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>> WHILE THE SENATE DISCUSSES INVOLUNTARY ANNEXATION, THE
HOUSE LAUNCHES ITS FIRST DISCUSSIONS ON A NEW BUDGET.
AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT VEHICLE INSPECTIONS?
WE'LL TELL YOU 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.
WELCOME TO OUR FIRST SHOW OF THE 2012 NORTH CAROLINA POLITICAL
SEASON AT THE LEGISLATURE.
THE SENATE BEGAN ITS WEEK IN PART BY REVISITING ANNEXATION
REFORM LEGISLATION.
A 2011 LAW TOOK EFFECT THAT WAS BELIEVED TO HAVE SETTLED THE
ISSUE OF INVOLUNTARY ANNEXATION, BUT WAS RULED UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
SENATE BACKERS ARE BACK BELIEVING THEIR NEW BILL ANSWERS
THE COURT'S QUESTIONS.
THE SENATE MADE PARLIAMENTARY MOTIONS TO PASS LEGISLATION THAT
WOULD DO TWO THINGS.
REVERSE LOCAL ANNEXATIONS IN NINE NORTH CAROLINA
MUNICIPALITIES AND IMPLEMENT NEW RULES FOR INVOLUNTARY
ANNEXATION.
A 2011 LAW ALLOWED PROPERTY OWNERS OF LAND SUBJECT TO AN
INVOLUNTARY ANNEXATION TO CHALLENGE THE MOTION BY SIGNING
A PETITION.
THE PETITION REQUIREMENT WAS SUCCESSFULLY CHALLENGED IN COURT
BY SOME CITIES, SENDING ANTI-ANNEXATION GROUPS BACK TO
RALEIGH TO LOBBY.
>> THESE FOLKS HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE WRINGER BACK AND FORTH LIKE
A YO-YO FOR YEARS AND YEARS NOW.
AND, YOU KNOW, THEY THOUGHT THEY HAD SETTLED IT WITH THE PETITION
BEFORE AND THEN WE HAD -- WE HAD LITIGATION, AND A SUPERIOR COURT
JUDGE DECIDED THE LAW WE PASSED WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
>> THE 2012 VERSION OF ANNEXATION REFORM ELIMINATES
THAT UNCONSTITUTIONAL PETITION REQUIREMENT IN FAVOR OF A DIRECT
REFERENDUM.
EVERY VOTER LIVING WITHIN AN AREA FACING INVOLUNTARY
ANNEXATION COULD VOTE ON THE MATTER.
DURHAM COUNTY SENATOR FLOYD McKISSICK BELIEVES CITIES SHOULD
HOLD POWER TO GROW THROUGH INVOLUNTARY ANNEXATION BUT
AGREES RESIDENTS SHOULD HAVE A VOICE.
>> I THINK IT IS FAIR THAT ALL THOSE RESIDING IN AN AREA WOULD
HAVE A VOICE AND OPINION.
YOU KNOW, WE DRAFTED OUR CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA WHILE AT THAT POINT IN TIME VESTED LAND OWNERS
HAD A RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE.
I THINK WE VERY QUICKLY REALIZE THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE
WHO WERE NOT VESTED HOMEOWNERS THAT LIVE WITHIN THE CONFINES OF
AN AREA THAT NEED TO BE ABLE TO VOICE THEIR OPINION.
>> DOUG AKIN REPRESENTS THE FAIR ANNEXATION COALITION, A GROUP OF
PROPERTY OWNERS FIGHTING CITY GOVERNMENTS OVER INVOLUNTARY
ANNEXATION.
>> WE'RE FINE WITH THE VOTE IF THAT'S WHAT'S CONSTITUTIONALLY
REQUIRED.
THE THING THAT WE FOUGHT FOR THE LONG SIX YEARS I'VE BEEN IN THIS
IS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING ANEXTED TO HAVE A SAY IN WHAT'S
HAPPENING TO THEM AND THEIR PROPERTY.
SO A PETITION WAS ONE WAY TO HAVE A SAY AND A VOTE IS ANOTHER
WAY.
>> LOBBYISTS FOR MUNICIPALITIES AND FOUGHT AND COMPROMISED ON
INVOLUNTARY ANNEXATION LEGISLATION IN RECENT YEARS, BUT
TOLD THE SENATE THIS WEEK THAT DIRECT VOTE ON AN ENTIRE CITY'S
ANNEXATION PLAN IS UNFAIR TO THE CITIES AND TO THE CITIZENS
LIVING WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS.
>> THIS ELECTION PROCESS AND THE BILL ON ANNEXATION WILL ALLOW A
VERY SMALL MINORITY OF RESIDENTS IN THE ANNEXED AREA ONLY TO KILL
GROWTH IN THOSE COMMUNITIES.
ACROSS THE STATE.
IT'S PATENTLY UNFAIR TO OUR CURRENT CITY RESIDENTS.
OVER FIVE MILLION OF THEM ACROSS NORTH CAROLINA.
>> THE DIRECT VOTE WOULD REQUIRE A 50% PLUS ONE VOTE MAJORITY TO
STOP A CITY'S INVOLUNTARY ANNEXATION PLAN FOR AT LEAST
THREE YEARS.
PROPERTY OWNERS LIVING OUTSIDE THE ANNEXATION ZONE COULD NOT
VOTE IN THE REFERENDUM, BUT PEOPLE LIKE RENTERS WHO HAVE NO
PROPERTY OWNERSHIP STAKE COULD VOTE.
IS THIS BILL, IF IT PASSES, MORE CONSTITUTIONAL FRIENDLY OR DO
YOU STILL THINK IT'S GOING TO BE SUBJECT TO DEBATE?
>> WELL, NO, I THINK IT CLEARLY MEETS CONSTITUTIONAL MUSTER.
THE MAIN THRUST, AS I UNDERSTOOD THE ARGUMENTS OF THE
MUNICIPALITIES THAT CHALLENGED THE LAW WAS THAT THE PETITION
PROCESS, THEY SAID, EQUATED TO AN ELECTION.
AND THEY SAID THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE AN ELECTION.
IF IT'S GOING TO BE AN ELECTION, IT SHOULD BE AN ELECTION.
SO BASED ON THE JUDGE'S ORDER, THAT'S WHY WE CAME BACK THIS
YEAR AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AN ELECTION.
>> WHILE BUCK NEWTON SAYS IT'S TIME TO SETTLE THE LAW IN NORTH
CAROLINA, SENATOR McKISSICK DEFENDS THE LEGACY OF NORTH
CAROLINA TOWNS HOLDING SOME POWER TO EXPAND IN WAYS HE
DESCRIBES HAS BEEN MOSTLY ORGANIZED.
>> IT'S A DIFFICULT CHALLENGE, BUT FREQUENTLY WHAT WE'VE HAD IS
GOOD PROGRESSIVE ANNEXATION LAWS IN NORTH CAROLINA ALLOWING OUR
CITIES TO GROW AND DEVELOP IN AN ORDERLY WAY SO YOU DON'T END UP
WITH DONUT HOLES WITHIN OUR CITIES THAT ARE NOT PART OF THE
CITY LIMITS AND DON'T PAY TAXES TO THE CITY.
>> FOR GROUPS SUPPORTING INVOLUNTARY ANNEXATION, THE
FEELING IS THAT MANY PEOPLE WILL MOVE CLOSE ENOUGH TO A CITY TO
ENJOY THE CITY LIFE WITHOUT ENTERING TOWNS TO PAY CITY
PROPERTY TAXES.
IS IT ARROGANT FOR A MAYOR OR A CITY TO BE A TAD BIT RESENTFUL
FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE JUST OUTSIDE THE CITY LINE, BUT YET COME IN,
ENJOY THE PARKS, ENJOY THE STREETS, AND ALL THE OTHER GOOD
THINGS THAT COME FROM LIVING IN A TOWN?
>> WELL, I UNDERSTAND THAT FEELING.
THERE ARE WAYS TO GET AROUND THAT FEELING.
FIRST OF ALL, THE STREETS, A MAJORITY OF THE STREETS WE ALL
PAY FOR THROUGH OUR GAS TAXES, AND THERE ARE WAYS TO PUT USER
FEES ON THE PARKS.
I UNDERSTAND THAT.
IN SOUTH CAROLINA, IF THE MAYOR WANTS TO BRING IN A GROUP
OUTSIDE THE CITY, HE CONVINCES THEM IT'S TO THEIR BEST
INTERESTS TO COME INTO THE CITY AND RECEIVE THE SERVICES AND SO
THERE'S AN EXCHANGE THERE.
YOU PAY TAXES FOR THE SERVICES.
BUT AT LEAST YOU'RE MAKING THE CHOICE TO COME IN.
>> THE HOUSE VOTED THIS WEEK TO MOVE LEGISLATION TO PAY
SURVIVORS OF THE OLD AND DEFUNCT STATE EUGENICS PROGRAM.
THE EUGENICS BOARD OF NORTH CAROLINA AUTHORIZED THE
INVOLUNTARY STERILIZATION OF CITIZENS BETWEEN 1933 AND 1974.
A BIPARTISAN GROUP OF LEGISLATORS ARE SPONSORING A
COMPENSATION PLAN FOR THE PROGRAM'S VICTIMS.
THE SENATE SIGNED OFF ON A NEW GAMING COMPACT WITH THE CHEROKEE
NATION THIS WEEK.
THIS DEAL WOULD LET THE CHEROKEE CASINO LAUNCH LIVE CARD GAMES
WITH HUMAN DEALERS INSTEAD OF VIDEO GAMBLING ONLY.
THE PLAN GIVES THE STATE A CUT OF THE PROFITS IN EXCHANGE FOR
THE RULE CHANGE.
SUPPORTERS SAY 400 LOCAL JOBS WOULD BE CREATED.
THE STATE COULD EXPECT, ACCORDING TO SOME ANALYSES, UP
TO $90 MILLION IN REVENUE OVER 30 YEARS.
THE HOUSE MUST PASS THE BILL NEXT.
A HOUSE BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE BEGAN PUBLICLY DISCUSSING THE
2012-2013 STATE EDUCATION BUDGET.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS RECEIVED WRITTEN BUDGET REQUESTS FROM THE
UNIVERSITY SYSTEM AND DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.
THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE WRITING THE
2012-2013 STATE EDUCATION BUDGET RECEIVED WRITTEN REQUESTS FROM
THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION AND UNIVERSITY OF
NORTH CAROLINA INSTRUCTION.
JUNE ATKINSON WROTE THE HOUSE COMMITTEE MEMBERS THAT,
"MULTIPLE YEARS OF CUTS TO TEXTBOOKS HAVE MADE IT DIFFICULT
FOR OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO TRANSITION TO DIGITAL MATERIAL
AND OBTAIN INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT MATERIALS IN OUR CLASSROOMS."
THE SCHOOLS ARE SEEKING $76.5 MILLION FOR TEXTBOOK PURCHASES,
AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO CUTS MADE IN THE CURRENT YEAR.
THE SUPERINTENDENT SEEKS $16.5 MILLION TO FUND FIVE ADDITIONAL
SCHOOL DAYS AS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW.
$20 MILLION IS SOUGHT FOR SCHOOL FOOD PROGRAMS.
FULL FUNDING FOR THE NORTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL IS
ALSO REQUESTED.
EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBER AND HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER PAUL
STAM SAYS IT'S VERY EARLY IN THIS NEW BUDGET PROCESS, AND
LAWMAKERS ARE WEIGHING ALL THE FEEDBACK.
>> WELL, WE DON'T KNOW WHERE WE'RE HEADING 'TIL WE TAKE VOTES
ON DOING IT.
BUT -- >> YOU HAVE A MAJORITY, AN
OVERWHELMING MAJORITY.
>> BELIEVE ME, THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE MAJORITY HAS
SETTLED ON THE DETAILS OF THE BUDGET.
THAT MEANS WE'VE SETTLED ON THE BROAD PARAMETERS OF THE BUDGET.
NOT ON THE DETAILS.
>> UNC SYSTEM PRESIDENT TOM ROSS WROTE TO LEGISLATIVE LEADERS
SEEKING $216 MILLION IN EXPANSION FUNDING.
$17 MILLION WOULD FUND NEARLY 700 NEW FULL-TIME STUDENT
POSITIONS.
.3% GROWTH.
11.5 MILLION DOLLARS IS REQUESTED FOR SIX SYSTEM
CAMPUSES TO EARN BASED ON PERFORMANCE.
UNIVERSITY LEADERS REQUEST $88.6 MILLION FOR STUDENT GRANTS.
$10 MILLION FOR FACULTY RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.
$4.6 MILLION WOULD BE USED TO BOOST RETENTION AND GRADUATION
RATES AT EIGHT UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES.
REPRESENTATIVE RICK GLAZIER OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY IS AN
EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBER.
>> WELL, I THINK EVERYBODY WOULD HOPE THAT WE WOULD BE TRYING TO
FIND A WAY TO HAVE A BALANCED AND STABLE BUDGET.
I THINK THAT THERE'S CERTAINLY THE MAJORITY'S INDICATED THERE'S
GOING TO BE SOME CONTINUING CUTS BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO LOOK
AT ANY OTHER REVENUE SOURCES.
BUT I'M HOPEFUL THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO TRY TO FIND WAYS TO
WORK TOGETHER TO MINIMIZE THE HARM OF ANY CUTS THAT ARE
COMING.
>> THE EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE'S BUDGET CHAIRMAN OUTLINED RULES
PREVENTING THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS FROM SHIFTING MONEY BETWEEN
EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES.
FOR EXAMPLE, A REPRESENTATIVE COULDN'T REQUEST TAKING MONEY
AWAY FROM THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO FUND A NEW COMMUNITY COLLEGE
PROGRAM.
THAT'S NOT ALLOWED.
THE CHAIRMAN REPORT THAT STATE REVENUES COULD EXCEED
EXPECTATIONS BY OVER $200 AND THEY SAY THEY'LL FIGHT FOR
INCREASED FUNDING.
THE CHAIRMAN ALSO SAY THE CUTS OUTLINED IN LAST YEAR'S BUDGET
WILL NOT BE DEEPENED IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET, AT LEAST NOT AT
THE SUBCOMMITTEE LEVEL.
>> THEY KEEP TALKING ABOUT THIS $230 MILLION AVAILABILITY
OVERAGE, AND YOU'VE GOT 40 OTHER THINGS I THINK THAT ARE GOING TO
TAKE PRIORITY OVER THAT, SO THERE REALLY ISN'T GOING TO BE
ANY EXTRA MONEY EXCEPT WHAT IS ALREADY THERE.
SO WE'RE GOING TO BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL WITH THE CUTS ALREADY
ENUNCIATED FOR THIS YEAR'S BUDGET AND TO MAKE SURE THAT
THOSE CUTS DON'T GET BEATEN.
>> THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE BREAKS DOWN INTO
NUMEROUS SUBCOMMITTEES, ONE OF WHICH COVERS THE EDUCATION
BUDGET.
THAT'S WHERE REPRESENTATIVE BRYAN HOLLOWAY SITS IN POWER.
THANKS FOR BEING ON THE SHOW.
>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
I APPRECIATE IT.
>> REPRESENTATIVE PAUL STAM SAYS WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO
HAPPEN 'TIL WE SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THESE FLOOR VOTES, BUT IT
SEEMS LIKE YOU HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE AND A FRAMEWORK FOR
EDUCATIONAL SPENDING.
>> EDUCATION CHAIRS, I CAN TELL YOU, THAT OUR TOP PRIORITY IS
PRESERVING THE EDUCATION SYSTEM.
WE CAN ROLL AROUND IN THE WEEDS, BUT TO TRY TO MAKE A LONG STORY
SHORT, THERE'S FEDERAL MONEY THAT IS GOING AWAY.
AND THERE'S THIS THING CALLED A NEGATIVE RESERVE WHERE THE STATE
WILL GIVE YOU MONEY, THEN TELL YOU TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO SEND
SOME OF IT BACK.
COUNTIES HAVE USED THAT FEDERAL MONEY TO DO THAT.
WE'VE GOT TO MAKE A DECISION AND WE'VE GOT TO TRY TO FIND A WAY
TO REDUCE THE COUNTY'S NEGATIVE RESERVE AND SEND MORE MONEYS TO
COUNTIES TO KEEP EDUCATION SYSTEM WHOLE AND THAT'S OUR
GOAL.
>> MANY A DEMOCRAT HAS GONE PUBLIC TO SAY YOU GIVE THE
SCHOOLS ALL THIS MONEY AND YOU DEMAND IT ALL BACK AND THAT'S
NOT THE WAY TO CUT SCHOOL FUNDING IF YOU'RE GOING TO CUT
IT.
I'VE HEARD THE OTHER SIDE SAYING WE'RE LETTING THE SCHOOLS CHOOSE
PRIORITIES BEFORE THEY CUT SPENDING.
SO WHAT'S THE PHILOSOPHY FROM YOUR UNDERSTANDING?
>> PHILOSOPHY IS THAT THE DEMOCRATS -- AND I DON'T REALLY
WANT TO BE PARTISAN HERE -- BUT THEY CREATED THE NEGATIVE
RESERVE.
THEY WERE THE ONES BACK IN 2002 GOT THE COUNTIES IN THIS
BUSINESS, WE'LL GIVE YOU THIS, AND THEN YOU GIVE US MONEY BACK.
THE NEGATIVE RESERVES, WHEN WE TOOK THE REINS FROM DAY ONE FROM
PREVIOUS MAJORITY, WAS $331 MILLION.
SO THEY WERE THE ONES THAT ACTUALLY CREATED THAT BUSINESS,
AND ACTUALLY THE LAST BUDGET THAT THEY SUPPORTED CUT $1.3
BILLION OUT OF K-12.
NOW, THERE WAS SOME FEDERAL MONEY THAT CAME IN, BUT THEY
WERE THE ONES THAT CREATED THIS NEGATIVE RESERVE BUSINESS, AND I
CAN TELL YOU THAT OUR CHAIRS FROM OUR VIEWPOINT, WE WANT TO
GET OUT OF THAT BUSINESS, AND WE WANT TO LOWER THAT RESERVE BY AS
MUCH AS POSSIBLE THIS YEAR.
WE WANT TO KEEP COUNTIES WHOLE.
WE DON'T WANT ANY TEACHERS OR ANY PERSON WHO'S IN THE
EDUCATION FIELD TO LOSE THEIR JOB.
AGAIN, THAT'S OUR PRIORITY, AND THAT'S THE DIRECTION WE'RE
HOPING TO MOVE.
>> NOW, LOOKING AHEAD, SENATOR PHIL BERGER HAS OUTLINED A $45
MILLION READING AND LITERACY CAMPAIGN TO HELP YOUNGER
CHILDREN, I GUESS FIRST THROUGH THIRD GRADE, K-3.
THERE SEEMS TO BE A LUKEWARM REACTION IN THE HOUSE.
ARE YOU LOOKING AT HIS PROPOSAL SERIOUSLY?
>> IF YOU'RE REFERENCING, I THINK IT'S SENATE BILL 795, HIS
BROAD EDUCATION REFORM PACKAGE, CERTAINLY, THOSE ARE ALL THINGS
THAT WILL BE DISCUSSED.
BUT FROM THE BEGINNING, THE SHORT SESSION, WE'VE ALL BEEN
HERE.
WE WANT THIS TO BE A SHORT SHORT SESSION.
I JUST DON'T THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE TO DO THAT KIND OF
HEAVY LIFTING IN A SHORT SESSION.
WE NEED TO TALK THROUGH THESE THINGS, AND THE HOUSE, AS YOU'VE
SAID, CERTAINLY WE HAVE A MORE LUKEWARM APPROACH, AND I CAN
TELL YOU THAT WE DON'T WANT TO GET INTO THAT KIND OF HEAVY
LIFTING IN THIS YEAR AND WE JUST WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THE BUDGET,
TRY TO PROTECT THOSE EDUCATION JOBS, AND JUST GO HOME AND GET
BACK TO NORMAL LIVES.
>> YOU HAVE 200, 200-PLUS MILLION DOLLARS IN EXTRA
REVENUE, OVERCOLLECTION IS A TERM THEY USE IN RALEIGH, I
DON'T THINK ANYWHERE ELSE, BUT YOU SAID THERE'S A CHANCE YOU'D
GET A SLICE OF THAT TO INCREASE EDUCATION SPENDING IN NORTH
CAROLINA.
BUT REPRESENTATIVE STAM SAYS MEDICAID COULD EAT EVERY DIME OF
THAT.
HOW DO YOU -- >> CERTAINLY THERE'S THAT.
THERE'S OTHER AVAILABLE DOLLARS AS WELL, OTHER THAN THE $200
MILLION YOU REFERENCED.
AS EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS CHAIR I WANT IT ALL.
EVERYONE WANTS IT ALL FOR THEIR BUDGET.
CERTAINLY, WE WILL HOPEFULLY GET A PIECE OF THAT AND THEN SOME.
SO I BELIEVE NEW DOLLARS WILL COME TO OUR BUDGET.
IT'S JUST YET TO SEE HOW MUCH AND I CAN TELL THE CHAIRS, WE
WANT TO APPLY EVERY DOLLAR TO K-12.
THOSE FEDERAL DOLLARS ARE GONE.
WE REALIZE WE'RE GOING DO HAVE TO PUT MORE IN TO KEEP EVERYBODY
WITH A JOB.
>> APPRECIATE IT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
APPRECIATE IT.
>> GOVERNOR BEV PERDUE RELEASED HER BUDGET PROPOSAL LAST WEEK
INCLUDING EDUCATION SPENDING PLANS.
SHE WANTS A 3/4 PENNY SALES TAX INCREASE HER TEAM SAYS WOULD
FILL IN THE EDUCATION FUNDING GAPS.
GOVERNOR PERDUE REQUESTS A SMALL PAY INCREASE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL
PERSONNEL.
REPRESENTATIVE MARVIN LUCAS IS ON THAT EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE.
THANKS FOR BEING ON THE SHOW, FIRST OF ALL.
>> MY PLEASURE, SIR.
>> TALK ABOUT THE NUMBERS HERE.
PAUL STAM SAYS THIS IS INNING 2 OF A 9-INNING GAME.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF EDUCATION FUNDING IN INNING 2?
>> I THINK HE'S PROBABLY ACCURATE, BUT I'M MORE
INTERESTED IN WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE 9th INNING, IF
HOPEFULLY WE CAN FIND SOME MORE REVENUE AND PRODUCE MORE GOODS
FOR OUR STUDENTS.
>> REPRESENTATIVE MICKEY MICHAUX SAYS THERE'S $200 MILLION OUT
THERE IN EXTRA SALES TAX REVENUE FROM AN IMPROVED ECONOMY.
BUT -- >> THAT'S CORRECT.
>> HE SAYS HE DOESN'T EXPECT ANY OF THAT TO COME TO EDUCATION.
DO YOU EXPECT TO GET A PIECE OF THE PIE?
>> I WOULD LOVE TO, BUT I DON'T EXPECT IT BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME
REAL GLARING NEEDS THERE THAT I THINK ARE GOING TO TAKE THAT AND
USE IT TO SHORE UP SOME OF THE SHORTFALLS WE HAVE IN HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES.
>> ON THE EDUCATION FRONT, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS ABSOLUTE NEEDS?
>> MY NUMBER ONE PRIORITY WOULD BE TO REAL STOP THE BLEEDING ON
FLEXIBILITY CUTS TO OUR LOCAL LEAs.
WE'VE PUT THIS ON THEM THREE OR FOUR YEARS CONTINUOUSLY AND
THERE'S NOTHING ELSE TO FLEXIBLY CUT.
WE'VE JUST PLACED IT DOWN TO THEM AND SAID TO THEM, WELL, YOU
MADE THAT CUT.
YOU MADE THAT DECISION.
I THINK WE'VE REALLY GOT TO FUND THEM BACK TO THE LEVELS THAT WE
TRADITIONALLY FUNDED THEM AROUND 2007, '08, AND STOP THE
FLEXIBILITY.
>> YEAH, I'VE HEARD PHILOSOPHICAL DEBATE WHERE WE
GIVE THEM A POT OF MONEY, TELL THEM TO CUT.
>> IT'S GOTTEN TO THE POINT NOW WHERE THEY REALLY HAVE TO CUT.
THEY'RE DECIDING NOW DO I CUT PERSONNEL?
DO I CUT TEXTBOOKS?
DO I CUT AUXILIARY SERVICES?
WHAT NEEDS TO BE CUT?
THE BONE -- WE CUT THROUGH THE BONE NOW INTO THE SINEW, AND
WE'VE GOT TO STOP THAT FLEXIBILITY PROCESS.
IT'S NO LONGER APPLICABLE.
WE'VE JUST OVERDONE THAT.
>> I'VE ALSO HEARD THAT -- AND THIS COMES FROM FOLKS LIKE THE
PAT McCRORY CAMPAIGN, THAT MONEY DOESN'T EQUAL POSITIVE RESULTS
AND GIVING MORE MONEY DOESN'T EQUAL POSITIVE RESULTS.
WHAT DOES MONEY PLAY WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT SCHOOL FUNDING AND
GETTING POSITIVE RESULTS?
>> MONEY CERTAINLY DOES HELP TO GET POSITIVE RESULTS.
I MEAN, WE JUST HAVE NOT GIVEN OUR TEACHERS A RAISE NOW FOR
SEVERAL YEARS.
WE'VE CUT -- WE'VE FROZEN THEIR SALARIES.
WE'RE BEGINNING NOW TO GET DIMINISHING RETURNS BECAUSE SOME
OF THE TEACHERS ARE GETTING OUT OF THE WORKFORCE.
THE COST OF LIVING HAS GONE UP FOR THEM AND WE'VE NOT GIVEN
THEM THE RECOURSE TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES.
AND THEY JUST HAVE TO DO THAT, AND WE'RE GETTING MORE AND MORE
STUDENTS.
I UNDERSTAND WE MAY NOT HAVE AS MANY STUDENTS THIS YEAR AS WE
TRADITIONALLY DO GET, BUT THE STUDENTS THAT WE DO GET DO NEED
TO BE ADEQUATELY FUNDED.
>> IS THERE ANY WHERE IN THIS PUBLIC EDUCATION BUDGET THAT YOU
SEE AS A PROFESSIONAL IN THAT FIELD WHERE YOU COULD CUT, SAY,
OVER HERE IN THIS PART OF THE BUDGET TO HELP SCHOOL TEACHERS
AND TEACHING ASSISTANTS GET A HIGHER SALARY?
MAYBE SOME LOSS OVER THERE, BUT NOTHING CATASTROPHIC, AS YOU
SAY.
>> WE'VE DONE A LOT OF THAT FOR THE LAST THREE OR FOUR YEARS,
AND NOW I THINK WE PROBABLY HAVE TURNED OVER ALL THE EGGS IN THE
BASKET THAT WE CAN TURN OVER THERE.
AND I JUST DON'T KNOW OF ANY LARGE EGG THAT WE CAN TURN OVER
NOW TO ATTRIBUTE TO EDUCATION SHORT OF MORE REVENUE.
>> THE GOVERNOR RELEASED A BUDGET SEVERAL DAYS AGO.
REPUBLICANS SAY IT CAME AWFULLY LATE IN THE PROCESS, TOO SOON TO
THE SESSION.
LOOKING AT HER BUDGET CALLING FOR THE SALES TAX, DO YOU SEE
ANY WIGGLE ROOM?
WAS WHAT SHE PRESENTED AND DEMOCRATS WILL DEFEND REALISTIC
IN THIS ENVIRONMENT OR WAS IT A BEST CASE SCENARIO, KNOWING THAT
REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO WRITE A BUDGET HOW THEY'LL WRITE A
BUDGET?
>> I THINK IT'S A BEST CASE SCENARIO.
WE DID HAVE THE PENNY TAX ON UP UNTIL JULY 1 OF LAST YEAR.
OF COURSE, THAT WENT AWAY AND THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED NOT A
PENNY, BUT JUST 3/4 OF A CENT.
AND I PROPOSE THAT THAT CAN BE IMPLEMENTED WITHOUT ANY REAL
BURDEN UPON ANYBODY.
AND, YES, WE MUST PAY FOR OUR EDUCATION.
OUR FUNDING FOR EDUCATION HAS DROPPED SOME SAY 48th, 49th IN
THE COUNTRY AND THAT'S NOT A GOOD PLACE TO BE IN.
>> IS THERE ANY PLACE IN THE BUDGET THAT IS OVERFUNDED WHERE
FUNDS COULD BE REDIRECTED TO BOOST EDUCATION WITHOUT RAISING
NEW REVENUES?
>> I LOOK AT EDUCATION VERY RELIGIOUSLY AND I CAN'T SPEAK
FOR THE OTHER SOURCES OF THE BUDGET.
I'M SURE THERE ARE SOME AREAS THAT ARE NOT IN MY DOMAIN THAT
WE COULD FIND SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR EDUCATION, BUT AS
YOU KNOW, THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT PROHIBIT US FROM
RAIDING OTHER POTS OF MONEY FOR EDUCATION.
SO WE'RE JUST KIND OF IN A LIMBO SITUATION.
>> REPRESENTATIVE MARVIN LUCAS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING ON.
>> THANK YOU.
>> A JOINT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION HEARD THE
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'S REQUEST FOR THE SHORT SESSION.
THIS COMMITTEE MUST APPROVE PROPOSALS BEFORE THEY CAN BE
DRAWN UP AS BILLS.
EXPECT TO SEE LEGISLATION ALLOWING THE SPENDING OF EXCESS
TOLL REVENUE ON PROJECTS OTHER THAN THE TOLL ROAD'S DEBT.
REGULAR DEBT PAYMENTS ON THE TOLL ROADS WOULD BE THE FIRST
PAYMENT MADE FROM COLLECTIONS, HOWEVER.
A D.O.T. REQUEST TO MAKE TOLL ROAD DATA PRIVATE WAS APPROVED
BY AN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.
THE SAME TRANSPORTATION OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE APPROVED THE
POSSIBILITY OF REMOVING THE RACE DESIGNATION FROM NORTH CAROLINA
DRIVER'S LICENSES.
THE RACE DESIGNATION IS OFTEN LEFT BLANK ON CURRENT LICENSES.
RACIAL DESCRIPTIONS MIGHT BE LEAVING SOON, BUT A PERSON'S
VETERAN STATUS WILL BE ADDED.
THE D.O.T. WANTS A DEADLINE EXTENDED REQUIRING IT TO INCLUDE
MILITARY SERVICE ON THE DRIVER'S LICENSE.
THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IS DEVELOPING A NEW LICENSING
SYSTEM AND NEEDS MORE TIME.
THOSE OTHER D.O.T. REQUESTS WERE ROLLED INTO ONE BIG YES VOTE
FROM THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE, BUT AN IDEA THAT WOULD HAVE
EXEMPTED NEW CARS FROM SAFETY INSPECTIONS FACED ROCKY SAILING.
D.O.T. OFFICIALS AND LEGISLATIVE RESEARCHERS REPORT THAT NEWER
CARS DON'T NEED SAFETY INSPECTIONS.
THEY'RE SO NEW, THEY'RE SAFE, STATISTICALLY.
THAT DIDN'T STOP LAWMAKERS FROM DISAGREEING AND MENTIONING THAT
MANY SMALL BUSINESSES OFFER INSPECTION SERVICES AND NEED THE
REVENUE.
NORTH CAROLINA'S DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ASKED LAWMAKERS
TO GRANT IT LENIENCY TO EXEMPT VEHICLES UP TO THREE MODEL YEARS
OLD FROM MANDATORY ANNUAL INSPECTIONS, AN INSPECTION ALL
DRIVERS MUST PASS WITH THEIR CARS BEFORE THEY CAN RENEW
REGISTRATIONS.
LEGISLATIVE RESEARCHERS REPORTED TO LAWMAKERS THAT SAFETY
INSPECTION EXEMPTIONS COULD BE SAFELY IMPLEMENTED, BUT THE
MAJORITY OF THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
ON TRANSPORTATION DISAGREED WITH THAT FEEDBACK.
FIRST, THEY WORRIED ABOUT CARS NOT RECEIVING ANY INSPECTION AT
ALL THOSE FIRST THREE YEARS.
SECOND, SOME HAD EXPRESSED SOME CONCERN THAT DRIVERS WOULDN'T
READ THE REGISTRATION CARDS CORRECTLY AND NOT GET INSPECTED
WHEN THEY HAD TO, AND THIRD, SOME LEGISLATORS WORRIED THAT
LIFTING THIS GOVERNMENT MANDATE WOULD COST SMALL BUSINESSES AND
COST JOBS IN PLACES LIKE GARAGES.
>> IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT SAFETY AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC, WHICH IS
WHAT I'M LOOKING AT, AND IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT SMALL BUSINESS
OWNERS, 7500 OF THEM DO INSPECTIONS, A LOT OF THEM WOULD
BE IMPACTED.
A LOT OF THEM WOULD LOSE UNEMPLOYEE.
SOME MAY LOSE MORE.
THAT'S A BIG SOURCE OF THEIR BUSINESS.
SO I'M FOR KEEPING OUR SMALL BUSINESSES OPERATING AT FULL
BORE.
>> SOME COMMITTEE MEMBERS OFFERED ALTERNATIVE IDEAS BASED
NOT ON THE CAR'S AGE SO MUCH AS HOW FAR THE CAR'S BEEN DRIVEN
THOSE EARLY YEARS.
BESIDES, SUPPORTERS SAY THE INSPECTION EXEMPTIONS WOULD SAVE
CONSUMERS MONEY, PUTTING CASH BACK INTO THEIR POCKETS.
>> YOU CAN TWEAK IT, AS I SAID EARLIER, AND PUT A MILEAGE
LIMITATION ON IT.
YOU TAKE A LITTLE OLD LADY WHO BUYS A BRAND-NEW CAR AND PUTS
500 MILES A YEAR ON IT, THAT VEHICLE DOESN'T NEED TO BE
INSPECTED EVERY YEAR.
AND IT DOES ADD BUREAUCRACY AND GOVERNMENT TO IT.
WE CAN CUT DOWN SOME BUREAUCRACY AND HELP THE CONSUMER, I THINK
WE SHOULD.
>> THE COMMITTEE VOTED 7-5 TO NOT DRAW UP ANY LEGISLATION TO
OFFER VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTION EXEMPTIONS.
THAT LIKELY MEANS NO MOVEMENT DURING THE 2012 SHORT SESSION.
BUT ABOUT MAINTAINING GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS TO SUPPORT SMALL
BUSINESS IN NORTH CAROLINA, ESPECIALLY THOSE OFFERING
INSPECTIONS -- >> I DON'T LIKE GOVERNMENT
INTERVENTION, BUT I DO LOVE SAFETY.
>> LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE THAT EVALUATES STATE PROGRAM
EFFECTIVENESS SUPPORTS THE STUDY OF TRACKING STATE VEHICLES USING
GLOBAL POSITIONING SOFTWARE.
THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION ALREADY HAS THIS AUTHORITY TO
INSTALL TRACKERS ON ITS VEHICLES, BUT HASN'T DONE SO
OVER COST CONCERNS.
THE PROGRAM EVALUATION OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE DISCUSSED THE VALUE OF
THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY SATELLITE TRACKING AGAINST THE
DEBATED ORWELLIAN TINGE OF SURVEILLANCE.
>> I'M NOT SURE THAT THIS IS NECESSARY TO RUN MOTOR FLEET.
AND IF IT ISN'T, I DON'T THINK WE OUGHT TO BE DOING IT.
IT'S BIG BROTHERISM AT ITS BEST FOR SOME OF YOU THAT USED TO
SPEAK TO BIG BROTHERISM.
>> THIS IS NOT MONITORING ANY INDIVIDUAL'S PERSONAL VEHICLE OR
ANYTHING ELSE USED.
THIS IS THE STATE-OWNED STATE VEHICLES AND HAVING DATA AND
INFORMATION ABOUT WHERE STATE EMPLOYEES ARE TAKING AND DRIVING
THOSE STATE VEHICLES.
>> A SMALL NUMBER OF STATE-OWNED CARS WOULD BE FITTED WITH
TRACKING EQUIPMENT AS A TEST RUN, BUT LAWMAKERS WANT
CONSULTATION BEFORE ANY STATE AGENCY LAUNCHES A FULL ROLL-OUT
OF VEHICLE TRACKING BY GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG.
-- BY GPS.
GLEN BRADLEY FILED LEGISLATION OPPOSING THE INDEFINITE MILITARY
DETENTION OF AMERICANS WITHOUT DUE PROCESS.
HIS BILL WOULD MAKE IT AN OFFICIAL STATE HOUSE DECLARATION
THAT THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2012 IS
UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
THE REPRESENTATIVE ALSO ANNOUNCED LEGISLATION OPPOSING
THE UNITED NATIONS'S PLAN FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CALLED AGENDA 21.
MANY CONSERVATIVES SAY THIS U.N.
ACTION PLAN THREATENS AMERICAN FREEDOM.
>> BILLS SUCH AS THIS ONE HAVE BEEN PASSED IN VIRGINIA, IN
KENTUCKY, IN TENNESSEE, IN GEORGIA, IN SOUTH CAROLINA,.
WE'RE NO LONGER FIRST.
WE'RE LAST.
>> REPRESENTATIVE BRADLEY'S BILL SIT IN THE HOUSE RULES
COMMITTEE.
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