receive $700,000 over the next two years for a public awareness campaign about stroke signs and symptoms and the importance of immediate response. The bill (H267) specifies that the money would be spent as part of a partnership with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.
Notes
_Members of the General Assembly honored the life and memory of Thomas Ghio “Sonny Boy” Joyner this week with a resolution (H131). In addition to honoring Joyner, state lawmakers joined the citizens of Weldon in recognizing the town as the Rockfish Capital of the World.
We received notice this week that with the passage of the federal stimulus bill, North Carolina is on track to receive about $6.1 billion over the next 27 months. The Governor’s office and members of the General Assembly are working diligently to determine how the money will be best spent.
Governor Perdue has already announced 70 highway and bridge projects that will soon get under way across the state. These 70 projects will be paid for with $466 million in federal stimulus money. The money is half of what the state will receive for transportation projects and had to be obligated within four months. It is expected to create about 14,000 jobs for the state.
The following projects will begin in Lee County: resurfacing Route US 1 from US 1 Business to SR 1423 at a cost of $3,000,000 and widening NC 78 to 3 lanes from US 1 to SR 1001 at an estimated cost of $7,000,000. It is estimated that these projects will begin sometime in June 2009.
Even as our focus remains on the state’s fiscal situation, we have also remained busy with other matters. Below are a few of the bills filed recently that you many be interested in, including several that would help members of our military.
As always, feel free to contact my office if you need any assistance.
Military
_ The state would add two more family assistance centers to help military personnel and their families under a bill filed in the House (H15). The additional centers would cost an estimated $600,000.
_ The Division of Motor Vehicles would be allowed to waive the commercial motor vehicles skills test for qualified military personnel who have operated similar vehicles for at least two years prior to applying to the state. The bill (H271) also waives the requirement if the applicants have completed similar skills test while in the military
_Money would be appropriated to the North Carolina Military Business Center according to a bill filed in the House (H58). If enacted, the legislation would appropriate $1.25 million for 2009-10 and $1.25 million for 2010-11 from to the community college system for the center. The center helps assist businesses in the states win federal contracts and helps develop business originating from the state’s military bases.
Education/Dropout Prevention
_Legislation has been filed that would shorten the waiting period between retirement and re-employment for retired teachers, so that teachers may return to the classroom without a loss of retirement benefits (H229). Existing law requires teachers to not work for at least six months after retirement or risk losing unemployment benefits. This bill would reduce the waiting period to four months.
_Money would be appropriated for the North Carolina PTA Parent Involvement/Dropout Prevention initiative according to a bill filed in the House this week (H308). If enacted, the legislation would appropriate $1.5 million for the 2009-2010 fiscal year and $1.5 million in recurring funds for the 2010-2011 fiscal year to the North Carolina Congress of Parents and Teachers, Inc., a nonprofit organization, for the continuation of the North Carolina PTA Parent Involvement/Dropout Prevention Initiative.
Recycling
_ Restaurants, bars and other establishments with ABC licenses already required to recycle would receive a tax credit of up to $500 annually based on how much they recycle under legislation filed in the House this week (H249).
Health
_The Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Branch of the Division of Public Health in the Department of Health and Human Services would receive $700,000 over the next two years for a public awareness campaign about stroke signs and symptoms and the importance of immediate response. The bill (H267) specifies that the money would be spent as part of a partnership with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.
Notes
_Members of the General Assembly honored the life and memory of Thomas Ghio “Sonny Boy” Joyner this week with a resolution (H131). In addition to honoring Joyner, state lawmakers joined the citizens of Weldon in recognizing the town as the Rockfish Capital of the World.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)