Greetings from Raleigh!
During the 2007 session of the General Assembly, the Senate cast over 1238 votes. Senators Richard Stevens, Tony Foriest, and Andrew Brock had a 100% voting record. At the other end of the spectrum, Republican gubernatorial hopeful Fred Smith cast votes 74.31% of the time, missing over 300 votes out of 1238 cast.
The link to the table below compares my voting record to some of my colleagues. Note there are two Bergers in the Senate. Phil Berger is the minority leader for the Republican Party.
The table also includes the percentage of votes each member voted against the majority. Senator Kinnaird had the highest percentage of votes against the majority by a Democrat, voting against the majority 2.6% of the time. Senator Pittenger had the highest percentage of votes against the majority by a Republican, voting against the majority 10.1% of the time. As you can readily see, most votes cast on the floor usually generate little disagreement between the Democrats and Republicans.
For the next few weeks, I will continue to offer my “Top Ten” lists of legislative actions for this session. This week it is the top ten initiatives in education. It was difficult to narrow this list just to ten items as no function of government was given more attention than education, the biennial budget increasing by over $1 billion to improve education for North Carolina children at every level.
TOP TEN MOST IMPORTANT LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS ON EDUCATION
1. Medicaid Relief for the Counties with Local 1/2 Cent Sales Tax Option or Transfer Tax Option
The General Assembly adopted a three year phase out of the county share for Medicaid. After the third year, the State will be entirely responsible for State match for participation in the Medicaid program. Medicaid costs are growing at a rate above 9% annually.
Over 48 counties are currently spending more local property tax dollars on Medicaid than they are spending on public school construction. Some counties, such as Warren and Vance counties, are close to spending more local tax dollars on Medicaid than on public schools.
Counties will no longer have to absorb and tax for the growth in Medicaid costs. This policy shift increases the opportunity for more local dollars to be spent on school construction.
Furthermore, the voters in each county can authorize their County Commission to levy a 1/4 cent sales tax or a .4% transfer tax that can be used for local school construction.
2. Salary Increases and Benefits for Public School Teachers
The General Assembly has committed to raise teacher salaries above the national average by 2009 in order to attract and retain quality teachers. Last year, teacher pay was increased 8.2% on average, the largest increase since 1984. This year, teacher pay was raised 5% on average. Over the past three years, a starting teacher’s pay has increased from $25,420.00 to $29,750.00.
In addition, teachers will continue to receive built in steps to increase their salaries on an annual basis, recognizing the contributions of experienced teachers. A 31st step increase was authorized to encourage teachers to teach a 31st year before retiring. Existing law that allows retired teachers to return to work in the classroom six months after retirement has been extended. New legislation allows teachers to convert unused personal leave time to sick leave. Sick leave can be converted to creditable service towards retirement. Prior to this change, teachers would lose personal leave time if they did not use it.
3. Ensuring a Debt-free College Education
$100 million was appropriated for EARN (Education Access Rewards North Carolina). EARN ensures that all children of North Carolinians who have family incomes less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level can obtain two years of college debt free. It is estimated that up to 25,000 students will be eligible when the program is fully implemented.
4. Differential Pay Pilot Project
Over $11.5 million was authorized for a three year pilot project to permit up to five school systems to experiment with individualized teacher recruitment and retention bonuses.
5. Increasing Internet Connectivity So Students Anywhere Can Take College Courses
$11.5 million was appropriated for Learn and Earn Online. Public schools, community colleges, and the University of North Carolina will use the appropriation to improve technology, high speed Internet access, and multi-media facilities to bring college courses to students who need them. There are 277 high schools that now have the connectivity necessary. By the fall of 2008, the remaining 129 high schools will be fully connected.
6. Expanding High School Reform
$3.1 million was authorized to open nine additional Learn and Earn schools this school year. Learn and Earn offers students the opportunity to graduate with a high school diploma and a college associates degree after just five years of study. By the fall of 2008, Learn and Earn will be available in up to 70 high schools across the State.
7. Ready to Learn
This legislation moves back the cutoff birthday for when children can enter kindergarten, ensuring that fewer 4-year-olds will enter kindergarten. Prior to the passage of this legislation, students who turned age 5 before October 5 could be required to enter school. Now, students would have to turn 5 years old on or before Aug. 31 to automatically enter kindergarten. Younger students who do not turn age 5 until October often are not able to sit still and pay attention to lessons or work independently. That is particularly true for students who have not gone to preschool or had other exposure to more academic learning situations.
8. Teacher’s Aides to be Paid at Salary Grade Level 56
After ten long years of being paid at pay Grade 54, the General Assembly increased the salaries of teacher assistants to Grade 56.
7. Funds for Instructional Equipment at Our Community Colleges
The budget includes $10 million for the purchase of instructional equipment at all 58 community colleges. An additional $15 million was authorized for grants to community colleges for facility and equipment needs.
8. Capital Projects for the Public University System
The State is borrowing over $400 million dollars to fund university capital projects, including $53 million for the construction of a graduate school of nanoscience and nanoengineering facility at a campus jointly run by UNC-G and NC A & T, and $34 million for a college of engineering facility at NC State.
North Carolina has the capacity to borrow $2 billion and still maintain its Triple A bond rating.
As the heat wave continues with a lack of rain, we all need to be aware of water conservation measures. It is important for all of us to do what we can to conserve our energy and water resources. Be good to yourself and to others.
Again, thank you for allowing me to represent you in the North Carolina General Assembly. Always feel free to contact me with your concerns, and I will do my best to help in any way that I can.
Sincerely,
Doug Berger