The new majority missed a chance for a show of bipartisanship last week.
At issue was the Balanced Budget Act (Senate Bill 13) that authorized Gov. Beverly Perdue to cut $400 million from the current year budget. In the bill were provisions to chop funding from specific programs. The problem I and many Democrats had was the $75 million in reductions to three vital jobs-creation programs that have provided tens of thousands of employment opportunities in North Carolina. I offered an amendment to the bill to take out cuts to the programs—the One North Carolina Fund, the Job Development Investment Grants, and the Golden LEAF Funds—but it was rejected strictly along party lines. The vote was 30-18 against the amendment. The Balanced Budget Act could have won support from both parties if these key elements had been taken out of the bill. Here’s a link to video of proceedings: Senate Bill 13.
“This will cripple North Carolina’s ability to attract industry to our state,” said Franklin County Economic Development Director Ronnie Goswick. “Virginia has redoubled their efforts. They have a tremendous amount of money they are spending (on recruitment). We have been competitive in the past but without these funds, we won’t continue to be. This will be a hard blow for North Carolina.”
Last year, Franklin County employed 72 new hires from the One NC Fund, and Granville County was able to recruit 42 jobs from the program. Statewide, 25,000 jobs were created in 2009-2010 from One NC Grants and Job Development Investment Grants. The Golden LEAF fund has created or retained more than 33,000 jobs in North Carolina since 2009 and provided $150 million in new payroll for the state.
Mental Health Workers Public Forum
I attended a public hearing this past weekend in Goldsboro that focused on mental health workers and their concerns about workplace safety, understaffing and low wages, among other things. Workers at the forum aired their grievances over what they perceive is the failures of mental health care reform in North Carolina. Organizers called for a Mental Health Workers Bill of Rights that would guarantee working condition standards needed to provide quality care. Budget cuts over recent years have meant a decrease in the amount of money spent on mental health care by the state. NBC-17 covered a short story on the event: mental health care workers story.
Protecting Our Homes
On Monday I introduced the Castle Doctrine, along with Sen. Andrew Brock and Sen. Kathy Harrington, which gives a broader view of acceptable force used in protecting one’s home from someone breaking in. Sen. Brock is a Republican representing Davie and Rowan counties, and Sen. Harrington is a Republican from Gastonia. The bill gives a person the legal right to use deadly force to defend their home (or “castle”) and any other innocent person legally inside it when a person illegally enters a person’s home Here’s a copy of the bill: Castle Doctrine. Several states have adopted a Castle Doctrine, and here in North Carolina I think it’s a true bipartisan issue that we can get behind. It’s all about our fundamental right to defend oneself and one’s family from harm.
Charter Schools Update
Sweeping changes have been proposed to North Carolina’s charter school law, including eliminating the current 100-school cap, creating a commission to license them and new potential funding avenues. Senate Bill 8 has passed its first reading and was referred to the Senate Committee on Education/Higher Education last week.
The bill could open the door to let charter schools get funds from the state lottery in order to buy land and buildings and would mark the most dramatic changes since the law authorized these alternative schools in 1996. I support lifting the cap on charter schools, but there are details that need to be worked out. For example, is setting up a new bureaucracy to oversee the schools a best use of tax payer dollars? And I want to make sure that the new charters are accessible to all children, not an exclusive few. If the bill is done correctly, it could garner bipartisan support.
Intern Needed
My office is currently seeking an intern to work this semester. Interns must work a 24-hour week Tuesday-Thursday during business hours. I’m looking for a mature graduate or undergraduate student with an interest in state politics. To apply, fill out a N.C. General Assembly Employment Application. Make sure you indicate you want to work in my office as an intern. Then call 919-715-8363 to set up an appointment for an interview.
As always I welcome your comments on this newsletter or anything else that concerns you. My office is here to help in whatever manner we can. It is an honor to serve as your Senator, and I will do everything in my power to live up to that honor.
Sincerely,
Doug Berger