Since our session ended, the governor has signed several pieces of legislation into law. These laws will help protect the vulnerable among us, make our education system stronger and improve our health system. These are good laws meant to help in difficult times.
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.
Crime/Safety
_The North Carolina Supreme Court would be directed to establish minimum standards of domestic violence education and training for district court judges under a new state law (HB 1762 - S.L. 2010-106). The legislation also encourages the University of North Carolina School of Government to provide domestic violence education and training for judges and magistrates. The legislation is based on the recommendations of the Joint Legislative Committee on Domestic Violence.
_The penalty for the killing of an animal is increased from a Class A1 Misdemeanor to a Class H Felony under a new state law (SB 254 - S.L. 2010-16). The law also increases the penalty for the malicious abuse or torture of an animal from a Class I Felony to a Class H Felony. Susie's Law, as the legislation is commonly known, is named after a dog found burned and left to die in a Greensboro park last summer.
_Legislation that would provide a Survivor’s Alternate Benefit for survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty has been signed into law (HB 766 - S.L. 2010-11). Under the law, the principal beneficiary of an officer who has completed 15 years of service will be entitled to the survivor’s benefit should that officer be killed in the line of duty.
_The Division of Aging and Adult Services will study whether to require criminal record checks for current and prospective owners, operators, and volunteers of adult day care programs and adult day health services programs. The legislation (HB 1703 - S.L. 2010-93) is based on the recommendations of the North Carolina Study Commission on Aging and was considered this week by the House Committee on Aging this week.
Health
_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 new state law (HB 1726 - S.L. 2010-117). The legislation also directs 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.
_Legislation that will 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 has been signed into law (HB 1707 - S.L. 2010-3). The legislation also directs the State Health Plan to consult with the Committee on Hospital and Medical Benefits before implanting a tobacco use testing program.
Miscellaneous
_School districts will have more flexibility to improve failing schools under a new state law. The law (SB 704 - S.L. 2010-1) gives school systems additional authority to reorganize failing schools, including the ability to operate them like charter schools. Charter schools are public schools that are exempt from some of the rules that apply to traditional schools. The legislation is expected to help strengthen the state’s application for federal education money.
_A new state law will provide for an alternative credit for qualifying expenses of a production company (HB 713 - S.L. 2010-89).
_The sunset on certain economic incentives has been extended under a new state law (HB 1973 - S.L. 2010-147). These economic incentives include a credit for constructing renewable fuel facilities, a credit for small business employee health benefits, and a credit for biodiesel producers, among others. The legislation will also provide an enhanced incentive for jobs in high unemployment counties.
Notes
_The North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC) and the North Carolina Military Foundation announced that Department of Defense spending in North Carolina grew by 10 percent and exceeded $4.0 billion in federal fiscal year 2009 – an increase of $363.8 million over procurement in the state in 2008.
Prepared with the assistance of the Speaker’s Office of Communications
From the Office of Representative Jimmy L. Love, Sr. July 22, 2010
In recent years, North Carolina lawmakers have started to think more about our state’s energy policies. These efforts not only help us save money, but also help us conserve our resources and reduce our dependence on foreign oil and other energy sources from outside of our nation.
We made a number of important steps forward in this effort in this past session and I am pleased to share the highlights of our work with you.
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.
Energy
_Legislation that will promote the use of renewable energy by extending the credit for constructing renewable fuel facilities and the credit for biodiesel producers has been ratified by the General Assembly and sent to Gov. Perdue to be signed into law (HB 1829). Among other things, the bill will also revise the tax credit for investing in renewable energy property and reinstate and expand the tax credit for a renewable energy property facility.
_The sunset on some economic incentives would be extended under a bill that has been ratified by the General Assembly and sent to Gov. Perdue to be signed into law (HB 1973). These economic incentives include a credit for constructing renewable fuel facilities, a credit for small business employee health benefits, and a credit for biodiesel producers, among others. Once enacted, the legislation will also provide an enhanced incentive for jobs in high unemployment counties.
Environment
_Certain environmental laws will be amended under a bill that has been ratified by the General Assembly and sent to Gov. Perdue to be signed into law (HB 1099). Among the changes are to (1) extend by one year the implementation of water system efficiency criteria for eligibility for state water infrastructure funds; (2) prohibit the use of high arsenic content glass beads when marking state or municipal roads or public vehicular areas; (3) modify the nutrient management strategy and adopt a sediments strategy for certain drinking water supply reservoirs; and (4) to protect and restore water quality and quantity in the Upper Neuse River Basin, Falls Lake, and other drinking water supply reservoirs by directing the environmental management commission to provide credit to local governments, land owners, and others who reduce water pollution in the Upper Neuse River Basin before permanent rules are adopted.
_A bill that modifies the computer equipment recycling plan requirements and the associated fee on manufacturers has been ratified by the General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Perdue (SB 887 - S.L. 2010-67). The legislation also makes further substantive, clarifying, technical, and conforming changes to the laws governing the management of discarded computer equipment and discarded televisions, as recommended by the Environmental Review Commission. The law is intended to ensure that end-of-life computer equipment and televisions are responsibly recycled, to promote conservation, and to protect public health and the environment. It will also provide for a comprehensive and convenient system for recycling and reuse of certain electronic equipment would be established and responsibility would be shared among manufacturers, retailers, consumers, and the state.
_Legislation to address oil spill liability, response and preparedness has been ratified by the General Assembly and sent to Gov. Perdue to be signed into law (SB 836). Among other things, the legislation will: (1) clarify liability for damages caused by the discharge of natural gas, oil, or drilling waste into state coastal fishing waters or offshore waters; (2) provide for the review of information related to proposed offshore fossil fuel facilities to determine whether they are consistent with state guidelines for the coastal area; (3) direct the Coastal Resources Commission to review existing laws and regulations that pertain to offshore energy exploration and production in light of the recent British Petroleum (BP) accident; (4) direct the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety to immediately review and update the oil spill contingency plan to prepare the state in the event that oil discharged from the BP leak comes to the North Carolina coast; and (5) direct the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to review limitations on recovery by the state for damage to public resources and for the cost of oil or other hazardous substance cleanup.
_Legislation that will establish a task force to develop a plan for the establishment and maintenance of a statewide water and wastewater infrastructure resource and funding database has been ratified by the General Assembly and sent to Gov. Perdue to be signed into law (HB 1746).
Notes
_C.M.I. Enterprises Inc., a national supplier of automotive soft-trim materials, will locate a new manufacturing facility in Rutherford County. The company plans to move its Florida manufacturing plant to Rutherfordton, creating 53 jobs and investing $697,000 including lease payments. The project was made possible in part by a $33,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.
_Twenty-three private businesses, public agencies, and public and private universities will receive $5.6 million to create 400 jobs and internships to give students hands-on experience and training in North Carolina’s energy economy, the North Carolina Energy Office announced today. The federal funds will be combined with other private and public dollars to create an internship program worth nearly $8.7 million.
_Brunswick Corporation, a leading global manufacturer of recreational products and parent company of New Bern-based Hatteras Yachts, will expand in Craven County. The company plans to add 350 jobs over the next five years and invest $4.7 million. The expansion was made possible in part by state grants from the Job Development Investment Grant program and One North Carolina Fund.
_BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) will invest $38.4 million to build a warehouse and East Coast distribution center in Johnston County. The company plans to hire 187 workers to staff the facility over three years beginning in 2012. The project was made possible in part by a $600,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.
Prepared with the assistance of the Speaker’s Office of Communications
We made a number of important steps forward in this effort in this past session and I am pleased to share the highlights of our work with you.
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.
Energy
_Legislation that will promote the use of renewable energy by extending the credit for constructing renewable fuel facilities and the credit for biodiesel producers has been ratified by the General Assembly and sent to Gov. Perdue to be signed into law (HB 1829). Among other things, the bill will also revise the tax credit for investing in renewable energy property and reinstate and expand the tax credit for a renewable energy property facility.
_The sunset on some economic incentives would be extended under a bill that has been ratified by the General Assembly and sent to Gov. Perdue to be signed into law (HB 1973). These economic incentives include a credit for constructing renewable fuel facilities, a credit for small business employee health benefits, and a credit for biodiesel producers, among others. Once enacted, the legislation will also provide an enhanced incentive for jobs in high unemployment counties.
Environment
_Certain environmental laws will be amended under a bill that has been ratified by the General Assembly and sent to Gov. Perdue to be signed into law (HB 1099). Among the changes are to (1) extend by one year the implementation of water system efficiency criteria for eligibility for state water infrastructure funds; (2) prohibit the use of high arsenic content glass beads when marking state or municipal roads or public vehicular areas; (3) modify the nutrient management strategy and adopt a sediments strategy for certain drinking water supply reservoirs; and (4) to protect and restore water quality and quantity in the Upper Neuse River Basin, Falls Lake, and other drinking water supply reservoirs by directing the environmental management commission to provide credit to local governments, land owners, and others who reduce water pollution in the Upper Neuse River Basin before permanent rules are adopted.
_A bill that modifies the computer equipment recycling plan requirements and the associated fee on manufacturers has been ratified by the General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Perdue (SB 887 - S.L. 2010-67). The legislation also makes further substantive, clarifying, technical, and conforming changes to the laws governing the management of discarded computer equipment and discarded televisions, as recommended by the Environmental Review Commission. The law is intended to ensure that end-of-life computer equipment and televisions are responsibly recycled, to promote conservation, and to protect public health and the environment. It will also provide for a comprehensive and convenient system for recycling and reuse of certain electronic equipment would be established and responsibility would be shared among manufacturers, retailers, consumers, and the state.
_Legislation to address oil spill liability, response and preparedness has been ratified by the General Assembly and sent to Gov. Perdue to be signed into law (SB 836). Among other things, the legislation will: (1) clarify liability for damages caused by the discharge of natural gas, oil, or drilling waste into state coastal fishing waters or offshore waters; (2) provide for the review of information related to proposed offshore fossil fuel facilities to determine whether they are consistent with state guidelines for the coastal area; (3) direct the Coastal Resources Commission to review existing laws and regulations that pertain to offshore energy exploration and production in light of the recent British Petroleum (BP) accident; (4) direct the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety to immediately review and update the oil spill contingency plan to prepare the state in the event that oil discharged from the BP leak comes to the North Carolina coast; and (5) direct the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to review limitations on recovery by the state for damage to public resources and for the cost of oil or other hazardous substance cleanup.
_Legislation that will establish a task force to develop a plan for the establishment and maintenance of a statewide water and wastewater infrastructure resource and funding database has been ratified by the General Assembly and sent to Gov. Perdue to be signed into law (HB 1746).
Notes
_C.M.I. Enterprises Inc., a national supplier of automotive soft-trim materials, will locate a new manufacturing facility in Rutherford County. The company plans to move its Florida manufacturing plant to Rutherfordton, creating 53 jobs and investing $697,000 including lease payments. The project was made possible in part by a $33,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.
_Twenty-three private businesses, public agencies, and public and private universities will receive $5.6 million to create 400 jobs and internships to give students hands-on experience and training in North Carolina’s energy economy, the North Carolina Energy Office announced today. The federal funds will be combined with other private and public dollars to create an internship program worth nearly $8.7 million.
_Brunswick Corporation, a leading global manufacturer of recreational products and parent company of New Bern-based Hatteras Yachts, will expand in Craven County. The company plans to add 350 jobs over the next five years and invest $4.7 million. The expansion was made possible in part by state grants from the Job Development Investment Grant program and One North Carolina Fund.
_BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) will invest $38.4 million to build a warehouse and East Coast distribution center in Johnston County. The company plans to hire 187 workers to staff the facility over three years beginning in 2012. The project was made possible in part by a $600,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.
Prepared with the assistance of the Speaker’s Office of Communications
Press Release: Sales Tax Holiday Weekend
NC General Assembly
House of Representatives
District 51
Representative Jimmy L. Love, Sr.
Legislative Office Building, Room 305
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925
Jimmy.Love@ncleg.net
919.715.3026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rep. Jimmy L. Love, Sr.
July 20, 2010 (919) 715-3026
REP. JIMMY L. LOVE REMINDS RESIDENTS OF SALES TAX HOLIDAY WEEKEND
RALEIGH – Rep. Jimmy Love today reminded his constituents to take advantage of the state’s sales tax holiday, which starts at 12:01 am on Friday, August 6 and ends at 11:59 pm on Sunday, August 8. In an effort to better help consumers afford back-to-school items for their children, shoppers this weekend will not have to pay the sales tax on clothing, school supplies and computers.
“This weekend’s sales tax holiday will help North Carolina families better prepare their children for the start of school so they’re able to enter the classroom ready to learn,” Rep. Love said. “Friday through Sunday will be a great opportunity for families to save some money on necessary back-to-school items, while also supporting our local businesses. I hope that all residents of Lee and Harnett Counties will take advantage of this opportunity.”
The sales tax holiday was created by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2001 and went into effect on January 1, 2002. During the sales tax holiday, consumers will not pay sales tax on clothing, footwear, and school supplies of $100 or less per item; school instructional materials of $300 or less per item; sports and recreation equipment of $50 or less per item, computers of $3,500 or less per item; and computer supplies of $250 or less per item.
For more information on the sales tax holiday, go to: www.dor.state.nc.us/taxes/sales/salestax_holiday.html.
###
House of Representatives
District 51
Representative Jimmy L. Love, Sr.
Legislative Office Building, Room 305
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925
Jimmy.Love@ncleg.net
919.715.3026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rep. Jimmy L. Love, Sr.
July 20, 2010 (919) 715-3026
REP. JIMMY L. LOVE REMINDS RESIDENTS OF SALES TAX HOLIDAY WEEKEND
RALEIGH – Rep. Jimmy Love today reminded his constituents to take advantage of the state’s sales tax holiday, which starts at 12:01 am on Friday, August 6 and ends at 11:59 pm on Sunday, August 8. In an effort to better help consumers afford back-to-school items for their children, shoppers this weekend will not have to pay the sales tax on clothing, school supplies and computers.
“This weekend’s sales tax holiday will help North Carolina families better prepare their children for the start of school so they’re able to enter the classroom ready to learn,” Rep. Love said. “Friday through Sunday will be a great opportunity for families to save some money on necessary back-to-school items, while also supporting our local businesses. I hope that all residents of Lee and Harnett Counties will take advantage of this opportunity.”
The sales tax holiday was created by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2001 and went into effect on January 1, 2002. During the sales tax holiday, consumers will not pay sales tax on clothing, footwear, and school supplies of $100 or less per item; school instructional materials of $300 or less per item; sports and recreation equipment of $50 or less per item, computers of $3,500 or less per item; and computer supplies of $250 or less per item.
For more information on the sales tax holiday, go to: www.dor.state.nc.us/taxes/sales/salestax_holiday.html.
###
From the Office of Representative Jimmy L. Love, Sr. July 1, 2010
Governor Perdue signed our final budget into law yesterday in time for the start of the fiscal year. The following information highlights just some of the important aspects of the state budget for the 2010-11 fiscal year that pertain to natural and economic resources and education. Next week, we will share information about budgets for Health and Human Services, the Judicial Branch, General Government, and Transportation.
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.
Natural and Economic Resources
_ Provides funding to attract businesses to locate operations in North Carolina and to increase the sale of North Carolina exports, including agricultural commodities - $875,000
_ Provides additional funding for the One NC Fund to enhance the competitive position of North Carolina when recruiting national and international business and industry projects. Three percent of these funds shall be used for small business expansion - $12.5 million.
_ Appropriates funding for Job Maintenance and Capital Development Fund - $6 million
_ Funds the One NC Small Business Fund program, which provides matching grants to businesses that qualify for federal incentives funds - $1.5 million.
_ Provides funding for the Main Street Solutions Program and the creation of one two-year time limited position to administer the program. This program provides grants to active Main Street Communities and designated micropolitans with populations between 10,000 and 50,000 people. Grants are to be used to support downtown economic development, historic preservation initiatives, and other public and private improvement projects that will support small businesses and job creation - $1.5 million.
_ Provides funds to help create additional export opportunities for NC companies in Asian and South American markets and to increase North Carolina investment interest from Asian and South American companies - $200,000.
_ Appropriates money for matching funds for US Department of Energy grants to support energy research and green jobs - $1 million.
_ Provides funding for marketing North Carolina as a tourist destination - $1 million.
_ Provides funding to support the seven Regional Economic Development Commissions - $5 million.
_ Provides funds for the Biofuels Center - $5 million.
_ Provides nonrecurring matching funds to the Research Triangle Institute for a US Department of Energy grant for energy research and green jobs - $500,000.
_ Provides funds for small business loans for those who have limited access to credit - $750,000.
_ Provides additional funding for the Rural Center's Building Reuse and Restoration Program to strengthen the capacity of rural communities to compete for and attract new and expanding businesses. Funding for small-scale regional community development projects is also included - $3.13 million.
_ Provides funding to the Rural Center to continue the Small Business Assistance Fund - $1 million.
_ Provides money for the Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund - $2 million.
_ Provides funds to support international trade initiatives - $200,000.
_ Provides funds for Got to Be NC marketing. This program promotes North Carolina's farmers by helping to develop markets for North Carolina produce and products in grocery stores, restaurants, farmers markets, and other establishments - $250,000.
_ Reduces personnel and operating expenses for aircraft operations. This reduction eliminates four pilot positions and two mechanic positions. The sale of 10 eliminated aircraft is expected to result in over $1.5 million in one-time revenue - $1.5 million.
_ Eliminates the Marine Fisheries Division's three helicopters and associated operating expenses in accordance with the recommendations from the Program Evaluation Division's Study of State Aircraft. The aircraft will be sold, generating one-time revenue of $35,000 - $60,218.
_ Provides nonrecurring funding for the Indian Economic Development Initiative - $100,000.
Education
_Public Schools
_ Prevents layoffs of any instructional personnel in K-12 by adjusting the lottery receipts budgeted for Classroom Teachers. Also redirects $16.8 million from the Lottery Reserve - $121 million.
_ Reduces the annual appropriation for the North Carolina Window on Student Education (NC WISE), as this project is deployed and is in operations and maintenance phase. Also there is a nonrecurring reduction of the cash balance – ($12 million).
_ Provides on a nonrecurring basis for the purchase of replacement textbooks for emergency situations. The State Board of Education shall develop rules and guidelines for the allocation of these funds - $2.5 million.
_ Provides funding to extend the Student Diagnostic Pilot program for a year in the existing 40 pilot schools. - $10 million
_ Eliminates end-of-grade test for geometry – ($585,459)
_Community Colleges
_ Fully funds enrollment growth to help pay for the 15 percent increase (33,013 students) in enrollment - $81 million.
_ Increases curriculum tuition from $50 to $56.50 for residents and from $241.30 to $248.50 for nonresidents. Tuition for full-time resident students will increase by a maximum of $208 per year, from $1,600 to $1,808 - $30 million.
_ Authorizes bonds for the purchase of instructional equipment and technology at all 58 colleges. - $33 million.
_ Restores the reduction made to the Small Business Center allotment in 2009. This funding will be added to each college’s base allocation. With this restoration, the total funding available for this program will be $5,756,853 - $402,861.
_ Provides funds to assist Minority Male Mentoring programs at community colleges. These programs provide such activities as academic and personal counseling, drug intervention, and personal growth and development. These funds will be distributed through a competitive application process - $900,000.
_UNC System
_ Mandates a management flexibility reduction for the UNC operating budget with a priority on non-teaching related budget cuts. This reduction is in addition to the $100 million management flexibility reduction authorized for the FY 2010-11 base budget – ($70 million).
_ Repeals the reimbursement to UNC institutions for their loss of revenue due to their compliance with a law that grants resident tuition to nonresident student athletes – ($9.4 million).
_ Reduces the General Fund advertising budgets of UNC campuses by 24 percent – ($2.5 million).
_ Reduces the $44 million annual appropriation to UNC Hospitals due to the entity's $501.1 million in unrestricted reserves – ($8 million).
_ Increases UNC Need-Based Financial Aid - $8.2 million.
_ Continues the phase-in of funding for the additional faculty and operating needs of the new School of Dentistry at East Carolina University that will open with 50 students in the Fall of 2011. To date, $5.5 million has been appropriated for the school's operating budget - $6 million. (36 positions)
_ Completes the staffing and operational needs of the Energy Production Infrastructure Center (EPIC) opening at UNC-Charlotte in the Fall of 2011. These funds will enable the hiring of research faculty in electrical power, power system infrastructure, and power plant engineering. These funds are in addition to the $2 million appropriated in 2009 - $3 million (23 positions).
_ Continues the phase-in of faculty and staff for the NC A&T/UNC-G Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering located at the Gateway University Research Park in Greensboro. The program will conduct research in areas such as drug design and delivery, nanobioengineering, and genetic screening. There has been $3.9 million appropriated to date for the operating budget for this program - $1 million. (23 positions)
_ Provides funds to North Carolina A&T State University's College of Engineering for 1) enhancement of the research infrastructure, 2) faculty retention, 3) recruitment of high quality students, and 4) additional support staff - $1 million. (10 positions)
Notes
_Edwards Wood Products Inc./Woodlawn will expand with a new saw mill in McDowell County. The company plans to create 32 jobs and invest more than $1.96 million, including lease payments, during the next three years in Marion. The project was made possible in part by a $96,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.
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
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.
Natural and Economic Resources
_ Provides funding to attract businesses to locate operations in North Carolina and to increase the sale of North Carolina exports, including agricultural commodities - $875,000
_ Provides additional funding for the One NC Fund to enhance the competitive position of North Carolina when recruiting national and international business and industry projects. Three percent of these funds shall be used for small business expansion - $12.5 million.
_ Appropriates funding for Job Maintenance and Capital Development Fund - $6 million
_ Funds the One NC Small Business Fund program, which provides matching grants to businesses that qualify for federal incentives funds - $1.5 million.
_ Provides funding for the Main Street Solutions Program and the creation of one two-year time limited position to administer the program. This program provides grants to active Main Street Communities and designated micropolitans with populations between 10,000 and 50,000 people. Grants are to be used to support downtown economic development, historic preservation initiatives, and other public and private improvement projects that will support small businesses and job creation - $1.5 million.
_ Provides funds to help create additional export opportunities for NC companies in Asian and South American markets and to increase North Carolina investment interest from Asian and South American companies - $200,000.
_ Appropriates money for matching funds for US Department of Energy grants to support energy research and green jobs - $1 million.
_ Provides funding for marketing North Carolina as a tourist destination - $1 million.
_ Provides funding to support the seven Regional Economic Development Commissions - $5 million.
_ Provides funds for the Biofuels Center - $5 million.
_ Provides nonrecurring matching funds to the Research Triangle Institute for a US Department of Energy grant for energy research and green jobs - $500,000.
_ Provides funds for small business loans for those who have limited access to credit - $750,000.
_ Provides additional funding for the Rural Center's Building Reuse and Restoration Program to strengthen the capacity of rural communities to compete for and attract new and expanding businesses. Funding for small-scale regional community development projects is also included - $3.13 million.
_ Provides funding to the Rural Center to continue the Small Business Assistance Fund - $1 million.
_ Provides money for the Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund - $2 million.
_ Provides funds to support international trade initiatives - $200,000.
_ Provides funds for Got to Be NC marketing. This program promotes North Carolina's farmers by helping to develop markets for North Carolina produce and products in grocery stores, restaurants, farmers markets, and other establishments - $250,000.
_ Reduces personnel and operating expenses for aircraft operations. This reduction eliminates four pilot positions and two mechanic positions. The sale of 10 eliminated aircraft is expected to result in over $1.5 million in one-time revenue - $1.5 million.
_ Eliminates the Marine Fisheries Division's three helicopters and associated operating expenses in accordance with the recommendations from the Program Evaluation Division's Study of State Aircraft. The aircraft will be sold, generating one-time revenue of $35,000 - $60,218.
_ Provides nonrecurring funding for the Indian Economic Development Initiative - $100,000.
Education
_Public Schools
_ Prevents layoffs of any instructional personnel in K-12 by adjusting the lottery receipts budgeted for Classroom Teachers. Also redirects $16.8 million from the Lottery Reserve - $121 million.
_ Reduces the annual appropriation for the North Carolina Window on Student Education (NC WISE), as this project is deployed and is in operations and maintenance phase. Also there is a nonrecurring reduction of the cash balance – ($12 million).
_ Provides on a nonrecurring basis for the purchase of replacement textbooks for emergency situations. The State Board of Education shall develop rules and guidelines for the allocation of these funds - $2.5 million.
_ Provides funding to extend the Student Diagnostic Pilot program for a year in the existing 40 pilot schools. - $10 million
_ Eliminates end-of-grade test for geometry – ($585,459)
_Community Colleges
_ Fully funds enrollment growth to help pay for the 15 percent increase (33,013 students) in enrollment - $81 million.
_ Increases curriculum tuition from $50 to $56.50 for residents and from $241.30 to $248.50 for nonresidents. Tuition for full-time resident students will increase by a maximum of $208 per year, from $1,600 to $1,808 - $30 million.
_ Authorizes bonds for the purchase of instructional equipment and technology at all 58 colleges. - $33 million.
_ Restores the reduction made to the Small Business Center allotment in 2009. This funding will be added to each college’s base allocation. With this restoration, the total funding available for this program will be $5,756,853 - $402,861.
_ Provides funds to assist Minority Male Mentoring programs at community colleges. These programs provide such activities as academic and personal counseling, drug intervention, and personal growth and development. These funds will be distributed through a competitive application process - $900,000.
_UNC System
_ Mandates a management flexibility reduction for the UNC operating budget with a priority on non-teaching related budget cuts. This reduction is in addition to the $100 million management flexibility reduction authorized for the FY 2010-11 base budget – ($70 million).
_ Repeals the reimbursement to UNC institutions for their loss of revenue due to their compliance with a law that grants resident tuition to nonresident student athletes – ($9.4 million).
_ Reduces the General Fund advertising budgets of UNC campuses by 24 percent – ($2.5 million).
_ Reduces the $44 million annual appropriation to UNC Hospitals due to the entity's $501.1 million in unrestricted reserves – ($8 million).
_ Increases UNC Need-Based Financial Aid - $8.2 million.
_ Continues the phase-in of funding for the additional faculty and operating needs of the new School of Dentistry at East Carolina University that will open with 50 students in the Fall of 2011. To date, $5.5 million has been appropriated for the school's operating budget - $6 million. (36 positions)
_ Completes the staffing and operational needs of the Energy Production Infrastructure Center (EPIC) opening at UNC-Charlotte in the Fall of 2011. These funds will enable the hiring of research faculty in electrical power, power system infrastructure, and power plant engineering. These funds are in addition to the $2 million appropriated in 2009 - $3 million (23 positions).
_ Continues the phase-in of faculty and staff for the NC A&T/UNC-G Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering located at the Gateway University Research Park in Greensboro. The program will conduct research in areas such as drug design and delivery, nanobioengineering, and genetic screening. There has been $3.9 million appropriated to date for the operating budget for this program - $1 million. (23 positions)
_ Provides funds to North Carolina A&T State University's College of Engineering for 1) enhancement of the research infrastructure, 2) faculty retention, 3) recruitment of high quality students, and 4) additional support staff - $1 million. (10 positions)
Notes
_Edwards Wood Products Inc./Woodlawn will expand with a new saw mill in McDowell County. The company plans to create 32 jobs and invest more than $1.96 million, including lease payments, during the next three years in Marion. The project was made possible in part by a $96,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.
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
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