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QUALITY PUBLIC TELEVISION IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH
THE FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF VIEWERS LIKE YOU
WHO INVITE YOU TO JOIN THEM IN SUPPORTING UNC-TV
>> A NEW HIGHWAY SPENDING PROPOSAL HAS RURAL AND URBAN
LAWMAKERS TALKING.
SOME HOUSE REPUBLICANS TARGET SEX-SELECTION ABORTIONS BUT NOT
WITHOUT CONTROVERSY.
AND SENATE REPUBLICANS SAY IT'S TIME RENEWABLE ENERGY COMPANIES
PROVE THEY CAN MAKE IT WITHOUT STATE SUPPORT.
HELLO, I'M KELLY McCULLEN.
THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.
A HOUSE COMMITTEE DISCUSSION THIS WEEK REVIVED THE DEBATE
OVER ABORTION POLICY.
SOME HOUSE REPUBLICANS SAY IT'S TIME TO BAN ABORTIONS BASED ON
GENDER SELECTION.
BUT PRO-CHOICE ADVOCATES SAY THEY DO NOT BELIEVE THIS BILL IS
AS STRAIGHTFORWARD AS CLAIMED.
THE HOUSE MOVED NEW ABORTION REGULATIONS THIS WEEK.
SUPPORTERS ARE PROPOSING A SEX-SELECTION ABORTION BAN AND
SAY A MAJORITY OF NORTH CAROLINIANS AND EVEN SOME
PRO-CHOICE GROUPS AGREE WITH THEIR POSITION, THAT NO UNBORN
CHILD SHOULD BE ABORTED BECAUSE THE MOTHER WANTED THE OPPOSITE
SEX.
>> WE LOOKED AND SAID, WELL, IF A PREDOMINANT NUMBER OF PEOPLE
SEEM TO AGREE -- I EVEN HEARD PLANNED PARENTHOOD NATIONAL
AGREED -- THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF DOING ABORTION FOR SEX SELECTION
IS NOT A GOOD IDEA.
>> HOUSE BILL 716 WOULD HOLDS DOCTORS LIABLE FOR HOLDING A
SEX-SELECTION ABORTION.
IT WOULD NOT TARGET THE WOMEN WHO SEEK ONE.
DOCTORS WOULD BE FINED FROM $10,000 TO $100,000 FOR
CONFIRMED VIOLATIONS.
SPOUSES, PARENTS AND GUARDIANS OF THE WOMAN COULD SUE THE
DOCTOR WHETHER OR NOT THE PATIENT WANTS TO SUE.
OPPONENTS SAY THEY DON'T BELIEVE THIS BILL IS AS STRAIGHTFORWARD
AS SIMPLY BANNING SEX-SELECTION ABORTION.
>> 96% OF THEM ARE DONE IN THE FIRST TRIMESTER WHEN SEX IS NOT
KNOWN.
AGAIN, WE'RE JUST CREEPING UP ON ULTIMATELY BANNING LEGAL
ABORTIONS IN OUR STATE.
>> A DOCTOR'S ACCOUNTABILITY AND LIABILITY WOULD BE ASSESSED
BASED ON WHAT THE DOCTOR MAY HEAR OR MAY KNOW IN TALKING WITH
A POTENTIAL ABORTION PATIENT.
>> IF THE DOCTOR DOESN'T KNOW, THE DOCTOR WILL NOT BE HELD
LIABLE UNDER THIS BILL, BUT IF THE DOCTOR KNOWS THAT THE WOMAN
IS COMING THERE PRIMARILY TO PERFORM THE ABORTION BECAUSE OF
THE SEX OF THE CHILD, THEN THE DOCTOR IS LIABLE.
>> OTHER ADVOCATES SAY THIS BILL CITES SEX-SELECTION ABORTIONS
THAT HAPPEN OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES AND THOSE ISSUES MAY NOT
APPLY TO OUR DOMESTIC U.S.
SOCIAL DEBATE ON ABORTION.
THEY SUGGEST THIS BILL MIGHT BE RACIALLY MOTIVATED AND COULD
TARGET IMMIGRANTS FROM COUNTRIES PLAGUED BY SEX-SELECTION BIAS.
GINA GINA DILLON CAME TO SPEAK
AGAINST THE BILL.
>> IF YOU'RE GOING TO REFERENCE THOSE POPULATIONS HERE IN NORTH
CAROLINA, I CAN ONLY ASSUME YOU ARE REFERENCING OTHER
ETHNICITIES AND HOPING -- >> SOUTH ASIA.
>> IN MY INSTANCE, IT'S SOUTH ASIA.
IN INDIA, THIS IS ACTUALLY A REAL PROBLEM AND IT'S ROOTED IN
GENDER INEQUITY, AND THE WAY TO SOLVE IT IS TO DEAL WITH GENDER
STEREOTYPES.
>> MY DAUGHTER WAS ADOPTED FROM A COUNTRY WHERE WOMEN --
[APPLAUSE] MY DAUGHTER WAS ADOPTED FROM A
COUNTRY WHERE WOMEN WERE NOT FAVORED, AND SO, THEREFORE, WHEN
HER MOTHER WAS UNABLE TO GET AN ABORTION, SHE GAVE BIRTH TO HER,
AND I ADOPTED HER, BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T ADOPT HER IN THE
COUNTRY.
THIS IS IN NO WAY INTENDED TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST IMMIGRANTS.
>> WHEN ABORTION ISSUES AND BILLS ARE DISCUSSED IN THE NORTH
CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY, IT'S ALMOST GUARANTEED TO GET HEATED.
THIS WAS NO EXCEPTION.
AS SEX-SELECTION ABORTION BAN SUPPORTERS SAY THEIR INTENTION
IS CLEAR AND THEIR BILL EASY TO READ.
OPPONENTS BELIEVE EVERY STEP TOWARDS MORE ABORTION
RESTRICTIONS IS A STEP TOWARDS OUTLAWING THEM.
THE SENATE GAVE FINAL APPROVAL TO A BILL CALLED CAYLEE'S LAW
THIS WEEK.
CAYLEE'S LAW REQUIRES ADULTS TO REPORT MISSING OR ABUSED
CHILDREN EVEN IF IT'S MERELY A SUSPICION.
LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICES DIRECTORS MUST ALSO TELL STATE AUTHORITIES
IF A LOCAL REPORT COMES IN.
>> FAILURE BY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO NOTIFY THE STATE
BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION OF A REPORT OF *** ABUSE OF A
CHILD IN A CHILD CARE FACILITY IS A NEW OFFENSE.
>> A HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE IS CONSIDERING BUT HASN'T
ENDORSED GPS TRACKING FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VIOLATORS.
REPRESENTATIVE DONNY LAMBETH SAYS EXPANDING LAW ENFORCEMENT
TRACKING ISN'T AS BIG A DEAL AS BEFORE BECAUSE MOST OF US ARE
CARRYING CELL PHONES WHICH CAN DETERMINE YOUR LOCATION.
THIS WOULD LET VICTIMS KNOW WHEN A VIOLATOR MOVED TOO CLOSE.
>> THE DEVICE WOULD INDICATE THE DEFENDANT'S LOCATION TO THE A I
GRIEVED PARTY AND THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT WHEN THE DEFENDANT
IS NEAR.
>> THE HOUSE IS MAKING IT TOUGHER ON PEOPLE ABUSING THE
9-1-1 SYSTEM.
JOHN FAIRCLOTH SAYS A LOCAL JUDGE TOLD HIM HE COULDN'T BE
TOUGH ENOUGH ON A DEFENDANT CONVICTED OF ABUSING THE 911
SYSTEM.
>> WE'VE HEARD STORIES OF CALLS COMING CONTINUOUSLY FROM THE
SAME PERSON FOR QUITE A FEW TIMES.
YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW DANGEROUS THAT IS FOR EMERGENCY CALL
CENTER TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT TYPE OF THING.
>> HOUSE REPUBLICANS SAY THE AGREEMENT WHERE COMMUNITY
COLLEGE STUDENTS CAN EASILY TRANSFER SOME CORE CREDIT HOURS
INTO THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING.
THE RESULT THEY SAY IS WASTING CREDIT HOURS AND FOR SOME OF
THESE LAWMAKERS LOST TUITION PAYMENTS THAT HURT MIDDLE AND
WORKING CLASS CONSTITUENTS.
A BILL TO ENSURE CREDIT TRANSFERS EASILY PASSED THE
HOUSE THIS WEEK.
WITH THIS OPINION AMONG SOME LAWMAKERS THAT STATE
UNIVERSITIES MAY NOT BE GIVING ENOUGH CREDIT TO COMMUNITY
COLLEGE CREDIT HOURS, HOUSE BILL 903 WOULD REVISIT A LAW FIRST
PASSED IN 1995.
>> 18 YEARS LATER, VERY LITTLE PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN
GETTING THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM TO ACCEPT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
CREDITS.
>> HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER EDGAR STARNES SAYS ONLY ENGLISH CLASS
HOURS UNIVERSALLY TRANSFER FROM COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO A UNC
CAMPUS.
>> THE ORIGINAL INTENT WAS TO ALLOW STUDENTS TO TAKE CORE
SUBJECTS AT THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND THEN HAVE THESE
SUBJECTS TRANSFER TO THE UNIVERSITY OF THEIR CHOICE.
>> BUT UNIVERSITY SYSTEM REPRESENTATIVES TESTIFIED THAT
THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY WIDESPREAD CAMPUS REFUSALS TO
ACCEPT COMMUNITY COLLEGE CREDIT TRANSFERS.
>> MY UNDERSTANDING THESE AGREEMENTS HAVE BEEN HAMMERED
OUT OVER YEARS.
THERE ARE AGREEMENTS IN PLACE.
WE HEAR FROM TIME TO TIME ANECDOTES THAT THEY'RE NOT BEING
PURSUED AND AGREED UPON, BUT WE HAVEN'T HEARD THE TYPES OF
CHALLENGES THAT WERE MENTIONED HERE.
>> GUILFORD COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE MARCUS BRANDON
SAYS HIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE CREDIT HOURS WOULD NOT TRANSFER
TO THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM.
BUT HE SAYS DIFFERENT UNC CAMPUSES FEATURE ACADEMIC
DEPARTMENTS OF DIFFERING STRENGTHS AND THERE CAN BE NO
GUARANTEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE CLASSES COULD PREPARE A STUDENT
FOR A STRONG UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT.
>> JUST BECAUSE YOU COME OUT OF THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE DOES NOT
NECESSARILY MEAN THAT YOU'RE AT THE LEVEL OF WORK FOR THAT
PARTICULAR INSTITUTION, BUT YOU'RE RIGHT.
I DID GO IN WITH THE WHOLE NOTION THAT ALL OF MY CREDITS
WERE GOING TO BE TRANSFERRED AND THEY DID NOT.
>> THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THE ARTICULATION AGREEMENT, TO MAKE
SURE THAT THE STANDARDS FOR THE COURSE CREDITS ARE THE SAME AT
THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE AS THEY ARE IN THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM.
>> MARCUS BRANDON COMMENT RAISED THE DISCUSSION OF COMMUNITY
COLLEGE STUDIES IN GENERAL.
ARE THEY, QUOTE, GOOD ENOUGH TO COMPETE AND COMPARE WITH THE
UNIVERSITY?
>> I'VE HEARD A COUPLE PEOPLE MENTION THAT THEIR STANDARDS
WEREN'T HIGH ENOUGH, AND IF THAT'S THE CASE, ISN'T THAT A
SEPARATE ISSUE THAT MAYBE WE NEED TO -- WE HAVE SOME
REMEDIATION WORK TO DO AT THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE LEVEL?
>> THE EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS IN OUR COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM IS
AS HIGH AS ANYWHERE IN THE NATION.
>> OTHER LAWMAKERS AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES CONSIDER
NON-TRANSFERRABLE COLLEGE CREDIT HOURS A MIDDLE CLASS POCKETBOOK
ISSUE.
>> MOST OF OUR STUDENTS ARE WORKING STUDENTS.
A LOT HAVE FAMILIES.
IF THEY HAVE TO TAKE COURSES OVER, THEN THEY'RE PAYING FOR
THAT, AND THEY'RE ALSO SLOWING DOWN THE PROCESS OF GETTING
THROUGH THE SYSTEM AND GETTING WHERE WE WANT THEM TO BE, WHICH
IS IN A JOB.
>> ALMOST 18 YEARS WORTH OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE SPENT MONEY AT
THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE, SPENT TIME AT THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE,
AND HERE IT IS 18 YEARS LATER AND WE'RE STILL TRYING TO WORK
OUT THE KINKS.
>> WHILE THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM SAYS THERE ARE NO WIDESPREAD
PROBLEMS WITH COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRANSFERS, BILL SUPPORTERS SAY
THERE ARE CHALLENGES.
IN THAT 18-YEAR-OLD LAW THEY BELIEVE HAS DONE LITTLE TO MAKE
OBTAINING A FOUR-YEAR UNIVERSITY DEGREE EASIER.
A HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HAS ENDORSED A STATE IMMIGRATION
BILL THAT CRACKS DOWN ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS BUT MAKES IT EASIER
FOR THEM TO GET DRIVING PRIVILEGES.
THE RECLAIM ACT FOCUSES ON A RESTRICTED DRIVER'S PERMIT THAT
IMMIGRANTS WITH TEMPORARY PAPERS COULD RECEIVE.
IT WOULD BE RECOGNIZED BY NORTH CAROLINA AND WOULD PREVENT
POLICE FROM RUNNING IMMIGRATION CHECKS ON THESE CARD HOLDERS.
BUT THE BILL RESTRICTS OTHER FORMS OF I.D.
>> I'VE SEEN OVER WINSTON-SALEM THERE'S ANOTHER TYPE OF CARD THE
LOCAL ORGANIZATION'S TRYING TO PUT OUT CALLED THE CHANGE CARD.
AND SIMILAR THINGS LIKE THAT.
WE CANNOT HAVE AS A STATE 15, 20, 30, OR AN INDEFINITE NUMBER
OF SPONTANEOUSLY GENERATED CARDS THAT ARE GOING TO TRY TO
FUNCTION AS OFFICIAL I.D.s IN THE STATE.
>> STATE LAW BANNING MINORS FROM BUYING TOBACCO COULD SOON
INCLUDE DIGITAL CIGARETTE PRODUCTS.
SENATOR THOM GOOLSBY'S BILL WOULD PREVENT MINORS FROM BUYING
e-CIGARETTES AND ALL RELATED PRODUCTS.
IT WOULD REQUIRE STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS TO REGULATE
e-CIGARETTES.
>> THERE ARE SOME PROBLEMS IF WE COULD WORK OUT WITH THE
PROTECTION FOR THOSE CHILDREN, BUT NOT CREATE A NEW PRODUCT
WHICH IS UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE HEALTH PEOPLE.
>> IT'S SOLD ONLINE.
IT'S SOLD IN STORES.
IT'S CURRENTLY UNREGULATED.
THIS BILL YOU COULD LOOK AT AS A FIRST STEP IF IT NEED BE IN
ORDER TO START REGULATING THIS PRODUCT AND PROTECT OUR
CHILDREN.
>> THE HOUSE APPROVES NEW LEGISLATION TO PROTECT NORTH
CAROLINA'S RIGHT-TO-WORK LAWS.
HOUSE BILL 872 WOULD VOID ANY CONTRACT PROVISIONS THAT REQUIRE
THE CONTRACTOR OR SUBCONTRACTOR TO HIRE UNION LABOR.
IT WOULD EXEMPT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS.
>> THIS DEALS WITH BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS
TRANSACTIONS AND IT JUST MAKES SURE THAT, ONE, BUSINESS CAN'T
REQUIRE ANOTHER BUSINESS TO USE UNIONIZED LABOR.
>> THE LAW WE'RE ABOUT TO PASS IS ALREADY COVERED BY FEDERAL
LEGISLATION.
THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS ACT ALREADY PRECLUDES CONTRACTS THAT
REQUIRE ONLY UNION WORKERS.
>> THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AUTHORIZES MANY
STATE CONTRACTS, OF COURSE.
SOME HOUSE MEMBERS SAY ROAD PROJECTS ARE OFTEN POLITICALLY
BASED AND THEY WANT DATA ANALYSIS TO DETERMINE HOW AND
WHERE INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING IS SPENT.
THE HOUSE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE BEGAN HEARING DETAILS
OF LEGISLATION THAT COULD CHANGE HOW NORTH CAROLINA SPENDS MONEY
ON ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE.
>> THE IDEA IS TO REFOCUS TO MORE STRATEGIC PRIORITIES IN
BUILDING ROADS, SO LET'S BUILD THE ROADS WE NEED INSTEAD OF THE
ONES WE CAN FUND.
AND LET'S NOT WORRY ABOUT THE SILO PROGRAMS, AND ACCEPT WE'RE
DEALING WITH TRANSPORTATION, AND THAT MAY INCLUDE RAIL, IT MAY
INCLUDE BRIDGES, IT MAY INCLUDE AIRPORTS.
>> THE HOUSE BILL WOULD CHANGE THE FORMULA USED TO PRIORITIZE
ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.
A NEW FOCUS WOULD BE ON NEED AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
THAT WOULD AFFECT EVERYTHING FROM CONGESTED MULTI-LANE
HIGHWAYS FEEDING CHARLOTTE TO RURAL DIRT ROADS WITHOUT MUCH
ACTIVITY, BUT STILL AWAITING THEIR FIRST PAVING.
>> IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE STATE WHERE I LIVE, WE HAVE
COUNTIES THAT HAVE A LOT OF MILES OF UNPAVED ROADS.
THIS IS GOING TO GO TO A STATEWIDE PRIORITIZATION.
HOW DO YOU PRIORITIZE UNPAVED ROADS ACROSS THE STATE?
>> RIGHT NOW THE MONEY'S SPREAD OUT EVERYWHERE.
EVERYBODY GETS TO NAME THEIR 10 WORST ROADS AND THEY'RE ALL
PAVED.
IF YOU'VE GOT 12 ROADS AND YOU PAVE 10 AND THEN BURKE COUNTY'S
GOT 120 ROADS AND YOU PAVE 10, DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?
WOULDN'T IT MAKE SENSE TO PAVE MORE ROADS IN BURKE COUNTY?
>> DARE COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE PAUL TINE SAYS THERE ARE PARTS
OF THIS STATE CARRYING ECONOMIC POTENTIAL IF INFRASTRUCTURE WERE
BUILT FIRST.
BUT TO MAKE COUNTIES PROVE THEIR ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AS A
REQUIREMENT FOR TRANSPORTATION FUNDING WOULD SIMPLY SHIFT MONEY
OUT OF THE RURAL AREAS TO THE URBAN COUNTIES.
>> THE REAL COMPETING POLITICAL ISSUE IS UNTAPING ECONOMIC
POTENTIAL VERSUS BEATING UP HIGHWAY ACCESS TO ECONOMIC
CENTERS.
>> THE TRANSPORTATION STRATEGIC PLAN LEGISLATION WILL VISIT A
FEW MORE HOUSE COMMITTEES BEFORE IT COULD RECEIVE A FULL HOUSE
DEBATE.
THE HOUSE IS ENDORSING A NEW GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY COMMITTEE.
THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF NON-LEGISLATORS WOULD REVIEW ALL
STATE AGENCY OPERATIONS AS WELL AS STUDY HOW THESE AGENCIES ARE
IMPLEMENTING THEIR BUDGETS.
THE HOUSE ALSO PASSED ANOTHER BILL TO PUT SOME TEETH INTO HOW
LAWMAKERS ADDRESS OFFICIAL STATE AUDITS.
HOUSE AND SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE MEMBERS WOULD BE
REQUIRED TO MEET WITHIN 90 DAYS OF A STATE AUDIT'S RELEASE.
THEY'D REVIEW THE FINDINGS AND CONSIDER LEGISLATION THAT COULD
NOT BE STOPPED BECAUSE OF BILL FILING DEADLINES.
THE SENATE CONSIDERS THE BILL NEXT.
THE HOUSE IS BACKING A PROPOSAL PREVENTING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
FROM REGULATING WHAT SEEDS AND PLANTS A FARMER MAY USE.
SOME COUNTIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES PREVENT THE USE OF
GENETICALLY MODIFIED SEEDS TO PROTECT AGAINST
CROSS-POLLINATION WITH ORGANIC FARMS.
THIS BILL WOULD GIVE THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE ALL CONTROL OF SEED AND PLANT REGULATION THROUGHOUT
NORTH CAROLINA.
>> THIS STUFF CROSS-CONTAMINATES.
YOU CAN'T CONTROL THE AIR.
AS A RESULT, THESE COUNTIES HAVE ENACTED ORDINANCES THAT HAVE
PREVENTED GMO FOODS IN THEIR COUNTIES.
>> ACTS OF THIS BILL DOES NOTHING TO HARM ORGANIC FARMING.
AFTER THE DISCUSSION WE HAD IN COMMITTEE THE OTHER DAY, I
THOUGHT THAT WAS CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD.
>> THE HOUSE AGRICULTURAL COMMITTEE CONSIDERED LEGISLATION
TO REIMBURSE FARMERS WHO LOSE LAND USE BECAUSE OF GOVERNMENT
REGULATIONS.
THIS COULD CARRY A FEW UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.
THEY SAY INSURANCE COVERAGE COULD TRIGGER FARMER
REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE FLOOD INSURANCE POLICIES CAN RESTRICT
FARMING USE IN FLOOD PLAINS.
LAWMAKERS BELIEVE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS COULD ULT MEAT PAY
CLAIMS CAUSED BY STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATION.
THE FULL HOUSE PASSES NEW WIND FARM LEGISLATIONS.
LAND YEAR WAYNE COUNTY'S SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE IS
CONSIDERED PRIME FOR WIND ENERGY, BUT LEGISLATORS WORRY A
WIND FARM COULD HURT MILITARY FLIGHTS.
THIS BILL WOULD FORCE ANY WIND FARMS TO VET THEIR PLANS WITH
NEARBY MILITARY BASE LEADERS.
>> IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE FUTURE ON
ENCROACHMENT ON MILITARY BASES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND IN
KNOWING THAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING OVER 2014-2015, WE'LL BE
EXPERIENCING BRAK -- >> HOUSE EFFORTS TO REPEAL STATE
RENEWABLE ENERGY MANDATES MET RESISTANCE BUT A SENATE PROPOSAL
IS MOVING FORWARD.
SOME CONSERVATIVES SAY POWER CUSTOMERS PAY HIGHER BILLS
BECAUSE POWER COMPANIES MUST BUY MORE EXPENSIVE ALTERNATIVE
ENERGY.
OTHERS SAY THE MANDATE IS NO BURDEN AND CREATES BILLION
DOLLARS OF DOLLARS IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.
SOME SENATE REPUBLICANS ARE PLACING A PHASE-OUT.
BY 2023, THESE COMPANIES WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PROVE THAT 12% OF
THEIR ELECTRIC OUTPUT COMES FROM RENEWABLES.
DAVIE COUNTY SENATOR ANDREW BROCK PROPOSES CAPPING THAT
AMOUNT AT 3% FOR THE ENTIRE NEXT DECADE.
HE SAID ALTERNATIVE ENERGY COMPANIES HAVE HAD ENOUGH YEARS
OF STATE PROTECTION.
>> IF THESE TECHNOLOGIES WERE DEVELOPED AND PROGRESSED THE WAY
THEY WERE PROMISED, THEN THE SUNSET DATE AND THE CAP SHOULD
NOT MATTER.
BECAUSE THE GENERATION SUPPLY COMPANIES WILL GO WITH THESE
COMPANIES.
>> THE BROCK PROPOSAL WOULD REQUIRE THAT CUSTOMER RATES BE
BROKEN DOWN ON MONTHLY BILLS.
>> -- REQUIREMENT TO BE SEPARATELY STATED ON CUSTOMER
BILLS AND IDENTIFIED AS A SPECIAL SURCHARGE FOR GREEN
ENERGY.
>> SENATE DEMOCRATS SAY THE STATE MANDATE IS NURTURING A
CLEAN TECHNOLOGY SECTOR THAT WOULD NOT BE HERE OTHERWISE.
IT'S WORTH BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, THEY SAY, AND THOUSANDS OF NORTH
CAROLINA JOBS.
>> WE NEED TO DO WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY ENVISIONED IN THIS
STATE.
BUT WHEN WE ABANDON OUR EFFORTS AND WE CREATE COMMERCIAL
UNCERTAINTY IN THE MARKETPLACE, PARTICULARLY WHEN THIS IS A
SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY THAT HAS GROWN DURING THE RECESSION, AND
WHICH HAS BEEN GOOD FOR THIS STATE, IT'S BAD PUBLIC POLICY.
>> RURAL COUNTY REPUBLICANS LIKE SAMPSON COUNTY SENATOR BRENT
JACKSON SAY RENEWABLE ENERGY LAWS WERE FORCED ON FARMERS LAST
DECADE AND THEY MADE IT WORK.
NOW HE'S ACCUSING THE STATE OF FLIP-FLOPPING AFTER FARMERS HAVE
MADE HUGE INVESTMENTS IN RENEWABLE ENERGY CREATION.
>> THEY WERE SMART ENOUGH TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO MAKE THE
POULTRY SCIENCE WORK IN THIS THING, THE WOOD PELLETS TRY AND
WORK, THE SWINE INDUSTRY HAS DONE EXTENSIVE WORK IN TRYING TO
MAKE THIS WORK ON LAGOONS, AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO TRY AND
CHANGE THE POLICY.
I MEAN, THESE ARE ENTREPRENEURS, IN MY OPINION.
>> IT'S A SENATE DEBATE REVOLVING AROUND IMPRESSIONS OF
WHAT IS BEST FOR NORTH CAROLINA'S ECONOMY.
SHOULD THIS MANDATE SUPPORT A NEW CLEAN TECHNOLOGY SECTOR AND
CREATE JOBS OR WOULD MORE JOBS BE CREATED IF ELECTRIC BILLS
WERE POSSIBLY LOWER AND ENERGY SOURCES WERE BASED ON THE LOWEST
PRICE?
>> WHAT WE'VE GOTTEN IN FIVE YEARS IS $1.7 BILLION INVESTED
IN NORTH CAROLINA, 22,000 NEW JOBS.
>> IF YOU TALK ABOUT SMALL BUSINESSES, THE LOW COST OF
ENERGY COULD BE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED, SENATOR STEIN, BY
ALLOWING US TO UTILIZE ENERGY AT A LOW COST AND NOT SUBSIDIZE THE
HIGH COST END.
WHEN IT'S READY TO COME FORWARD, THEN IT SHOULD BE UTILIZED, AND
THAT MEANS WHEN IT CAN COME OUT WITH COMPETITIVE PRICING.
>> A SIMILAR BILL HAS STALLED IN THE STATE HOUSE FOR NOW, BUT THE
SENATE MOVED ITS VERSION TO THE COMMERCE COMMITTEE WHERE IT WILL
RECEIVE MORE DEBATE.
A BILL TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR COASTAL DREDGING CLEARED THE
SENATE THIS WEEK.
SHORT BOATS WILL PAY A $25 STATE FEE WITH LONGER BOAT OWNERS
BEING ASSESSED A $50 ANNUAL FEE.
THE BILL WOULD ALSO SHIFT $6 MILLION FROM THE HIGHWAY TRUST
FUND BECAUSE BOAT FUEL TAXES FEED THE HIGHWAY FUND.
>> THE MONEY THAT'S COMING OUT OF THE HIGHWAY FUND, THAT IS 1/6
OF 1%, AND THAT REALLY TRIES TO RECRUIT SOME OF THE DOLLARS THAT
ARE SPENT FOR GAS ON BOATS AT THE PUMP.
>> THE FULL HOUSE COULD AUTHORIZE A ZERO TOLERANCE
ALCOHOL POLICY FOR FIRST RESPONDERS.
REPRESENTATIVE JEFFREY ELMORE SAYS PUBLIC SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS
FACE CHARGES FOR ANY ON-THE-JOB ALCOHOL PRESENCE.
HE SAYS THIS RULE SHOULD COVER OTHER PUBLIC SERVICE DRIVERS.
>> WHAT THIS DOES IS ADJUST THAT STATUTE TO INCORPORATE
AMBULANCES, EMS VEHICLES, FIREFIGHTING VEHICLES, AND LAW
ENFORCEMENT VEHICLES AFTER CONSUMING ALCOHOL.
>> WAKE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE DEBORAH ROSS IS
RESIGNING HER SEAT TO TAKE A NEW JOB.
REPRESENTATIVE ROSS WILL BECOME GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE TRIANGLE
TRANSIT AUTHORITY.
SHE LEAVES OFFICE IN MID-JUNE.
FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE GRIER MARTIN IS EXPECTED TO
REPLACE HER.
GOVERNOR PAT McCRORY SAT DOWN WITH ME EARLIER THIS WEEK FOR
OUR NIGHTLY SHOW "NORTH CAROLINA NOW."
WE DISCUSSED SOME BIG-TICKET ISSUES FACING NORTH CAROLINA IN
EARLY 2013.
HERE'S PART OF THAT INTERVIEW.
DEFINE TAX REFORM.
CAN YOU JUST LOWER TAX RATES OR DO WE NEED TO SEE SOMETHING
STRUCTURAL LIKE THE END OF A TAX STRUCTURE?
>> I THINK TAX REFORM WOULD INCLUDE THREE MAJOR OBJECTIVES.
ONE IS TO BE COMPETITIVE WITH OUR NEIGHBORING STATES,
ESPECIALLY REGARDS TO INCOME TAX AND CORPORATE TAX, WHICH IS
IMPACTING OUR RECRUITMENT MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.
THE SECOND IS TO REWARD PRODUCTIVITY AS OPPOSED TO
PUNISHING PRODUCTIVITY.
AND THE THIRD IS TO CLOSE SOME LOOPHOLES, SOME THAT DEMOCRATS
PUT IN AND SOME REPUBLICANS PUT IN EVEN IN THE PAST TWO YEARS
THAT I THINK ARE UNFAIR AND NEED TO BE CLOSED FOR FAIRNESS AND TO
ENSURE THAT WE GET THE PROPER REVENUE IN THE STATE.
>> MORE CONSUMPTION-BASED TAXES.
>> I THINK CONSUMPTION IS MORE OF AN ARGUMENT.
I'M MORE A CONSUMPTION-BASED ADVOCATE AS OPPOSED TO PUNISHING
PRODUCTIVITY AND INCOME.
BECAUSE WHEN YOU PUNISH PRODUCTIVITY AND INCOME, THE
PEOPLE WILL MOVE.
THEY'LL BECOME LESS PRODUCTIVE, AND WE'RE TRYING TO HAVE JUST
THE OPPOSITE ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT IN NORTH CAROLINA.
>> VOTER I.D. PASSED THE HOUSE.
WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS IN THE SENATE.
THE KEY PHRASE, STRICT PHOTO I.D.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT STRICT PHOTO I.D. AS PART OF A
COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE?
>> I THINK PHOTO I.D. WILL DEFINITELY BE PART OF THE
PACKAGE.
I THINK STRICT IS -- IT'S ACTUALLY LESS STRICT THAN WAS
BEING TALKED ABOUT A YEAR AGO.
I MEAN, ALLOWING A STUDENT I.D., ALLOWING A DRIVER'S LICENSE,
ALLOWING COMPANY I.D.s, CORPORATE I.D.s I DON'T THINK
ARE STRICT.
I THINK IT'S COMMON SENSE.
WE'RE JUST VERIFYING THAT THE PEOPLE ON THE BALLOT -- ON THE
VOTER REGISTRATION CARD IS THE PERSON WHO'S ACTUALLY VOTING.
IT'S TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE VOTING SYSTEM IN NORTH
CAROLINA.
>> WATCHING THE SCHOOL DEBATE, GUN CONTROL VERSUS SCHOOL
SECURITY.
I'VE SEEN OTHER STATES, OTHER GOVERNORS GO FOR THE GUN CONTROL
ROUTE.
HERE I HAVEN'T HEARD MUCH ABOUT GUN CONTROL.
BUT I HAVE SEEN YOU START THE SENATE WITH KIERAN SHANAHAN.
THERE'S THE BRYAN HOLLOWAY BILL.
WE'LL SEE HOW THAT BILL TURNS OUT.
WHAT HAPPENED TO NORTH CAROLINA THAT THE GUN CONTROL ADVOCATES
NEVER GOT THE TRACTION, IT DOESN'T APPEAR, THAT THEY GOT IN
OTHER STATES?
>> I DON'T KNOW.
LISTEN, I'VE REALLY TRIED TO CONCENTRATE ON THE ECONOMY, THE
EFFICIENCY OF GOVERNMENT AND EDUCATION.
AND THAT'S WHERE I'M FOCUSING.
I'M TRYING TO -- TELL YOU THE TRUTH, I'M TRYING TO GET OFF THE
LIBERAL AND THE CONSERVATIVE SOCIAL ISSUES AND CONCENTRATE ON
THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE ARE WORRIED ABOUT MOST, AND THAT'S
THE ECONOMY.
BUT I DO CARE ABOUT SCHOOL SAFETY.
AND THAT'S WHY WE'VE SET UP THIS WONDERFUL PROGRAM WHERE WE'RE
HAVING EIGHT COMMUNITY-WIDE MEETINGS ACROSS THE STATE TO
FIND OUT HOW BEST WE CAN PROTECT OUR YOUNG KIDS WHEN THEY COME
INTO OUR SCHOOLS.
AND UNTIL I GET THAT REPORT, I THINK IT WOULD BE FOOLISH FOR ME
AND/OR THE LEGISLATURE TO INTRODUCE NEW LEGISLATION.
>> SCHOOL REFORM AND SCHOOL FUNDING, DO YOU SEE THAT AS --
OF COURSE, IT'S AN ECONOMIC ISSUE, BUT DO YOU SEE IT AS ONE
OF THOSE CORE ISSUES, OR DO YOU DABBLE INTO SOCIAL
EXPERIMENTATION WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT CHANGING OUR PUBLIC
SCHOOLS AND HOW THEY RUN?
>> WE NEED TO CHANGE OUR WHOLE EDUCATION SYSTEM.
YOU KNOW, I'VE PUT TOGETHER -- THE EDUCATION CABINET HAD THEIR
FIRST MEETING IN THREE YEARS.
THE GOVERNOR ACTUALLY MET WITH THE HEAD OF THE UNIVERSITY
SYSTEM, HEAD OF THE TWO-YEAR COLLEGE SYSTEM, THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS AND THE HEAD OF THE PRIVATE COLLEGE
SYSTEM AND THE HEAD OF PRE-K.
FIRST TIME IN THREE YEARS.
AND I'VE GIVEN THEM CLEAR OBJECTIVES AS CHAIRMAN.
WE'RE GOING TO SET UP A VISION AND A BRAND FOR NORTH CAROLINA
EDUCATION.
WE'RE GOING TO START SHARING RESOURCES.
WE'RE GOING TO START SHARING BUDGETS.
AND WE'RE GOING TO PUT TECHNOLOGY IN OUR SCHOOLS AND
SHARE THAT TECHNOLOGY.
THOSE ARE JUST SOME BASIC THINGS THAT WE HAVEN'T BEEN DOING.
WE'VE HAD SILOS IN EDUCATION IN NORTH CAROLINA.
GOOD PEOPLE.
SOME GREAT SCHOOLS.
BUT WE HAVEN'T BEEN WORKING TOGETHER IN AN EFFICIENT AND
EFFECTIVE WAY, ESPECIALLY IN WHICH WE'RE THINKING ABOUT
RESULTS.
MY GOAL IS TO GET KIDS JOBS ONCE THEY GRADUATE, MAKE SURE THEY
HAVE THE TALENTS AND THE KNOWLEDGE TO GET JOBS IN NORTH
CAROLINA.
AND RIGHT NOW THERE'S A DISCONNECT.
WE HAVE THE THIRD HIGHEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN THE
COUNTRY.
AND YET WE HAVE EMPLOYERS WHO SAY THEY CAN'T FIND QUALIFIED
APPLICANTS.
THAT'S A DISCONNECT BETWEEN EDUCATION AND COMMERCE THAT WE
HAVE TO BRING TOGETHER.
>> ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, THERE'S A LOT OF POLICY HERE.
A LOT OF FOLKS JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND IT.
THEY DO UNDERSTAND INCENTIVES.
MET LIFE CAME.
THEY'RE GETTING A NICE PACKAGE.
BUT THEY'RE BRINGING JOBS IN.
THESE COMPANIES COMING IN, ARE THEY BRINGING NEW JOBS IN OR
RELOCATING WORKERS FROM NEW JERSEY?
>> IT'S A SAD COMMENTARY.
FRANKLY, A LOT OF BUSINESSES THAT ARE GROWING IN OUR ECONOMY
TODAY, WHICH IS VERY STAGNANT, IS STEALING CUSTOMERS FROM
SOMEONE ELSE.
AND THAT'S HAPPENING IN GOVERNMENT, TOO.
I MEAN, I TOOK A LITTLE QUICK TRIP TO CHICAGO JUST THE OTHER
NIGHT.
I DID IT UNDER THE RADAR SCREEN WHILE GOVERNOR PERRY LET IT BE
KNOWN.
BUT, YOU KNOW, I'M OUT THERE TRYING TO GET BUSINESSES FROM
ILLINOIS, FROM CALIFORNIA OR FROM NEW YORK TO COME TO NORTH
CAROLINA.
AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A COMBINATION OF THEM BRINGING NEW
PEOPLE, WHICH WILL HELP OUR REAL ESTATE MARKET AND OUR
CONSTRUCTION JOBS, BUT ALSO GROWING JOBS WITHIN NORTH
CAROLINA.
SO I THINK MOST JOBS THAT -- COMPANIES THAT WE'RE TRYING TO
RECRUIT TO NORTH CAROLINA, YOU'RE PROBABLY TALKING ABOUT
30% OF THE PEOPLE BEING TRANSFERRED AND THE OTHER PART
WILL BE GROWING FROM WITHIN, WHICH IS, I THINK, A PRETTY GOOD
MATCH.
>> GOVERNOR PAT McCRORY, I APPRECIATE YOU LETTING OUR TEAM
COME IN YOUR OFFICE AND GIVING AN INTERVIEW.
>> IT'S AN HONOR TO HAVE YOU HERE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
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