>> A HOUSE BUDGET COMMITTEE
APPROVES AN EARLY EDUCATION
SPENDING PLAN.
EUGENICS COMPENSATION
LEGISLATION EARNS EARLY FAVOR,
AND WE DISCUSS SCHOOL EXCELLENCE
WITH SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM
PHIL BERGER 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.
WE OPEN THIS PROGRAM WITH NEWS
ON THE HOUSE'S MOVEMENT ON A NEW
EDUCATION BUDGET.
EDUCATION SPENDING IS OVER 50%
OF NORTH CAROLINA'S BUDGET.
THIS CURRENT FISCAL YEAR WAS
DEFINED BY SPENDING REDUCTIONS,
BUT THE 2012-2013 SPENDING PLAN
THAT CLEARED A HOUSE
SUBCOMMITTEE SPARES THE
REDUCTIONS, BUT LEAVES NO SPARE
FUNDS.
THE HOUSE EDUCATION BUDGET
SUBCOMMITTEE APPROVED A
2012-2013 EDUCATION SPENDING
PLAN THURSDAY MORNING.
BUDGET WRITERS SAY THEY WERE
GIVEN AN ADDITIONAL $233 MILLION
TO SAVE K-12 TEACHING JOBS THAT
ARE THREATENED BECAUSE FEDERAL
STIMULUS MONEY RUNS OUT IN A FEW
WEEKS.
>> WHEN WE TOOK THE REINS OF THE
BUDGET, THERE WERE STATE-FUNDED
POSITIONS THAT WERE FUNDED WITH
ONE-TIME FEDERAL MONEY, SO WE'VE
HAD TO TRY TO DIG OUT OF THAT
HOLE.
I THINK WE'VE DONE A PRETTY GOOD
JOB.
>> PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING
RESTORES MUCH OF THE FUNDING
THAT BACKS THE TWO SCHOOLS FOR
THE DEAF AND THE SCHOOL FOR THE
BLIND, KEEPING THEM OPEN.
THE GOVERNOR'S SCHOOLS WOULD
RECEIVE A $200,000 ONE-YEAR
FUNDING.
K-12 SPENDING JUMPS BY ABOUT
$238 MILLION OVER 2011-2012 AND
PREVENTS SPENDING CUTS DEEPER
THAN THOSE APPROVED THIS BUDGET
YEAR.
>> 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.
>> THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
WOULD RECEIVE A $10 MILLION
ONE-YEAR INFUSION OF CASH FOR
RETRAINING LONG UNEMPLOYED
WORKERS.
THE SYSTEM WOULD ALSO SEE
REQUIRED LOCAL SPENDING
REDUCTIONS LESSENED BY ABOUT 5%.
ENROLLMENT GROWTH FUNDING IS
REDUCED IN THE HOUSE PLAN
BECAUSE ESTIMATES SUGGEST
ENROLLMENT WILL DECLINE.
SOME DEMOCRATS SAY THE
REPUBLICAN EDUCATION
SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRMEN DID A GOOD
JOB WITH THE MONEY THEY WERE
PROVIDED, BUT NORTH CAROLINA'S
CURRENT LEVEL OF EDUCATION
SPENDING IS REALLY NOTHING TO
BRAG ABOUT.
>> THIS SIMPLY MEANS WE'RE IN A
POSITION IF THIS BUDGET PASSES
THAT THERE SHOULDN'T BE
ADDITIONAL CUTS THIS YEAR.
BUT THAT HARDLY DOES ANYTHING
FOR A STATE THAT HAS A 10%
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AND HAS
CLASSROOM SIZE RISING.
IT'S NOT GOING TO IMPROVE THE
EDUCATIONAL QUALITY.
IT'S SIMPLY SAYING WE'RE NOT
GOING TO HURT IT ANYMORE.
>> THE HOUSE EDUCATION SPENDING
PLAN CALLS FOR ENDING STATE
SUBSIDIES FOR COLLEGE
SCHOLARSHIPS GIVEN TO
OUT-OF-STATE STUDENTS LIKE THE
MOREHEAD SCHOLARSHIP.
UNC HOSPITALS WOULD LOSE ITS
STATE SUBSIDY COMPLETELY.
LOCAL UNIVERSITIES ARE LESSENED.
UNC-TV, THIS NETWORK, IS PART OF
THE 2012-2013 BUDGET
ADJUSTMENTS.
THE HOUSE WOULD CUT THE
NETWORK'S BUDGET BY $1.5 MILLION
THIS FOLLOWS A REDUCTION OF $1.2
MILLION IN THE 2011-2012 BUDGET.
EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
REPRESENT BRYAN HOLLOWAY SAYS
THE BROADER HOUSE BUDGET WILL
NOT INCLUDE TAX INCREASES AND
ALL SPENDING UNDER HIS PLAN USES
EXISTING TAX RATES AND REVENUE
COLLECTIONS.
>> I THINK THIS IS THE BUDGET
THAT WILL MOVE FORWARD IN THE
HOUSE.
WE'RE YET TO SEE WHAT THE SENATE
WILL DO, BUT I THINK THIS IS THE
FRAMEWORK IN PLACE.
>> THE EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE'S
BUDGET HEADS TO THE FULL HOUSE
APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE.
THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE
BEGAN TALKS ON AN ALTERNATIVE
EDUCATION PLAN AIMED AT
INCREASING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
LITERACY RATES AND HOLDING
TEACHERS MORE ACCOUNTABLE FOR
THEIR CLASSROOM RESULTS.
THIS BILL WOULD REQUIRE ENTIRE
SCHOOLS TO RECEIVE A GRADE BASED
ON AN A-F SCALE LIKE A STUDENT.
STUDENTS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO
READ AT GRADE LEVEL BEFORE
MOVING UP AND SOCIAL PROMOTIONS
WOULD BE BANNED.
TEACHERS COULD BE DISMISSED FOR
SUBSTANDARD CLASSROOM RESULTS.
THIS SCHOOL BILL CARRIES A $46
MILLION PRICE TAG ITS FIRST YEAR
IF IT BECOMES LAW.
SENATOR PHIL BERGER, THE
PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF THE
SENATE'S, BEHIND THIS EXCELLENCE
IN SCHOOLS BILL.
THANKS FOR BEING ON THE SHOW.
>> THANK YOU, KELLY.
>> COMPREHENSIVE BILL COMES OUT
IN THE SHORT SESSION.
CONVENTIONAL WISDOM IS YOU DO
THESE BILLS IN LONG SESSION WHEN
YOU HAVE MONTHS AND MONTHS TO
WORK IT THROUGH AND STEW ON IT.
WHY WAS THE TIMING RIGHT IN
2012?
>> THE TIMING IS RIGHT BECAUSE
THE NEED IS THERE.
IT'S TIME FOR US TO REFORM MANY
PARTS OF OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION
SYSTEM, BUT IT'S PARTICULARLY
TIME FOR US TO ADD A NEEDED
FOCUS ON READING IN THE EARLY
GRADES.
YOU KNOW, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS
LAST YEAR WHEN WE ADOPTED THE
BUDGET LAST YEAR.
WE ADDED $60 MILLION TO THE
BUDGET TO FUND TEACHERS IN
GRADES 1, 2 AND 3 IN ORDER TO
HELP ALLEVIATE SOME CLASS SIZE
ISSUES THERE.
SO THIS IS JUST FOLLOWING UP ON
THAT INITIATIVE.
WE INTRODUCED THE BILL BACK IN
APRIL, GAVE PEOPLE PLENTY OF
TIME TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT,
SOLICITED RESPONSES AND INPUT,
AND IT'S TIME TO GO AHEAD AND
MOVE FORWARD.
>> YOU MOVE FORWARD IN THE
COMMITTEE EARLIER THIS WEEK.
IN FACT, WE WERE THERE
EAVESDROPPING ON YOUR SPEECH,
AND YOU WERE CHALLENGED BY THE
DEMOCRATS, THE MINORITY WHIP
STEPPED IN WITH A FEW MINUTES
FOR YOU.
CHECK THIS OUT.
>> ABILITY TO COME IN WITH
LITERACY SKILLS AND NOW WE'RE
TALKING ABOUT DOING REMEDIAL
WORK IN K-3.
I'M NOT GOING TO OBJECT TO WHAT
YOU'RE DOING IN K-3.
I JUST THINK YOU'RE LOOKING AT
ONE CORNER OF A VERY LARGE
CANVAS AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO
BROADEN THE VIEW.
>> I'M NOT ASSUMING AND I HOPE
YOU'RE NOT THAT WE'RE NOT DOING
GOOD THINGS BECAUSE YOU COULDN'T
TELL ME ALL THE GOOD THINGS YOU
WERE TELLING ME IN THE K-3
PROGRAMS LAST YEAR WHEN YOU WANT
MONEY AND THEY'RE DOING TONS OF
THOSE THINGS.
TO ASSUME WE'VE GOT TO COVER ALL
THAT IN THIS BILL, THAT THEY'RE
NOT DOING ANY OF THIS STUFF, I
THINK IS ERRONEOUS AND I THINK
YOU'LL FIND WE'VE GOT SOME GOOD
PROGRAMS.
YOU TOLD ME HOW GREAT THEY WERE
AND I BELIEVED YOU.
AND WE WILL LOOK AT THAT, BUT
THIS BILL CAN'T COVER GOD'S
GREEN EARTH.
YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE SO MUCH.
I THINK WE HAVE.
>> GOD'S GREEN EARTH NOT COVERED
IN THIS BILL, BUT IT IS K-3.
WHY NOT LOOK DOWN TO PRE-K?
>> HERE'S THE THING.
I THINK THE INTERESTING THING
ABOUT THE COMMENTS THAT WE
RECEIVED WAS THAT THEY DIDN'T
CRITICIZE THE SUBSTANCE OF THE
BILL.
THE CRITICISMS GENERALLY WERE
THAT WHY DIDN'T YOU DO THIS, WHY
DIDN'T YOU DO THIS, WHY DIDN'T
YOU DO THAT?
MY QUESTION IS WHY DIDN'T THEY
DO THOSE THINGS WHEN THEY WERE
IN CONTROL FOR ALL THOSE YEARS
IF THERE ARE THINGS THAT NEED TO
BE DONE AND THERE MAY BE THINGS
THAT NEED TO BE DONE, BUT THE
BILL'S A GOOD BILL.
IT ADDRESSES A SPECIFIC PROBLEM.
IT IS NOT INTENDED TO COVER ALL
OF THE ILLS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION,
BUT IT IS INTENDED TO COVER
EFFECTIVELY ONE OF THE SPECIFIC
THINGS THAT WE NEED TO IMPROVE.
>> THE FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THIS
$46 MILLION IN THE NEXT YEAR IF
IT BECOMES LAW AND GROWING, DO
YOU SEE THE EXTRA EMPHASIS ON
THE FUNDING GOING TOWARDS
LITERACY HELPING SCHOOL CHILDREN
OR THE PROVISIONS ALLOWING
TEACHERS TO BE DISMISSED FOR
INEFFECTIVENESS BEING THE DRIVER
TO GET CLASSROOM ACHIEVEMENT UP
THROUGHOUT NORTH CAROLINA?
>> ULTIMATELY, THE ONE THING
THAT IMPROVES STUDENT
ACHIEVEMENT MORE THAN ANYTHING
ELSE IS HAVING A HIGHLY
QUALIFIED TEACHER IN THE
CLASSROOM.
SO IF WE GET THE POLICY RIGHT IN
TERMS OF WHAT THE SUBSTANCE OF
THE CURRICULUM IS AND HOW WE
DEAL WITH KIDS THAT ARE HAVING
TROUBLE READING, YET WE DON'T
DEAL WITH THE QUESTION OF
TEACHER QUALITY, THEN THE BILL
IS INCOMPLETE.
SO BOTH ARE IMPORTANT, AND BOTH
ARE CRITICAL TO THE BILL BEING
SUCCESSFUL.
>> YOU GET THIS THROUGH, GET IT
INTO LAW IN 2016, 2017, THE TAB
WILL BE OVER $100 MILLION A YEAR
TOWARDS THIS PARTICULAR TARGET
YOU'RE REACHING.
WILL ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NORTH
CAROLINA COVER THAT WITH EXCESS
TAX REVENUE OR DO YOU SEE THE
BUDGET SHIFTING FOR K-12
FUNDING?
>> IT MAY BE A LITTLE BIT OF
BOTH.
I THINK WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY
TO REPURPOSE SOME OF THE DOLLARS
WE CURRENTLY SPEND FOR THINGS
THAT ARE HIGHER PRIORITY, AND I
DON'T KNOW OF A HIGHER PRIORITY
IN OUR K-12 SYSTEM THAN MAKING
SURE OUR KIDS KNOW HOW TO READ.
IT MAY TAKE MORE MONEY.
I'VE SAID ALL ALONG THAT, YOU
KNOW, THE OTHER SIDE, THE
DEMOCRATS KEEP SAYING PUT MORE
MONEY IN THE SYSTEM.
WELL, OUR ANSWER TO THAT IS
LET'S FIX THE SYSTEM BEFORE WE
ASK THE TAXPAYERS TO PUT MORE
MONEY INTO THE SYSTEM.
SO THIS IS PART OF TRYING TO GET
THE POLICY RIGHT.
ONCE WE HAVE THE POLICY RIGHT,
PEOPLE OF NORTH CAROLINA HAVE
LONG SHOWN THAT THEY SUPPORT
PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND I THINK
THEY'LL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.
>> I'VE HEARD A LOT MORE THAN
I'VE READ THAT THIS PROPOSAL HAS
BEEN REVIEWED BY THE HOUSE
LEADERSHIP AND OTHERS, VERY
LUKEWARM AT THIS POINT.
HAVE YOU TOLD YOUR SENATE BUDGET
WRITERS I WANT THIS AS PART OF
OUR VERSION OF THE BUDGET?
HAVE YOU SAT DOWN AT THE TABLE
AND HASHED IT THROUGH?
>> WE'VE NOT GOTTEN TO THE POINT
OF DEALING SPECIFICALLY WHAT'S
GOING TO BE IN THE SENATE
BUDGET.
WE'RE STILL WAITING ON THE HOUSE
TO SEND US THEIRS AND WE'LL SEE
WHAT MODIFICATIONS NEED TO BE
MADE TO THAT.
>> IN LOOKING INWARDLY TO THE
REPUBLICAN PARTY, WHEN YOU ROLL
THIS OUT AS AMBITIOUS AS IT IS,
DID YOU CONSULT WITH THE PAT
McCRORY CAMPAIGN, WHO HAS HIS
IDEAS HE WANTS TO RUN THROUGH
NORTH CAROLINA IF ELECTED, NOT
TO MENTION THE HOUSE LEADERSHIP
AND YOU ARE ON THE TABLE WITH
YOUR OWN PROPOSAL?
>> WE'VE TALKED TO A BROAD RANGE
OF PEOPLE, PEOPLE RUNNING FOR
GOVERNOR.
I WOULD INVITE THEM TO LOOK AT
THE BILL.
I THINK THEY HAVE.
I'M INTERESTED IN WHAT THEIR
COMMENTS ARE.
I THINK THAT THERE'S BROAD
SUPPORT FOR WHAT THE GOALS ARE.
EVERYBODY MIGHT HAVE A LITTLE
DIFFERENT IDEA OF HOW WE GET TO
THE GOAL.
THIS IS -- THIS IS THE WAY THAT
THAT -- THAT MANY OF US IN THE
SENATE SEE AS THE RIGHT PATH.
I THINK THAT AS PEOPLE STUDY IT,
WE'LL -- WE'LL CONTINUE TO
GENERATE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT.
>> SENATOR PHIL BERGER,
PRESIDENT PRO TEM, THANK YOU SO
MUCH.
A BILL REVERSING NINE CITIES'
INVOLUNTARY ANNEXATION
RESTRICTIONS IS ONE VOTE FROM
REACHING GOVERNOR PERDUE'S DESK.
IT WOULD REPEAL INVOLUNTARY
ANNEXATIONS FOR KINSTON,
LEXINGTON, ROCKY MOUNT,
WILMINGTON, ASHEVILLE, MARVIN,
SOUTHPORT, GOLDSBORO OR
FAYETTEVILLE.
LEGISLATION TWEAKING EXISTING
INVOLUNTARY ANNEXATION
RESTRICTIONS NEEDS A FINAL HOUSE
VOTE BEFORE HEADING TO GOVERNOR
PERDUE.
CURRENT LAW ALLOWED PROPERTY
OWNERS TO CHALLENGE INVOLUNTARY
ANNEXATION EFFORTS BY A
PETITION, BUT A JUDGE SAID THAT
WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL, THAT A
PETITION OMITS LOCAL VOTERS WHO
MAY NOT OWN PROPERTY.
THE LEGISLATION ELIMINATES THAT
PETITIONING REQUIREMENT AND
REQUIRES CITIES TO HOLD LOCAL
ELECTIONS WHEN CHALLENGED ON AN
ANNEXATION EFFORT.
A BIPARTISAN HOUSE COMMITTEE
VOTE IS FUELING A YOIK BILL'S
MOVEMENT TOWARDS A HOUSE VOTE.
THE STATE EUGENICS BOARD HELD
AUTHORITY TO INVOLUNTARILY
STERILIZE PEOPLE FROM 1933 TO
1974.
A HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
HEARD PUBLIC FEEDBACK THIS WEEK
ON LEGISLATION THAT COULD PAY
RESTITUTION TO VICTIMS OF NORTH
CAROLINA'S NOW CLOSED EUGENICS
PROGRAM.
>> THE WORD COMPENSATION IS
BEING USED.
COMPENSATION IS KIND OF A
COUNTERBALANCE, AN OFFSET TO BE
EQUIVALENT TO WHAT WAS DONE.
YOU COULD NEVER DO ANYTHING
TO -- TO BE EQUIVALENT TO WHAT
WAS DONE TO THE VICTIMS.
>> THE BILL, AS IT'S CURRENTLY
WRITTEN, WOULD COMPENSATE LIVING
EUGENICS PROGRAM SURVIVORS AS
WELL AS THE FAMILIES OF RECENTLY
DECEASED EUGENICS VICTIMS, A
POINT OPPOSED BY MANY WHO HAD
FAMILY MEMBERS DIE YEARS AGO.
>> THIS IS A HUGE SMACK IN MY
FAMILY'S FACE, AND THE
LEGISLATORS SHOULD VOTE FOR ALL
VICTIMS, WHETHER THEY'RE
DECEASED OR LIVING.
IT SHOULD MATTER WHETHER OR NOT
THEY HAVE BEEN VERIFIED AS
VICTIMS OF THE NORTH CAROLINA
EUGENICS BOARD.
>> FORSYTH COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE
LARRY WOMBLE SAYS THIS CURRENT
BILL IS NOT THE PERFECT BILL,
BUT IT CARRIES OVERWHELMING
BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND IT
FOLLOWS THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF A
SPECIAL TASK FORCE CREATED TO
CRAFT EUGENICS RESTITUTION
POLICIES.
>> NORTH CAROLINA WAS THE THIRD
MOST POPULOUS STATE IN THIS
NATION.
TO STERILIZE ITS OWN CITIZENS,
LITTLE BOYS AND GIRLS WHO HAD
NOT DONE ANYTHING WRONG.
THEY WERE NOT CRIMINALS.
>> THAT HOUSE JUDICIARY
COMMITTEE OVERWHELMINGLY PASSED
THIS BILL, BUT AN OVERWHELMING
VOTE IS NOT A UNANIMOUS VOTE.
>> THE EUGENICS PROGRAM WAS
DESPICABLE TO SAY THE BEST FOR
IT, BUT EVERYTHING I READ AND
EVERYONE I TALK TO OR HEAR MAKE
IT SOUND LIKE IT'S NORTH
CAROLINA'S PROBLEM AND ONLY
NORTH CAROLINA.
THE EUGENICS MOVEMENT WAS A
WORLDWIDE MOVEMENT.
>> ONLOW COUNTY STATE
REPRESENTATIVE GEORGE CLEVELAND
OPPOSES EUGENICS COMPENSATION.
>> PEOPLE TODAY PAYING FOR
SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED IN THE
PAST I DO NOT BELIEVE IS
CORRECT.
I DON'T THINK IT'S RIGHT.
>> HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER PAUL
STAM SAYS THE STATE CAN'T TURN
BACK THE CLOCK, BUT IT CAN OFFER
FINANCIAL RELIEF FOR VICTIMS AND
THEIR FAMILIES.
>> LIVING AMONGST US ARE 1,000
OR 2,000 PEOPLE WHO TODAY SUFFER
BECAUSE THEIR BODIES HAVE BEEN
INVADED, CHANGED AGAINST THEIR
WILL BY AN ACT OF AN AGENCY OF
THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.
>> REPRESENTATIVE EARLINE PARMON
JOINS US TO DISCUSS EUGENICS
COMPENSATION.
HISTORICALLY
HISTORICALLY, DO YOU THINK THEY
WERE BEING EVIL OR MALICIOUS
TOWARDS EUGENICS VICTIMS OR
ACTING ON THE BASIS OF SCIENCE
AND WHAT THEY THOUGHT WAS A GOOD
IDEA FOR SOCIETY?
>> INTERESTING.
THEY WERE ACTING ON WHAT THEY
THOUGHT WAS GOOD FOR SOCIETY.
AND IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF
NORTH CAROLINA.
>> HOW DID THIS REMAIN A SECRET
ALL THOSE YEARS?
BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND IT WAS
UNCOVERED.
THE PROGRAM HAD BEEN PRACTICALLY
FORGOTTEN BY HISTORIANS AND
ARCHIVISTS.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
IT WAS AN ACCIDENTAL FIND BY A
PROFESSOR DOING RESEARCH.
AND BECAUSE SINCE 1974 THERE HAD
NOT BEEN ANY ACTION FROM THE
EUGENICS BOARD, THOSE RECORDS
WERE ACTUALLY IN THE ARCHIVES.
NOBODY DISCUSSED IT BECAUSE WE
WERE NO LONGER LEGALLY DOING
EUGENICS UNDER THE AUSPICES OF
THE BOARD.
>> SO MANY OF THE VICTIMS OF THE
EUGENICS PROGRAM HAVE NOW DIED.
HOW MANY ARE LIVING?
>> THERE'S AN ESTIMATE OF 2500
LIVING OUT OF THE 7600 RECORDED
DOCUMENTED EUGENICS VICTIMS.
>> YOU HAVE TO BE DOCUMENTED TO
BE AFFECTED BY THIS LEGISLATION.
YOU CAN'T MAKE A CLAIM.  
>> ABSOLUTELY.
IN OTHER WORDS, THERE HAS TO BE
A RECORD SHOWING THAT YOU WERE
AUTHORIZED TO BE STERILIZED BY
THE EUGENICS BOARD.
>> THAT WOULD BE INVOLUNTARILY.
>> INVOLUNTARILY, YES.
>> AND WERE RECORDS DESTROYED OR
ARE YOU CONFIDENT THAT THERE IS
A SOLID BODY OF WORK HERE TO
COMPARE VICTIMS AGAINST THE
DOCUMENTATION?
>> WE ARE PRETTY CERTAIN AND
PRETTY POSITIVE THAT THE RECORDS
ARE INTACT.
THEY WERE ACTUALLY IN OUR
ARCHIVES.
SO WE DON'T THINK ANY RECORDS
WERE DESTROYED.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE COME
UP IS THAT SOME PEOPLE WERE
ACTUALLY STERILIZED IN COUNTIES
AND THAT NOT AUTHORIZED BY THE
BOARD THAT THINK THEY'RE
ELIGIBLE, BUT THEY'RE NOT UNDER
THIS BILL.
>> WHAT CHANGED DOWN HERE
POLITICALLY?
BECAUSE REPRESENTATIVE WOMBLE
SAID 11-YEAR BATTLE, MUCH OF
THAT UNDER DEMOCRATIC CONTROL,
YOU WERE IN THE MAJORITY, BUT
REPUBLICANS TAKE OTHER AND THIS
THING GETS FAST-TRACKED.
WHAT HAPPENED?
>> I THINK THE REPUBLICANS
LOOKED AT WHAT THE STATE'S
INVOLVEMENT WITH THIS WAS AND
THE SPEAKER TILLIS BECAME
INTERESTED AND IT BECAME A
PERSONAL ISSUE FOR HIM, AND HE
CONVINCED HIS COLLEAGUES THIS
WAS THE RIGHT ISSUE AND THE
RIGHT WAY FOR NORTH CAROLINA TO
MOVE IN SUPPORTING A BILL TO
COMPENSATE THESE PEOPLE.
>> YOU'VE CLEARLY TOLD THE
COMMITTEE THIS WEEK THAT $50,000
WAS THE RECOMMENDATION OF A TASK
FORCE OF EXPERTS.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> THE SYMBOLISM BEHIND $50,000,
WHAT DOES THAT SAY TO THE
VICTIMS WHO SURVIVED WHO COULD
RECEIVE A CHECK FROM THE STATE
TAX-FREE?
>> WHAT WE'RE HOPING THAT THEY
UNDERSTAND IS THAT WE DO NOT
THINK $50,000 IS PAYING THEM
OFF, BUT TO ACKNOWLEDGE,
PARTICULARLY IN THESE BAD
ECONOMIC TIMES, EVEN WITH THE
STATE BUDGET AND WE DON'T HAVE
ENOUGH MONEY TO FUND A LOT OF
THINGS WE NEED TO FUND, THAT WE
ARE ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THE STATE
MADE BAD POLICY, IT WAS BAD
LEGISLATION, AND WE JUST WANT TO
SAY WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT.
>> HAS THE MONEY BEEN FOUND
AMONG THE STATE'S GENERAL FUND
TO PAY THESE CLAIMS?
>> IT'S IN THE GOVERNOR'S
BUDGET, AND WE ARE SURE IT WILL
REMAIN IN THE BUDGET, AND WE
WILL FIND THE ADDITIONAL MONEYS.
WE'VE HAD SOME EXTRA INCOME.
THAT'S A GOOD THING.
SO, YES, WE ARE PRETTY CONFIDENT
THAT THE MONEY WILL BE FOUND.
>> YOU HAVE GREAT CONFIDENCE IN
THE HOUSE, BUT THIS BILL NEEDS
TO CLEAR THE SENATE AS WELL.
HAVE YOU HAD ANY CONVERSATIONS
WITH SENATE LEADERS ABOUT THE
POSSIBILITY OF GETTING THIS BILL
HEARD?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
AS YOU KNOW, SENATOR McKISSICK
HAS BEEN TALKING TO PRESIDENT
PRO TEM BERGER, AND WE
UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ARE ON
BOARD AND WANT TO SEE THIS BILL
PASS AND THE COMPENSATION PAID
IN THIS SESSION.
>> REPRESENTATIVE EARLINE
PARMON, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
BEING ON.
>> THANK YOU.
>> SENATE REPUBLICANS UNVEIL AN
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY BILL THAT
INCLUDES NATURAL GAS
EXPLORATION.
IT OUTLINES GUIDELINES FOR OIL
AND GAS EXPLORATION POLICY AND
WOULD ALLOW FRACKING TO BEGIN IN
THE YEAR 2014.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
WOULD BE REQUIRED TO BUY NATURAL
GAS POWERED VEHICLES, INTERSTATE
REST STOPS WOULD FEATURE
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING
STATIONS.
SENATOR BOB RUCHO HAS AUTHORED
THIS LEGISLATION.
MUCH MORE WELL-ROUNDED IN TERMS
OF APPROACH IN 2012.
IT'S A BIG BILL, DR. RUCHO.
CAN YOU BITE IT OFF IN A SHORT
SESSION?
>> WELL, THIS REALLY IS THE
FIRST STEP TO WHAT IS A
COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY POLICY FOR
THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.
AFFORDABLE AND AVAILABLE ENERGY
IS PART OF OUR PLAN FOR
REVITALIZING AND RETOOLING THE
NORTH CAROLINA ECONOMY, FOR
BUSINESSES TO BE COMPETITIVE,
FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE AFFORDABLE
ENERGY IN THEIR HOMES AND AS
THEY DRIVE THEIR VEHICLES, AND
WE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE
FIRST STEP TO ACCOMPLISHING THAT
GOAL.
>> LAST YEAR IT WAS ALL ABOUT
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING FOR NATURAL
GAS.
THINGS DIDN'T PROGRESS AS YOU
WOULD HAVE LIKED.
YOU'VE ADDED NATURAL GAS,
MANDATES FOR STATE VEHICLES,
SCHOOL BUSES.
HOW HAVE THOSE ADDITIONAL
MEASURES AFFECTED THE FEEDBACK
ON THE OVERALL BILL?
>> I THINK PEOPLE ARE VERY
PLEASED WITH THAT.
AS WE START DEVELOPING A SOURCE
OF NATURAL GAS RIGHT NOW ONSHORE
AND THEN SUBSEQUENTLY OFFSHORE
IF WASHINGTON STARTS TO
RECOGNIZE THAT WE DO NEED A
COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY POLICY THAT
PROMOTES DOMESTIC ENERGY
PRODUCTION SO IT MAKES US LESS
DEPENDENT ON FOREIGN SOURCES OF
ENERGY, WHICH PROVES TO BE NOT
TO OUR ADVANTAGE, BUT IN THE
SCHEME OF THINGS, PEOPLE ARE
EXCITED ABOUT THE FACT THAT NOT
ONLY ARE WE FINDING AN ENERGY
SOURCE AS CLEAN NATURAL GAS, BUT
ALSO HAVING A DEMAND INCREASE
WHEN WE CAN GO AHEAD AND SAVE $2
A GALLON FROM BETWEEN DIESEL AND
NATURAL GAS IN THE USE FOR OUR
SCHOOL VEHICLES WHICH COULD SAVE
TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
SO I'D RATHER USE THAT NATURAL
GAS MONEY SAVINGS TO BE ABLE TO
GO INTO THE CLASSROOM THAN BE ON
THE HIGHWAY.
>> IF YOU HAVE NATURAL GAS
POWERED STATE VEHICLES, ARE
THERE ENOUGH VEHICLES ON THE
ROAD BUYING NATURAL GAS OR THE
STATE BUYING ENOUGH NATURAL GAS
TO PUT A DENT IN THE MARKET TO
PERSUADE CONVENIENCE STORES TO
START INSTALLING THESE PUMPS?
>> WELL, IT'S STARTING THE BALL
DOWN THE HILL.
FOR EXAMPLE, I KNOW THAT WE, BY
HAVING OUR SCHOOL BUS FLEET
ACROSS THE STATE IMPLEMENTING A
NATURAL GAS WILL BE A GREAT
START, HAVING OUR VEHICLE FLEET,
HAVING DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION, WHO IS
SUPPORTIVE OF THIS IN TRUCKS,
VEHICLES, CONVERTING TO A
COMBINATION NATURAL GAS AND
REGULAR GAS AND PEOPLE START TO
RECOGNIZE, WAIT A MINUTE, THIS
IS A GREAT WAY TO SAVE MONEY.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, AS I
ALLUDED TO, BETWEEN WHAT WAS $4
A GALLON GAS CAN BE BOUGHT FOR
$2 LESS, AND SO THIS IS A GREAT
OPPORTUNITY WITH A CLEAN SOURCE
OF ENERGY.
AND I THINK THAT, IN ITS OWN
RIGHT, IS THE INCENTIVE TO
CONVERT OVER THAT.
WE'RE PREPARING OURSELVES FOR
THE FUTURE.
>> IS THERE ANY WAY TO SWING
OVER PEOPLE WHO ARE CRITICS OF
THE FRACKING PLAN TO SAY IT'S
DANGEROUS, YOU'RE GOING TO CAUSE
THESE MINOR EARTHQUAKES.
YOU'VE GOT SHERRON HARRIS.
>> THIS IS THE TIME THAT BY
GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS AND
SPENDING TWO YEARS TRYING TO
FIND THE RULES AND REGULATIONS
THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO SAFELY
DELIVER THIS ENERGY SOURCE, IT
REQUIRES A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH
ONE STEP AFTER ANOTHER TO BE
SURE IT'S THE BEST PRACTICE,
SAFE, ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND,
TYPE OF REGULATIONS, AND THE
ULTIMATE PRODUCT WILL BE A
STATE-OF-THE-ART.
IT WILL BE BEST PRACTICE.
IT WILL BE ENVIRONMENTALLY
SECURE.
AND IT JUST REQUIRES THE BEST
MINDS TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS, AND
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO.
>> WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE
GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER
DEALING WITH TAKING TIME TO
STUDY THE ISSUE OF NATURAL GAS
EXPLORATION?
>> I THINK THE GOVERNOR WILL
RECOGNIZE AS WE STEP THROUGH THE
PROCESS, AND AS I MENTIONED
BEFORE, THIS IS A MASSIVE
PROJECT.
THE ONLY WAY TO SOLVE THAT IS
INCREMENTALLY TAKING STEPS AND
STUDYING IT, WHAT IS THE BEST
PRACTICE, WHAT IS THE SAFEST
METHOD, AND THAT EACH SAFE STEP
WILL LEAD TO A, YOU KNOW,
STATE-OF-THE-ART RULE AND
REGULATIONS.
AND I THINK THE GOVERNOR IS
SUPPORTIVE OF OUR EFFORT IN
REGARDS TO THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF
HAVING ENERGY, SUSTAINABLE
ENERGY FOR NORTH CAROLINA, AND I
THINK SHE'LL RECOGNIZE AND
SUPPORT OUR BILL IN THE FUTURE.
>> SENATOR BOB RUCHO, THANKS FOR
BEING ON THE SHOW THIS WEEK.
>> GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.
>> A HOUSE AND SENATE MEMBER
ANNOUNCED LEGISLATION REFORMING
THE JUVENILE LEGAL PROCESS.
ONLY MIST OFFENDERS WOULD BE
PROCESSED AS JUVENILES.
>> I THINK WHAT WE'RE DOING IS
TAKING IN EFFECT THE CURRENT
DAY, THE KNOWLEDGE THAT WE'VE
GOT ABOUT TEENAGERS, THEIR
BRAINS, WHAT ABILITY THEY'VE GOT
TO MAKE DECISIONS AND ALSO THE
SITUATIONS THAT WE'VE GIVEN THEM
THE FREEDOM TO INDULGE IN.
>> 16 AND 17-YEAR-OLDS WHO
COMMIT FELONIES WOULD STILL BE
CHARGED AS ADULTS.
THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE
HEARD A BILL TO REGULATE VENDING
MACHINE FOOD OPTIONS IN PUBLIC
SCHOOLS.
FOODS NOT OFFERED THROUGH STATE
OR FEDERAL FOOD PROGRAMS WOULD
FACE THIS NEW REGULATION.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS COULD
NOT USE VENDING MACHINES ON
CAMPUS.
>> IF WE KNOW THERE'S A PROBLEM
AND WE KNOW WE CAN HAVE AN
IMPACT ON IT, IT'S OUR
RESPONSIBILITY TO DO IT.
PASSING THIS BILL WILL ALLOW
CHILDREN TO HAVE HEALTHY CHOICES
IN THEIR VENDING MACHINES OR IN
THESE SCHOOL CHOICES THAT THEY
HAVE.
>> THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
WOULD WRITE THE RULES FOR
CALORIES, FAT, SUGAR AND SODIUM
CONTENT.
THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE
ENDORSES MEASURES TO EXPAND
ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTING
THROUGHOUT NORTH CAROLINA HIGH
SCHOOLS.
REPRESENTATIVE HUGH BLACKWELL
SAYS FLORIDA EXPANDED AP TESTING
AND THAT'S THE MODEL THIS BILL
FOLLOWS.
THE PROPOSAL CONTAINS
PERFORMANCE BONUSES.
>> ONE OF THE SORT OF SPILL-OVER
EFFECTS IN FLORIDA HAS
APPARENTLY BEEN THAT AS THESE
MORE RIGOROUS COURSES HAVE BEEN
ENCOURAGED FOR MORE AND MORE
STUDENTS, THAT IT HAS HAD A
BENEFICIAL EFFECT IN PARTICULAR
IN SOME OF THE LOW PERFORMING
SCHOOLS AND ADDING MORE RIGOR
AND HIGHER EXPECTATIONS TO THE
REST OF THE CURRICULUM AS WELL.
>> ABOUT THOSE ADVANCED
PLACEMENT BONUSES FOR TEACHERS,
THEY WOULD RANGE FROM $50 TO
$500 FOR STUDENT PERFORMANCES ON
AP TESTING UP TO A $2,000
MAXIMUM.
THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE ON
LEGISLATION WILL SHORE UP
MEDICAID FINANCES THROUGH JUNE
30.
A MAXIMUM $205 MILLION COULD BE
TRANSFERRED INTO MEDICAID FROM
OTHER STATE AGENCY BUDGETS.
THE MONEY WOULD COVER THE COSTS
OF PAYING DOCTORS WHO SEE
MEDICAID PATIENTS.
THE BILL WOULD PROHIBIT ANY
FUNDING SHIFT IF THOSE SHIFTS
TODAY INCREASE MEDICAID'S
FINANCIAL OBLIGATION IN
2012-2013.
THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS
COMMITTEE HOLDS THE BILL THAT
WOULD ALLOW LIVE CARD GAMES AT
THE CHEROKEE CASINO.
DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN SENATE
LEADERS ARE BEHIND THIS BILL.
IT COULD GENERATE 400 LOCAL JOBS
AND $90 MILLION OVER ITS 30-YEAR
LIFE.
THERE IS HOUSE SKEPTICISM.
GOVERNOR PERDUE HAS SIGNED THE
GAMING DEAL WITH THE CHEROKEE
NATION, BUT IT NEEDS LEGISLATIVE
APPROVAL.
ALL WEEKEND YOU CAN FIND THE
TEAM ONLINE.
SEARCH "LEGISLATIVE WEEK IN
REVIEW" ON FACEBOOK.
YOU CAN FIND US ON TWITTER BY
FOLLOWING @ncnlegweek AND OUR
INTERNET WEB PAGE,
unctv.org/legweek.
THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.
WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.
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