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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
>> THE HOUSE MOVES FORWARD ON PRIVATE SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS, OR
IS IT VOUCHERS THEY'RE DEBATING?
THE CAPITAL PUNISHMENT DEBATE GETS ANOTHER LOOK THIS WEEK.
AND NEGOTIATIONS OVER LEASING DOROTHEA DIX PROPERTY TAKES A
TURN.
HELLO, I'M KELLY McCULLEN.
THANKS FOR WATCHING "LEGISLATIVE WEEK IN REVIEW."
LET'S BEGIN IN THE HOUSE WHERE THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE HAS
APPROVED SCHOOL VOUCHER LEGISLATION.
SUPPORTERS SAY THEIR FOCUS IS GIVING LOW-INCOME STUDENTS A
CHANCE, BUT OTHERS SAY THAT CHANCE WILL COME AT PUBLIC
EDUCATION'S EXPENSE.
THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE HEARD ITS SECOND WEEK OF PUBLIC
TESTIMONY ON HOUSE BILL 944.
THIS LEGISLATION WOULD ALLOW PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO
RECEIVE FREE OR REDUCED SCHOOL LUNCHES TO RECEIVE PRIVATE
SCHOOL TUITION SUBSIDIES.
>> STUDENTS HAVE COME TO US FROM ALL SITUATIONS AND ALL WALKS OF
LIFE.
SOME WITH SPIRITUAL, EMOTIONAL, ACADEMIC, AND/OR PHYSICAL NEEDS.
WE HAVE WITNESSED WITHIN A FEW WEEKS TO A FEW MONTHS AND
THROUGHOUT SEVERAL YEARS, WITNESSED TRANSFORMATION AMONG
THESE STUDENTS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS IS A PUBLIC EDUCATOR AND PRESIDENT OF THE
NORTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATORS.
HE SAYS POOR FAMILIES IN NORTH CAROLINA ARE WORRIED ABOUT
PAYING THEIR BILLS AND PUTTING FOOD ON THE FAMILY TABLE.
>> I'VE WITNESSED THEIR STRUGGLE TO FUND FIELD TRIPS, PROVIDE
SCHOOL SUPPLIES, PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE, AND KEEP A ROOF OVER
THEIR HEADS.
AND I ASSURE YOU, FOR MOST OF THEM, THERE ARE NO ADDITIONAL
FUNDS AVAILABLE IN THE HOUSEHOLD TO OFFSET THE COST OF TUITION
FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
>> AND ORGANIZATION CALLED THE PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS OF NORTH
CAROLINA SAYS THE VOUCHER BILL WOULD COST $100 MILLION TO
IMPLEMENT.
THAT'S MONEY THAT WOULD LEAVE THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO FUND
PRIVATE CAMPUSES.
>> AS TAXPAYERS, WE'VE ALREADY INVESTED SO MUCH IN NORTH
CAROLINA'S CONSTITUTIONALLY MANDATED PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM,
AND WE'RE JUST GETTING TO A POINT WHERE WE HAVE SOME METHODS
OF ACCOUNTABILITY IN PLACE.
THIS BILL, UNFORTUNATELY, MOVES IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AND
PROVIDES FEW PROVISIONS FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS' ACCOUNTABILITY
TO TAXPAYERS AND THE STUDENTS THEY SERVE.
>> JOE HAAS SAYS VOUCHERS WILL SAVE THE STATE TAX MONEY.
>> WHEN PARENTS ARE GIVEN A CHOICE ABOUT THE EDUCATION OF
THEIR CHILDREN, THEIR CHILDREN DO ACHIEVE BETTER.
AND THE CURRENT MODEL IN OUR STATE, UNFORTUNATELY,
DISCRIMINATES AGAINST CHILDREN WHO ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE
SOCIOECONOMIC LADDER.
>> VOUCHER CRITICS TOLD THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE THAT
PRIVATE SCHOOLS WILL HANDPICK PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO
APPLY.
THEY SAY FOR OTHER CHILDREN THAT COULD BE HELPED UNDER THIS BILL,
MANY MORE NEEDY STUDENTS WILL BE OVERLOOKED.
>> HB 944 ISN'T ABOUT A BROKEN PUBLIC SYSTEM.
AND IT ISN'T ABOUT A LACK OF CHOICE.
>> HOUSE BILL 944 SUPPORTERS OFFERED AN ALTERNATIVE BILL THIS
WEEK WITH ONE CHANGE.
IT WOULD REQUIRE THAT STUDENTS RECEIVING VOUCHERS BE TESTED
EVERY YEAR.
BILL SPONSORS ALSO SAY THE LEGISLATION WOULD COST ONLY $50
MILLION BETWEEN 2013 AND 2015, NOT THE $100 MILLION THAT
VOUCHER OPPONENTS OFFER.
>> IN THE INITIAL YEAR, ABOUT 2,000 STUDENTS COULD EXERCISE ON
A SCHOLARSHIP, AND THE FOLLOWING YEAR, ABOUT AN ADDITIONAL --
WELL, ABOUT 9,000 TOTAL.
>> DURHAM COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE PAUL LUEBKE FOUGHT THE BILL'S
ALLOWANCE THAT PUBLIC SCHOLARSHIPS COULD FUND PRIVATE
RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS, A POINT CHALLENGED BY VOUCHERS SPONSORS.
>> I DO NOT SEE HOW, GENTLEMEN, YOU CAN SUPPORT A BILL THAT SO
FLAGRANTLY GIVES TAXPAYER MONEY TO SCHOOLS WHICH STATE AS THEIR
MISSION TO TEACH ONE OR ANOTHER DENOMINATION WITHIN THE
CHRISTIAN FAITH.
AND, ACTUALLY, I WILL SAY, I DID SEE WITH RESPECT TO RALEIGH
REPRESENTATIVE ROSS' QUERY.
THERE IS A MUSLIM SCHOOL THAT WILL TEACH FROM THE QUR'AN.
>> WE'RE NOT GIVING MONEY TO A PARTICULAR SCHOOL.
A PARENT IS GIVING MONEY TO A SCHOLAR SCHOOL TO SEND THEIR
CHILD.
IT IS PERFECTLY CONSTITUTIONAL.
WE ALREADY DO IT IN PRE-K AND IN OUR COLLEGES.
I ASSUME YOU WOULD NOT LIKE US TO STOP SUPPORTING THESE PRE-K's
OR THESE PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES THAT WE SUPPORT DUE TO GI BILL
AND OTHERS.
>> THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE APPROVED HOUSE BILL 944.
THAT SENDS IT TO THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE.
QUESTIONS OF WHETHER THIS BILL COULD BE DEBATED AS A STANDALONE
BILL OR ROLLED INTO THE MUCH LARGER HOUSE BUDGET BILL COULD
NOT BE ANSWERED BY EDUCATION COMMITTEE LEADERS.
CHARTER SCHOOLS RECEIVED A SETBACK THIS WEEK AS A PROPOSED
LOAN PROGRAM FAILED IN THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.
HOUSE BILL 291 PROPOSED OFFERING NEW CHARTER SCHOOL CAMPUSES A
$25,000 LOAN TO COVER STARTUP COSTS.
THE BILL WOULD HAVE REQUIRED $1.5 MILLION IN STATE FUNDING TO
GET STARTED, BUT THE COMMITTEE VOTED TO KILL IT.
THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE BEGAN REVIEWING TAX REFORM
LEGISLATION THURSDAY.
TWO BILLS WERE REVIEWED.
THE FIRST ONE SETS A FLAT PERSONAL INCOME TAX RATE THAT
WILL REACH 4.5% BY 2016.
A PERSON'S FIRST $10,000 OF INCOME WOULD NOT BE TAXED.
ANOTHER BILL WOULD CUT BUSINESS TAX CREDITS, OR LOOPHOLES TO
CRITICS, WHILE LOWERING THE OVERALL STATE CORPORATE INCOME
TAX RATE.
>> IT IS AN ATTEMPT TO FIX AN ANTIQUATED, OUTDATED TAX CODE.
IT DOES NOT SEEK TO INCREASE TAXES.
IT DOES NOT SEEK TO DECREASE TAXES.
>> IF WE TREAT EVERYBODY THE SAME, EVERYBODY'S EQUALLY
HANDLED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE AND THE TAX POLICY, WHAT
THIS DOES IS IT PUTS MORE MONEY IN PEOPLE'S POCKETS.
>> A BILL TO RESUME STATE EXECUTIONS APPEARS HEADING FOR A
FULL HOUSE FLOOR DEBATE.
IT CLEARED A HOUSE JUDICIARY SUBCOMMITTEE AND ARRIVES WITH
REPUBLICAN HOUSE SUPPORT AND FULL SENATE APPROVAL.
WEEKS OF DEBATE ON LEGISLATION THAT WOULD RESUME NORTH CAROLINA
EXECUTIONS HAVE CHANGED A FEW, IF ANY, MINDS OF LEGISLATORS.
THE CAPITAL PUNISHMENT ISSUE IS LIKE MANY SOCIAL ISSUES YOU SEE
DEBATED IN NORTH CAROLINA.
YOU'LL FIND DISTINCTLY DRAWN PHILOSOPHICAL LINES WITH ALL
PARTIES BELIEVING THEIR POSITION HOLDS THE ETHICAL OR MORAL HIGH
GROUND.
>> VERY FEW ON THE FENCE.
THOSE WHO DON'T BELIEVE THAT FIRST-DEGREE MURDERERS SHOULD BE
EXECUTED WILL COME UP WITH ANY DEVICE OR MOTION TO STOP IT.
>> IN 2009, DEMOCRATS HELD POWER AND PASSED THE RACIAL JUSTICE
ACT.
ITS SUPPORTERS SAID TOO MANY JURIES AND PROSECUTORS IN NORTH
CAROLINA WERE CONDEMNING MINORITIES, PARTICULARLY AFRICAN
AMERICANS, TO DEATH AND RACE PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN THE
SELECTION OF DEATH OVER A LIFETIME PRISON SENTENCE.
IN 2013 REPUBLICANS HOLD SUPERMAJORITY POWER AND AN
OPINION THE RACIAL JUSTICE ACT TARGETED THE POLICY OF CAPITAL
PUNISHMENT, NOT RACIAL DISCRIMINATION IN CAPITAL
PUNISHMENT CASES.
>> THE PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTOOD THE ACT AND PROBABLY WROTE IT
UNDERSTOOD THAT IT WAS AN INDEFINITE MORATORIUM ON THE
DEATH PENALTY, BUT I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT SOME OF THE PEOPLE
WHO VOTED FOR IT THOUGHT IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH RACE.
IT DID NOT HAVE -- IT HAD ALMOST NOTHING TO DO WITH RACE.
RACE WAS A PRETEXT.
>> RECENT PUBLIC FOCUS ON SENATE BILL 306 HAS REVOLVED AROUND THE
FULL REPEAL OF THE RACIAL JUSTICE ACT.
THE LEGISLATION ALSO BROADENS THE NUMBER OF ACCEPTABLE DRUG
OPTIONS FOR A LETHAL INJECTION, TRACKS TRAINING OF FUTURE
EXECUTIONERS AND HOLDS DOCTORS HARMLESS FOR PARTICIPATING IN A
LETHAL INJECTION PROCEDURE.
>> WE'VE TRIED TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO STREAMLINE IT, BUT THERE WILL
BE NO QUICK FIX TO THIS.
I MEAN, EXECUTIONS WILL START UP, AS THEY SHOULD, AFTER PROPER
REVIEW, BUT IN LIGHT OF GETTING RID OF THE RJA, WHICH HAS BEEN A
LOGJAM CREATED BY OPPONENTS TO THE DEATH PENALTY JUST TO SLOW
IT UP.
>> DEMOCRATIC CUMBERLAND COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE RICK GLAZIER SAYS
HE SUPPORTS CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, BUT OPPOSES REPEALING THE RACIAL
JUSTICE ACT.
>> IT WASN'T TO END THE DEATH PENALTY, BUT IT WAS TO MAKE SURE
THAT WE GET AN ISSUE THAT'S PERCOLATED IN THIS STATE FOR
DECADES, AND THAT IS WHETHER OR NOT DECISIONS WERE BEING MADE ON
THE BASIS OF THE COLOR OF SOMEONE'S SKIN.
>> NEW HANOVER COUNTY SENATOR THOM GOOLSBY SAYS RACIAL JUSTICE
ACT SUPPORTERS AND INMATES CLAIMING RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
ARE OFTEN TWISTING STATISTICS TO PROVE SO-CALLED RACIAL BIAS IN
SENTENCING.
SENATOR GOOLSBY SAYS THE RACIAL JUSTICE ACT ALLOWS FOR THE
COUNTING OF CONDEMNED INMATES BY RACE WITH NO COMPARISON OF THE
DEATH SENTENCES IMPOSED ON RACES OF OTHER DEFENDANTS.
>> IT DEALS ONLY WITH FREQUENCY, NOT DISPROPORTIONALITY.
IT WAS A POORLY WRITTEN, ILL-CONCEIVED LAW THAT WAS
SIMPLY ESTABLISHED TO PUT A DE FACTO MORATORIUM ON THE DEATH
PENALTY.
THAT'S WHAT WE STOPPED.
>> REPRESENTATIVE RICK GLAZIER SAYS THE STATE SUPREME COURT
WOULD SOON HEAR THE FIRST RACIAL JUSTICE ACT APPEALS.
ITS EXPECTED RULING WOULD ESTABLISH GUIDELINES FOR FUTURE
RJA CASES, AND GLAZIER SAYS IT WOULD INSTILL EFFICIENCY IN THE
APPEALS PROCESS.
>> WHAT THE LEGISLATURE IS NOW DOING IS SAYING, ESSENTIALLY, WE
FEAR -- WE FEAR THE RESULT THERE.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO WAIT FOR THE RESULT THERE.
WE'RE GOING TO DECIDE OURSELVES.
WE'VE HEARD ENOUGH.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE ANYMORE.
AND I THINK THAT'S JUST FUNDAMENTALLY THE LONG LEGACY TO
LEAVE.
>> THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE
PROPOSALS TO CHANGE CAPITAL PUNISHMENT PROCEDURE ARE
CONSIDERED TECHNICAL AND RELATIVELY UNCONTROVERSIAL.
THAT HOUSE JUDICIARY SUBCOMMITTEE IS REFINING
LEGISLATION TO FIGHT HUMAN SEX TRAFFICKING.
THE BILL ESSENTIALLY REWRITES OUR STATE'S PROSTITUTION LAWS.
PIMPS WOULD FACE TOUGHER FELONY CHARGES AS WOULD CUSTOMERS.
UNDERAGE PROSTITUTES WHO ARE TRAFFICKED COULD SEE THEIR
CRIMINAL RECORDS CLEARED.
THE HOUSE AND SENATE PUSHED THROUGH A NEW ROUND OF MEDICAID
FUNDING THIS WEEK.
THE PROGRAM IS RUNNING SHORT OF CASH TO GET IT THROUGH JUNE
30th.
THE STATE BUDGET DIRECTOR RECEIVES AUTHORITY TO SHIFT UP
TO $451 MILLION THAT WOULD BALANCE MEDICAID'S BOOKS.
FLOOR DEBATE LED TO A BIT OF FINGER-POINTING BETWEEN
REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS OVER HOW MEDICAID'S BUDGET IS SO
HISTORICALLY INACCURATE.
>> I TOLD YOU ALL LAST YEAR, AS WELL AS THE FACT THAT YOU WERE
WARNED BY THE SECRETARY, THAT YOU WERE GOING TO HAVE A
SHORTFALL, YET YOU SHORTED THE SHORTFALL.
>> BUT IT ABSOLUTELY DEFIES LOGIC.
NOW, THE DEPARTMENT AND THEIR PROFESSIONALS GAVE THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY THE NUMBERS THAT WE WERE TO WORK ON LAST YEAR FOR
REBASING THE PROGRAM.
>> THE HOUSE PASSED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD RESET RALEIGH'S LEASE
OF THE DOROTHEA DIX PROPERTY.
THE SENATE HAS OFFERED A QUITE DIFFERENT VISION, SETTING UP
NEGOTIATIONS OVER THE FATE OF THAT 75-YEAR LEASE.
THE FULL HOUSE IS EXPRESSING A DIFFERENT VISION FOR HANDLING
RALEIGH'S 75-YEAR LEASE OF THE DOROTHEA DIX GROUNDS.
THE SENATE JUST WEEKS AGO CALLED FOR THE IMMEDIATE CANCELLATION
OF THAT LEASE.
ITS LEADERS SAY GOVERNOR BEV PERDUE PRICED THE TERMS WELL
BELOW MARKET VALUE AND LEFT NO PROVISION TO USE DIX LEASE
PROCEEDS OR LAND FOR STATE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.
THE HOUSE BILL DIFFERS IN THAT IT WOULDN'T CANCEL THE LEASE.
IT WOULD CALL A ONE-YEAR TIMEOUT SO THE STATE AND RALEIGH
OFFICIALS CAN RENEGOTIATE A NEW LEASE WITHOUT LOSING THE CURRENT
ONE.
>> THIS BILL MAKES CLEAR THAT THE LEGISLATURE CARES DEEPLY
ABOUT THE PROCESS FOR HOW AN ASSET LIKE THE DIX CAMPUS IS
TRANSFERRED.
YOU KNOW, THE PROCESS SHOULD BE THOUGHTFUL AND NOT RUSHED.
IT SHOULD BE FAIR TO BOTH THE STATE AND THE CITY, WHICH I
BELIEVE THIS BILL WILL DO.
>> WAKE COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE DARREN JACKSON TOLD LAWMAKERS
THE STATE IS DISRESPECTING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY BY
CANCELING A LEGAL CONTRACT BECAUSE STATE REPUBLICAN LEADERS
DON'T LIKE THE LEASE TERMS.
>> WHAT THIS BILL SAYS TO ME, WHAT I THINK IT WILL SAY TO
PEOPLE WHO DEAL BUSINESS WITH OUR MUNICIPALITIES, OUR
BONDHOLDERS, IS, "DON'T DO ANY BUSINESS WITH A MUNICIPALITY
UNLESS THE STATE AGREES TO IT."
OTHERWISE, THE STATE COULD COME BACK, AS WE'RE DOING IN THIS
BILL, AND DIRECT THE MUNICIPALITY TO TAKE AN ACTION
TO BREACH A CONTRACT.
>> FELLOW DEMOCRATIC WAKE COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE DEBORAH ROSS GAVE
CREDIT TO HOUSE REPUBLICANS FOR SLOWING DOWN THE SENATE BILL AND
FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGING IT.
SHE SAYS RALEIGH CITY LEADERS HAVE ENDORSED THE HOUSE
LEGISLATION AND THAT RALEIGH CITY LEADERS HAVE ASKED HER TO
SUPPORT THE HOUSE BILL ON DOROTHEA DIX.
>> I THINK WITH THIS BILL, THE STATE, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND
THE CITY OF RALEIGH HAVE WORKED TOGETHER ON THE BILL, AND
THEY'VE EACH GOTTEN THINGS IN THE BILL THAT THEY'RE INTERESTED
IN.
>> THE 111-5 HOUSE VOTE SETS THE STAGE FOR COMPROMISE
NEGOTIATIONS WITH SENATE LEADERS.
IF NO DEAL CAN BE REACHED, THE CURRENT RALEIGH LEASE WILL
STAND.
MITCHELL COUNTY SENATOR RALPH HISE JOINS US TO DISCUSS THE
DOROTHEA DIX LEASE.
YOU'RE ON THE SENATE SIDE.
YOU SEE WHAT THE HOUSE HAS DONE.
IT'S NOTHING LIKE WHAT YOU PROPOSED IN YOUR REPUBLICAN
CAUCUS IN THE SENATE.
WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE HOUSE PLAN?
>> WELL, I THINK THE PROBLEM WE'RE DEALING WITH HERE IS, WE
HAVE A LEASE THAT IS CLEARLY A PROBLEM.
WE HAVE A LEASE THAT WE BELIEVE IS ILLEGAL AND THAT WE DON'T SEE
THE PROPOSAL AND WHY YOU WOULD EXPAND THAT OR CONTINUE TO LET
THAT GO FOR A YEAR.
IT'S SOMETHING WE THINK YOU NEED TO ELIMINATE AND THEN BEGIN THE
PROCESS.
>> WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE IN ILLEGAL AND JUST AN IMPROPER
LEASE THAT REPUBLICAN LEADERS DON'T LIKE THE TERMS AND RESENT
BEV PERDUE DOING SOMETHING IN HER FINAL DAYS?
>> WELL, THERE'S TWO PARTS.
FIRST OF ALL, FOR THE STATE TO ENTER INTO A LEASE WITH STATE
PROPERTY WHERE EMPLOYEES ARE -- THERE WAS A REQUIREMENT UNDER
STATE LAW THAT THEY PROMOTE A PLAN FOR HOW TO DEAL WITH THE
RELOCATION OF THE STATE EMPLOYEES.
THAT WAS NEVER DONE.
THE SECOND THING WE'RE SEEING IS THAT THE LEASE FINALLY ENTERED
INTO BETWEEN -- SIGNED BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND THE CITY IS
SUBSTANTIALLY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT THE COUNCIL OF STATE
APPROVED.
THERE ARE COMPLETE CLAUSES THAT DID NOT EXIST WHEN THE COUNCIL
OF STATE APPROVED IT THAT CAME TO FACT BEFORE THE LEASE WAS
SIGNED.
SO IT WAS NEVER EVEN -- THAT HAS NEVER EVEN RECEIVED THE APPROVAL
OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE.
>> SO THE COUNCIL OF STATE REVIEWS A LEASE.
IT APPROVES THAT LEASE.
IT GOES BACK TO THE NEGOTIATING PARTIES BACK THEN, AND THE LEASE
THAT'S SIGNED IS MISSING ELEMENTS OF THE CONTRACT THAT
THE COUNCIL OF STATE SIGNED OFF ON.
>> THAT'S CORRECT.
>> IS THAT ILLEGAL OR IS THAT IMPROPER?
>> WELL, I THINK IT IS -- IT MEANS THAT -- ILLEGAL IS IN THE
FACT THAT THE STATE CANNOT ENTER INTO A LEASE THAT THE COUNCIL OF
STATE HAS NOT SIGNED OFF ON.
UNDER STATE LAW, THAT'S THE REQUIREMENT.
>> WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN WITH DIX HILL?
>> WELL, I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT, FIRST OF ALL, IS WE'VE
BEEN -- THE CURRENT AGREEMENT IS PROBABLY SOMEWHERE AROUND 1/16
OF THE VALUE AS WHAT'S BEING RECEIVED BY THE STATE RIGHT NOW.
I THINK WE NEED TO TAKE A HOLD ON THIS.
WE NEED TO FIRST DETERMINE WHAT WE WANT TO DO WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.
IS THAT THE AREA THAT WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO HAVE ITS
ADMINISTRATION DONE?
DO WE NEED TO REBUILD THAT AND UP?
THEN WE CAN TALK ABOUT THE REMAINING FACILITY, WHAT NEEDS
TO BE DONE WITH IT.
IF THAT'S A PARK, IF THAT'S OTHER THINGS, THEN THAT'S FINE.
BUT WE NEED TO GO INTO THAT NEGOTIATION IN GOOD FAITH WITH
THE STATE'S PLANS DONE FIRST.
>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT ALL THESE PROPOSALS, THE McCRORY
ADMINISTRATION WEIGHING IN A BIT HERE AND THERE, WHAT YOU'RE
LOOKING AT HERE IS A LARGE PIECE OF PARKLAND, 270 ACRES, AND
THERE'S 30 ACRES SOMEWHERE.
YOU'RE GOING TO BUILD NEW BUILDINGS THERE IN THEORY AND
PLACE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES THERE OR KEEP
THOSE OLD HOSPITAL BUILDINGS AND JUST USE THOSE AS OFFICES?
>> THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL PROPOSALS FLOATING AROUND ABOUT
LOOKING AT NEW FACILITIES FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES.
THEY'RE SPREAD OUT OVER 60-SOME BUILDINGS FOR THE
ADMINISTRATION.
THE NEW SECRETARY HAS FOUND THAT HUGE COMPLICATION IN BEING ABLE
JUST TO COMMUNICATE AND WORK WITH THE DIVISIONS THAT SHE
HAVE.
SO I THINK LONG-TERM WE ARE LOOKING AT A CONSOLIDATION.
AND IF THOSE FACILITIES CAN MEET THE NEEDS WITH SOME ADDITIONAL
BUILDING, THAT'S FINE.
IF WE NEED A NEW FACILITY, I DON'T SEE WHY WE WOULD GO OUT
AND TRY TO GET PROPERTY ELSEWHERE WHEN WE ALREADY HAVE
IT HERE.
>> IS IT WORTH DYING ON THAT HILL, NO PUN INTENDED, WHERE THE
HOUSE AND THE GOVERNOR SAY LET'S CALL A ONE-YEAR TIMEOUT AND
PRESERVE A LEASE TO PREVENT A THIRD PARTY FROM JUMPING IN
BETWEEN THE STATE AND THE CITY OF RALEIGH?
IF YOU DON'T COMPROMISE, THE OLD LEASE STAYS IN PLACE.
HOW DO YOU HANDLE THIS AS A SENATE LEADER SITTING THERE
NEGOTIATING THIS DEAL?
>> WELL, I DON'T THINK -- I THINK THE LEGAL ISSUES THAT ARE
NOW PRESENTED MEANS THE OLD LEASE WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE FOR
A LONG TIME PERIOD.
I THINK THAT WE NEED TO OPEN THIS PROCESS UP, AND IF THE
FINAL AGREEMENT'S WITH THE CITY OF RALEIGH, THEN THAT'S AN
ACCEPTABLE USE, THEN I THINK THAT'S A GOOD PROCESS.
WE NEED TO FOLLOW OUR PROCESSES IN MOVING FORWARD.
>> WAS THERE EVER A CHANCE THAT THIS PARKLAND OR THIS HOSPITAL
GROUND WOULD BE SOLD TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND DEVELOPED
INTO MIXED USE?
YOU HEAR THAT UNDERCURRENT, THAT IF THE CITY OF RALEIGH LOSES THE
LEASE, IT'S GOING TO GO SOME GUY WHO'LL BUILD CONDOS.
>> WELL, I THINK WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IS THAT THE LAND WAS
ORIGINALLY GIVEN TO THE STATE FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE SERVING
FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH, FOR MENTALLY ILL INDIVIDUALS.
WE HAVE TO PRESERVE THAT USAGE.
SO WHAT -- THE PROBLEM IS IF WE DON'T LOOK AT ALL OPTIONS FOR
THE PROPERTY, WE CAN'T COME IN AND TAKE SOME REDUCED AMOUNT,
EVEN IF WE DEDICATED THAT TO MENTALLY ILL, WE'VE NOT UTILIZED
THE PROPERTY FOR ITS PURPOSE.
SO WHETHER IT'S TAKING THE ENTIRE PROPERTY AND UTILIZING IT
FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES, OR IT'S GETTING THE FULL VALUE OF IT AND DEDICATING
THOSE FUNDS FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, BOTH ARE CONSISTENT
WITH WHAT THE PROPERTY WAS ORIGINALLY GIVEN TO THE STATE
FOR.
>> SO, IN SUMMARY, YOU HAVE A HOUSE BILL, YOU HAVE A SENATE
BILL, DIFFERENCES.
WIDE DIFFERENCES, NARROW DIFFERENCES, IN YOUR OPINION,
GOING INTO NEGOTIATIONS?
>> WELL, I THINK THAT THE -- WHAT'S BEEN PASSED RIGHT NOW IS
SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WE'VE SEEN.
I FEEL STRONGLY THAT WE CAN COME TOGETHER IN CONFERENCE, AND I
THINK WE CAN UPHOLD THE CONCEPTS THAT WE NEED TO ELIMINATE THIS
LEASE AND ALLOW A PROCESS TO MOVE FORWARD IN A LEGAL MANNER.
>> SENATOR RALPH HISE, THANKS FOR BEING ON THE SHOW.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I APPRECIATE IT.
>> THE SENATE'S EDUCATION COMMITTEE APPROVED SEVERAL
HOUSE-BACKED BILLS THIS WEEK, INCLUDING A PROPOSAL THAT WOULD
STREAMLINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE CREDIT TRANSFERS INTO THE UNC
SYSTEM.
SOME LEADING HOUSE REPUBLICANS CONTINUED THEIR PUSH TO ENFORCE
A DEAL MADE NEARLY TWO DECADES AGO BETWEEN THE UNC SYSTEM AND
THE STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGES.
THE AGREEMENT WOULD LET COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS TAKE
THEIR BASIC UNIVERSITY COURSES LOCALLY, THEN TRANSFER THEIR
CREDIT HOURS IN WHOLE INTO THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM.
>> WE TELL THESE STUDENTS, WELL, YOU CAN GO TO THE COMMUNITY
COLLEGE AND YOU CAN TAKE YOUR BASIC REQUIREMENTS.
IT MIGHT BE ENGLISH, HISTORY, A MATH OR A SCIENCE.
AND THEY TAKE THESE CLASSES WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT THEIR
CREDITS WILL THEN TRANSFER TO THE UNIVERSITY WHERE THEY CAN
WORK ON THEIR DEGREE.
>> HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER EDGAR STARNES SAYS MANY INDIVIDUAL
UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES ONLY ACCEPT THESE CREDIT HOUR TRANSFERS AS
ELECTIVES, AND THAT WOULD NEGATE ANY COST SAVINGS FOR STUDENTS
TAKING THE TWO-YEAR COLLEGE ROUTE.
>> THEN THEY'RE REQUIRED TO TAKE THE HISTORY AGAIN, OR THE
SCIENCE, OR THE MATH, WHATEVER.
ENGLISH IS THE ONLY SUBJECT THAT'S UNIVERSALLY ACCEPTED.
>> BUT SOME SENATE REPUBLICANS OFFERED A BIT OF SKEPTICISM THAT
UNIVERSITY CAMPUS LEADERS ARE SIMPLY REFUSING TO ACCEPT
COMMUNITY COLLEGE CREDIT TRANSFER HOURS.
THEY QUESTION THE DIFFERENCE IN ACADEMIC STANDARDS BETWEEN THE
TWO-YEAR COLLEGES AND THE FOUR-YEAR UNIVERSITIES.
>> IF IT'S A STANDARDS ISSUE, THAT'S A BIGGER ISSUE THAN JUST
THEY'RE NOT DOING THEIR JOB.
THE EXPECTATION OF THE STUDENT IS NICE TO CONSIDER, BUT IF
THERE'S A STANDARDS PROBLEM, THEN WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT HOW
TO FIX THAT BEFORE WE JUST SAY IT'S OKAY TO ARTICULATE THIS
STUFF.
>> COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM LEADERS SAY MANY TWO-YEAR
TRANSFER STUDENTS DON'T FINISH THE ENTIRE GENERAL EDUCATION
TRANSFER PROGRAM.
IT'S A 44-CREDIT HOUR COURSE OF STUDY.
>> THE BASIC PREMISE OF THE ARTICULATION AGREEMENT IS THAT
IF THE STUDENT FINISHES 44 HOURS OF WHAT WE CALL THE GEN ED CORE,
THEN ALL OF THOSE COURSES WILL TRANSFER TO FULFILL GENERAL
EDUCATION CREDIT AT THE UNIVERSITY.
THE PROBLEM IS THAT ONLY 13% OF OUR STUDENTS FINISH THE GENERAL
EDUCATION CORE.
>> STUDENTS WHO DON'T FINISH THE FULL 44-HOUR GENERAL EDUCATION
CORES WILL HAVE THEIR CLASSES EXAMINED FOR TRANSFER ON A
CLASS-BY-CLASS BASIS.
BUT COMMUNITY COLLEGE LEADERS SAY THIS REFOCUS ON TRANSFERS
AND THAT TWO-DECADE-OLD AGREEMENT IS ONGOING AND CURRENT
DISCUSSIONS HAVE BEEN POSITIVE WITH THE UNC SYSTEM.
THE HOUSE BILL TO SAVE CURSIVE HANDWRITING LESSONS IN
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EARNED SENATE APPROVAL THIS WEEK.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS ALREADY TEACH CURSIVE, BUT SOME LAWMAKERS
WORRY THAT MODERN-DAY TEXTING AND TYPING COULD MAKE CURSIVE
HANDWRITING OBSOLETE.
SO THE LAW WILL SAY THAT KIDS NEED TO WRITE LEGIBLY IN CURSIVE
BY THE END OF FIFTH GRADE.
A MANDATE THAT STUDENTS LEARN THEIR MULTIPLICATION TABLES IS
ALSO PART OF THIS BILL.
REPUBLICANS ON THE HOUSE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE ENDORSE A
SENATE BILL THAT WOULD RESTRUCTURE THE WAKE COUNTY
SCHOOL BOARD.
DEMOCRATS ARE CALLING IT A POWER GRAB.
REPUBLICANS SAY WAKE COUNTY VOTERS NEED MORE SAY IN LOCAL
SCHOOL BOARD POLITICS.
SENATE DEMOCRATS CRIED FOUL A FEW WEEKS AGO WHEN SENATE
REPUBLICANS APPROVED LEGISLATION TO REDISTRICT THE WAKE COUNTY
SCHOOL BOARD SEATS.
THEY SAID WHEN THEY HAD POWER, THEY NEVER CONSIDERED SUCH A
MOVE WHEN REPUBLICANS CONTROLLED THAT SCHOOL BOARD.
BUT IN THE HOUSE THIS WEEK, THE HOUSE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE SIGNED
OFF ON THAT SAME REDISTRICTING PLAN.
>> EVERY CITIZEN OF WAKE COUNTY, EVERY VOTER, WILL GET TO VOTE
FOR TWO MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD, BECAUSE THERE ARE TWO
SETS OF DISTRICTS.
>> THE REDISTRICTING PLAN WOULD CREATE TWO REGIONAL SCHOOL BOARD
SEATS IN ADDITION TO THE SEVEN TRADITIONAL MORE LOCAL DISTRICT
SEATS.
THESE CHANGES WOULD PHASE IN OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS.
SUPPORTERS SAY THEY DID NOT PROPOSE MORE THAN TWO REGIONAL
SEATS BECAUSE COUNTYWIDE ELECTIONS COULD POSE COST
CHALLENGES.
>> IT'S VERY EXPENSIVE TO RUN A COUNTYWIDE RACE.
WE REALLY WANTED TO NARROW IT DOWN SO YOU ONLY HAD TWO PEOPLE
RUNNING IN LARGER THAN AN INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL DISTRICT.
>> HOUSE DEMOCRATS NOTED THE ABSENCE OF THE WAKE COUNTY
SCHOOL BOARD AT THIS WEEK'S HOUSE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE
HEARING.
>> EVEN THOUGH THE PUBLIC HAS BEEN INVITED TO SPEAK, NOT A
SINGLE MEMBER OF THE WAKE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD IS AVAILABLE TO
SPEAK TODAY BECAUSE THEY'RE INTERVIEWING CANDIDATES FOR OUR
NEW SUPERINTENDENT.
>> WAKE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WERE SPLIT ON THE ISSUE.
COMMISSIONER CAROLINE SULLIVAN SAYS THE CURRENT BILL RUNS
COUNTER TO WAKE COMMISSIONERS' LEGISLATIVE GOALS FOR SCHOOL
BOARD REDISTRICTING.
>> INSTEAD OF FIVE COUNTYWIDE AT-LARGE SEATS, WE HAVE THESE
TWO SUPER-SEATS, WHICH WILL END UP SEGREGATING URBAN AND
SUBURBAN VOTERS AND URBAN AND RURAL VOTERS, WHICH WAS NOT THE
INTENT OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS' LEGISLATIVE GOAL.
>> WAKE COUNTY COMMISSION CHAIRMAN JOE BRYAN THREW HIS
SUPPORT BEHIND THE CURRENT REDISTRICTING BILL.
>> IT WILL ALLOW PEOPLE THE POTENTIAL TO VOTE FOR TWO PEOPLE
ON THE SCHOOL BOARD AS WELL AS FOR THE PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE
AND HAVE GREATER TURNOUT AND GREATER REPRESENTATION FROM THE
PUBLIC ACTUALLY AT THE VOTING BOOTH IN THE FALL.
>> THE BILL CLEARED THE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE ON WHAT
APPEARS TO BE A TRIP TOWARDS FINAL HOUSE FLOOR DEBATE.
SENATE COMMITTEES ARE WEIGHING LEGISLATION TO RESTRICT HOW FUEL
TAX REVENUE IS SPENT.
SOME HOUSE REPUBLICANS BELIEVE LEFTOVER HIGHWAY TRUST FUND
MONEY IS OFTEN SPENT ON NON-TRANSPORTATION-RELATED
PROJECTS AND THAT THAT'S A PROBLEM.
HOUSE BILL 157 WOULD DIRECT EXTRA HIGHWAY TRUST FUND MONEY
TO FUND URGENT ROAD PROJECTS.
THE HOUSE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE DISCUSSED A DELAYED
BILL TO FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE FERRY TOLLING POLICY.
DISCUSSION REVOLVED AROUND TOLLS' EFFECTS ON ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT LOCALLY AND A COMMON-SENSE TRANSPORTATION
POLICY FOR ISLAND RESIDENTS WHO HAVE FEW OPTIONS TO DRIVE
INLAND.
THE HOUSE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE DISCUSSED LEGISLATION
THAT AIMS TO ADDRESS FERRY TOLLS ON THE NORTH CAROLINA COAST.
IT COSTS THE STATE OVER $30 MILLION TO FULLY OPERATE FERRY
SERVICES.
MOST OF THAT IS STATE APPROPRIATION, BUT DRIVERS DO
PAY TO USE MANY NORTH CAROLINA FERRIES.
SOME CONSERVATIVES WANT THESE FERRY TOLLS ELIMINATED, IF
POSSIBLE, THROUGH THE USE OF ALTERNATIVE REVENUE STREAMS.
REPRESENTATIVE CHARLES JETER SAYS THE FERRY SYSTEM IS VERY
EXPENSIVE AND TOLLS NEGATIVELY AFFECT THE LOCAL ECONOMIES ON
THE COAST.
IF TOLLS WERE PRICED TO COVER ACTUAL FERRY COSTS, THE ECONOMIC
EFFECTS WOULD BE DEVASTATING.
>> TO TOLL IT TO THE POINT WHERE IT WOULD ACTUALLY COVER THE COST
WOULD DIMINISH THE ECONOMIC WHEREWITHAL OF THE COMMUNITY TO
A POINT THAT THE FERRIES ALMOST BECOME -- YOU'RE GOING TO KILL
BUSINESSES.
>> AN ORIGINAL HOUSE PROPOSAL WOULD HAVE ENDED FERRY TOLLING
AND TOLD THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO DEVELOP NEW
FUNDING METHODS, BUT AN AMENDMENT HAS PASSED TO CREATE A
WAITING PERIOD OF ONE YEAR BEFORE FERRY TOLLING POLICIES
COULD CHANGE.
ALL FUNDING OPTIONS WOULD BE ON THE TABLE FOR REVIEW, INCLUDING
FERRY SPONSORSHIPS AND PAY SERVICES FOR RIDERS.
>> LET'S SEE IF THERE'S ANOTHER WAY THAT WE CAN GENERATE SOME
INCOME TO HELP PAY FOR THESE TOLLS, AND WHETHER YOU GET ON
THERE AND THERE'S ADVERTISING, NAMING RIGHTS, CHARGE FOR
INTERNET ACCESS.
WHILE I THINK THAT'S -- THAT'S GOOD, BUT I THINK WHERE I'M
HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE BILL IS, YOU SHOULD USE THESE ADDITIONAL
SOURCES OF REVENUE TO COMPLEMENT THE EXISTING TOLLS, NOT TO
SUPPLANT THEM.
>> SOME LAWMAKERS ARE PHILOSOPHICAL ABOUT FERRY
TOLLING AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR NORTH CAROLINA RESIDENTS AND
TOURISTS.
>> I THINK OF NORTH CAROLINA AS LARGELY HAVING A FREE SYSTEM OF
ROADS FOR ALL OF ITS RESIDENTS.
WE WHO LIVE CLOSER TO THE MOUNTAINS I THINK WOULD BE VERY
DISTURBED IF SOMEBODY SAID, WELL, LET'S START CHARGING ALL
OF THE TOURISTS THAT COME ACROSS THE LINE, AND THEY'RE GOING UP
TO CHIMNEY ROCK AND ASHEVILLE AND LAKE LURE AND BLOWING ROCK.
>> THE BILL SITS IN THE HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
THE HOUSE CONTINUED TWEAKING LEGISLATION TO BAN MINORS FROM
BUYING ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES.
THERE IS NO DEBATE ABOUT BANNING MINORS FROM POSSESSING THESE
VAPOR-BASED SMOKING DEVICES, BUT THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE
TIMING OF THIS BILL, WHICH WOULD HAVE REDEFINED THE TERM "TOBACCO
PRODUCT" IN STATE LAW BEFORE THE U.S. FOOD AND DRUG
ADMINISTRATION COULD FINISH SOME ONGOING RESEARCH.
THERE ARE ALSO SOME STATE TAXATION ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE
WORKED OUT.
BILL SUPPORTERS SAY THEY'VE SOLVED ALL THOSE ISSUES.
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