The Raleigh Report
From the Office of Cullie Tarleton
June 2, 2008
Good leaders must constantly re-evaluate their plans if they are going to address the critical needs of our state. After establishing an agenda last year for this two-year session, the Democratic majority in the House has followed it up with a one-page action plan for this short session. This action plan will really help us stay on track so that we can improve on the good work of last year and address new challenges, such as the trying economy and the continuing drought. Many of these priorities will be addressed through our budget, which may be approved by the House in the coming week. I will share information about that with you after it receives approval.
Thank you for your support and interest in state government. Please contact my office (culliet@ncleg.net) if you would like a copy of the action plan or if I can help in any other way.
Helping Families Make Ends Meet
These days everyone is feeling the pinch of a tight economy. North Carolina is faring better than many other states because of our sound fiscal policies and we remain one of the few states in the nation without budget problems this year. Still, many people in this state need financial relief and we intend to provide it. Last year, we worked hard to establish an Earned Income Tax Credit that is expected to benefit about 800,000 people who make about $40,000 or less. This session, we plan to increase that credit. We will also find ways to lower the mortgage foreclosure rate, encourage new businesses and help small businesses. Our state workers and retirees will get cost-of-living increases and those people looking for jobs can count on strengthened job training programs at our community colleges.
Improving Education
We all want to see our children succeed and get the best education possible. In our effort to do that last year, we helped move our teachers’ pay closer to the national average, increased financial aid funding and gave our state universities and community colleges more money for their needs. We also approved programs to help more students finish high school and graduate from college debt free. During the short session, we plan to again increase teacher pay, expand our dropout prevention efforts and help more students get through college.
Expanding Access to Health Care
In North Carolina, thousands of children still lack health insurance, which is unacceptable. My colleagues and I have agreed that this session we will continue to expand health care coverage to children who meet federal qualifications for Medicaid or Health Choice. We also pledge to create a health care policy council to address issues of health care access, minority health and other health related issues.
We must also improve public confidence in our public mental health system. We took a major step last year toward better care for people with mental illnesses by approving a law that requires insurance companies to cover most severe mental illnesses the same way they cover physical illnesses. Now, we will follow that up by providing stronger oversight and expanding services for people with mental illnesses, developmental disabilities and substance abuse problems. I’m getting more and more calls and emails from constituents about mental health. I’m determined to see improvements in the system.
Supporting Our Military
We will continue to recognize the service of our military members which of course includes the brave men and women of our North Carolina National Guard and the sacrifices of their families. During the long session we passed laws to protect them from predatory insurance companies and established three assistance centers to help them and their families. This year, we will change the law to allow tuition-free education at a North Carolina community college or University of North Carolina system school for dependent children of veterans who are killed while serving our country. We will also give a property tax exemption to veterans who have a 100 percent service-connected disability and set aside more money for mental health, substance abuse and traumatic brain injury services for returning war veterans.
Protecting the Environment
North Carolina is one of the nation’s fastest growing states, and we must continue to ensure our forests, parks, historic downtowns, wildlife sanctuaries and stream borders are protected for generations to come. Doing so is essential to our state’s economy, air and water quality, our heritage and the health of our people.
We must also demonstrate environmental stewardship by working to reduce the effects of current and future droughts and to help reduce energy consumption. This year, we will again provide grants for energy efficiency to state agencies and we will give consumers a sales tax holiday for energy-efficient appliances. Unfortunately, the drought is not over. All of us should continue to conserve water.
Ensuring Prosperous and Safe Communities
There is no question about it. We must have safe communities. We worked last year to strengthen laws to protect victims of domestic violence and to protect children from sexual abuse. We funded initiatives to help with these issues as well as grants to prevent gang violence and curb illegal immigration. We will continue that work this year, along with strengthening our juvenile justice system and reforming our probation and parole services.
Improving Transportation
During the interim, several members served on the Blue Ribbon 21st Century Transportation Committee to address transportation needs. Locally, Richard Blackburn, Chairman of the Ashe County Commissioners served on this committee. The House will enact several of the committee’s recommendations this session. Some of the recommendations include beginning to phase out the transfer of money from the state Highway Trust Fund to the General Fund and providing additional funding for toll roads that will relieve congestion.
Strengthening Confidence in Government
During the long session we passed laws to bring more transparency to state government, punish dishonest officials and make participating in government easier. We will expand on these efforts to maintain our ethics and campaign laws through the State Ethics Commission and the State Board of Elections.
Notes
Last week was another very busy week in the General Assembly. Since the House will do their budget first, that pretty much occupied all our time. The Education Appropriations Committee on which I serve approved our budget. We weren’t able to do all we’d like, but given the current economic conditions, we did all we could. Current raises include 3% for teachers and administrators, 2.75% (or 1100 whichever is higher) for state employees and 2.2% COLA for state retirees. I know this is disappointing for some but given our current economic situation it’s the best we can do at the current time. Some states aren’t giving any increases because they face a budget shortfall. Fortunately, we have at least a few dollars to work with and we’re doing this without raising taxes. This is not the time to be raising taxes even on beer and cigarettes in my judgment.
I mentioned a few weeks ago that we might be able to change the lottery distribution for our western counties. We have reached an agreement for 08-09 that should result in more money for both Ashe and Watauga.
I attended a National Guard breakfast last Thursday morning in the legislature cafeteria and learned that by this time next year; almost half of our 12,000 guard members will be deployed. That’s why I introduced a bill to increase the number of Family Assistance Centers. At least one of the new centers would be in northwestern North Carolina.
I introduced and co-sponsored a number of bills last week. You can go to the General Assembly (House) web site for a complete list.
|
