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>> THE 2012 LEGISLATIVE SESSION ENDS WITH A FLURRY OF VETO
OVERRIDE ATTEMPTS.
THE STORIES 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.
THANKS FOR WATCHING.
THE HOUSE SESSION WENT INTO THE LATE MONDAY HOURS AS REPUBLICANS
SOUGHT A VETO-PROOF VOTING MAJORITY AND HOUSE DEMOCRATS
WORKED TO STAY UNITED TO UPHOLD THE GOVERNOR'S VETO OF THE HOUSE
AND SENATE COMPROMISE BUDGET BILL.
MONDAY NIGHT HOUSE REPUBLICANS GATHERED ENOUGH VOTES TO
OVERRIDE GOVERNOR BEV PERDUE'S VETO OF THE COMPROMISE 2012-2013
BUDGET BILL.
THE FINAL VOTE 74-45.
>> IN TODAY'S WORLD, NORTH CAROLINIANS ARE HURTING.
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX HAS BEEN DROPPING.
THE SAVINGS RATE HAS BEEN INCREASING BECAUSE OUR CITIZENS
ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THIS STATE.
AND ONE COULD SAY WHEN YOU LOOK BACK OVER THE PAST DECADE OF
OVERSPENDING, OVERTAXING, IT'S TIME WE GET OUR HOUSE IN ORDER.
>> HOUSE DEMOCRATS LAUNCHED INTO THE LATE MONDAY DEBATE INTO HOW
THE BUDGET INSUFFICIENTLY FUNDS EDUCATION AND WAS MADE WORSE BY
CHANGES MADE BY THE SENATE.
>> WE ALL KNOW THAT WE COULD HAVE DONE BETTER, LIKE WE DID IN
THE HOUSE.
EVERY BUDGET I'VE EVER WORKED ON, I VOTED FOR THEM BECAUSE I
WANTED TO BE PART OF WORKING AND MAKING IT BETTER, AND FOR THE
FIRST TIME, I THINK IT'S WORSE.
IT'S DEFINITELY WORSE THAN WHEN IT LEFT THE HOUSE.
>> IT FAILS TO INVEST IN EDUCATION.
IT FAILS TO INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE.
AND IT FAILS TO GIVE HOPE TO OUR PEOPLE.
>> HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERS NEEDED FOUR DEMOCRATS TO VOTE IN
FAVOR OF AN OVERRIDE IF EVERY HOUSE MEMBER ATTENDED MONDAY
NIGHT'S SESSION.
THEY RECEIVED MORE THAN FOUR DEMOCRATIC VOTES.
WAKE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE DARREN JACKSON
SAYS THE GAME OF POLITICAL CHICKEN PLAYED BY THE GOVERNOR,
HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERSHIP LEFT STATE EMPLOYEES VERY VULNERABLE.
>> I DON'T THINK THE BUDGET LAST YEAR WAS A GREAT BUDGET, AND I
DON'T THINK THIS ONE'S MUCH BETTER, BUT THE ALTERNATIVE IS
THAT THE LAYOFFS WILL BEGIN TOMORROW, BECAUSE THE SENATE AND
THE HOUSE AND THE GOVERNOR HAVE SPENT THE LAST THREE OR FOUR
WEEKS PLAYING CHICKEN.
>> DEMOCRAT AFTER DEMOCRAT STOOD UP TO SAY THEY WOULD NOT GIVE IN
TO THREATS THAT REPUBLICANS WOULD GO HOME AND ADJOURN RATHER
THAN ENTER NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR'S TEAM ON BUDGET
CHANGES.
SENATE REPUBLICANS PASSED A RESOLUTION EARLIER MONDAY SAYING
THAT THEY WOULD BE ADJOURNING THE SESSION PERMANENTLY TO GO
HOME AND CAMPAIGN JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT TUESDAY MORNING.
>> THIS IS A BAD BUDGET.
WE STILL HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO WORK IT OUT AND IMPROVE IT.
IT'S TOUGH TIMES.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO MAKE EVERYBODY HAPPY, BUT WE'VE GOT
THE TIME, AND WE OWE IT TO THE PEOPLE OF NORTH CAROLINA TO TAKE
ANOTHER LOOK AT IT, TO SIT DOWN WITH THE GOVERNOR, TO NEGOTIATE
WITH THE SENATE, TO NEGOTIATE BETWEEN DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN,
AND MAKE THIS A BETTER BUDGET.
>> THE BULLY SPEAKS, AND THE OTHER BODY ACTS IN FEAR.
AND WHAT A HORRIBLE PRECEDENT WE SET.
FOR OURSELVES AND FOR OUR STATE.
THE STATE TURNS TO US FOR A CIVICS LESSON, AND THIS IS NOT
THE ONE THEY EXPECTED FROM THEIR LEADERSHIP.
>> THE FINAL BUDGET IS A $20 BILLION SPENDING PLAN.
IT CONTAINS NO NEW TAXES OR TAX INCREASES.
IT BOOSTS STATE SPENDING ON PUBLIC EDUCATION, BUT THE LOSS
OF FEDERAL STIMULUS EDUCATION DOLLARS WILL MEAN A NET DECREASE
IN SCHOOLS FUNDING SAYS HOUSE MINORITY LEADER JOE HACKNEY.
>> $190 MILLION LESS FOR OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS EVEN AFTER LAST
YEAR'S BUDGET.
EVEN AFTER LAST YEAR'S BUDGET.
THIS WILL BRING FOLKS TO ABOUT 10,000, NEIGHBORHOOD OF 10,000,
THE LOSS OF EDUCATION PERSONNEL IN THE SCHOOLS ACROSS OUR STATE.
>> REPUBLICAN BUDGET WRITERS DEFEND THIS BUDGET.
THEY CITE INCREASED MEDICAID FUNDING BACKED BY A MEDICAID
RAINY DAY FUND IN CASE MEDICAID PAYMENTS SPIKE.
REPUBLICANS SAY THEY'RE CAPPING THE GAS TAX AND CLIMBING OUT OF
AN EDUCATIONAL FUNDING HOLE CREATED BECAUSE FEDERAL MONEY
WAS TEMPORARY, BUT SPENT BY LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS AS IF IT
WERE PERMANENT.
>> THIS IS -- THIS IS A GOOD HORSE.
IT MAY NOT BE A THROROUGHBRED, BUT IT'S A GOOD HORSE.
IT PROVIDES $117 MILLION MORE IN MEDICAID REBATES.
WE'VE GOT TO HAVE THAT.
>> THE ONLY SUSPENSE ON A VETO OVERRIDE VOTE WAS IN THE HOUSE
AS THE SENATE REPUBLICANS ENJOY A VETO-PROOF MAJORITY.
REPRESENTATIVE MARCUS BRANDON WAS ONE OF THOSE SO-CALLED
CROSSOVER DEMOCRATS.
THANKS FOR BEING ON THE SHOW.
>> THANKS.
>> WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF THE LOGIC, DEMOCRATS STOOD UP IN THE
HOUSE AND SAID IF WE JUST SUSTAIN THIS VETO AND KEEP THIS
NEW BUDGET OFF THE BOOKS, WE GET A BETTER BUDGET IN THE DAYS AND
WEEKS FROM NOW?
>> I'VE HEARD THE LOGIC, AND I QUESTIONED IT, AND I WANTED
TO -- I SPENT ALL DAY ASKING PEOPLE HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN, AND
NO ONE COULD REALLY GIVE ME AN ANSWER OTHER THAN THE GOVERNOR
COULD BRING US BACK TO SESSION.
BUT THE ANSWER I GOT FOR THAT WAS THAT WE COULD SIMPLY JUST
ADJOURN IN ONE SECOND AND THAT WILL BE OVER WITH.
SO THERE WAS REALLY NO CONCRETE -- THERE'S NO
PRECEDENCE FOR THIS AND THERE WAS REALLY NO CONCRETE WAY FOR
PEOPLE TO TELL ME THAT WE WERE GOING TO GET A BETTER BUDGET OUT
OF THAT.
AND WITH ALL THE STAKES THAT WE HAD WITH TEACHERS GETTING A
RAISE AND I HAVE A NANO SCIENCE BUILDING THERE, SCHOOL OF
TECHNOLOGY, IT'S CREATING A LOT OF INNOVATION THERE, WE STOOD TO
LOSE A MILLION DOLLARS WHICH WOULD HAVE HALTED THAT PROJECT,
AND IT WAS JUST A LOT OF CHANCE TO -- IT'S A BIG CHANCE TO TAKE
NOT KNOWING FOR SURE THAT WE WERE GOING TO BE ABLE TO COME UP
WITH A BETTER BUDGET.
>> FOR HOW MANY OF YOUR COLLEAGUES WAS THERE A REAL
WORRY ABOUT THE LOCAL IMPACT?
BECAUSE YOU REPRESENT THAT PORTION OF GUILFORD COUNTY THAT
YOU JUST MENTIONED VERSUS A PARTY CAUCUS THAT HAD TO STAY
UNITED TO, YOU KNOW, TO GIVE IT A SHOT AT INFLUENCING A POSSIBLE
BUDGET DEAL OUTSIDE OF THE ONE THAT WAS PASSED?
>> WELL, LIKE I SAID, IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT YOU DON'T
KNOW.
THERE'S NO PRECEDENCE.
I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A BIG CHANCE TO TAKE, AND I DO THINK
IT GOES OUTSIDE OF LOCAL.
WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT STATES, WHEN YOU'RE TALKING
ABOUT STATE EMPLOYEES AND TEACHERS, THEY HAVEN'T HAD A
RAISE IN SIX YEARS.
AND THAT'S ALL ACROSS THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.
AND I LOOKED AT THAT, AND I THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, THAT'S --
THAT'S A REALLY BIG DEAL FOR A LOT OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE
STRUGGLING TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY EAT, MAKE SURE THAT THEY
CAN GET ALL OF THE THINGS THAT THEY'RE NORMALLY USED TO BEING
ABLE TO DO AND ALL THE SACRIFICES THAT -- WE'RE NOT
TALKING ABOUT RICH PEOPLE HERE.
SO I THOUGHT ABOUT THEM AND I THOUGHT ABOUT MY -- I HAVE A LOT
OF STATE EMPLOYEES.
>> STATEMENT THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN MADE WOULD HAVE BEEN YEAR
TWO OF THIS BUDGET THAT HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERS SAID THEY
REALLY WANTED TO CHANGE.
IF THE STAND HADN'T BEEN MADE AND THE STATE HAD TO OPERATE
UNDER YEAR TWO OF LAST YEAR'S BUDGET, WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED
IN NORTH CAROLINA?
WOULD IT HAVE BEEN OKAY IN THE STATEMENT MADE OR CATASTROPHIC
AND THE POLITICAL STATEMENT STILL MADE?
>> I THINK THE LATTER.
I THINK THAT IF WE HAD TO MAKE A DECISION BASED OFF OF TWO
BUDGETS, ONE WAS 10 TIMES WORSE THAN THIS ONE.
I THINK BOTH BUDGETS ARE BAD.
BUT I HAD TO GO WITH MY CONSTITUENCY AND VOTE FOR THE
BUDGET THAT AT LEAST GAVE SOME RAISES AND SOME RELIEF FOR, YOU
KNOW, THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, MAKE SURE THAT MY REGION
WAS TAKEN CARE OF IN TERMS OF WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO THERE
AND CREATE THOSE TYPE OF JOBS, AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, I
ALWAYS SAY THAT I CAME HERE TO REPRESENT MY DISTRICT FIRST.
AND I WILL GO TO SLEEP TONIGHT VERY WELL KNOWING THAT THE
DECISION I MADE TODAY, I HAD THOSE CONSTITUENTS IN THE
FOREFRONT OF MY MIND.
>> YOUR CAUCUS MEETINGS FOR THE PARTIES ARE ALWAYS CLOSED DOOR
TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND CERTAINLY TO THE MEDIA, BUT WHAT
HAPPENS IN THE ENVIRONMENT WHEN THERE ARE SIX OF YOU WALK IN
THERE AND YOU VOTED AGAINST THE CAUCUS AND YOU VOTED AGAINST THE
GOVERNOR.
THAT'S AT LEAST WHAT THEY'LL SAY TO YOU FOR DOING THIS.
HOW DOES THAT WORK BEHIND THE SCENES?
>> WELL, IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS I THINK THAT WE ARE --
IT'S NEW FOR EVERYBODY, AND BEING IN THE MINORITY, AND IT'S
A TOUGH POSITION.
THIS WAS A TOUGH VOTE.
I'M NOT GOING TO SAY THIS WAS AN EASY VOTE.
IT WAS A TOUGH VOTE.
THESE ARE MY COLLEAGUES, MY HEROES.
MANY OF THEM I KNEW THEM BEFORE THEY EVEN KNEW ME.
AND I HAVE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF RESPECT FOR THEM.
BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE HAVE GOT TO -- I HAVE GOT TO
REPRESENT MY CONSTITUENCY BEFORE I REPRESENT THE DEMOCRATIC
PARTY, AND THAT'S WHAT I CAME HERE TO DO, AND I'M A DEMOCRAT
ALL DAY, AND PROUD TO BE ONE, BUT MY -- MY -- MY ELECTORATE
PUT ME HERE TO REPRESENT THEM HERE AND THAT'S WHAT I DO.
>> I APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON THE SHOW.
BIG TOUGH ON THIS BUDGET BILL.
I APPRECIATE YOU GOING PUBLIC TO EXPLAIN WHY YOU CAST THAT VOTE
YOU DID.
CERTAINLY, PEOPLE WILL BE READING YOUR NAME AND OTHERS AS
THIS BUDGET TAKES EFFECT.
>> THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN.
THANKS A LOT.
>> GOVERNOR PERDUE VETOED TWO BILLS THAT WOULD FUNDAMENTALLY
CHANGE THE RACIAL JUSTICE ACT DURING THE 2011-2012 LEGISLATIVE
SESSION.
ONE OF THOSE VETOED BILLS STAYED DEAD, BUT THE OTHER SURVIVED.
A SUPERMAJORITY VOTE AND TIGHTENED CONDEMNED INMATES'
ABILITY TO ESCAPE DEATH ROW BY CLAIMING JURY BIAS AT THEIR
TRIAL.
A SECOND REPUBLICAN ATTEMPT AT REPEALING OR FUNDAMENTALLY
CHANGING THE RACIAL JUSTICE ACT SUCCEEDED WHEN THE HOUSE VOTED
72-48 TO OVERRIDE GOVERNOR PERDUE'S WEEKEND VETO.
>> IT'S TIME TO GO FORWARD WITH REAL JUSTICE, THAT IS, JUSTICE
THAT CONSIDERS THE FACT THAT RACE MAY HAVE PLAYED A PART AND
HAS ALL OF THOSE THREE REMEDIES STILL AVAILABLE, BUT DOES NOT
RELY ON STATISTICS ALONE FROM OTHER PLACES, OTHER TIMES, OTHER
ACTORS, OTHER DEFENDANTS.
>> THE PREVIOUS RACIAL JUSTICE ACT ALLOWED DEATH ROW INMATES TO
ARGUE THAT RACIAL BIAS PLAYED A ROLE IN THEIR PROSECUTION AND
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT SENTENCING.
DEFENSE ATTORNEYS WERE USING STATISTICS TO MAKE THESE CASES
AND IN ONE INSTANCE A JUDGE DID DETERMINE THAT JURIES THROUGHOUT
ALL OF NORTH CAROLINA SYSTEMATICALLY EXHIBIT RACIAL
BIAS IN CAPITAL TRIALS.
THAT RULING TOOK ONE INMATE OFF DEATH ROW TO SERVE A SENTENCE OF
LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE.
THIS NEW RACIAL JUSTICE ACT PREVENTS SUCH WIDE-REACHING
GENERALIZATIONS OF JURY DECISIONS.
>> PERMITTING A JUDGE TO SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH USING WHATEVER
TOOLS ARE AVAILABLE, INCLUDING STATISTICS, IS AN IMMINENTLY
REASONABLE THING TO DO.
NO PART OF THIS BILL REQUIRES A JUDGE TO USE STATISTICS AT ALL.
>> THE NEW RACIAL JUSTICE ACT LIMITS THE DATA RESEARCH TO THE
PROSECUTORIAL DISTRICT PER COUNTY WHERE A JURY'S ALLEGED
RACIAL BIAS IS BEING ARGUED.
IT ALSO PLACES STRICT TIME LIMITS WITHIN WHICH THIS DATA
CAN BE COLLECTED.
REPUBLICANS HAD THE OVERRIDE VOTING MAJORITY, SO THEY SAID
LITTLE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, BUT DEMOCRATS MADE THE CASE FOR
LEAVING THE RACIAL JUSTICE ACT ALONE.
>> IN OUR COURT SYSTEM, RACISM IS ALIVE AND WELL, AND WHEN
WE -- IF WE VOTE TO OVERRIDE THE GOVERNOR'S VETO, WE WILL BE
VOTING TO ALLOW KNOWINGLY THAT RACISM IN JURY SELECTION AND IN
OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS OKAY WITH US.
>> THE CASE AND THE ISSUE WE RAISE TODAY IS VERY REAL.
MOST OF THE PEOPLE ON DEATH ROW DESERVE TO BE ON DEATH ROW, AND
MOST OF THOSE PEOPLE SHOULD LOSE THEIR RJA CASES IF THEY FILE
THEM BECAUSE RACE DIDN'T PLAY A PART.
BUT IT DID PLAY A PART IN SOME, AND EVERY ONE OF US IN THE
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM KNOWS THAT.
>> THE REVISED RACIAL JUSTICE ACT WILL STILL ALLOW INMATES TO
MAKE BIAS CLAIMS.
IT WILL STILL GIVE JUDGES THE POWER TO DETERMINE IF BIAS
EXISTED IN A CAPITAL TRIAL AND STILL LEAVES OPEN THE OPTION FOR
CONDEMNED INMATES TO SEE THEIR DEATH SENTENCES CHANGED TO LIFE
WITHOUT PAROLE.
IT TAKES EFFECT IMMEDIATELY AND COVERS INMATES CONVICTED IN THE
PAST AS WELL AS THOSE YET TO BE CONVICTED.
GOVERNOR PERDUE'S VETO OF THE ENERGY JOBS ACT KILLED THAT
PARTICULAR BILL THAT WOULD HAVE ESTABLISHED GUIDELINES FOR
ONSHORE AND OFFSHORE ENERGY EXPLORATION.
SENATE REPUBLICANS TRIED AGAIN WITH A NEW BILL THIS LEGISLATIVE
SESSION BUT OVERCAME A SECOND GUBERNATORIAL VETO TO BECOME
STATE LAW THIS WEEK.
HOUSE REPUBLICANS CURBED DEBATE MONDAY NIGHT ON THE SENATE'S
VERSION OF ENERGY EXPLORATION ALLOWING ONLY THE HOUSE MAJORITY
LEADER AND HOUSE MINORITY SPEAKER TO SPEAK.
IT WILL SET FRACKING POLICIES.
PROPERTY OWNERS WOULD RECEIVE A ROYALTY RATE.
EXPLORATION COMPANIES WOULD BE LIABLE FOR GROUND WATER
CONTAMINATION, BUT DEMOCRATS SAY THIS BILL FALLS SHORT ON
PROTECTING NORTH CAROLINIANS.
>> WE ARE NOT READY TO DEVELOP THE RULES OR TO AUTHORIZE
FRACKING IN NORTH CAROLINA.
THERE ARE NOT ANY JOBS ANY TIME SOON IN THIS BILL.
AND THE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT RESOURCES TO PROPERLY
DEVELOP THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE RULES.
>> SENATE BILL 820 WILL NOT ALLOW FRACKING OR DRILLING, JUST
SET THE POSSIBLE RULES SHOULD ENERGY COMPANIES CHOOSE TO SEEK
PERMISSION TO EXTRACT FOSSIL FUELS IN NORTH CAROLINA.
SEPARATE LEGISLATIVE ACTION IS NEEDED TO ALLOW DRILLING OF ANY
SORT.
>> 1947, SINCE THEN 2.5 MILLION WELLS.
THE SKY WILL NOT FALL.
WE'LL BE ABLE TO DEVELOP OUR NATURAL RESOURCE NORMALLY.
>> THE FRACKING BILL VETO OVERRIDE COMPLETES A THREE-BILL
SWEEP OF LEGISLATION THE GOVERNOR VETOED JUST DAYS AGO.
RECENT REPORTS ARE SUGGESTING THERE ARE NOT AS MANY GAS
DEPOSITS UNDERGROUND IN NORTH CAROLINA AS FIRST ASSUMED.
THAT'S RAISING SOME QUESTIONS AS TO WHETHER COMPANIES WOULD EVER
CHOOSE TO DRILL HERE.
REPUBLICANS SAY THE STATE WON'T KNOW THE POSSIBILITIES OR
FEASIBILITY OF DRILLING AND FRACKING UNTIL THIS ISSUE IS
STUDIED MORE CLOSELY.
LATE SESSION VETOES AND VETO OVERRIDES DOMINATED LATE LAST
WEEK INTO THIS WEEK, BUT THE 2012 LEGISLATIVE SESSION COVERED
MANY TOPICS WE REVIEW FOR YOU TONIGHT.
THE 2012 LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGAN WITH GOVERNOR BEV PERDUE
RELEASING HER BUDGET PROPOSAL WHERE SHE CALLED FOR VETERANS
ASSISTANCE AND HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING THROUGH A NEW PARTIAL
PENNY SALES TAX INCREASE.
>> IT'S ALL ABOUT INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE, AND TODAY I'M GOING
TO UNDERSCORE THREE PRIORITIES.
INVESTING IN EDUCATION, INVESTING IN JOBS, AND STANDING
UP FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED OUR NATION.
>> HOUSE AND SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADERS WERE QUICK TO ANSWER
THAT ANY NEW TAXES WOULD BE OFF THE TABLE.
THE GOP SAID THEIR COMPROMISE BUDGET WOULD BOOST STATE FUNDING
OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS WITHOUT ANY NEW TAX REVENUE.
>> 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.
>> STATE FUNDING DOES INCREASE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS BUT DEMOCRATS
SAY THE LOSS OF FEDERAL EDUCATION MONEY WHICH EXPIRES
THIS SUMMER MEANS PUBLIC EDUCATORS WILL STRUGGLE AGAIN
MORE THIS YEAR THAN THE PREVIOUS SCHOOL YEAR.
>> AS OUR SCHOOL POPULATION INCREASES, WE ARE REDUCING THE
NUMBER OF SCHOOL PERSONNEL TEACHING OUR CHILDREN IN K-12 IN
A WORLD THAT IS EXCEPTIONALLY COMPETITIVE WHERE WE NEED TO
HAVE EVERY PERSON WE CAN WORKING AS HARD AS WE CAN TO EDUCATE OUR
CHILDREN.
AND IT'S A MATTER OF WHAT CHOICES DID THEY MAKE.
>> ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EDUCATION POLICY WILL SHIFT IN THE STATE
BUDGET TOWARDS INCREASING READING COMPREHENSION.
THE $26 MILLION PLAN INCLUDES REQUIREMENTS THAT STUDENTS READ
AT GRADE LEVEL BY THE END OF THIRD GRADE OR TAKE SUMMER
READING CAMP AND EVEN BE HELD BACK FOR A GRADE.
SCHOOL CAMPUSES WILL BE GRADED ON AN A-F LETTER SCALE.
SENATE LEADERS MADE CLEAR THAT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LITERACY IS
THEIR 2012 EDUCATION POLICY.
>> WE'RE PLAYING POLITICS WITH KIDS' EDUCATION.
AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO GET AWAY FROM.
WE'RE TRYING TO GIVE THEM A SOUND FOUNDATION TO MOVE
FORWARD.
WE CAN SIT AROUND HERE AND NITPICK THIS DAMN THING ALL DAY
LONG, BUT WE KNOW THE TRAIN'S MOVING, AND EITHER WE GET ON OR
WE LAY IN FRONT OF IT.
>> THE BUDGET INCLUDES PAY RAISES FOR ALL STATE EMPLOYEES
AND RETIREES, INCREASES MEDICAID FUNDING WHILE CREATING A $100
MILLION MEDICAID RAINY DAY FUND SHOULD EXPENSES SPIKE
UNEXPECTEDLY IN 2012 OR 2013.
>> I THINK EVERYBODY RECOGNIZES THIS IS A PROBLEM WHERE WE NEED
TO TAKE THE POLITICS OFF THE TABLE AND JUST DEAL WITH THE
FUNDAMENTALS OF BUDGETING.
>> CHANGES MADE TO WIN CROSSOVER DEMOCRATIC SUPPORT FOR THE
BUDGET BILL VETO OVERRIDE DID NOT CHANGE THE FUNDAMENTALS THAT
ARE WRITTEN INTO THIS GOP AUTHORED BUDGET BILL.
THE STATE HAS COLLECTED $100 MILLION MORE THAN EXPECTED AND
THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO SPEND THAT ON SCHOOLS AND PAROLE OFFICERS
AND A FEW OTHER ITEMS INCLUDING EUGENICS.
WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT?
>> YOU KNOW, IT WOULD BE GREAT IF WE REALLY HAD $100 MILLION
EXTRA, BUT, IN ESSENCE, WHAT YOU HAVE IS MONEY THAT HAS BEEN
COLLECTED EARLY, AND IT'S NOT EXTRA MONEY.
IT'S MONEY THAT IF WE DECIDE TO SPEND IT, IT'S JUST GOING TO
THROW US THAT MUCH FURTHER BEHIND NEXT YEAR.
IT'S SORT OF LIKE COLLECTING, SOMEBODY OWES YOU MONEY AND YOU
COLLECT IT IN THIS MONTH, BUT YOU WEREN'T EXPECTING IT UNTIL
NEXT MONTH, YOU SPEND IT THIS MONTH AND DON'T HAVE THE MONEY
TO PAY YOUR BILLS NEXT MONTH.
IT'S NOT A GOOD THING.
IT'S THE SORT OF THINKING THAT GOT US IN TO THE $2.5 BILLION
HOLE TO BEGIN WITH.
WE'VE GOT TO STOP THIS SORT OF THING.
>> WE'RE ALSO HEARING THE ECONOMY'S GETTING BETTER, SO YOU
DON'T THINK IT WILL BE $117 MILLION BETTER BY THE TIME YOU
WOULD NEED THAT MONEY NEXT YEAR?
>> I DON'T KNOW.
AND THAT'S PART OF THE PROBLEM.
I MEAN, FOR US TO SIT HERE AND ON A WISH AND A HOPE GO AHEAD
AND SPEND THAT KIND OF MONEY, WE'LL END UP POSSIBLY IN A
PROBLEM.
AND THE ONLY THING I CAN DO IS DEPEND ON THE RECOMMENDATION WE
GET FROM OUR NON-PARTISAN FISCAL STAFF.
OUR NON-PARTISAN FISCAL STAFF TELL US THIS IS NOT REAL MONEY
WE HAVE THE CAPACITY TO GO AHEAD AND SPEND AT THIS TIME.
WE'RE GOING TO NEED IT FOR NEXT YEAR.
>> LET'S LOOK BACK TWO YEARS TO JANUARY 2011 AND WHERE WE WERE
THEN VERSUS WHERE WE ARE NOW AS A STATE ECONOMY.
HOW DO YOU SIDE THAT UP?
>> I THINK WE'RE BETTER OFF.
I THINK WE'RE BETTER OFF IN THIS RESPECT.
WE HAVE A STATE BUDGET THAT IS BALANCED.
WE HAVE A STATE BUDGET THAT'S BEEN BALANCED BY REDUCING THE
TAXES ON THE PRIVATE SECTOR, BY LETTING PEOPLE KEEP MORE OF
THEIR MONEY.
YOU HAVE A REGULATORY CLIMATE THAT IS LESS ONEROUS ON THE
PRIVATE SECTOR.
WHAT WE HAVE IS WE HAVE AN ECONOMY THAT IS POISED FOR
RECOVERY, AND INSTEAD OF NORTH CAROLINA LAGGING THE REST OF THE
NATION WHEN THE ECONOMY OVERALL PICKS UP, I THINK WE'LL BE ABLE
TO LEAD THE NATION.
>> ON THE ECONOMIC FRONT, YOU'VE HEARD SCHOOLTEACHERS AND PUBLIC
EDUCATORS JUST BE THE BRUNT OF ALL THE TOPICS RHETORICALLY
GOING BACK AND FORTH.
YOU INCREASE STATE MONEY GOING TOWARD EDUCATION, BUT SO MUCH
FEDERAL MONEY IS EXPIRING THAT FROM WHAT I CAN SEE, IT DOES
CREATE A DEFICIT NET-WISE.
WHY COULDN'T THE STATE COME UP WITH THAT EXTRA MONEY OR WOULD
THAT BE IRRESPONSIBLE TO THE OTHER FACETS OF THE BUDGET
YOU'RE TACKLING, LIKE MEDICAID OR TRANSPORTATION OR SOME OTHER
ASPECTS OF THE BUDGET?
>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, ONE OF THE REASONS THAT THERE'S A LOT
OF TALK ABOUT EDUCATORS AND ABOUT FUNDING FOR EDUCATION IS,
REMEMBER, MOST OF THE MONEY THAT THE STATE SPENDS GOES TO
EDUCATION.
SO IT'S GOING TO BE THE TOPIC OF DISCUSSION.
BUT ONE OF THE REAL ISSUES THAT WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH IS THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAD A PROGRAM.
THAT PROGRAM WAS TO PROVIDE MONEYS FOR THE STATES.
WE DON'T THINK THAT IT'S APPROPRIATE FOR THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT TO STEP IN AND SAY WE'RE GOING TO PROVIDE MONEY ON
A SHORT-TIME BASIS AND THEN WHEN THE FEDERAL MONEY DRIES UP, THEY
DON'T CONTINUE THE MONEY, THEN THE STATE TAXPAYERS HAVE TO --
HAVE TO PICK UP THE SLACK.
WE DON'T THINK THAT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS APPROPRIATE.
THE FOLKS THAT MADE THE ORIGINAL DECISION TO ACCEPT THOSE DOLLARS
WITHOUT PLANNING FOR THE TIME WHEN THOSE DOLLARS WOULD END, I
THINK THAT'S, AGAIN, ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE IRRESPONSIBLE
NATURE THAT WE'VE HAD IN NORTH CAROLINA OF BUDGETING IN THE
PAST.
>> THE BUDGET'S MORE THAN SPENDING MONEY.
THERE'S POLICY AND THERE'S MAJOR POLICY SHIFT IN EDUCATION, AND
IT'S YOUR IDEA, I THINK YOU WERE INSPIRED BY JEB BUSH DOWN IN
FLORIDA, I PRESUME THAT'S TRUE, KIDS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO READ
BY THE END OF THIRD GRADE AT THIRD GRADE LEVEL OR GO TO
SUMMER CAMP OR BE HELD BACK.
WHAT'S THAT GOING TO DO TANGIBLY ACROSS THIS STATE?
>> YOU KNOW, KELLY, WE WERE INSPIRED BY THE NEED FOR
IMPROVEMENT IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
WE WERE INSPIRED BY THE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR KIDS KNOW HOW
TO READ BECAUSE IF THEY DON'T HAVE THAT SKILL, THEN THEIR
ABILITY TO LEARN IS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPAIRED.
SO WHAT WE DID WAS AND ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS THAT WE'VE DONE
IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET IS WE ADOPTED A NEW PROGRAM THAT HELPS
ENSURE THAT KIDS KNOW HOW TO READ BY THE TIME THEY FINISH THE
THIRD GRADE.
AND IF THEY DON'T, WE GET THEM THE HELP THAT THEY NEED,
INCLUDING THE POSSIBILITY OF RETAINING THEM IN THE THIRD
GRADE IF THEY'RE NOT READING ON GRADE LEVEL.
>> WOULD THAT AFFECT KIDS NEXT YEAR, THIRD GRADE, IF THEY
HAVEN'T HAD A GOOD EDUCATION, DO THEY STAND TO FAIL VERSUS KIDS
WHO COME IN THREE YEARS FROM NOW WHEN YOU KNOW WHAT THE POLICY
WILL BE?
IT WILL BE A MATURE EDUCATIONAL POLICY.
>> WELL, YOU'VE GOT TO START SOMEWHERE.
OF COURSE, WE'LL START WITH THIS PROGRAM.
AND IT WILL PROVIDE OUR KIDS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY.
IF WE'D STARTED IT THREE YEARS AGO, OBVIOUSLY, WE'D BE THREE
YEARS DOWN THE ROAD.
YEAH, THERE ARE GOING TO BE SOME SITUATIONS WHERE IN THE FIRST
YEAR, YOU'RE GOING TO BE DEALING WITH SOME CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE
THE KIDS HAVE NOT HAD THE EXTRA HELP IN KINDERGARTEN AND THE
FIRST GRADE AND THE SECOND GRADE, BUT WE'LL PROVIDE THEM
WITH THE EXTRA HELP THAT THEY NEED IF THEY'RE UNABLE TO READ.
>> DO YOU EXPECT MANY MORE KIDS, THOUSANDS OF KIDS, HUNDREDS OF
KIDS, TO BE DECLARED FAILING AND, THEREFORE, FLUNK THE THIRD
GRADE BECAUSE THEY CAN'T READ?
HOW DO YOU HANDLE THAT?
BECAUSE WE'RE NOT USED TO SEEING AN INCREASE IN FLUNKING.
>> HERE'S THE ISSUE.
I THINK YOU'LL SEE MORE KIDS RETAINED IN THE THIRD GRADE.
BUT HERE'S WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH.
CURRENTLY, ABOUT 40% OF OUR THIRD GRADERS ARE NOT READING AT
GRADE LEVEL AT THE END OF THE THIRD GRADE.
WE ONLY RETAIN SOMEWHERE AROUND 2%, MAYBE AS MANY AS 3%.
AND WE DON'T KNOW THAT THOSE RETENTIONS, THAT 2-3% RETENTION
LEVEL, IS BECAUSE THEY CAN'T READ.
IT COULD BE FOR OTHER REASONS.
WE -- WE ARE CHEATING THOSE KIDS, AND WE ARE FAILING TO DO
WHAT WE NEED TO DO BY PASSING THEM ALONG TO THE FOURTH GRADE
AND THE FIFTH GRADE, THEN THE SIXTH GRADE, WITHOUT THE SKILL
THAT THEY NEED IN ORDER TO LEARN.
>> LOOKING TO 2013 AND THE LONG SESSION, WHAT DIDN'T GET DONE OR
WHAT JUST GOT THE FIRST PUBLIC AIRING THAT WILL BE PICKED UP
WHEN YOU RETURN IN JANUARY?
>> WELL, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT WE EXPECT TO
CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD ON.
ONE IS EDUCATION REFORM.
WE INTEND TO CONTINUE TO DO THINGS THAT WILL IMPROVE OUR
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
WE INTEND TO DO THAT.
THE OTHER THING IS WE STARTED THIS SESSION DEALING WITH THE
CREATION OF A WHOLE NEW SECTOR FOR THE ECONOMY IN NORTH
CAROLINA, AN ENERGY SECTOR.
AND WE ARE INTENDING TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT
EFFORT.
SO WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
THE THIRD THING THAT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO DO AS WE GO
FORWARD IS WE'VE GOT TO MODERNIZE OUR TAX CODE.
AND WE EXPECT TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT IN THE 2013 SESSION.
>> SENATOR BERGER, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU, KELLY.
>> LAWMAKERS WERE FORCED TO CHANGE THE BRAND-NEW
ANTI-INVOLUNTARY ANNEXATION LAW.
A JUDGE RULED EARLIER THIS SPRING THE CURRENT LAW WAS
UNCONSTITUTIONAL BECAUSE PROPERTY OWNERS COULD STOP
ANNEXATION BY SIGNING A PETITION, BUT NON-PROPERTY
OWNERS WERE SHUT OUT OF ANY DECISION-MAKING.
THE NEW LAW ENDS THE PETITION REQUIREMENT AND ALLOWS EVERY
REGISTERED VOTER WHO LIVES WITHIN AN AREA FACING ANNEXATION
TO CAST A BALLOT IN A LOCAL REFERENDUM.
>> 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 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.
>> LAWMAKERS AND THE GOVERNOR CRAFTED A NEW DEAL WITH THE
CHEROKEE NATION ON NEW GAMBLING OPTIONS FOR THE CASINO.
THE 30-YEAR GAMING COMPACT WILL ALLOW LIVE CARD DEALING AT
CHEROKEE.
IT'S ESTIMATED THE LIVE GAMES COULD CREATE UP TO 400 LOCAL NEW
JOBS AND UP TO $90 MILLION IN STATE REVENUE.
>> THIS BILL BASICALLY FOR THE MOST PART EXCHANGES A MACHINE
FOR A PERSON.
IT'S A JOB.
IT CREATES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
IT BRINGS IN IN EXCESS OF A MILLION MORE TOURISTS A YEAR TO
NORTH CAROLINA WHO WILL SPEND MONEY FOR OTHER REASONS.
>> WE'RE GETTING READY TO MAKE A MAJOR CHANGE IN THE GAMBLING
LAWS IN NORTH CAROLINA AND GAMBLING IS GOING TO BE EXPANDED
IN WAYS THAT WE NEVER WOULD HAVE DREAMED OF JUST A FEW YEARS AGO.
>> THE EUGENICS COMPENSATION WAS A BIG ISSUE FOR HOUSE DEMOCRATS
AND HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERS.
BOTH PROPOSED A $10 MILLION FUND THAT WOULD ISSUE PAYMENTS TO
STILL LIVING EUGENICS PROGRAM SURVIVORS.
SENATE BUDGET WRITERS WOULD NOT AGREE TO THE DEAL AND THE
PROGRAM WASN'T FUNDED IN THE BUDGET.
THE 2012 SESSION INCLUDED A VETO OVERRIDE OF A COLLEGE LOAN BILL.
THE BILL WHICH IS NOW STATE LAW WILL ALLOW COMMUNITY COLLEGE
BOARDS TO OPT OUT OF A ONCE MANDATORY DIRECT COLLEGE LOAN
PROGRAM.
SUPPORTERS SAY WHEN STUDENTS DEFAULT, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
PUNISHES THE COLLEGE CAMPUS.
OPPONENTS SAY LOW-INCOME STUDENTS NEED ACCESS TO THESE
LOANS.
WITH THAT, WE CLOSE A GREAT SEASON OF "NORTH CAROLINA NOW
LEGISLATIVE WEEK IN REVIEW."
THE LEG WEEK TEAM WILL BE ONLINE EVERY DAY AT
facebook.com/legweek.
SO IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT STATE POLITICS,
EVEN THE CAMPAIGN SEASON, VISIT THERE.
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WITH YOU.
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