>> THE HOUSE PASSES ITS BUDGET
BILL WHILE THE SENATE ENDORSES
AN EXCELLENT SCHOOLS ACT AND A
BILL TO ALLOW LIVE CARD DEALING
AT THE CHEROKEE CASINO RECEIVES
SCRUTINY.
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 AGAIN.
I'M KELLY McCULLEN.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.
WE'LL TOP THIS WEEK'S SHOW BY
DISCUSSING THE HOUSE BUDGET BILL
THAT CLEARED THE FULL HOUSE LATE
WEDNESDAY EVENING.
THE OVERALL PLAN INCREASES STATE
SPENDING FOR THE NEXT FISCAL
YEAR.
IT PLUGS HOLES FOR MEDICAID AND
FOR TEACHING POSITIONS UNDER
THREAT DUE TO EXPIRING FEDERAL
FUNDS.
THE BUDGET ALSO REDIRECTS STATE
FUNDS WITHIN THE BUDGET TO
LESSEN OTHER CUTS.
THE STATE HOUSE PASSED ITS $20
BILLION 2012-2013 BUDGET THIS
WEEK.
THERE'S A BONUS AND FIVE DAYS
VACATION FOR ALL STATE
EMPLOYEES.
IT DOES NOT INCLUDE NEW TAXES OF
ANY SORT.
A MEDICAID FUNDING SHORTFALL IS
FILLED AND EDUCATION FUNDING IS
BOOSTED.
>> THE BUDGET DOES ADD $250
MILLION FOR K-12 AND MIGHT I
REMIND YOU, LADIES AND
GENTLEMEN, THESE WERE DOLLARS
THAT A FEW YEARS BACK, WHEN
FEDERAL DOLLARS CAME INTO THE
STATE, WERE SUPPLANTED.
THIS ASSEMBLY HAD TAKEN FEDERAL
DOLLARS, PUT IT IN K-12, AND
TOOK AN EQUAL AMOUNT OUT.
>> HOUSE DEMOCRATS SAY A $300
MILLION BOOST DOES NOT INCREASE
THE STATE'S INVESTMENT IN
EDUCATION, ONLY HOLDS STEADY
CUTS MADE IN 2011.
THE DEMOCRATS SAY REPUBLICANS
NEED TO COMMIT TO THE STATE'S
CHILDREN.
>> THIS BUDGET DOES LITTLE OR
NOTHING TO HIRE BACK THE
HUNDREDS OF TEACHERS AND
TEACHERS ASSISTANTS LAID OFF BY
THE DEVASTATING BUDGET OF LAST
YEAR.
IT DOES NOT PUT ONE EXTRA
TEXTBOOK IN OUR CLASSROOMS.
OUR STUDENTS ARE STILL BEING
CRAMMED INTO LARGER AND LARGER
CLASSES.
>> DEMOCRATS SAY REPUBLICAN
OPPOSITION TO THE BUDGET BILL
MUST MEAN DEMOCRATS --
>> THIS BUDGET COMPARED TO LAST
YEAR'S IS $300 MORE.
SO ANYONE WHO IS OPPOSING THIS
BUDGET HASN'T -- SHOULD BE HAPPY
WITH IT.
>> BECKY CARNEY SAYS THERE ARE A
FEW QUESTIONS OVER JUST HOW
REPUBLICAN LEADERS FOUND THAT
EXTRA REVENUE IN THE ABSENCE OF
A NEW SALES TAX FAVORED BY MANY
DEMOCRATS, INCLUDING GOVERNOR
BEV PERDUE.
>> WE HAVE TO COME OUT OF THIS
BUDGET, THE MESSAGE EITHER SIDE
IS A CLEAR MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE
THAT THEY UNDERSTAND WHERE THE
MONEY'S COMING FROM AND WHERE
IT'S BEING SPENT.
THERE'S A LOT OF DEBATE ON --
YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT,
WHERE THEY FOUND THE MONEY AND
FOUND THE MONEY, WHERE YOU'RE
GETTING YOUR MONEY FROM.
>> REPRESENTATIVE NELSON DOLLAR,
REPRESENTATIVE FROM WAKE COUNTY,
IS A FULL CHAIR OF THE
APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE.
THANKS FOR BEING ON.
HOW DIFFERENT IS THIS BUDGET,
2013-13, FROM THE 2011 BUDGET
THAT EARNED SO MANY HEADLINES
WHEN YOU PASSED IT.
>> OF COURSE, WHAT WE'RE DOING
THIS YEAR IS MAKING ADJUSTMENTS
TO THAT BUDGET.
WE HAVE FOCUSED ON THOSE AREAS
THAT ARE MOST IMPORTANT.
WE HAVE PUT ADDITIONAL DOLLARS,
OVER $300 MILLION, INTO
EDUCATION.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING TO DO IS TO
KEEP THOSE 5400 JOBS THAT ARE
OUT THERE AROUND THE STATE THAT
ARE CURRENTLY BEING PAID BY
ONE-TIME FEDERAL MONEY.
IN THE PAST THEY WERE PAID FOR
WITH STATE MONEY.
NOW WE ARE RESTORING STATE MONEY
TO KEEP THOSE POSITIONS IN PLACE
FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR.
WE ALSO PUT ADDITIONAL MONEY
INTO HEALTH CARE TO MAKE SURE
THAT WE KEEP OUR MEDICAID
PROGRAM STRONG, AND WE ALSO
WORKED TO KEEP OUR PUBLIC SAFETY
PROGRAM STRONG AND THE OTHER KEY
ELEMENTS OF OUR STATE
GOVERNMENT'S OPERATIONS.
>> WHY HAS IT BEEN SUCH A
MYSTERY FOR THOSE WHO WATCH THIS
BUDGET PROCESS OF WHERE THE
EXTRA REVENUE CAME FROM WHEN YOU
HAVE A QUARTER BILLION DOLLARS
COME IN.
YOU HAD TO PLUG A HOLE IN
MEDICAID TO MAKE SURE DOCTORS
GET PAID.
PEOPLE LIKE EDUCATION SPENDING.
WHERE DID YOU FIND -- ARE YOU
SHUFFLING MONEY WITHIN THE DECK
OR IS THERE THAT MUCH NEW
REVENUE COMING IN YOU'RE
PROJECTING?
>> WHAT WE BELIEVE, IT'S
IMPORTANT TO SET PRIORITIES, AND
WE HAVE BEEN SAYING THAT FROM
THE VERY BEGINNING AS
REPUBLICANS THAT SETTING
PRIORITIES IS IMPORTANT AND YOU
CAN FUND THE MOST IMPORTANT
NEEDS OF THE STATE WITH DOLLARS
THAT WE HAVE IF YOU SET
PRIORITIES.
WE SAID FROM THE VERY BEGINNING
WE WOULD NOT RAISE TAXES.
IT'S THE WRONG TIME TO RAISE
TAXES.
OUR OPPONENTS WANT TO RAISE
MAYBE UP TO A BILLION DOLLARS
WORTH OF TAXES.
WE DON'T BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD
BALANCE THE BUDGET ON THE BACKS
OF THE WORKING FAMILIES OF THIS
STATE.
WE BELIEVE THAT JUST LIKE EVERY
WORKING FAMILY IN NORTH CAROLINA
CAROLINA, WE HAVE TO LIVE WITHIN
OUR MEANS AND PRIORITIZE THE
STATE'S BUDGET.
>> WITH SO MUCH TUG ON THAT
SCHOOL FUNDING AND EVERYONE SAYS
SCHOOLS, YOU THINK K-12, WITH
THIS BUDGET, WOULD YOU DECLARE
THAT PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING IN
NORTH CAROLINA IS CURRENTLY
HEALTHY?
ARE SCHOOLS IN GOOD SHAPE OR ARE
YOU STILL WORKING?
>> I THINK WE'RE STILL WORKING
ON SOME ISSUES.
WHAT STARTED UNDER THE DEMOCRAT
LEADERSHIP BEFORE US WAS WHAT'S
CALLED MANAGEMENT FLEXIBILITY OR
WHAT AMOUNTS TO A NEGATIVE
RESERVE.
IN OTHER WORDS, YOU SAY THAT
YOU'RE PAYING FOR ALL THE
POSITIONS, AND THEN YOU'RE
PULLING THAT MONEY BACK.
A VERY DEEP HOLE WAS DUG BY THAT
PROCESS.
FEDERAL MONEY FILLED IT FOR A
TIME.
THE FEDERAL MONEY IS GOING AWAY.
AND WHAT WE ARE IN THE PROCESS
OF IS USE -- WITH THE RESOURCES
WE HAVE, FILL THAT HOLE.
EVENTUALLY WE WANT TO GET OUT OF
THE WHOLE BUSINESS OF HAVING
NEGATIVE RESERVES BECAUSE IT
WILL BE MUCH EASIER FOR US AS A
STATE TO IMPLEMENT FUNDAMENTAL
EDUCATION REFORM IN NORTH
CAROLINA THAT'S VERY MUCH NEEDED
IF WE CAN GET RID OF THOSE
NEGATIVE RESERVES.
AND, UNFORTUNATELY, WITH THIS
ECONOMY, IT'S STILL GOING TO
TAKE US ANOTHER YEAR OR TWO TO
ACCOMPLISH THAT.
>> ON THE MEDICAID SIDE OF
THINGS, IT ALWAYS SEEMS ON A
BASIC LEVEL MEDICAID SEEMS TO
RUN OUT OF MONEY A FEW MONTHS
BEFORE THE BUDGET YEAR ENDS AND
HAPPENS QUITE A BIT.
IS IT GROWING THAT FAST OR DID
YOU MISCALCULATE IN LAST YEAR'S
BUDGET, HAD TO DO A FIX THIS
YEAR AND GET THINGS READY FOR
THE NEXT BUDGET YEAR?
>> YOU HAVE TO REALIZE THAT THE
SHORTFALL THAT WAS THERE WHICH
WE HAVE PROVIDED MONEY FOR WAS
MADE UP OVER $80 MILLION OF THAT
WERE ABUSES OF THE PAST THAT HAD
TO BE PAID FOR.
IT WAS NOT BUDGETED BY THE
GOVERNOR IN HER BUDGET.
IT DIDN'T COME OUT OF THE
REGULAR STATE BUDGET.
WE HAD ANOTHER $28 MILLION IN
FEDERAL OBLIGATIONS, WHAT'S
CALLED DRUG REBATES.
EVERY STATE HAD TO EAT AN
ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF MONEY.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO
TAKEN MONTHS AND MONTHS AND
MONTHS, OVER A YEAR IN CERTAIN
CASES, TO APPROVE WHAT ARE
CALLED STATE PLAN AMENDMENTS,
CHANGES TO OUR MEDICARE PROGRAM.
IT WOULD BE MUCH EASIER FOR
NORTH CAROLINA TO MANAGE OUR
MEDICAID PROGRAM IF THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT DIDN'T -- GAVE US THE
ACTUAL LEEWAY TO DO THAT, BUT WE
CAN'T EVEN MAKE SMALL CHANGES
THAT WOULD ACTUALLY SAVE AND
BE -- HAVE A BETTER PROGRAM
WITHOUT WAITING MONTHS AND
MONTHS AND MONTHS FOR FEDERAL
APPROVAL.
SO ALL OF THOSE FACTORS HAVE
PLAYED INTO THAT.
WE DO BELIEVE THAT WE NOW HAVE
MOST OF OUR, UM, STATE PLAN
AMENDMENTS IN MEDICAID HAVE
FINALLY BEEN APPROVED BY THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
THAT WILL HELP US THIS COMING
YEAR ACHIEVE GREATER STABILITY
IN THE PROGRAM.
>> REPRESENTATIVE DOLLAR, THANKS
SO MUCH FOR BEING ON THE SHOW.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THE K-12 EDUCATION BUDGET
PRESERVES TEACHING JOBS
CURRENTLY FUNDED BY THAT FEDERAL
STIMULUS MONEY.
THE RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS THAT
SERVE DEAF AND BLIND STUDENTS
WERE REFUNDED MOSTLY AFTER
FACING DEFUNDING IN THE CURRENT
BUDGET FOR 2012-2013.
THE COMMUNITY COLLEGES WOULD
RECEIVE $10 MILLION FOR WORKER
RETRAINING AND SEE SPENDING CUTS
REDUCED BY 5%, LEAVING LOCAL
CAMPUSES STATEWIDE TO REDUCE
SPENDING BY ABOUT $83 MILLION.
THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM WOULD
RECEIVE $3 MILLION FOR FACULTY
RECRUITING AND RETENTION.
UNC HOSPITALS WOULD LOSE 100% OF
ITS REMAINING STATE SUBSIDY, A
$44 MILLION REDUCTION.
ENDOCUMENTS THAT OFFER FULL
ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS TO
OUT-OF-STATE STUDENTS WOULD BE
CHARGED OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
RATES.
UNC-TV RECEIVES A $1.5 MILLION
BUDGET CUT FOR 2012-2013 IN ITS
STATE APPROPRIATION, GIVING THE
NETWORK $2.7 MILLION IN STATE
BUDGET CUTS FOR 2011-2013.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE
RICK GLAZIER, YOU KEEP YOUR EYE
ON THE EDUCATION SIDE OF THIS
BUDGET.
YOU SAY THEY STOPPED THE
BLEEDING, BUT THE PATIENT ISN'T
GETTING BETTER.
DO VOTERS BUY THAT WHEN THEY SEE
NO CUT?
IS THAT A CHECKMARK FOR THE
REPUBLICANS?
>> THAT'S THE ISSUE THAT HAS TO
BE PLAYED OUT IN THE PUBLIC NOW.
THE PUBLIC CLEARLY GOT IT LAST
YEAR THAT THERE WERE SERIOUS
CUTS TO THE UNIVERSITY AND
PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THEY DIDN'T
LIKE IT AND I THINK THE
REPUBLICANS ARE READING THE SAME
POLLS WE READ, HAVE TRIED TO
BACKTRACK AND FILL IN SOME GAPS
THIS YEAR.
THE END RESULT OF THAT, THIS
BUDGET IS, THEY CUT 5,000
EDUCATION JOBS LAST YEAR
CONSERVATIVELY.
NOT A SINGLE ONE OF THEM IS
BEING REPLACED BY THIS BUDGET.
ALL THEY DID IS NOT MAKE A
TERRIBLE BUDGET EVEN WORSE.
AND IN THE ERA THAT WE'RE IN,
STANDING STILL IN PUBLIC
EDUCATION, STANDING STILL AT THE
UNIVERSITY LEVEL, IS MOVING
BACKWARDS WHEN THE REST OF THE
NATION IS MOVING FORWARD.
>> WHEN YOU SAY STANDING STILL,
ARE YOU SAYING THAT THE PROGRESS
IS MADE THROUGH GREATER SPENDING
ON THE EDUCATION?
BECAUSE THAT'S THE CLASSIC
ARGUMENT YOU GUYS GO UP THERE
AND ARGUE OVER, MONEY VERSUS
ACCOUNTABILITY AND MONEY DOESN'T
MATTER.
>> I THINK THAT'S THE PROBLEM
THAT BOTH SIDES HAVE FAILED TO
RECOGNIZE THAT REFORM WITHOUT
RESOURCES IS ILLUSERY.
YOU CAN'T SPEND 42nd IN THE
NATION TO 48th IN THE NATION
WITH ONLY A FEW STATES SPENDING
LESS AND EXPECT TO BE
COMPETITIVE.
IF ALL YOU'RE DOING IS PLACING
IT IN THE SAME PROGRAMS YOU'VE
ALWAYS DONE IT WHICH HASN'T
GOTTEN YOU OUT OF MEDIOCRITY --
THE PROBLEM IS IN THIS BUDGET
THERE IS NO BALANCE.
IT HAS TO BE A BALANCED APPROACH
WHICH THE DEMOCRATS DID IN
2009-10 AND IT'S WHAT WAS
LACKING LAST YEAR AND THE
BIGGEST ARGUMENT WE HAD WAS THAT
THE BUDGET ATTEMPTS TO DO
EVERYTHING BY CUT.
AND THAT IS NOT THE ANSWER WHEN
YOU'RE CUTTING THOUSANDS OF
TEACHER JOBS.
YOU'RE NOT PAYING TEACHERS AND
STATE EMPLOYEES AND THE MORALE
IS GOING REALLY DOWN THE TUBES,
YOU HAVE TO RECOGNIZE SORT OF
THE REALITY AND BEGIN TO DEAL
WITH YOUR PEOPLE PROBLEMS AND
BEGIN TO DEAL WITH THE QUALITY
ISSUES THAT CUTS HAVE, AND I
THINK THE SECOND PROBLEM YOU
HAVE TO HAVE IS A RECOGNITION
THAT EVERYBODY CAN SACRIFICE AND
SHOULD FOR A YEAR, EVEN A
TWO-YEAR PERIOD, BUT THERE HAS
TO BE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE
TUNNEL THAT THINGS ARE GOING TO
GET BETTER.
FOUR AND FIVE YEARS DOWN THE
ROAD WHEN YOU'RE STILL TALKING
THE SAME THING, ENDS UP MEANING
THAT A LOT OF PROFESSIONALS ARE
GETTING OUT OF THE FIELD, AND I
THINK THAT'S DRAMATICALLY
AFFECTING QUALITY.
>> WE TALK ABOUT CUTS ONLY IN
ORDER TO MEET YOUR GOALS.
THE ALTERNATIVE IS INCREASING
REVENUE.
OR YOU CAN PLACE NEW TAXES IN.
I NOTICED IN A PRESS CONFERENCE
ON WEDNESDAY, SPEAKER HACKNEY
REALLY DIDN'T WANT TO SAY THE
WORD TAX INCREASES.
IT SEEMED LIKE THE REPORTERS
WERE ASKING WHAT ALTERNATIVES
ARE OUT THERE AND NO ONE WOULD
SAY WE WANT A SALES TAX.
>> I THINK THERE ARE
ALTERNATIVES OUT THERE AND I
THINK IT'S A GOOD QUESTION IN
THIS SENSE.
THERE ARE MULTIPLE APPROACHES TO
FINDING ADDITIONAL REVENUE TO
DEAL WITH INVESTMENTS, AND IN
ALL TAX -- ALL BUDGET ITEMS
AREN'T THE SAME.
SO APPARENTLY THE REPUBLICANS
HAVE FOUND MONEY AND PUT IT IN
THIS BUDGET TO ALLOW PRIVATE
SCHOOL VOUCHERS FOR PEOPLE.
ACROSS THE BOARD UNDER
REPRESENTATIVE STAM'S BILL.
THEY FOUND MONEY FOR A $13
MILLION NEW PROGRAM FOR A.P.
TESTING BASED ON A FLORIDA MODEL
WHEN 52% OF THE KIDS IN FLORIDA
FAILED THE READING TEST LAST
WEEK AND NEARLY 2/3 FAILED THE
WRITING TEST BEFORE THEY
RE-SCORED IT.
THAT'S NOT THE MODEL I WANT TO
FOLLOW.
THEY FOUND $13 MILLION FOR THAT.
SENATOR BERGER ARGUED HE CAN
FINE $44 MILLION OVER A PERIOD
OF TIME FOR HIS REFORM WHICH
REALLY DOES NOT DO MUCH TO
IMPROVE PUBLIC EDUCATION.
AND SO APPARENTLY WE HAVE PLACES
THAT WE CAN GO, BUT ONLY FOR THE
PROGRAMS AND THE INITIATIVES
THAT THE MAJORITY WANTS.
WELL, YOU KNOW, IF WE SPEND AS
MUCH TIME PUTTING THAT MONEY IN
TO TEACHING POSITIONS AND SALARY
FOR GOOD PROFESSIONALS AND
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND
REALLY WORKING THROUGH AND
TALKING WITH OUR COMMUNITIES,
WE'D PROBABLY DO A WHOLE LOT
MORE GOOD THAN ALL THESE NEW
INITIATIVES INVOLVED.
>> IS THE PROBLEM THE LEVEL OF
SPENDING AT JUST OVER $20
BILLION, THE PIE ISN'T BIG
ENOUGH TO DO WHAT YOU SAY
REPUBLICANS WANT TO DO AND WHAT
YOU DEFINITELY WOULD DO WITH
STATE SPENDING?
>> I THINK IT'S A MIXTURE.
I THINK THAT -- I THINK OVER
TIME THE PIE ISN'T BIG ENOUGH
AND I AGREE WITH THAT.
BUT WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF WHERE
WE ARE NOW, I THINK IT'S ALL A
QUESTION OF PRIORITIES WITHIN
WHAT YOU HAVE AND WHERE YOU'RE
PUTTING IT.
AND SO, AGAIN, IF YOU CAN FIND
THE MONEY FOR THE A.P. TESTING
AND YOU CAN FIND THE MONEY FOR
NEW REFORMS THAT DON'T APPEAR TO
HAVE ANY SERIOUS EVIDENCE-BASED
BACKING FOR THEM, I THINK WE CAN
FIND IT FOR THE THINGS THAT WE
DO KNOW MAKE A DIFFERENCE, WHICH
IS MAINTAINING QUALITY PERSONNEL
IN THE CLASSROOM, AND APPARENTLY
THAT'S NOT A PRIORITY RIGHT NOW
IN TERMS OF AT LEAST THE SALARY
SIDE OF THINGS AND THE
POSITIONAL SIDE OF THINGS.
>> REPRESENTATIVE GLAZIER, THANK
YOU SO MUCH FOR TALKING ABOUT
THIS BUDGET WITH US.
>> THE CURRENT HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES SERVICES CONTAINS A
DEFICIT IN MEDICAID SPENDING.
THE HOUSE BUDGET OFFERS OVER
$200 MILLION TO PAY THE MEDICAL
PROFESSIONALS WHO SERVE MEDICAID
PATIENTS.
50 VACANT JOBS ARE ELIMINATED IN
THE HOUSE BUDGET PLAN.
SMART START FUNDS WOULD BE
REDUCED BY $4 MILLION, BUT
THAT'S BECAUSE FEDERAL BLOCK
GRANT FUNDING WOULD REPLACE THAT
MONEY.
NORTH CAROLINA'S PRE-K PROGRAM
RECEIVES A $15 MILLION BOOST.
STAYING IN THE HOUSE, THE
EUGENICS COMPENSATION BILL IS
MOVING TOWARDS A FINAL HOUSE
VOTE.
THIS BILL, AND IT'S NOT TALKED
ABOUT MUCH, BUT IT CREATES AN
AGENCY TO HELP EUGENICS PROGRAM
VICTIMS PAYMENT FOR THEIR
DAMAGES.
SURVIVING VICTIMS OF FORCED
STERILIZATION WOULD RECEIVE
$50,000 TAX-FREE.
THEIR BILL APPEARS TO FACE
SMOOTH SAILING IN THE HOUSE IN
THE SENATE APPEARING MORE
CAUTIOUS ABOUT IT.
WE ASKED REPRESENTATIVE EARLINE
PARMON ABOUT THAT.
>> WHAT WE'VE DONE WITH THE
SUNSET IS TO ENSURE THAT THE
ADMINISTRATION DOES NOT STAY IN
PLACE AFTER THE LAST PERSON CAN
FILE IN DECEMBER.
>> SOME WORDS OUT OF THE SENATE
SUGGEST THIS BILL MAY NOT HAVE
THE VOTES IN THAT CHAMBER AT
PRESENT MOMENT.
>> UH-HUH.
>> ARE YOU AWARE OF THAT, OR
WHAT CHALLENGE DO YOU FACE
GETTING THIS THROUGH THE HOUSE
AND GETTING IT THROUGH THE
SENATE AS WELL?
>> WELL, I'M AWARE THAT
EVERYBODY IN THE SENATE MAY NOT
BE ON BOARD, BUT I UNDERSTAND
THAT THE LEADERSHIP IS WORKING
WITH THEIR CAUCUS AND MEMBERS TO
EXPLAIN TO THEM THE BILL AND TO
GET SUPPORT FOR IT.
SO I'M GOING TO REMAIN
OPTIMISTIC, BECAUSE I WOULD
THINK THAT ANY ELECTED OFFICIAL
WILL WANT TO DO THE RIGHT THING
BY THE CITIZENS OF NORTH
CAROLINA.
>> THERE COULD BE UP TO 1500
EUGENICS VICTIMS STILL ALIVE.
IT IS ANYONE'S GUESS HOW MANY
WOULD STEP FORWARD TO RECEIVE
COMPENSATION FROM THE STATE.
THE SENATE HAS APPROVED MAKING
SCHOOL KIDS' LUNCHBOXES OFF
LIMITS TO THE SO-CALLED STATE
LUNCH POLICE.
NORTH CAROLINA MADE NATIONAL
HEADLINES EARLIER WHEN A STATE
INSPECTOR RULED A KID'S TURKEY
SANDWICH THEY BROUGHT FOR LUNCH
WAS INSUFFICIENTLY NUTRITIOUS
AND MADE THE KID BUY A SCHOOL
LUNCH PLATE WITH CHICKEN
NUGGETS.
THIS BILL TARGETS THAT,
FORBIDDING THE NUTRITIONAL
INSPECTION OF PARENTALLY PACKED
SCHOOL LUNCHES.
PARENTS COULD ALSO OPT OUT OF
FOOD PROGRAMS BEING OFFERED BY
CHILD CARE FACILITIES.
A REPUBLICAN SENATE LEADER IS
CALLING THE EXCELLENT SCHOOLS
ACT A TRAIN THAT'S MOVING.
IT DID MOVE THIS WEEK.
PASSING A MAJOR SENATE
PROCEDURAL VOTE.
THE BILL'S DESIGNED TO FOCUS ON
KINDERGARTEN THROUGH THIRD GRADE
READING PROFICIENCY.
DEMOCRATS BEGAN WEIGHING IN
SAYING THIS LEGISLATION WILL
PUNISH SCHOOL TEACHERS AND DOES
NOT GIVE PRE-K PROGRAMS ENOUGH
CREDIT.
THE SENATE MOVED QUICKLY THIS
WEEK ON SCHOOL REFORM
LEGISLATION THAT'S BEING BACKED
BY THE SENATE'S REPUBLICAN
LEADERSHIP.
IT WOULD REQUIRE ELEMENTARY
SCHOOLS TO FOCUS ON KINDERGARTEN
THROUGH THIRD GRADE READING
PROFICIENCY.
AND SOCIAL PROMOTIONS OF
STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT MEETING
REQUIREMENTS AND ALLOW TEACHERS
TO BE DISMISSED FOR
INEFFECTIVENESS.
>> WE'RE PLAYING POLITICS WITH
KIDS' EDUCATION.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO GET
AWAY FROM.
WE'RE TRYING TO GIVE THEM A
SOUND FOUNDATION.
WE CAN 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 LEGISLATION WOULD DEFINE
AS A STATE GOAL TO ENSURE EVERY
STUDENT READ AT OR ABOVE GRADE
LEVEL BY THE END OF THIRD GRADE.
STUDENTS WHO CANNOT READ AT
GRADE LEVEL AT THAT TIME WOULD
BE ASSIGNED A SUMMER READING
CAMP AND POSSIBLY RETAINED IF
GOALS AREN'T MET AFTER CAMP.
KINDERGARTENERS WOULD RECEIVE
ASSESSMENTS WITHIN 60 DAYS OF
ENTERING SCHOOLS.
>> THIS BILL WOULD GIVE US A
CHANCE TO LOOK AT EDUCATION ON A
DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW, AND
THAT IS NOT JUST KEEP PUTTING
MONEY IN, BUT LET'S SEE IF WE
CAN CHANGE POLICY.
>> THE BILL CALLS FOR CREATING
LETTER GRADES FOR ENTIRE
SCHOOLS, A's FOR THE BEST
PERFORMERS, F's FOR FLUNKING
SCHOOLS.
DEMOCRATS ARGUE THAT CHILDREN
MAKE GREATER GAINS IN THE
PRE-KINDERGARTEN PROGRAMS AND
THIS BILL DOES NOT ADDRESS PRE-K
IN ENOUGH DETAIL.
>> WELL, I THINK THE BILL IN ITS
ENTIRETY, WHERE THE MONEY'S
COMING FROM, HOW THAT WILL
IMPACT OTHER PROGRAMS THAT
TRADITIONALLY GETS STUDENTS
READY FOR K-12.
>> A LOT OF THESE KIDS WHO ARE
VERY VULNERABLE WILL NOT GET THE
PREPARATORY INFORMATION, WILL
NOT GET THE DEVELOPMENTAL SKILLS
NEEDED TO HELP THEM TO ENTER
KINDERGARTEN READY.
AND THAT'S GOING TO MEAN THAT
WE'RE GOING TO RETAIN MORE.
>> REPUBLICANS HEARING THAT
ARGUMENT CITE SECTION 11 OF THE
LEGISLATION, A SECTION
APPROPRIATING OVER $11 MILLION
FOR THE NORTH CAROLINA PRE-K
PROGRAM.
THE BILL'S LANGUAGE SAYS THAT
WOULD ADD NEARLY 2300 NEW SEATS
IN PRE-K.
THE SENATE CARRIES A VETO-PROOF
REPUBLICAN MAJORITY.
YOU'VE GOT TO DEAL WITH THOM
TILLIS AND PAUL STAM OVER IN THE
HOUSE.
I HEAR THE BATH WATER OVER THERE
IS LUKEWARM FOR THIS BILL.
>> I DON'T DEAL WITH THE HOUSE.
WE'LL LEAVE THAT TO THE PEOPLE
WHO DEAL WITH THE HOUSE.
I KNOW FOR ONCE WE NEED TO DO
SOMETHING WITH EDUCATION AND
MOVE FORWARD.
>> THE BILL NEEDS A THIRD AND
FINAL SENATE VOTE, WHICH IS
SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY NIGHT.
A GAMING COMPACT BREEZED THROUGH
THE SENATE EARLIER THIS SESSION.
IN THE HOUSE IT'S BEEN A SLOWER
PROCESS.
THIS WEEK MEMBERS HAVE RAISED
QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS PROPOSED
DEAL.
THE GAMING COMPACT IS ABOUT JOBS
AND ECONOMIC GROWTH.
THE FULL HOUSE BEGAN DEBATE LATE
THIS WEEK ON THE COMPACT TO
ALLOW LIVE CARD GAMES AT THE
CHEROKEE CASINO.
SUPPORT AND OPPOSITION IS FOUND
ON BOTH SIDES OF THE POLITICAL
AISLE.
DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE PATSY
KEEVER SAYS GAMBLING HAS BEEN
POSITIVE FOR THE CHEROKEE
NATION.
>> THIS IS AN ECONOMIC ENGINE
FOR THE FAR WESTERN PART OF THE
STATE.
IT PROVIDES JOBS.
IT PROVIDES EXCELLENT EDUCATION.
IT HAS IMPROVED THE HEALTH 100%
OF THE MEMBERS OF THE TRIBE.
>> REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE
ROGER WEST SAYS MOST OF THE 400
POTENTIAL NEW JOBS CREATED BY
THIS PROPOSED GAMING DEAL WOULD
BENEFIT WORKERS WHO ARE NOT
CHEROKEE.
>> THOSE 400 JOBS ARE GOING TO
BE 80%, 82%, FILLED BY
NON-MEMBERS OF THE TRIBE,
MEANING THEY WILL COME OUT OF
THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES OUT IN
THE WESTERN END OF THE STATE.
>> THE POSITIVE ECONOMIC
RHETORIC IS OFFSET BY CONCERN
THAT A NEW GAMING COMPACT ISN'T
SOLELY ABOUT CREATING NEW JOBS,
BUT NEW CASINOS AROUND CHEROKEE.
>> THIS IS NOT ABOUT SIMPLY
ADDING LIVE GAMING TO THE
EXISTING CASINO.
THIS IS ABOUT EXPANSION.
NOW, IF THIS WERE JUST ABOUT
ADDING LIVE GAMBLING TO THE
EXISTING FACILITY, I WOULD HAVE
SUPPORTED IT.
>> SOCIAL CONSERVATIVES ARGUE
THE INCREASED AND ENHANCED
GAMBLING OPTIONS WOULD SPELL
TROUBLE.
>> I HAVE THE CONCERNS THAT
WE'VE HEARD HERE TODAY IN
REFERENCE TO THE SOCIAL
CONCERNS, WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN LAS
VEGAS AND OTHER LOCATIONS WHERE
VICE DOES FOLLOW THE GAMBLING,
AND AS WE CONTINUE TO INCREASE
WHAT IS BEING DONE HERE THERE AT
THE CHEROKEE NATION.
>> RALEIGH NEW GAMING DEAL WITH
THE CHEROKEE IS OVERWHELMINGLY
POPULAR IN THE STATE SENATE, THE
HOUSE HAS WITHHELD ITS FINAL
PROCEDURAL VOTE ON THE BILL
UNTIL EARLY NEXT WEEK.
THE CHAMBER SEEMS POISED TO
OFFER AMENDMENTS WHICH WILL BE
CONSIDERED BEFORE THAT THIRD AND
FINAL VOTE.
BACK TO THE SENATE, WHERE IT
BEGAN HEARINGS ON AN OIL AND GAS
EXPLORATION BILL.
THE PROPOSAL WOULD ESTABLISH
RULES FOR NATURAL GAS FRACKING
AND OFFSHORE OIL DRILLING,
ESTABLISH GUIDELINES FOR
BUILDING THE INFRASTRUCTURE
NEEDED TO SUPPORT AN EXPLORATION
INDUSTRY.
SENATOR BOB RUCHO SAYS THAT'S
WHAT HIS BILL IS ALL ABOUT,
INTRODUCING AN ENERGY COMPONENT
INTO NORTH CAROLINA'S ECONOMY.
>> NOT ONLY FOR WHAT JOBS MAY
COME FROM IT, BUT MORE
IMPORTANTLY, IN A VERY KEY
COMPONENT IS PROVIDING AN
AFFORDABLE AND A SUSTAINABLE
SOURCE OF ENERGY SO THAT OUR
ECONOMY WILL -- WE'LL MOVE OUR
ECONOMY AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY,
IT WILL CREATE A COMPETITIVE
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT SO OUR
BUSINESSES CANNOT ONLY STAY
HERE, BUT WE CAN ATTRACT GOOD
QUALITY BUSINESS HERE.
>> ALSO EXTENDS TO OFFSHORE
DRILLING, AND THAT RAISES A
CONCERN FOR ME.
IT DOESN'T SPECIFICALLY ADDRESS
ALL THE CONCERNS THAT WE HAVE.
I'M SURE THIS BILL WILL BE HEARD
AT LEAST ONE MORE TIME IN THIS
COMMITTEE BEFORE IT GOES TO THE
FLOOR.
>> SENATE LEADERS SAY THEY WILL
HEAR PUBLIC FEEDBACK NEXT WEEK.
WE WILL BE THERE.
THE COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY
EXPLORATION BILL ONCE CONTAINED
A PROVISION REQUIRING NEW SCHOOL
BUSES AND SOME STATE-OWNED
TRUCKS TO RUN ON COMPRESSED
NATURAL GAS.
THE EFFORT TO LAUNCH A NATURAL
GAS-POWERED STATE FLEET WILL
INSTEAD STAND AND BE DEBATED AS
ITS OWN PIECE OF LEGISLATION.
NEW SCHOOL BUSES WOULD BURN
NATURAL GAS AS THE OLD FLEET
PHASES OUT.
THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PURCHASE
THE NATURAL GAS BURNING VERSIONS
OF CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS.
THE SENATE PROMISES TO DISCUSS
THIS BILL MORE DEEPLY EARLY NEXT
WEEK.
THE SENATE HAS PASSED
LEGISLATION REDUCING SOME STATE
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS.
THE BILL CONTAINS MANY
COMPONENTS, BUT CLARIFIES THAT
DISCHARGING WASTE INTO STATE
WATERS WOULD NOT INCLUDE THE
RELEASE OF AIR CONTAMINANTS.
THE COMMISSION FOR PUBLIC HEALTH
WOULD RECEIVE THE OPTION, NOT
THE MANDATE, TO ADOPT NEW RULES
FOR TESTING NEW WATER WELLS.
IT WOULD ALSO ADJUST THE
DURATION OF PERMITS FOR WASTE
LANDFILLS.
>> IF YOU GO TO THE EXTENT THAT
A LOT OF FOLKS WANT TO GO, A
FARMER CANNOT GROW ENOUGH FOOD
FOR YOU TO HAVE FOR YOUR
CONSUMPTION.
>> THE BILL HEADS TO THE HOUSE
NEXT.
A BIPARTISAN HOUSE COMMITTEE
SUPPORTS GIVING LAWMAKERS CHARGE
OVER HOW DOROTHEA DIX HOSPITAL'S
PROPERTY GETS SOLD AND IF SOLD
WHERE THE PROCEEDS WILL GO.
A UNANIMOUS COMMITTEE VOTE
ENDORSES SUPPLANTING THE COUNCIL
OF STATE IN THE REAL ESTATE DEAL
IF ONE HAPPENS.
THERE'S A DESIRE TO SLOW THIS
PROPOSED SALE AND CLOSURE OF
DOROTHEA DIX.
IF THE SALE CANNOT BE STOPPED,
LAWMAKERS WANT THE MONEY TO BACK
THE DOROTHEA DIX MISSION.
>> I WANT TO BE SURE WE HAVE A
RIGHT TO SAY SOMETHING, THAT THE
PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO SAY
SOMETHING, AND THAT WE MAKE SURE
THAT MONEY GOES WHERE IT WAS
INTENDED.
>> IF DOWN THE ROAD THAT LAND IS
SOLD, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT
ANY PROCEEDS WOULD GO INTO THE
MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM TO SUPPORT
FOLKS WHO NEED MENTAL HEALTH
SERVICES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
>> THE FULL HOUSE HAS SCHEDULED
DEBATE FOR JUNE 4th.
WE'LL HAVE A LINK TO THE HOUSE
BUDGET BILL ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE
THIS WEEKEND.
IF YOU GO ONLINE, VISIT
facebook.com/legweek.
WE'LL BE TWEETING SOME LINKS AS
WELL VIA TWITTER.
MAKE SURE YOU ARE FOLLOWING
@ncnlegweek.
AND VIDEO CONTENT WILL BE POSTED
AT OUR WEB PAGE AT
unctv.org/legweek AND ON
YOUTUBE.
THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.
