The Senate approved its version of the state budget on Thursday, clearing the way for negotiations on a final version to begin.
Like the House, the Senate budget focuses on education, health care and bolstering the state’s economy. Both plans offer pay raises of 3 percent for teachers and 2.75 percent or $1,100, whichever is greater, for state employees. Both proposals also set aside $50 million for tax credits, but differ in how the money would be used. Negotiators from each chamber will be appointed soon and discussions to work out the differences are expected to begin soon. Each chamber will have to approve the compromise before sending it to Gov. Mike Easley for his approval.
We continue to work on important changes in our laws that will make our communities and our children safer. The House passed several of those changes this week, and I will share more information about them with you.
If you would like information about anything else or if I can be of help to you, please let me know. Thank you as always for your interest in state government.
Public Safety
Convicted sex offenders would be banned from using social networking Web sites such as MySpace and Facebook under legislation unanimously approved in the House this week. The bill (S132) would make it a felony for people convicted of sex crimes to use the sites and also prohibit them from changing their names to avoid showing up on the state’s registered sex offender list. Attorney General Roy Cooper says the plan will allow law enforcement officials to better protect children. The proposal now returns to the Senate.
The House approved a measure (S1358) that would require county Juvenile Crime Prevention Councils to assess the needs of juveniles who are at risk of gang activity, to determine what services exist to address those needs and to develop strategies to intervene and respond to those needs. The bill also requires the state council to review the level of gang activity throughout the state and to assess the progress and accomplishments of the state and of local governments in preventing gangs and addressing the needs of at-risk juveniles. The bill now returns to the Senate for concurrence.
Vandalism that causes more than $5,000 in damage would be a low-grade felony under a bill given final legislative approval this week. Existing law makes vandalism no matter what the dollar amount a misdemeanor. The revised law would make damage worth more than $5,000 punishable by up to 12 months in prison. First-time offenders would receive community service. The bill now awaits the signature of Gov. Mike Easley.
Education
The House voted this week to continue the work of the Joint Legislative Commission on Dropout Prevention and High School graduation. The commission was formed last year to evaluate the programs that receive dropout grants and decide whether expanding or replicating them will improve graduation rates in the state. The commission is also reviewing research on student success, studying major middle and high school reform efforts and how they may influence the dropout rate, reviewing the courses required for graduation and determining whether changes should be made and determining which strategies best help students remain in school when they are at risk of being retained. The House has budgeted $15 million for dropout prevention grants in the coming year, while the Senate has set aside $8 million.
Justice
Torture and forced disappearances would become felonies under a bill that received the approval of a House committee this week. Sponsors say the bill (HB2417) would make it easier for the state to investigate North Carolina-based contractors accused of helping the CIA transport suspected terrorists overseas, where they are tortured. The bill now goes to the House Appropriations Committee.
Transportation
North Carolina driver’s licenses would get turned on their side for young people under a bill approved by the House this week. The measure (H2487) is intended to make purchasing alcohol more difficult by formatting the licenses vertically rather than horizontally for people under 21. The change would require the license to be turned a different way to be read and make it easier for store clerks and bartenders to recognize when an underage person is attempting to purchase alcohol. The Senate has passed a similar bill.
Notes
The House observed a moment of silence Thursday for Trooper David Shawn Blanton Jr. Trooper Blanton was killed Tuesday night during a traffic stop along Interstate 40 in Haywood County. Blanton, 24, of Cherokee, was a two-year veteran of the patrol. He was married and had a two-week-old child. The man accused in Trooper Blanton’s shooting death has been arrested.
Meetings/Events
I plan to attend the following meetings/events:
Please invite me to attend your county, city, community or civic, etc. meetings or events.
As I’ve said many times before, I hope you will continue to let me know how you feel about the issues that are being debated by the North Carolina Legislature and the challenges you and your family are facing each day.
By working together, we can make Northampton, Vance and Warren Counties and all regions of North Carolina a better place to live, work and raise a family.
Please remember that you can listen to each day’s committee meetings and press conferences on the General Assembly’s website. Once on the site, select “audio,” and then make your selection — Appropriations Committee Room or Press Conference Room. You can also use the website to look up bills, view lawmaker biographies and access other information.