The General Assembly moved along with its business this week and we are starting to see some more substantive legislation come through our chamber.
The key piece of legislation that we considered in the House this week was a bill that originated in the Senate calling for $75 million in cuts to job creation and small business development programs. The bulk of that money — $67.5 million — would come out of the Golden Leaf Foundation. The foundation is funded by money from the national tobacco settlement and is used to help communities where tobacco plays or played an important part in the life of the community.
The legislation would also cut $5.2 million from the One North Carolina fund to help attract business and $3 million cut in Job Development Investment Grants.
This bill comes at exactly the wrong time for North Carolina, and for that reason I opposed the legislation, though it still passed with the new Republican majority in favor of it. Now is the time to redouble our efforts to attract new business and industry, not attempt to gut those efforts.
All of these programs have strong proven track records in job creation. Golden Leaf has created 4,300 jobs and more than $900 million in investment since 2008. The One North Carolina Fund has helped bring 24,000 jobs and $9.5 billion in private investment since 2000, and JDIG has attracted nearly 47,000 jobs and $8.4 billion in private investment since 2003.
But instead of leveraging state money to help build our workforce, our new majority has decided on an approach that will kill jobs and stifle investment. I believe that most of you agree that it is sending our state down the wrong path.
In the meantime, I want to share some information about some key bills introduced this week. I hope you find this information useful and that you will call upon me if I can be of any assistance.
Thank you as always for your interest in state government.
Education
New legislation proposes eliminating any standardized testing in the schools that is not required by the federal government. The bill (H 48) is expected to reduce testing costs and allow more time for instruction in the schools. If the legislation is approved, it would eliminate end-of-course tests for United States History; Civics and Economics; Algebra II and Physical Science, among other tests.
A proposal filed this week asks the state to spend $500,000 so that the North Carolina PTA can continue its successful Parent Involvement/Dropout Prevention Initiative. (H 51).
Crime
Registered sex offenders would be prohibited from getting or renewing their Emergency Medical Service credentials under legislation filed this week. (H 59).
Any person convicted of misdemeanor larceny three or more times could be charged as a habitual criminal and sentenced as a felon. (H 54)
Notes
Gov. Perdue will be visiting the General Assembly on Monday, Feb. 14, to deliver her State of the State address. I will provide you with more information about her visit next week.
A new High Point University poll found that 62 percent of those questioned expected Republican leaders in North Carolina to cooperate with the governor. It also found that while many people continue to be pessimistic about the economy, that number is decreasing. For full results, visit http://src.highpoint.edu/.
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.