>> 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.
FIND US ONLINE AT
facebook.com/legweek.
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STORIES AND ASK QUESTIONS.
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