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>> A HOUSE BUDGET COMMITTEE APPROVES AN EARLY EDUCATION
SPENDING PLAN.
EUGENICS COMPENSATION LEGISLATION EARNS EARLY FAVOR,
AND WE DISCUSS SCHOOL EXCELLENCE WITH SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM
PHIL BERGER NEXT.
QUALITY PUBLIC TELEVISION IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH
THE FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF VIEWERS LIKE YOU
WHO INVITE YOU TO JOIN THEM IN SUPPORTING UNC-TV
>> HELLO.
I'M KELLY McCULLEN.
WE OPEN THIS PROGRAM WITH NEWS ON THE HOUSE'S MOVEMENT ON A NEW
EDUCATION BUDGET.
EDUCATION SPENDING IS OVER 50% OF NORTH CAROLINA'S BUDGET.
THIS CURRENT FISCAL YEAR WAS DEFINED BY SPENDING REDUCTIONS,
BUT THE 2012-2013 SPENDING PLAN THAT CLEARED A HOUSE
SUBCOMMITTEE SPARES THE REDUCTIONS, BUT LEAVES NO SPARE
FUNDS.
THE HOUSE EDUCATION BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE APPROVED A
2012-2013 EDUCATION SPENDING PLAN THURSDAY MORNING.
BUDGET WRITERS SAY THEY WERE GIVEN AN ADDITIONAL $233 MILLION
TO SAVE K-12 TEACHING JOBS THAT ARE THREATENED BECAUSE FEDERAL
STIMULUS MONEY RUNS OUT IN A FEW WEEKS.
>> WHEN WE TOOK THE REINS OF THE BUDGET, THERE WERE STATE-FUNDED
POSITIONS THAT WERE FUNDED WITH ONE-TIME FEDERAL MONEY, SO WE'VE
HAD TO TRY TO DIG OUT OF THAT HOLE.
I THINK WE'VE DONE A PRETTY GOOD JOB.
>> PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING RESTORES MUCH OF THE FUNDING
THAT BACKS THE TWO SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF AND THE SCHOOL FOR THE
BLIND, KEEPING THEM OPEN.
THE GOVERNOR'S SCHOOLS WOULD RECEIVE A $200,000 ONE-YEAR
FUNDING.
K-12 SPENDING JUMPS BY ABOUT $238 MILLION OVER 2011-2012 AND
PREVENTS SPENDING CUTS DEEPER THAN THOSE APPROVED THIS BUDGET
YEAR.
>> THE CUTS THAT THEY MADE THEY ALREADY MADE LAST YEAR.
THEY'VE ALREADY BEEN MADE, SO WE'RE JUST SAYING YOU'RE NOT
GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE ANY FURTHER CUTS THIS YEAR.
>> THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM WOULD RECEIVE A $10 MILLION
ONE-YEAR INFUSION OF CASH FOR RETRAINING LONG UNEMPLOYED
WORKERS.
THE SYSTEM WOULD ALSO SEE REQUIRED LOCAL SPENDING
REDUCTIONS LESSENED BY ABOUT 5%.
ENROLLMENT GROWTH FUNDING IS REDUCED IN THE HOUSE PLAN
BECAUSE ESTIMATES SUGGEST ENROLLMENT WILL DECLINE.
SOME DEMOCRATS SAY THE REPUBLICAN EDUCATION
SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRMEN DID A GOOD JOB WITH THE MONEY THEY WERE
PROVIDED, BUT NORTH CAROLINA'S CURRENT LEVEL OF EDUCATION
SPENDING IS REALLY NOTHING TO BRAG ABOUT.
>> THIS SIMPLY MEANS WE'RE IN A POSITION IF THIS BUDGET PASSES
THAT THERE SHOULDN'T BE ADDITIONAL CUTS THIS YEAR.
BUT THAT HARDLY DOES ANYTHING FOR A STATE THAT HAS A 10%
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AND HAS CLASSROOM SIZE RISING.
IT'S NOT GOING TO IMPROVE THE EDUCATIONAL QUALITY.
IT'S SIMPLY SAYING WE'RE NOT GOING TO HURT IT ANYMORE.
>> THE HOUSE EDUCATION SPENDING PLAN CALLS FOR ENDING STATE
SUBSIDIES FOR COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS GIVEN TO
OUT-OF-STATE STUDENTS LIKE THE MOREHEAD SCHOLARSHIP.
UNC HOSPITALS WOULD LOSE ITS STATE SUBSIDY COMPLETELY.
LOCAL UNIVERSITIES ARE LESSENED.
UNC-TV, THIS NETWORK, IS PART OF THE 2012-2013 BUDGET
ADJUSTMENTS.
THE HOUSE WOULD CUT THE NETWORK'S BUDGET BY $1.5 MILLION
THIS FOLLOWS A REDUCTION OF $1.2 MILLION IN THE 2011-2012 BUDGET.
EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRMAN REPRESENT BRYAN HOLLOWAY SAYS
THE BROADER HOUSE BUDGET WILL NOT INCLUDE TAX INCREASES AND
ALL SPENDING UNDER HIS PLAN USES EXISTING TAX RATES AND REVENUE
COLLECTIONS.
>> I THINK THIS IS THE BUDGET THAT WILL MOVE FORWARD IN THE
HOUSE.
WE'RE YET TO SEE WHAT THE SENATE WILL DO, BUT I THINK THIS IS THE
FRAMEWORK IN PLACE.
>> THE EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE'S BUDGET HEADS TO THE FULL HOUSE
APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE.
THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE BEGAN TALKS ON AN ALTERNATIVE
EDUCATION PLAN AIMED AT INCREASING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
LITERACY RATES AND HOLDING TEACHERS MORE ACCOUNTABLE FOR
THEIR CLASSROOM RESULTS.
THIS BILL WOULD REQUIRE ENTIRE SCHOOLS TO RECEIVE A GRADE BASED
ON AN A-F SCALE LIKE A STUDENT.
STUDENTS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO READ AT GRADE LEVEL BEFORE
MOVING UP AND SOCIAL PROMOTIONS WOULD BE BANNED.
TEACHERS COULD BE DISMISSED FOR SUBSTANDARD CLASSROOM RESULTS.
THIS SCHOOL BILL CARRIES A $46 MILLION PRICE TAG ITS FIRST YEAR
IF IT BECOMES LAW.
SENATOR PHIL BERGER, THE PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF THE
SENATE'S, BEHIND THIS EXCELLENCE IN SCHOOLS BILL.
THANKS FOR BEING ON THE SHOW.
>> THANK YOU, KELLY.
>> COMPREHENSIVE BILL COMES OUT IN THE SHORT SESSION.
CONVENTIONAL WISDOM IS YOU DO THESE BILLS IN LONG SESSION WHEN
YOU HAVE MONTHS AND MONTHS TO WORK IT THROUGH AND STEW ON IT.
WHY WAS THE TIMING RIGHT IN 2012?
>> THE TIMING IS RIGHT BECAUSE THE NEED IS THERE.
IT'S TIME FOR US TO REFORM MANY PARTS OF OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION
SYSTEM, BUT IT'S PARTICULARLY TIME FOR US TO ADD A NEEDED
FOCUS ON READING IN THE EARLY GRADES.
YOU KNOW, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS LAST YEAR WHEN WE ADOPTED THE
BUDGET LAST YEAR.
WE ADDED $60 MILLION TO THE BUDGET TO FUND TEACHERS IN
GRADES 1, 2 AND 3 IN ORDER TO HELP ALLEVIATE SOME CLASS SIZE
ISSUES THERE.
SO THIS IS JUST FOLLOWING UP ON THAT INITIATIVE.
WE INTRODUCED THE BILL BACK IN APRIL, GAVE PEOPLE PLENTY OF
TIME TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT, SOLICITED RESPONSES AND INPUT,
AND IT'S TIME TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE FORWARD.
>> YOU MOVE FORWARD IN THE COMMITTEE EARLIER THIS WEEK.
IN FACT, WE WERE THERE EAVESDROPPING ON YOUR SPEECH,
AND YOU WERE CHALLENGED BY THE DEMOCRATS, THE MINORITY WHIP
STEPPED IN WITH A FEW MINUTES FOR YOU.
CHECK THIS OUT.
>> ABILITY TO COME IN WITH LITERACY SKILLS AND NOW WE'RE
TALKING ABOUT DOING REMEDIAL WORK IN K-3.
I'M NOT GOING TO OBJECT TO WHAT YOU'RE DOING IN K-3.
I JUST THINK YOU'RE LOOKING AT ONE CORNER OF A VERY LARGE
CANVAS AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO BROADEN THE VIEW.
>> I'M NOT ASSUMING AND I HOPE YOU'RE NOT THAT WE'RE NOT DOING
GOOD THINGS BECAUSE YOU COULDN'T TELL ME ALL THE GOOD THINGS YOU
WERE TELLING ME IN THE K-3 PROGRAMS LAST YEAR WHEN YOU WANT
MONEY AND THEY'RE DOING TONS OF THOSE THINGS.
TO ASSUME WE'VE GOT TO COVER ALL THAT IN THIS BILL, THAT THEY'RE
NOT DOING ANY OF THIS STUFF, I THINK IS ERRONEOUS AND I THINK
YOU'LL FIND WE'VE GOT SOME GOOD PROGRAMS.
YOU TOLD ME HOW GREAT THEY WERE AND I BELIEVED YOU.
AND WE WILL LOOK AT THAT, BUT THIS BILL CAN'T COVER GOD'S
GREEN EARTH.
YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE SO MUCH.
I THINK WE HAVE.
>> GOD'S GREEN EARTH NOT COVERED IN THIS BILL, BUT IT IS K-3.
WHY NOT LOOK DOWN TO PRE-K?
>> HERE'S THE THING.
I THINK THE INTERESTING THING ABOUT THE COMMENTS THAT WE
RECEIVED WAS THAT THEY DIDN'T CRITICIZE THE SUBSTANCE OF THE
BILL.
THE CRITICISMS GENERALLY WERE THAT WHY DIDN'T YOU DO THIS, WHY
DIDN'T YOU DO THIS, WHY DIDN'T YOU DO THAT?
MY QUESTION IS WHY DIDN'T THEY DO THOSE THINGS WHEN THEY WERE
IN CONTROL FOR ALL THOSE YEARS IF THERE ARE THINGS THAT NEED TO
BE DONE AND THERE MAY BE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE, BUT THE
BILL'S A GOOD BILL.
IT ADDRESSES A SPECIFIC PROBLEM.
IT IS NOT INTENDED TO COVER ALL OF THE ILLS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION,
BUT IT IS INTENDED TO COVER EFFECTIVELY ONE OF THE SPECIFIC
THINGS THAT WE NEED TO IMPROVE.
>> THE FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THIS $46 MILLION IN THE NEXT YEAR IF
IT BECOMES LAW AND GROWING, DO YOU SEE THE EXTRA EMPHASIS ON
THE FUNDING GOING TOWARDS LITERACY HELPING SCHOOL CHILDREN
OR THE PROVISIONS ALLOWING TEACHERS TO BE DISMISSED FOR
INEFFECTIVENESS BEING THE DRIVER TO GET CLASSROOM ACHIEVEMENT UP
THROUGHOUT NORTH CAROLINA?
>> ULTIMATELY, THE ONE THING THAT IMPROVES STUDENT
ACHIEVEMENT MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE IS HAVING A HIGHLY
QUALIFIED TEACHER IN THE CLASSROOM.
SO IF WE GET THE POLICY RIGHT IN TERMS OF WHAT THE SUBSTANCE OF
THE CURRICULUM IS AND HOW WE DEAL WITH KIDS THAT ARE HAVING
TROUBLE READING, YET WE DON'T DEAL WITH THE QUESTION OF
TEACHER QUALITY, THEN THE BILL IS INCOMPLETE.
SO BOTH ARE IMPORTANT, AND BOTH ARE CRITICAL TO THE BILL BEING
SUCCESSFUL.
>> YOU GET THIS THROUGH, GET IT INTO LAW IN 2016, 2017, THE TAB
WILL BE OVER $100 MILLION A YEAR TOWARDS THIS PARTICULAR TARGET
YOU'RE REACHING.
WILL ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NORTH CAROLINA COVER THAT WITH EXCESS
TAX REVENUE OR DO YOU SEE THE BUDGET SHIFTING FOR K-12
FUNDING?
>> IT MAY BE A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH.
I THINK WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REPURPOSE SOME OF THE DOLLARS
WE CURRENTLY SPEND FOR THINGS THAT ARE HIGHER PRIORITY, AND I
DON'T KNOW OF A HIGHER PRIORITY IN OUR K-12 SYSTEM THAN MAKING
SURE OUR KIDS KNOW HOW TO READ.
IT MAY TAKE MORE MONEY.
I'VE SAID ALL ALONG THAT, YOU KNOW, THE OTHER SIDE, THE
DEMOCRATS KEEP SAYING PUT MORE MONEY IN THE SYSTEM.
WELL, OUR ANSWER TO THAT IS LET'S FIX THE SYSTEM BEFORE WE
ASK THE TAXPAYERS TO PUT MORE MONEY INTO THE SYSTEM.
SO THIS IS PART OF TRYING TO GET THE POLICY RIGHT.
ONCE WE HAVE THE POLICY RIGHT, PEOPLE OF NORTH CAROLINA HAVE
LONG SHOWN THAT THEY SUPPORT PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND I THINK
THEY'LL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.
>> I'VE HEARD A LOT MORE THAN I'VE READ THAT THIS PROPOSAL HAS
BEEN REVIEWED BY THE HOUSE LEADERSHIP AND OTHERS, VERY
LUKEWARM AT THIS POINT.
HAVE YOU TOLD YOUR SENATE BUDGET WRITERS I WANT THIS AS PART OF
OUR VERSION OF THE BUDGET?
HAVE YOU SAT DOWN AT THE TABLE AND HASHED IT THROUGH?
>> WE'VE NOT GOTTEN TO THE POINT OF DEALING SPECIFICALLY WHAT'S
GOING TO BE IN THE SENATE BUDGET.
WE'RE STILL WAITING ON THE HOUSE TO SEND US THEIRS AND WE'LL SEE
WHAT MODIFICATIONS NEED TO BE MADE TO THAT.
>> IN LOOKING INWARDLY TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, WHEN YOU ROLL
THIS OUT AS AMBITIOUS AS IT IS, DID YOU CONSULT WITH THE PAT
McCRORY CAMPAIGN, WHO HAS HIS IDEAS HE WANTS TO RUN THROUGH
NORTH CAROLINA IF ELECTED, NOT TO MENTION THE HOUSE LEADERSHIP
AND YOU ARE ON THE TABLE WITH YOUR OWN PROPOSAL?
>> WE'VE TALKED TO A BROAD RANGE OF PEOPLE, PEOPLE RUNNING FOR
GOVERNOR.
I WOULD INVITE THEM TO LOOK AT THE BILL.
I THINK THEY HAVE.
I'M INTERESTED IN WHAT THEIR COMMENTS ARE.
I THINK THAT THERE'S BROAD SUPPORT FOR WHAT THE GOALS ARE.
EVERYBODY MIGHT HAVE A LITTLE DIFFERENT IDEA OF HOW WE GET TO
THE GOAL.
THIS IS -- THIS IS THE WAY THAT THAT -- THAT MANY OF US IN THE
SENATE SEE AS THE RIGHT PATH.
I THINK THAT AS PEOPLE STUDY IT, WE'LL -- WE'LL CONTINUE TO
GENERATE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT.
>> SENATOR PHIL BERGER, PRESIDENT PRO TEM, THANK YOU SO
MUCH.
A BILL REVERSING NINE CITIES' INVOLUNTARY ANNEXATION
RESTRICTIONS IS ONE VOTE FROM REACHING GOVERNOR PERDUE'S DESK.
IT WOULD REPEAL INVOLUNTARY ANNEXATIONS FOR KINSTON,
LEXINGTON, ROCKY MOUNT, WILMINGTON, ASHEVILLE, MARVIN,
SOUTHPORT, GOLDSBORO OR FAYETTEVILLE.
LEGISLATION TWEAKING EXISTING INVOLUNTARY ANNEXATION
RESTRICTIONS NEEDS A FINAL HOUSE VOTE BEFORE HEADING TO GOVERNOR
PERDUE.
CURRENT LAW ALLOWED PROPERTY OWNERS TO CHALLENGE INVOLUNTARY
ANNEXATION EFFORTS BY A PETITION, BUT A JUDGE SAID THAT
WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL, THAT A PETITION OMITS LOCAL VOTERS WHO
MAY NOT OWN PROPERTY.
THE LEGISLATION ELIMINATES THAT PETITIONING REQUIREMENT AND
REQUIRES CITIES TO HOLD LOCAL ELECTIONS WHEN CHALLENGED ON AN
ANNEXATION EFFORT.
A BIPARTISAN HOUSE COMMITTEE VOTE IS FUELING A YOIK BILL'S
MOVEMENT TOWARDS A HOUSE VOTE.
THE STATE EUGENICS BOARD HELD AUTHORITY TO INVOLUNTARILY
STERILIZE PEOPLE FROM 1933 TO 1974.
A HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HEARD PUBLIC FEEDBACK THIS WEEK
ON LEGISLATION THAT COULD PAY RESTITUTION TO VICTIMS OF NORTH
CAROLINA'S NOW CLOSED EUGENICS PROGRAM.
>> THE WORD COMPENSATION IS BEING USED.
COMPENSATION IS KIND OF A COUNTERBALANCE, AN OFFSET TO BE
EQUIVALENT TO WHAT WAS DONE.
YOU COULD NEVER DO ANYTHING TO -- TO BE EQUIVALENT TO WHAT
WAS DONE TO THE VICTIMS.
>> THE BILL, AS IT'S CURRENTLY WRITTEN, WOULD COMPENSATE LIVING
EUGENICS PROGRAM SURVIVORS AS WELL AS THE FAMILIES OF RECENTLY
DECEASED EUGENICS VICTIMS, A POINT OPPOSED BY MANY WHO HAD
FAMILY MEMBERS DIE YEARS AGO.
>> THIS IS A HUGE SMACK IN MY FAMILY'S FACE, AND THE
LEGISLATORS SHOULD VOTE FOR ALL VICTIMS, WHETHER THEY'RE
DECEASED OR LIVING.
IT SHOULD MATTER WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE BEEN VERIFIED AS
VICTIMS OF THE NORTH CAROLINA EUGENICS BOARD.
>> FORSYTH COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE LARRY WOMBLE SAYS THIS CURRENT
BILL IS NOT THE PERFECT BILL, BUT IT CARRIES OVERWHELMING
BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND IT FOLLOWS THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF A
SPECIAL TASK FORCE CREATED TO CRAFT EUGENICS RESTITUTION
POLICIES.
>> NORTH CAROLINA WAS THE THIRD MOST POPULOUS STATE IN THIS
NATION.
TO STERILIZE ITS OWN CITIZENS, LITTLE BOYS AND GIRLS WHO HAD
NOT DONE ANYTHING WRONG.
THEY WERE NOT CRIMINALS.
>> THAT HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE OVERWHELMINGLY PASSED
THIS BILL, BUT AN OVERWHELMING VOTE IS NOT A UNANIMOUS VOTE.
>> THE EUGENICS PROGRAM WAS DESPICABLE TO SAY THE BEST FOR
IT, BUT EVERYTHING I READ AND EVERYONE I TALK TO OR HEAR MAKE
IT SOUND LIKE IT'S NORTH CAROLINA'S PROBLEM AND ONLY
NORTH CAROLINA.
THE EUGENICS MOVEMENT WAS A WORLDWIDE MOVEMENT.
>> ONLOW COUNTY STATE REPRESENTATIVE GEORGE CLEVELAND
OPPOSES EUGENICS COMPENSATION.
>> PEOPLE TODAY PAYING FOR SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED IN THE
PAST I DO NOT BELIEVE IS CORRECT.
I DON'T THINK IT'S RIGHT.
>> HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER PAUL STAM SAYS THE STATE CAN'T TURN
BACK THE CLOCK, BUT IT CAN OFFER FINANCIAL RELIEF FOR VICTIMS AND
THEIR FAMILIES.
>> LIVING AMONGST US ARE 1,000 OR 2,000 PEOPLE WHO TODAY SUFFER
BECAUSE THEIR BODIES HAVE BEEN INVADED, CHANGED AGAINST THEIR
WILL BY AN ACT OF AN AGENCY OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.
>> REPRESENTATIVE EARLINE PARMON JOINS US TO DISCUSS EUGENICS
COMPENSATION.
HISTORICALLY HISTORICALLY, DO YOU THINK THEY
WERE BEING EVIL OR MALICIOUS TOWARDS EUGENICS VICTIMS OR
ACTING ON THE BASIS OF SCIENCE AND WHAT THEY THOUGHT WAS A GOOD
IDEA FOR SOCIETY?
>> INTERESTING.
THEY WERE ACTING ON WHAT THEY THOUGHT WAS GOOD FOR SOCIETY.
AND IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF NORTH CAROLINA.
>> HOW DID THIS REMAIN A SECRET ALL THOSE YEARS?
BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND IT WAS UNCOVERED.
THE PROGRAM HAD BEEN PRACTICALLY FORGOTTEN BY HISTORIANS AND
ARCHIVISTS.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
IT WAS AN ACCIDENTAL FIND BY A PROFESSOR DOING RESEARCH.
AND BECAUSE SINCE 1974 THERE HAD NOT BEEN ANY ACTION FROM THE
EUGENICS BOARD, THOSE RECORDS WERE ACTUALLY IN THE ARCHIVES.
NOBODY DISCUSSED IT BECAUSE WE WERE NO LONGER LEGALLY DOING
EUGENICS UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE BOARD.
>> SO MANY OF THE VICTIMS OF THE EUGENICS PROGRAM HAVE NOW DIED.
HOW MANY ARE LIVING?
>> THERE'S AN ESTIMATE OF 2500 LIVING OUT OF THE 7600 RECORDED
DOCUMENTED EUGENICS VICTIMS.
>> YOU HAVE TO BE DOCUMENTED TO BE AFFECTED BY THIS LEGISLATION.
YOU CAN'T MAKE A CLAIM. >> ABSOLUTELY.
IN OTHER WORDS, THERE HAS TO BE A RECORD SHOWING THAT YOU WERE
AUTHORIZED TO BE STERILIZED BY THE EUGENICS BOARD.
>> THAT WOULD BE INVOLUNTARILY.
>> INVOLUNTARILY, YES.
>> AND WERE RECORDS DESTROYED OR ARE YOU CONFIDENT THAT THERE IS
A SOLID BODY OF WORK HERE TO COMPARE VICTIMS AGAINST THE
DOCUMENTATION?
>> WE ARE PRETTY CERTAIN AND PRETTY POSITIVE THAT THE RECORDS
ARE INTACT.
THEY WERE ACTUALLY IN OUR ARCHIVES.
SO WE DON'T THINK ANY RECORDS WERE DESTROYED.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE COME UP IS THAT SOME PEOPLE WERE
ACTUALLY STERILIZED IN COUNTIES AND THAT NOT AUTHORIZED BY THE
BOARD THAT THINK THEY'RE ELIGIBLE, BUT THEY'RE NOT UNDER
THIS BILL.
>> WHAT CHANGED DOWN HERE POLITICALLY?
BECAUSE REPRESENTATIVE WOMBLE SAID 11-YEAR BATTLE, MUCH OF
THAT UNDER DEMOCRATIC CONTROL, YOU WERE IN THE MAJORITY, BUT
REPUBLICANS TAKE OTHER AND THIS THING GETS FAST-TRACKED.
WHAT HAPPENED?
>> I THINK THE REPUBLICANS LOOKED AT WHAT THE STATE'S
INVOLVEMENT WITH THIS WAS AND THE SPEAKER TILLIS BECAME
INTERESTED AND IT BECAME A PERSONAL ISSUE FOR HIM, AND HE
CONVINCED HIS COLLEAGUES THIS WAS THE RIGHT ISSUE AND THE
RIGHT WAY FOR NORTH CAROLINA TO MOVE IN SUPPORTING A BILL TO
COMPENSATE THESE PEOPLE.
>> YOU'VE CLEARLY TOLD THE COMMITTEE THIS WEEK THAT $50,000
WAS THE RECOMMENDATION OF A TASK FORCE OF EXPERTS.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> THE SYMBOLISM BEHIND $50,000, WHAT DOES THAT SAY TO THE
VICTIMS WHO SURVIVED WHO COULD RECEIVE A CHECK FROM THE STATE
TAX-FREE?
>> WHAT WE'RE HOPING THAT THEY UNDERSTAND IS THAT WE DO NOT
THINK $50,000 IS PAYING THEM OFF, BUT TO ACKNOWLEDGE,
PARTICULARLY IN THESE BAD ECONOMIC TIMES, EVEN WITH THE
STATE BUDGET AND WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO FUND A LOT OF
THINGS WE NEED TO FUND, THAT WE ARE ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THE STATE
MADE BAD POLICY, IT WAS BAD LEGISLATION, AND WE JUST WANT TO
SAY WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT.
>> HAS THE MONEY BEEN FOUND AMONG THE STATE'S GENERAL FUND
TO PAY THESE CLAIMS?
>> IT'S IN THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET, AND WE ARE SURE IT WILL
REMAIN IN THE BUDGET, AND WE WILL FIND THE ADDITIONAL MONEYS.
WE'VE HAD SOME EXTRA INCOME.
THAT'S A GOOD THING.
SO, YES, WE ARE PRETTY CONFIDENT THAT THE MONEY WILL BE FOUND.
>> YOU HAVE GREAT CONFIDENCE IN THE HOUSE, BUT THIS BILL NEEDS
TO CLEAR THE SENATE AS WELL.
HAVE YOU HAD ANY CONVERSATIONS WITH SENATE LEADERS ABOUT THE
POSSIBILITY OF GETTING THIS BILL HEARD?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
AS YOU KNOW, SENATOR McKISSICK HAS BEEN TALKING TO PRESIDENT
PRO TEM BERGER, AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ARE ON
BOARD AND WANT TO SEE THIS BILL PASS AND THE COMPENSATION PAID
IN THIS SESSION.
>> REPRESENTATIVE EARLINE PARMON, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
BEING ON.
>> THANK YOU.
>> SENATE REPUBLICANS UNVEIL AN ALTERNATIVE ENERGY BILL THAT
INCLUDES NATURAL GAS EXPLORATION.
IT OUTLINES GUIDELINES FOR OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION POLICY AND
WOULD ALLOW FRACKING TO BEGIN IN THE YEAR 2014.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
WOULD BE REQUIRED TO BUY NATURAL GAS POWERED VEHICLES, INTERSTATE
REST STOPS WOULD FEATURE ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING
STATIONS.
SENATOR BOB RUCHO HAS AUTHORED THIS LEGISLATION.
MUCH MORE WELL-ROUNDED IN TERMS OF APPROACH IN 2012.
IT'S A BIG BILL, DR. RUCHO.
CAN YOU BITE IT OFF IN A SHORT SESSION?
>> WELL, THIS REALLY IS THE FIRST STEP TO WHAT IS A
COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY POLICY FOR THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.
AFFORDABLE AND AVAILABLE ENERGY IS PART OF OUR PLAN FOR
REVITALIZING AND RETOOLING THE NORTH CAROLINA ECONOMY, FOR
BUSINESSES TO BE COMPETITIVE, FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE AFFORDABLE
ENERGY IN THEIR HOMES AND AS THEY DRIVE THEIR VEHICLES, AND
WE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE FIRST STEP TO ACCOMPLISHING THAT
GOAL.
>> LAST YEAR IT WAS ALL ABOUT HYDRAULIC FRACTURING FOR NATURAL
GAS.
THINGS DIDN'T PROGRESS AS YOU WOULD HAVE LIKED.
YOU'VE ADDED NATURAL GAS, MANDATES FOR STATE VEHICLES,
SCHOOL BUSES.
HOW HAVE THOSE ADDITIONAL MEASURES AFFECTED THE FEEDBACK
ON THE OVERALL BILL?
>> I THINK PEOPLE ARE VERY PLEASED WITH THAT.
AS WE START DEVELOPING A SOURCE OF NATURAL GAS RIGHT NOW ONSHORE
AND THEN SUBSEQUENTLY OFFSHORE IF WASHINGTON STARTS TO
RECOGNIZE THAT WE DO NEED A COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY POLICY THAT
PROMOTES DOMESTIC ENERGY PRODUCTION SO IT MAKES US LESS
DEPENDENT ON FOREIGN SOURCES OF ENERGY, WHICH PROVES TO BE NOT
TO OUR ADVANTAGE, BUT IN THE SCHEME OF THINGS, PEOPLE ARE
EXCITED ABOUT THE FACT THAT NOT ONLY ARE WE FINDING AN ENERGY
SOURCE AS CLEAN NATURAL GAS, BUT ALSO HAVING A DEMAND INCREASE
WHEN WE CAN GO AHEAD AND SAVE $2 A GALLON FROM BETWEEN DIESEL AND
NATURAL GAS IN THE USE FOR OUR SCHOOL VEHICLES WHICH COULD SAVE
TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
SO I'D RATHER USE THAT NATURAL GAS MONEY SAVINGS TO BE ABLE TO
GO INTO THE CLASSROOM THAN BE ON THE HIGHWAY.
>> IF YOU HAVE NATURAL GAS POWERED STATE VEHICLES, ARE
THERE ENOUGH VEHICLES ON THE ROAD BUYING NATURAL GAS OR THE
STATE BUYING ENOUGH NATURAL GAS TO PUT A DENT IN THE MARKET TO
PERSUADE CONVENIENCE STORES TO START INSTALLING THESE PUMPS?
>> WELL, IT'S STARTING THE BALL DOWN THE HILL.
FOR EXAMPLE, I KNOW THAT WE, BY HAVING OUR SCHOOL BUS FLEET
ACROSS THE STATE IMPLEMENTING A NATURAL GAS WILL BE A GREAT
START, HAVING OUR VEHICLE FLEET, HAVING DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION, WHO IS SUPPORTIVE OF THIS IN TRUCKS,
VEHICLES, CONVERTING TO A COMBINATION NATURAL GAS AND
REGULAR GAS AND PEOPLE START TO RECOGNIZE, WAIT A MINUTE, THIS
IS A GREAT WAY TO SAVE MONEY.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, AS I ALLUDED TO, BETWEEN WHAT WAS $4
A GALLON GAS CAN BE BOUGHT FOR $2 LESS, AND SO THIS IS A GREAT
OPPORTUNITY WITH A CLEAN SOURCE OF ENERGY.
AND I THINK THAT, IN ITS OWN RIGHT, IS THE INCENTIVE TO
CONVERT OVER THAT.
WE'RE PREPARING OURSELVES FOR THE FUTURE.
>> IS THERE ANY WAY TO SWING OVER PEOPLE WHO ARE CRITICS OF
THE FRACKING PLAN TO SAY IT'S DANGEROUS, YOU'RE GOING TO CAUSE
THESE MINOR EARTHQUAKES.
YOU'VE GOT SHERRON HARRIS.
>> THIS IS THE TIME THAT BY GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS AND
SPENDING TWO YEARS TRYING TO FIND THE RULES AND REGULATIONS
THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO SAFELY DELIVER THIS ENERGY SOURCE, IT
REQUIRES A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH ONE STEP AFTER ANOTHER TO BE
SURE IT'S THE BEST PRACTICE, SAFE, ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND,
TYPE OF REGULATIONS, AND THE ULTIMATE PRODUCT WILL BE A
STATE-OF-THE-ART.
IT WILL BE BEST PRACTICE.
IT WILL BE ENVIRONMENTALLY SECURE.
AND IT JUST REQUIRES THE BEST MINDS TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS, AND
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO.
>> WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER
DEALING WITH TAKING TIME TO STUDY THE ISSUE OF NATURAL GAS
EXPLORATION?
>> I THINK THE GOVERNOR WILL RECOGNIZE AS WE STEP THROUGH THE
PROCESS, AND AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, THIS IS A MASSIVE
PROJECT.
THE ONLY WAY TO SOLVE THAT IS INCREMENTALLY TAKING STEPS AND
STUDYING IT, WHAT IS THE BEST PRACTICE, WHAT IS THE SAFEST
METHOD, AND THAT EACH SAFE STEP WILL LEAD TO A, YOU KNOW,
STATE-OF-THE-ART RULE AND REGULATIONS.
AND I THINK THE GOVERNOR IS SUPPORTIVE OF OUR EFFORT IN
REGARDS TO THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF HAVING ENERGY, SUSTAINABLE
ENERGY FOR NORTH CAROLINA, AND I THINK SHE'LL RECOGNIZE AND
SUPPORT OUR BILL IN THE FUTURE.
>> SENATOR BOB RUCHO, THANKS FOR BEING ON THE SHOW THIS WEEK.
>> GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.
>> A HOUSE AND SENATE MEMBER ANNOUNCED LEGISLATION REFORMING
THE JUVENILE LEGAL PROCESS.
ONLY MIST OFFENDERS WOULD BE PROCESSED AS JUVENILES.
>> I THINK WHAT WE'RE DOING IS TAKING IN EFFECT THE CURRENT
DAY, THE KNOWLEDGE THAT WE'VE GOT ABOUT TEENAGERS, THEIR
BRAINS, WHAT ABILITY THEY'VE GOT TO MAKE DECISIONS AND ALSO THE
SITUATIONS THAT WE'VE GIVEN THEM THE FREEDOM TO INDULGE IN.
>> 16 AND 17-YEAR-OLDS WHO COMMIT FELONIES WOULD STILL BE
CHARGED AS ADULTS.
THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE HEARD A BILL TO REGULATE VENDING
MACHINE FOOD OPTIONS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
FOODS NOT OFFERED THROUGH STATE OR FEDERAL FOOD PROGRAMS WOULD
FACE THIS NEW REGULATION.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS COULD NOT USE VENDING MACHINES ON
CAMPUS.
>> IF WE KNOW THERE'S A PROBLEM AND WE KNOW WE CAN HAVE AN
IMPACT ON IT, IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DO IT.
PASSING THIS BILL WILL ALLOW CHILDREN TO HAVE HEALTHY CHOICES
IN THEIR VENDING MACHINES OR IN THESE SCHOOL CHOICES THAT THEY
HAVE.
>> THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION WOULD WRITE THE RULES FOR
CALORIES, FAT, SUGAR AND SODIUM CONTENT.
THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE ENDORSES MEASURES TO EXPAND
ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTING THROUGHOUT NORTH CAROLINA HIGH
SCHOOLS.
REPRESENTATIVE HUGH BLACKWELL SAYS FLORIDA EXPANDED AP TESTING
AND THAT'S THE MODEL THIS BILL FOLLOWS.
THE PROPOSAL CONTAINS PERFORMANCE BONUSES.
>> ONE OF THE SORT OF SPILL-OVER EFFECTS IN FLORIDA HAS
APPARENTLY BEEN THAT AS THESE MORE RIGOROUS COURSES HAVE BEEN
ENCOURAGED FOR MORE AND MORE STUDENTS, THAT IT HAS HAD A
BENEFICIAL EFFECT IN PARTICULAR IN SOME OF THE LOW PERFORMING
SCHOOLS AND ADDING MORE RIGOR AND HIGHER EXPECTATIONS TO THE
REST OF THE CURRICULUM AS WELL.
>> ABOUT THOSE ADVANCED PLACEMENT BONUSES FOR TEACHERS,
THEY WOULD RANGE FROM $50 TO $500 FOR STUDENT PERFORMANCES ON
AP TESTING UP TO A $2,000 MAXIMUM.
THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE ON LEGISLATION WILL SHORE UP
MEDICAID FINANCES THROUGH JUNE 30.
A MAXIMUM $205 MILLION COULD BE TRANSFERRED INTO MEDICAID FROM
OTHER STATE AGENCY BUDGETS.
THE MONEY WOULD COVER THE COSTS OF PAYING DOCTORS WHO SEE
MEDICAID PATIENTS.
THE BILL WOULD PROHIBIT ANY FUNDING SHIFT IF THOSE SHIFTS
TODAY INCREASE MEDICAID'S FINANCIAL OBLIGATION IN
2012-2013.
THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE HOLDS THE BILL THAT
WOULD ALLOW LIVE CARD GAMES AT THE CHEROKEE CASINO.
DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN SENATE LEADERS ARE BEHIND THIS BILL.
IT COULD GENERATE 400 LOCAL JOBS AND $90 MILLION OVER ITS 30-YEAR
LIFE.
THERE IS HOUSE SKEPTICISM.
GOVERNOR PERDUE HAS SIGNED THE GAMING DEAL WITH THE CHEROKEE
NATION, BUT IT NEEDS LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL.
ALL WEEKEND YOU CAN FIND THE TEAM ONLINE.
SEARCH "LEGISLATIVE WEEK IN REVIEW" ON FACEBOOK.
YOU CAN FIND US ON TWITTER BY FOLLOWING @ncnlegweek AND OUR
INTERNET WEB PAGE, unctv.org/legweek.
THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.
WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.
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