A number of substantive bills are working through our committees and will soon reach the House floor.
I want to let you know this week about one of them, Senate Bill 8, which I believe will damage the quality of our traditional public schools if it goes into law.
Thank you as always for your interest in state government. I hope you will be in touch with me if I can provide any service.
Education
Senate Bill 8 is now in the House of Representatives after being approved in the Senate and could come up for a vote during this coming week. This bill is more than an effort to merely lift the cap on the number of charter schools in North Carolina, as the title suggests. This bill would fundamentally change the oversight and funding of charter schools, and in doing so it would endanger the quality of education provided in traditional public schools.
I am joining with many of my colleagues to oppose this bill. If it becomes law, it will:
Courts
A new bill approved unanimously in the House will provide men relief in some cases from child support payments if it is determined they were wrongly determined to be the father of the child. The bill (H55) spells out specific instances when the law would be applied. It now goes to the Senate.
Municipalities
I joined this week with many of my colleagues to protect the rights of people who live within our cities. I opposed bills that repealed annexations in Kinston and Lexington. Supporters of the bills argue that the annexations were involuntary and that they are being challenged in court. I voted against the bills because they create situations where people live on the fringes of a town and use the town’s resources, but are never called upon to help pay for those services. The residents of the cities then bear increased costs for transportation and public safety. (H5 and H37)
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.