Work at the General Assembly is going rapidly so far this session, with the Senate approving its version of the budget bill this week, much earlier than in past years. The bill now comes to the House for consideration. Our budget committees have already been meeting to review the contents of the Senate bill and will start crafting our plan soon.
We will once again be accepting comments and ideas from anyone willing to offer them. The House Appropriations Committee will be hosting a public hearing on the budget on Monday beginning at 7 p.m. The hearing will be at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh with satellite sites at Bladen Community College, Central Piedmont Community College and Southwestern Community College. In addition, we will be accepting email comments at town.hall@ncleg.net. You can get additional information from the General Assembly website, www.ncleg.net.
Thank you as always for your interest in state government. If you have any questions about this information or anything else that I can help with, please contact me. I am always glad to be of service.
Jobs/Economy
_A bill that would provide H.E.L.P. (Health Care, Employment, Leverage, and Preparation) for small businesses in North Carolina was debated in the House Committee on Commerce, Small Business and Entrepreneurship on Wednesday (HB 1721). This bill would help create or retain 6,000-7,000 jobs, conservatively. It would also help many small businesses get through a very difficult time and it would give the state a stronger structure with which to assist small businesses. The bill is based on the recommendations of the House Select Committee on Small Business.
_Funds would be appropriated to the E-NC Authority to support connectivity initiatives and to advance technology-based economic development throughout the state under a bill that was introduced in the House this week (HB 1752).
_The House will be considering a bill that would provide funds for planning and funding of pilot programs recommended by the Joint Legislative Joining Our Businesses and Schools (Jobs) Study Commission (HB 1718).
_A bill that would appropriate funds in support of the North Carolina Community Development Initiative for capital acquisition leverage and green agenda programs in low-wealth communities was introduced in the House this week (HB 1872).
Health
_Legislation that would allow already enrolled dependent children under the age of 26 who are not eligible for employer-based health care to remain on the North Carolina State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees for plan year 2010-2011 was discussed by the House Committee on Insurance on Thursday. If enacted, the legislation would also direct the State Health Plan to consult with the Committee on Hospital and Medical Benefits before implanting a tobacco use testing program (HB 1707).
_A bill that would appropriate funds to prevent infant mortality in North Carolina was taken into consideration in the House Committee on Health on Thursday (HB 1702).
_The Child Care Commission, in consultation with the Division of Child Development of the Department of Health and Human Services, would be required to develop improved nutrition standards for child care facilities under a bill that is in the House Committee on Health (HB 1726). If enacted, the bill would also direct the Division of Childcare Development to study and recommend guidelines for increased physical activity in child care facilities. The legislation is based on the recommendations of the Legislative Task Force on Childhood Obesity.
Crime/Safety
_Funds would be appropriated based on recommendations from the Joint Legislative Committee on Domestic Violence under a bill that was introduced in the House this week (HB 1788). These funds would be allocated for: (1) the Domestic Violence Center Fund; (2) the North Carolina Council for Women and the Domestic Violence Commission to pay for shelters for victims of domestic violence; (3) the Governor's Crime Commission to create supervised visitation and exchange centers and to continue existing centers; (4) and for local programs to prevent domestic violence.
_Funding for law enforcement support services in the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety would be restored under a bill that was introduced in the House this week (HB 1813).
Notes
_Advanced Textile Solutions Inc., a regional company specializing in fabric products for the military, automotive, aerospace and marine markets, will open a new plant in Caldwell County. The company plans to create 127 jobs and invest $500,000 during the next three years in Sawmills. The project was made possible in part by a $127,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.
_The Appropriations Committee of the North Carolina House of Representatives will hold a public hearing on Monday, May 24, to receive comments about the state budget. The hearing will be held from 7-10 p.m. at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh. Email comments concerning the budget may be sent to town.hall@ncleg.net up to midnight of May 25. Written comments postmarked by May 25 may be sent to House Appropriations Committee, Suite 401, Legislative Office Building, 300 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC, 27603-5925. Additional information will be available at http://www.ncleg.net. Three community colleges that will serve as remote host sites are: Bladen Community College, Dublin; Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte; and Southwestern Community College, Sylva.
Please remember that you can listen to 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. A calendar of meetings is also available on the site.
Prepared with the assistance of the Speaker’s Office of Communications
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Regular Reports On What Is Happening In the NC General Assembly of Interest to citizens in District 51 by Representative Jimmy Love
