We received notice this week that with the passage of the federal stimulus bill, North Carolina is on track to receive about $6.1 billion over the next 27 months.
The governor’s office and members of the General Assembly are working diligently to determine how the money will be best spent.
Governor Perdue has already announced 70 highway and bridge projects that will soon get under way across the state. These 70 projects will be paid for with $466 million in federal stimulus money. The money is half of what the state will receive for transportation projects and had to be obligated within four months. It is expected to create about 14,000 jobs for the state.
Even as our focus remains on the state’s fiscal situation, we have also remained busy with other matters. Below are a few of the bills filed recently that you many be interested in, including several that would help members of our military.
As always, feel free to contact my office if you need any assistance.
Military
The state would add two more family assistance centers to help military personnel and their families under a bill filed in the House (H15). The additional centers would cost an estimated $600,000.
The Division of Motor Vehicles would be allowed to waive the commercial motor vehicles skills test for qualified military personnel who have operated similar vehicles for at least two years prior to applying to the state. The bill (H271) also waives the requirement if the applicants have completed similar skills test while in the military
Money would be appropriated to the North Carolina Military Business Center according to a bill filed in the House (H58). If enacted, the legislation would appropriate $1.25 million for 2009-10 and $1.25 million for 2010-11 to the community college system for the center. The center helps assist businesses in the state win federal contracts and helps develop business originating from the state’s military bases.
Education/Dropout Prevention
Legislation has been filed that would shorten the waiting period between retirement and re-employment for retired teachers, so that teachers may return to the classroom without a loss of retirement benefits (H229). Existing law requires teachers to not work for at least six months after retirement or risk losing retirement benefits. This bill would reduce the waiting period to four months.
Money would be appropriated for the North Carolina PTA Parent Involvement/Dropout Prevention initiative according to a bill filed in the House this week (H308). If enacted, the legislation would appropriate $1.5 million for the 2009-2010 fiscal year and $1.5 million in recurring funds for the 2010-2011 fiscal year to the North Carolina Congress of Parents and Teachers Inc., a nonprofit organization, for the continuation of the North Carolina PTA Parent Involvement/Dropout Prevention Initiative.
Recycling
Restaurants, bars and other establishments with ABC licenses already required to recycle would receive a tax credit of up to $500 annually based on how much they recycle under legislation filed in the House this week (H249).
Health
The Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Branch of the Division of Public Health in the Department of Health and Human Services would receive $700,000 over the next two years for a public awareness campaign about stroke signs and symptoms and the importance of immediate response. The bill (H267) specifies that the money would be spent as part of a partnership with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.
Notes
Members of the General Assembly honored the life and memory of Thomas Ghio “Sonny Boy” Joyner this week with a resolution (H131). In addition to honoring Joyner, state lawmakers joined the citizens of Weldon in recognizing the town as the Rockfish Capital of the World.
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 session, committee meetings and press conferences on the General Assembly’s website. Once on the site, select “audio,” and then make your selection — House Chamber, Senate Chamber, Appropriations Committee Room or Press Conference Room.