Goodwin and Son
Rep. Melanie Goodwin is juggling her duties as a legislator and caring for her newborn son during this year's short session. Earlier this month, the Richmond County Democrat became the first lawmaker in state history to have a baby while holding office. Now she is bringing her son, Jackson, daily to the Legislative Building. She was back in her seat on the House floor when Speaker Joe Hackney brought the General Assembly to order Tuesday for the first time since last September. "I hope that young women who are concerned about serving in the Legislature and having a small child see this as an opportunity and wouldn't let it stand in their way," Goodwin said. "I think we can do both."
At Goodwin's request, Hackney's staff located an office at the General Assembly to serve as a nursery. Her family decorated the office before the delivery with a bassinet, changing table, rocking chair, wall hangings and rugs covered with animals and bright colors. Goodwin hired a nanny -- with personal funds -- who is caring for Jackson in the nursery while she attends committee meetings and receives visitors in her legislative office. Carol Teal, executive director of Lillian's List of North Carolina, which works to elect and support female Democratic candidates to the Legislature, said the accommodating environment Goodwin and the House have created for Jackson probably wouldn't have been available even 10 years ago. "We're really happy that with a support system that she can still be there and do the great job that she's done," Teal said.
(Gary D. Robertson, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, 5/14/08).
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Still Legal
Still Legal
An e-mail being circulated throughout the state seeks to alert people to a new law banning motorists from speaking on cell phones while driving starting July 1. The only problem is that it's completely untrue. The state has not implemented such a ban, and lawmakers indicate one isn't in coming anytime soon. ''It's another Internet hoax," said Rep. Mark Hilton, R-Catawba. The phantom law was to allow hands-free devices such as Blue Tooth technology. California's recent approval of a similar ban may have spurred the rumors, officials said. Hilton said he received many e-mails and phone calls from constituents on the issue in the past couple of weeks.
The General Assembly has taken action in recent years to limit some cell phone use while driving. Legislation in December 2006 banned cell phone use by teen drivers under age 18 while driving. In 2007, cell phone use was banned for school bus drivers transporting students. A bill that would ban hand held cell phone use passed a Senate judiciary committee last year, but stalled. Hilton and Sen. Austin Allran said the bill has little chance of passing anytime soon. ''I don't think there is much support for it," Hilton said. "I certainly don't support it."
(THE NEWS & RECORD, 5/14/08).
An e-mail being circulated throughout the state seeks to alert people to a new law banning motorists from speaking on cell phones while driving starting July 1. The only problem is that it's completely untrue. The state has not implemented such a ban, and lawmakers indicate one isn't in coming anytime soon. ''It's another Internet hoax," said Rep. Mark Hilton, R-Catawba. The phantom law was to allow hands-free devices such as Blue Tooth technology. California's recent approval of a similar ban may have spurred the rumors, officials said. Hilton said he received many e-mails and phone calls from constituents on the issue in the past couple of weeks.
The General Assembly has taken action in recent years to limit some cell phone use while driving. Legislation in December 2006 banned cell phone use by teen drivers under age 18 while driving. In 2007, cell phone use was banned for school bus drivers transporting students. A bill that would ban hand held cell phone use passed a Senate judiciary committee last year, but stalled. Hilton and Sen. Austin Allran said the bill has little chance of passing anytime soon. ''I don't think there is much support for it," Hilton said. "I certainly don't support it."
(THE NEWS & RECORD, 5/14/08).
Basnight & Berger
Basnight and Berger
Senate leader Marc Basnight said Wednesday that there won't be any tax increases this year. In a brief speech to the North Carolina Chamber Wednesday afternoon, Basnight said that the legislature will focus on boosting education and fixing the mental health care system. "I don't believe you'll see taxes this year whatsoever -- any kind of increase," said Basnight, D-Dare. Gov. Mike Easley has proposed raising alcohol and cigarette taxes to help pay for higher teachers' pay and improvements to the state's mental health care system.
Meanwhile, Senate Republican leader Phil Berger told the group that teachers should be paid differently. Berger said teachers should get extra pay for working in challenging environments or for taking jobs that school systems are having trouble filling, such as those in math, science and special education. "More money, blindly spent, by adding to existing strategies is not the right answer," he said. He criticized Easley's proposed budget for cutting a pilot program that used pay as an incentive to hire math and science teachers. Berger also called for the state to make "a serious commitment" to career, vocational and technical education.
(Dome, THE NEWS & OBSERVER, 5/15/08).
Senate leader Marc Basnight said Wednesday that there won't be any tax increases this year. In a brief speech to the North Carolina Chamber Wednesday afternoon, Basnight said that the legislature will focus on boosting education and fixing the mental health care system. "I don't believe you'll see taxes this year whatsoever -- any kind of increase," said Basnight, D-Dare. Gov. Mike Easley has proposed raising alcohol and cigarette taxes to help pay for higher teachers' pay and improvements to the state's mental health care system.
Meanwhile, Senate Republican leader Phil Berger told the group that teachers should be paid differently. Berger said teachers should get extra pay for working in challenging environments or for taking jobs that school systems are having trouble filling, such as those in math, science and special education. "More money, blindly spent, by adding to existing strategies is not the right answer," he said. He criticized Easley's proposed budget for cutting a pilot program that used pay as an incentive to hire math and science teachers. Berger also called for the state to make "a serious commitment" to career, vocational and technical education.
(Dome, THE NEWS & OBSERVER, 5/15/08).
Ethics Dispute
Ethics Dispute
A potential ethics violation involving an unnamed legislator is at the heart of a dispute over which state agency has the right to enforce state ethics laws. Republican State Auditor Les Merritt argues that it never hurts to have more watchdogs eyeing government officials. But lawmakers who supported the ethics laws -- approved in the wake of scandals involving lawmakers and public officials -- say their goal was to create a single, unbiased agency to keep an eye on public officials. On Wednesday, the legislature's ethics committee agreed to a bill that would prohibit the state auditor from investigating possible ethics law violations. Instead, the State Ethics Commission would have sole authority to enforce ethics laws.
Officials in Merritt's office argue that giving the ethics commission sole authority to investigate such matters would mean essentially that only the legislature can keep an eye on legislators. That's because the commission is required to turn over any findings it has about lawmakers to a legislative committee, which then determines whether any public action should be taken. Legislative leaders say there are good reasons -- based in politics and the state's constitution -- to keep the auditor out of the picture. The North Carolina Constitution prohibits executive branch agencies from sanctioning lawmakers. Senate leader Marc Basnight, D-Dare, said the law was designed to have a nonpartisan commission, not an elected official such as the auditor, review ethics cases. The commission includes four Democrats and four Republicans. "He's a political entity," Basnight said of Merritt. "He could be a Republican or a Democrat."
The issue surfaced when an anonymous tipster contacted the auditor's office about a potential ethics violation involving the legislator, wrote Tim Hoegemeyer, general counsel to in Merritt's office, in a letter to the Legislative Ethics Committee. Investigators pulled the legislator's ethics paperwork, listing property holdings, business interests, stock portfolios and other economic interests. In the course of its investigation, the auditor's office learned that the legislator, who has not been publicly identified, had asked the Ethics Commission for an advisory opinion. The commission, which is required to keep much of its work secret, declined to help. Merritt's office finished its investigation and drafted a report on the legislator. The report has yet to be released. The ethics commission says it cannot by law discuss the case.
Senate Minority Leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, said lawmakers shouldn't be too quick to shut out the auditor. Berger said he is concerned about the openness of ethics cases involving lawmakers. "It seems to me from a policy standpoint that a process that either has some independence or openness, or both, is what we need as much as possible," he said. Bob Phillips, executive director of Common Cause North Carolina, a nonpartisan government watchdog, said the state's new ethics system should be given a chance to work. He said he supports having the ethics commission enforce the ethics law. "I think it's fair to trust that a bipartisan committee is going to find the right answer," Phillips said.
(Benjamin Niolet, THE NEWS & OBSERVER, 5/15/08).
A potential ethics violation involving an unnamed legislator is at the heart of a dispute over which state agency has the right to enforce state ethics laws. Republican State Auditor Les Merritt argues that it never hurts to have more watchdogs eyeing government officials. But lawmakers who supported the ethics laws -- approved in the wake of scandals involving lawmakers and public officials -- say their goal was to create a single, unbiased agency to keep an eye on public officials. On Wednesday, the legislature's ethics committee agreed to a bill that would prohibit the state auditor from investigating possible ethics law violations. Instead, the State Ethics Commission would have sole authority to enforce ethics laws.
Officials in Merritt's office argue that giving the ethics commission sole authority to investigate such matters would mean essentially that only the legislature can keep an eye on legislators. That's because the commission is required to turn over any findings it has about lawmakers to a legislative committee, which then determines whether any public action should be taken. Legislative leaders say there are good reasons -- based in politics and the state's constitution -- to keep the auditor out of the picture. The North Carolina Constitution prohibits executive branch agencies from sanctioning lawmakers. Senate leader Marc Basnight, D-Dare, said the law was designed to have a nonpartisan commission, not an elected official such as the auditor, review ethics cases. The commission includes four Democrats and four Republicans. "He's a political entity," Basnight said of Merritt. "He could be a Republican or a Democrat."
The issue surfaced when an anonymous tipster contacted the auditor's office about a potential ethics violation involving the legislator, wrote Tim Hoegemeyer, general counsel to in Merritt's office, in a letter to the Legislative Ethics Committee. Investigators pulled the legislator's ethics paperwork, listing property holdings, business interests, stock portfolios and other economic interests. In the course of its investigation, the auditor's office learned that the legislator, who has not been publicly identified, had asked the Ethics Commission for an advisory opinion. The commission, which is required to keep much of its work secret, declined to help. Merritt's office finished its investigation and drafted a report on the legislator. The report has yet to be released. The ethics commission says it cannot by law discuss the case.
Senate Minority Leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, said lawmakers shouldn't be too quick to shut out the auditor. Berger said he is concerned about the openness of ethics cases involving lawmakers. "It seems to me from a policy standpoint that a process that either has some independence or openness, or both, is what we need as much as possible," he said. Bob Phillips, executive director of Common Cause North Carolina, a nonpartisan government watchdog, said the state's new ethics system should be given a chance to work. He said he supports having the ethics commission enforce the ethics law. "I think it's fair to trust that a bipartisan committee is going to find the right answer," Phillips said.
(Benjamin Niolet, THE NEWS & OBSERVER, 5/15/08).
Korean Vets
Korean Vets
Former Gov. Jim Hunt watched from the Senate chamber on Wednesday as a resolution honoring Korean War veterans was approved. A Hunt first cousin killed in the war, Lawrence Hunt, was cited in the resolution. Lobbyist Zeb Alley, also a Korean War veteran, explained that Lawrence Hunt's death brought about his first meeting with Jim Hunt. Alley and Lawrence Hunt had been best friends in Korea. But after being wounded, Alley returned home to North Carolina.
After his friend was killed, Alley attended Lawrence Hunt's funeral in Pleasant Garden, outside of Greensboro. There, he met 14-year-old Jim Hunt. Alley, of course, would eventually become a top Hunt aide. Another Korean War veteran, Sen. Charlie Dannelly, D-Mecklenburg, sponsored the resolution. He talked about the dire circumstances of the soldiers who served there. "I honor these men from the deepest part of my heart," Dannelly said.
(THE INSIDER, 5/15/08).
Former Gov. Jim Hunt watched from the Senate chamber on Wednesday as a resolution honoring Korean War veterans was approved. A Hunt first cousin killed in the war, Lawrence Hunt, was cited in the resolution. Lobbyist Zeb Alley, also a Korean War veteran, explained that Lawrence Hunt's death brought about his first meeting with Jim Hunt. Alley and Lawrence Hunt had been best friends in Korea. But after being wounded, Alley returned home to North Carolina.
After his friend was killed, Alley attended Lawrence Hunt's funeral in Pleasant Garden, outside of Greensboro. There, he met 14-year-old Jim Hunt. Alley, of course, would eventually become a top Hunt aide. Another Korean War veteran, Sen. Charlie Dannelly, D-Mecklenburg, sponsored the resolution. He talked about the dire circumstances of the soldiers who served there. "I honor these men from the deepest part of my heart," Dannelly said.
(THE INSIDER, 5/15/08).
Budget Push
Budget Push
House budget subcommittee chairs were given spending targets -- as much as $100 million dollars below amounts included in Gov. Mike Easley's budget -- as legislative budget writers pushed toward a timetable that has the General Assembly approving a spending plan by June 27. Figures released by legislative staff on Wednesday put estimated General Fund revenue at $21.179 billion, which was $353 million less than that in Easley's plan. The figures did not include $165 million in cigarette and alcohol tax increases endorsed by the governor and pretty much dismissed by legislative leaders.
The initial legislative proposal shows $183 million more put into Rainy Day Fund reserves and the Repair and Renovation Fund. Easley's budget put a total of $126 million into the two funds. Legislative budget writers acknowledged that the reserve amounts might change. "Every number is subject to change," said Sen. Linda Garrou, D-Forsyth, a co-chair of the Senate budget writing committee. "We need to look carefully at how we fit all these pieces of the puzzle together." Rep. Jim Crawford, D-Granville, said the House might well look at using some portion of the money as a way to finance state employee pay raises. State law requires that half of remaining fund balances at the end of the fiscal year be rolled into the two reserves.
The $309 million put into the reserves in the preliminary revenue availability would meet the statutory requirement based on an estimate that $619 million will remain unspent on June 30. Of course, the legislature makes the statutes. It could change the requirement or simply appropriate money from the reserves in the next fiscal year. Without any additional cuts to the budget, the figures show $485 million available for new spending. But teacher bonuses, education enrollment increases and $42 million to meet rising gasoline costs for school systems -- an item not included in Easley's budget -- reduced the amount to $289 million.
House budget writers are mulling over spending targets with a deadline to prepare a budget bill in three weeks. The same timeline has the House approving a budget bill by June 6, with the Senate voting on its plan two weeks later and budget negotiators starting to work through differences by June 20.
(THE INSIDER, 5/15/08).
House budget subcommittee chairs were given spending targets -- as much as $100 million dollars below amounts included in Gov. Mike Easley's budget -- as legislative budget writers pushed toward a timetable that has the General Assembly approving a spending plan by June 27. Figures released by legislative staff on Wednesday put estimated General Fund revenue at $21.179 billion, which was $353 million less than that in Easley's plan. The figures did not include $165 million in cigarette and alcohol tax increases endorsed by the governor and pretty much dismissed by legislative leaders.
The initial legislative proposal shows $183 million more put into Rainy Day Fund reserves and the Repair and Renovation Fund. Easley's budget put a total of $126 million into the two funds. Legislative budget writers acknowledged that the reserve amounts might change. "Every number is subject to change," said Sen. Linda Garrou, D-Forsyth, a co-chair of the Senate budget writing committee. "We need to look carefully at how we fit all these pieces of the puzzle together." Rep. Jim Crawford, D-Granville, said the House might well look at using some portion of the money as a way to finance state employee pay raises. State law requires that half of remaining fund balances at the end of the fiscal year be rolled into the two reserves.
The $309 million put into the reserves in the preliminary revenue availability would meet the statutory requirement based on an estimate that $619 million will remain unspent on June 30. Of course, the legislature makes the statutes. It could change the requirement or simply appropriate money from the reserves in the next fiscal year. Without any additional cuts to the budget, the figures show $485 million available for new spending. But teacher bonuses, education enrollment increases and $42 million to meet rising gasoline costs for school systems -- an item not included in Easley's budget -- reduced the amount to $289 million.
House budget writers are mulling over spending targets with a deadline to prepare a budget bill in three weeks. The same timeline has the House approving a budget bill by June 6, with the Senate voting on its plan two weeks later and budget negotiators starting to work through differences by June 20.
(THE INSIDER, 5/15/08).
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Debate over dollars not a substitute for funding mental health
Accounting: The debate over dollars is not substitute for funding mental health.
The N.C. House and Senate Republican leaders say they’re for it — appropriating whatever funds are necessary to “address deficiencies in the state’s mental health program.” The House majority leader seems sympathetic to it, too.
The Speaker calls mental health funding a “priority,” whatever that means. Priorities can be high, low or in between. But at least it shows interest, and that’s good.
With the governor also on board, how can it fail?
Easy as pie.
Gov. Easley is the only one who’s willing to dwell at length on the distinction between merely appropriating revenue and creating it. His preference is a booze tax that would generate $68 million to begin undoing the colossal mess the state made by trying to privatize mental health care in the name of “reform.”
Granted, Easley knows as well as the rest of them that (a) this is the “short” session, (b) the session may actually be short this year because the lawmakers are eager to adjourn and go campaign, (c) even a sin tax is a tough sell in an election year, (d) the surplus is smaller than last year’s and (e) the economy is on a down slope. If you want to dismiss this as political grandstanding, you’ll get plenty of agreement.
Eventually, though, all those other politicians who would never, ever engage in political grandstanding themselves will be closely watched as they seek ways to clean up behind themselves while working within existing revenues. Or as they backpedal away from a responsibility to fix what the legislature broke, including no few people who could have been given a shot at a normal life.
A year ago, with North Carolina belatedly owning up to the failure of reform, the state ranked 43rd in the nation in spending for mental health care. A federal monitor called the system “overwhelmed” and a private advocacy group protested the legislature’s perennial raids on the mental health budget. Some lawmakers sought to pretty things up with a one-time infusion of cash.
They’ll need stronger medicine than that this time around. Vulnerable people have been sent “home” by the thousands to communities in which the private sector either would not or did not rise to the challenge, leaving them to take up residence in hospitals and jails, under bridges and in other situations you can scarcely imagine. They’re waiting for help.
Those who survive will be waiting next year, too — unless the current crop of lawmakers demonstrates its great commitment by wringing what’s required out of a budget that is being twisted at both ends.
Fayetteville Observer Wednesday May 14, 2008
The N.C. House and Senate Republican leaders say they’re for it — appropriating whatever funds are necessary to “address deficiencies in the state’s mental health program.” The House majority leader seems sympathetic to it, too.
The Speaker calls mental health funding a “priority,” whatever that means. Priorities can be high, low or in between. But at least it shows interest, and that’s good.
With the governor also on board, how can it fail?
Easy as pie.
Gov. Easley is the only one who’s willing to dwell at length on the distinction between merely appropriating revenue and creating it. His preference is a booze tax that would generate $68 million to begin undoing the colossal mess the state made by trying to privatize mental health care in the name of “reform.”
Granted, Easley knows as well as the rest of them that (a) this is the “short” session, (b) the session may actually be short this year because the lawmakers are eager to adjourn and go campaign, (c) even a sin tax is a tough sell in an election year, (d) the surplus is smaller than last year’s and (e) the economy is on a down slope. If you want to dismiss this as political grandstanding, you’ll get plenty of agreement.
Eventually, though, all those other politicians who would never, ever engage in political grandstanding themselves will be closely watched as they seek ways to clean up behind themselves while working within existing revenues. Or as they backpedal away from a responsibility to fix what the legislature broke, including no few people who could have been given a shot at a normal life.
A year ago, with North Carolina belatedly owning up to the failure of reform, the state ranked 43rd in the nation in spending for mental health care. A federal monitor called the system “overwhelmed” and a private advocacy group protested the legislature’s perennial raids on the mental health budget. Some lawmakers sought to pretty things up with a one-time infusion of cash.
They’ll need stronger medicine than that this time around. Vulnerable people have been sent “home” by the thousands to communities in which the private sector either would not or did not rise to the challenge, leaving them to take up residence in hospitals and jails, under bridges and in other situations you can scarcely imagine. They’re waiting for help.
Those who survive will be waiting next year, too — unless the current crop of lawmakers demonstrates its great commitment by wringing what’s required out of a budget that is being twisted at both ends.
Fayetteville Observer Wednesday May 14, 2008
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