Covenant with North Carolina ’s Children
Bi-weekly Update
July 8, 2008
*Due to the Fourth of July holiday
In this update:
NC Child Care Coalition 2008 Session Update
Juvenile Justice Update
NC Child Care Coalition 2008 Session
Alert # 13
Monday July 7, 2008
STATE BUDGET AGREEMENT REACHED LATE ON JULY 3
Background
Shortly after both the State House and Senate adjourned on Thursday, July 3 for the Holiday weekend, President Pro Tem Marc Basnight and Speaker Joe Hackney met for the last time to iron out a few items in the budget where House and Senate budget conferees could not find a consensus. When agreement was reached the Conferees signed on to what is called the Conference Report on the Budget and then left town. Note: Both the “Money” Report and the budget is on-line. The end of this alert will direct you to the two documents.
What Happens Next?
The adoption of the Conference Report for the $21.3 billion budget plan for fiscal year 2008-2009 will receive its first of two votes on Monday night, July 7 (the second and final vote will be the next day and then the budget will be sent to the Governor for his signature). Note: There can be no changes to the Conference Report on the floor of the House or Senate. It is just a straight up or down vote (with speechifying, of course).
What Happened with our N.C. Child Care Coalition Priorities for 2008?
On a positive note, three of our four priorities (Smart Start, T.E.A.C.H., and the child care subsidy waiting list) all received higher funding, although increased child care subsidy funds to serve more families from the waiting list were accomplished through federal block grant transfers; not increased state general revenue funds. The one item not included in the budget was any change in child care subsidy market rates. Without significant support for new state subsidy funding, a rate increase was next to impossible this year. We will continue to work on this item. Here are the details on our issues:
Smart Start: An additional $500,000. In the end, the Conferees took the lower amount, the House position. Note: The $500,000 is added to the new $4+ million appropriated for 2008-009 from the long session budget. The line item for Smart Start can be found in the “Money” Report, item # 21 on Page G-3.
T.E.A.C.H.: The amount was the same in both House and Senate budgets, $100,000. The amount will help the program keep up with inflationary costs. The line item for T.E.A.C.H. can be found in the “Money” Report, item # 19 on Page G-2.
Child Care Subsidy: The budget reflects the position of the House on subsidy; state funding reductions and increased TANF block grant transfers for child care subsidy. The line items for Child Care Subsidies can be found in the “Money” Report, items 16 & 17 on Page G2. The special provisions can be found in the budget document (House Bill 2436, Modify Appropriations Act of 2007). First: CHILD CARE FUNDS MATCHING REQUIREMENT. The special provision was the same in both House and Senate; increasing the local match requirement from 15% to 20% if local purchasing agencies request additional funds above $25,000 over their initial allocation. The Department will continue to evaluate the effect on local purchasing agencies and whether the
matching requirement should be adjusted [in future years]. The provision is on page 47-48.
Second: The Block Grants (for child care) remain the same as the House version related to the TANF transfers. Pages 84-90 cover the Block Grants that include child care subsidy. Note: For those who really follow the Block Grant numbers carefully, you will see a change on page 90, line 13, 04. Quality and Availability Initiatives. Both the House and Senate versions had $27,000,000. The amount should have been $27,298,901 and was corrected by the budget conferees.
Other Items of Interest to the NC Child Care Coalition
More at Four: The Governor got most of what he wanted, but not all of the $41 million requested. More at Four will receive an additional $30 million in recurring dollars. The line item for More at Four can be found in the “Money” Report, item # 26 on Page F – 4. Note: the explanation (“the snappy” in legislative jargon) under this item reads: “Expands program that provides high-quality pre-K services to eligible four-year olds.” The Governor’s proposal stipulated a rate increase for all slots. The House budget stipulated a small amount increase and the Senate version reflects this current language. The budget leadership went round and round on this issue: slots? rates? They decided to go with the Governor’s suggestion to give him and the More at Four office flexibility on how to allocate the new money. We made it clear to the Governor’s “people” that a rate adjustment is critical. They understand the need so let’s see what they will do. More at Four Study. The conferees went with the Senate version to require an annual More at Four study but they did revise the language for the study. The study can be found in the budget document on Page 28.
Tax Changes: 1) The House plan to increase the state Earned Income Tax Credit to 5% from the
current 3.5% was delayed one year to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2009. 2) The Small Business Health Benefits Tax Credit, due to expire January 1, 2009, was extended to January 1, 2010. Note: There is no change in the value of the credit. Previous versions had increased the credit value. Both tax changes can be found in the budget document on Page 207.
Where Can I Go to Read These Fascinating Documents? www.ncleg.net
New Conference Committee Substitute on House Bill 2436, Modify Appropriations Act of 2007, approved by conference committee, July 3, 2008 (the Budget document, 237 pages)
New The Joint Conference Committee Report on the Continuation, Expansion, and Capital Budget s for House Bill 2436, Modify Appropriations Act of 2007, July 3, 2008 (the “Money” Report)
Does This Mean the Short Session is Over?
NO! Once the budget is passed there usually is at least a week or more of legislative activity, including passage of a “technical corrections” bill, an “appointments” bill, and lots of other policy bills that were eligible for this session but have not made it through the entire process yet. This can be a very scary time at the Legislature. Eternal vigilance is required.
Will I Be Hearing from the NC Child Care Coalition Again This Session?
Yes! There will be more alerts (if needed) as well as a short update on the final days of the session and whom to thank. Then a longer report will be written and sent out to the Coalition after a little rest and recuperation.
Juvenile Justice Update
In the Juvenile Justice area several items are included in the negotiated budget:
The funding for JCPC programs was restored to its current level as a recurring item in the budget.
$500,000 was added to the JCPC funding as a recurring budget item.
A feasibility study was authorized to determine the effectiveness of JCPC programs. This study is to be conducted by the Sentencing Commission in conjunction with DJJDP.
The formula by which JCPC funds are distributed is to be studied and recommendations submitted to the legislature.
The Governor’s Crime Commission was authorized to conduct a study regarding raising the age of jurisdiction of the juvenile court to age 17.
Advocates for juvenile justice were told before and early in the session that we would be fortunate to succeed in getting the full JCPC funding restored.
Numbers 1, 2, 4 & 5 represent a significant victory for the many people and organizations that worked on this area. Number 3 represents a continuing frustration by the legislature to get what they perceive as appropriate information from the department.
Covenant with North Carolina 's Children, Inc.
(919) 649-2449
info@nccovenant.org
PO Box 28268
Raleigh, NC 27611
www.capwiz.com/cwncc
*Blog Editor Note* NASW-NC is a member and co-lobbies on issues for this coalition.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
NASW Endorses Barack Obama for President in 2008
The National Association of Social Workers enthusiastically endorses Barack Obama for President in 2008. Mr. Obama holds the ideals of the profession in high regard as evidenced by his support of important legislation such as the Mental Health Parity Act, End Racial Profiling Act, and Healthy Families Act.
Mr. Obama attended Columbia University and moved to Chicago after graduation to become a community organizer in the tradition of Saul Alinksy and in the hometown of legendary social worker Jane Addams. He spent several years working to transform the South Side of Chicago and once noted, “It’s as a consequence of working with this organization and this community that I found my calling. There was something more than making money and getting a fancy degree. The measure of my life would be public service.”
In order to help find solutions to the problems Mr. Obama saw as a community organizer, he went on to pursue his law degree from Harvard Law School and was elected the first African American President of the Harvard Law Review. He served in the Illinois Senate for seven years before becoming a United States Senator.
Barack Obama is an ally to social workers and the clients we serve including women, children, and people of color. He has vowed to promote equal opportunity and end discrimination, empowering people to make positive changes in their communities and in their lives. He is a strong supporter of civil rights legislation aimed at closing the pay equity gap, ending racial profiling, and reducing hate crimes across the country. Mr. Obama has promised to make health care affordable for all Americans and has pledged to protect a woman’s right to choose.
During his term as President, Mr. Obama vows to strengthen the Medicare system that many of our clients depend on and is opposed to the privatization of our Social Security system. He pledges to reform No Child Left Behind, solve the current school dropout crisis, and make higher education affordable.
Barack Obama is an ally to the profession and it is our responsibility to ensure that social work issues stay primary in his campaign. As president, Mr. Obama will be making important appointments that affect the social work profession such as Secretary of Health and Human Services and Director of the National Institutes of Health. These key decisions will have an impact not only on the profession but the entire nation.
There are several ways to ensure that social work plays a prominent role in the next administration. One of those ways is to volunteer with the Obama campaign. You can make phone calls, attend campaign events, or work in campaign offices across the country. Find out how to volunteer for his campaign by visiting http://www.barackobama.com.
For more information contact naswpace@naswdc.org.
*Mr. Obama is not accepting contributions from lobbyists or political action groups, however he will be accepting contributions from individuals.
The National Association of Social Workers enthusiastically endorses Barack Obama for President in 2008. Mr. Obama holds the ideals of the profession in high regard as evidenced by his support of important legislation such as the Mental Health Parity Act, End Racial Profiling Act, and Healthy Families Act.
Mr. Obama attended Columbia University and moved to Chicago after graduation to become a community organizer in the tradition of Saul Alinksy and in the hometown of legendary social worker Jane Addams. He spent several years working to transform the South Side of Chicago and once noted, “It’s as a consequence of working with this organization and this community that I found my calling. There was something more than making money and getting a fancy degree. The measure of my life would be public service.”
In order to help find solutions to the problems Mr. Obama saw as a community organizer, he went on to pursue his law degree from Harvard Law School and was elected the first African American President of the Harvard Law Review. He served in the Illinois Senate for seven years before becoming a United States Senator.
Barack Obama is an ally to social workers and the clients we serve including women, children, and people of color. He has vowed to promote equal opportunity and end discrimination, empowering people to make positive changes in their communities and in their lives. He is a strong supporter of civil rights legislation aimed at closing the pay equity gap, ending racial profiling, and reducing hate crimes across the country. Mr. Obama has promised to make health care affordable for all Americans and has pledged to protect a woman’s right to choose.
During his term as President, Mr. Obama vows to strengthen the Medicare system that many of our clients depend on and is opposed to the privatization of our Social Security system. He pledges to reform No Child Left Behind, solve the current school dropout crisis, and make higher education affordable.
Barack Obama is an ally to the profession and it is our responsibility to ensure that social work issues stay primary in his campaign. As president, Mr. Obama will be making important appointments that affect the social work profession such as Secretary of Health and Human Services and Director of the National Institutes of Health. These key decisions will have an impact not only on the profession but the entire nation.
There are several ways to ensure that social work plays a prominent role in the next administration. One of those ways is to volunteer with the Obama campaign. You can make phone calls, attend campaign events, or work in campaign offices across the country. Find out how to volunteer for his campaign by visiting http://www.barackobama.com.
For more information contact naswpace@naswdc.org.
*Mr. Obama is not accepting contributions from lobbyists or political action groups, however he will be accepting contributions from individuals.
Why Social Workers Should Run for Office (from https://www.socialworkers.org/pace/why_run.asp)
NASW encourages social workers to run for office because social workers are a profession of trained communicators with concrete ideas about how to empower communities. Social workers understand social problems and know human relations, and the commitment to improving the quality of life brings a vital perspective to public decision-making.
Social workers across the country serve in a range of political institutions, from school boards to city and county offices and state legislatures. There are six social workers in the US House and Senate.
Social workers make good political candidates because they:
are well educated
are articulate and experienced in public speaking
are comfortable at persuasion
are knowledgeable about their communities
understand social problems and are committed to social justice
understand how policies affect individuals and communities
Social workers run for public office because they:
are attracted to politics through an issue or cause.
realize they are just as capable as many officeholders.
see the opportunity to make changes on a broader scale.
want to provide leadership to improve their community.
NASW also encourages social workers to offer their professional expertise to campaigns. Social workers can use their skills as campaign managers, volunteer coordinators, and political directors. These jobs can also translate into legislative jobs in which social workers can shape policy, and help constituents by working with federal, state and local agencies to get individuals appropriate assistance. Social workers can also translate their involvement in campaigns into key appointments in state and local agencies in which they can oversee key government agencies to influence the practice of social work and seek social justice.
Contact NASW at pace@naswdc.org or 800/638-8799, ext. 418 for the contact information of other social workers who have run for office.
NASW encourages social workers to run for office because social workers are a profession of trained communicators with concrete ideas about how to empower communities. Social workers understand social problems and know human relations, and the commitment to improving the quality of life brings a vital perspective to public decision-making.
Social workers across the country serve in a range of political institutions, from school boards to city and county offices and state legislatures. There are six social workers in the US House and Senate.
Social workers make good political candidates because they:
are well educated
are articulate and experienced in public speaking
are comfortable at persuasion
are knowledgeable about their communities
understand social problems and are committed to social justice
understand how policies affect individuals and communities
Social workers run for public office because they:
are attracted to politics through an issue or cause.
realize they are just as capable as many officeholders.
see the opportunity to make changes on a broader scale.
want to provide leadership to improve their community.
NASW also encourages social workers to offer their professional expertise to campaigns. Social workers can use their skills as campaign managers, volunteer coordinators, and political directors. These jobs can also translate into legislative jobs in which social workers can shape policy, and help constituents by working with federal, state and local agencies to get individuals appropriate assistance. Social workers can also translate their involvement in campaigns into key appointments in state and local agencies in which they can oversee key government agencies to influence the practice of social work and seek social justice.
Contact NASW at pace@naswdc.org or 800/638-8799, ext. 418 for the contact information of other social workers who have run for office.
Why Social Workers Should be involved in politics
This is from our National Office regarding why it is neccessary for Social Workers to be involved in politics: https://www.socialworkers.org/pace/why_involved.asp
Why Social Workers Should Get Involved
It is easier to spend a few months and some money electing the right people than to spend years and a lot of money trying to get the wrong people to do the right things.
—Senator Debbie Stabenow, MSW
It is easier to spend a few months and some money electing the right people than to spend years and a lot of money trying to get the wrong people to do the right things.
—Senator Debbie Stabenow, MSW
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
From our friends at NC Against Gun Violence
NCGV Members,
As you probably know, today the Supreme Court in their D.C. v Heller Decision found that the 2nd amendment is a personal right and that it is unconstitutional to pass a general ban on handguns. While their decision is in opposition of almost 70 years of precedent, the Supreme Court's ruling also supported the need for sensible gun legislation. Please find below several positive aspects of today's ruling.
The ruling today established that the 2nd amendment is NOT an absolute right. In his Majority Opinion Justice Scalia stated: "Like most rights, the right secured by the Second Amendment is not unlimited . . . the right was not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose."
The ruling today supported sensible gun safety legislation. The Supreme Court ruling upheld laws that promote gun safety such as the prohibitions on gun ownership by "felons and the [dangerous] mentally ill." The decision also upheld laws that prohibit individuals from "carrying firearms in sensitive places such as schools and government buildings."
The ruling today upheld restrictions on gun purchasing. The decision stated that supporting the personal right of an individual to bear arms did not circumvent "laws imposing conditions and qualifications on the commercial sale of arms."
The ruling supported registration and licensing. While overturning the 30-year-old D.C. handgun ban the Majority Opinion stated the District of Columbia could use other tools to prevent gun violence such as registration and licensing of handguns.
The ruling may hurt the anti-gun safety lobby. In past years "pro-gun" groups have opposed sensible gun legislation claiming they feared any/all legislation was a slippery slope to losing their right to bear arms. Now that the highest court in the land has stated that the 2nd amendment is a personal right, these groups and politicians will have less justification for blocking reasonable gun laws. Today in the media NCGV called on these groups to now work with us to find a middle ground in sensible solutions to preventing gun violence.
Sadly, however we can anticipate that the Heller decision may cause of us a variety of problems. The gun lobby and other groups may use the decision to file legal attacks on existing gun laws. Many experts predict the definition of "reasonable regulations" will be decided in court cases across the country. Which is why with your help NCGV will continue to fight for sensible gun laws to help protect you, your family, and your community.
Thank You for Saving Lives.
www.ncgv.org
Blog Editor Note* NASW-NC is a member of NCGV and works with coalition partners on these legisaltive issues.
As you probably know, today the Supreme Court in their D.C. v Heller Decision found that the 2nd amendment is a personal right and that it is unconstitutional to pass a general ban on handguns. While their decision is in opposition of almost 70 years of precedent, the Supreme Court's ruling also supported the need for sensible gun legislation. Please find below several positive aspects of today's ruling.
The ruling today established that the 2nd amendment is NOT an absolute right. In his Majority Opinion Justice Scalia stated: "Like most rights, the right secured by the Second Amendment is not unlimited . . . the right was not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose."
The ruling today supported sensible gun safety legislation. The Supreme Court ruling upheld laws that promote gun safety such as the prohibitions on gun ownership by "felons and the [dangerous] mentally ill." The decision also upheld laws that prohibit individuals from "carrying firearms in sensitive places such as schools and government buildings."
The ruling today upheld restrictions on gun purchasing. The decision stated that supporting the personal right of an individual to bear arms did not circumvent "laws imposing conditions and qualifications on the commercial sale of arms."
The ruling supported registration and licensing. While overturning the 30-year-old D.C. handgun ban the Majority Opinion stated the District of Columbia could use other tools to prevent gun violence such as registration and licensing of handguns.
The ruling may hurt the anti-gun safety lobby. In past years "pro-gun" groups have opposed sensible gun legislation claiming they feared any/all legislation was a slippery slope to losing their right to bear arms. Now that the highest court in the land has stated that the 2nd amendment is a personal right, these groups and politicians will have less justification for blocking reasonable gun laws. Today in the media NCGV called on these groups to now work with us to find a middle ground in sensible solutions to preventing gun violence.
Sadly, however we can anticipate that the Heller decision may cause of us a variety of problems. The gun lobby and other groups may use the decision to file legal attacks on existing gun laws. Many experts predict the definition of "reasonable regulations" will be decided in court cases across the country. Which is why with your help NCGV will continue to fight for sensible gun laws to help protect you, your family, and your community.
Thank You for Saving Lives.
www.ncgv.org
Blog Editor Note* NASW-NC is a member of NCGV and works with coalition partners on these legisaltive issues.
Southeastern Audit
Some members of New Hanover County's legislative delegation said Monday that they were blindsided by Sen. Julia Boseman's call for a state audit of Southeastern Center for Mental Health's finances. Republican Reps. Carolyn Justice and Danny McComas had been working with local officials on Southeastern's ongoing issues for weeks, Justice said. "We were shocked by the immediate call without any discussion with the delegation," said Justice. Justice said area lawmakers met Thursday in Raleigh with those involved with Southeastern about the regional mental health agency's funding concerns as well as the future of its crisis station, which state regulators temporarily shut down. Justice said Boseman was invited to the meeting but did not attend, sending a staff member instead. Southeastern officials agreed to prepare a report summarizing the center's problems by August.
The next day, Boseman sent her request to the state auditor's office, stating she was concerned that Southeastern's financial practices might have led to its funding crisis. "I had to act quickly and get on top of this as soon as possible," Boseman, a Democrat, said Monday. McComas sent a letter Monday to Southeastern officials stating that he took "exception" with the proposed audit. "Our House Delegation, in no way, shape (or) form, was part of this audit request, nor for that matter understood why it was called for, when we all agreed to the above mentioned report by August 1st," his letter stated. McComas said Rep. Sandra Spaulding Hughes, the fourth member of the Delegation and the other Democrat, attended the meeting and later told him she didn't know in advance of Boseman's request. (Vicky Eckenrode, WILMINGTON STAR-NEWS, 7/01/08).
Some members of New Hanover County's legislative delegation said Monday that they were blindsided by Sen. Julia Boseman's call for a state audit of Southeastern Center for Mental Health's finances. Republican Reps. Carolyn Justice and Danny McComas had been working with local officials on Southeastern's ongoing issues for weeks, Justice said. "We were shocked by the immediate call without any discussion with the delegation," said Justice. Justice said area lawmakers met Thursday in Raleigh with those involved with Southeastern about the regional mental health agency's funding concerns as well as the future of its crisis station, which state regulators temporarily shut down. Justice said Boseman was invited to the meeting but did not attend, sending a staff member instead. Southeastern officials agreed to prepare a report summarizing the center's problems by August.
The next day, Boseman sent her request to the state auditor's office, stating she was concerned that Southeastern's financial practices might have led to its funding crisis. "I had to act quickly and get on top of this as soon as possible," Boseman, a Democrat, said Monday. McComas sent a letter Monday to Southeastern officials stating that he took "exception" with the proposed audit. "Our House Delegation, in no way, shape (or) form, was part of this audit request, nor for that matter understood why it was called for, when we all agreed to the above mentioned report by August 1st," his letter stated. McComas said Rep. Sandra Spaulding Hughes, the fourth member of the Delegation and the other Democrat, attended the meeting and later told him she didn't know in advance of Boseman's request. (Vicky Eckenrode, WILMINGTON STAR-NEWS, 7/01/08).
Annexation Petitions
A group of Wilmington residents has filed a complaint against Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand's legislative assistant, claiming she violated public records laws by throwing away petitions from people opposed to forced annexations. "It was astonishing that she threw them in the trash, and pretty stupid, too," said Lora Albachten, one of the residents who presented the petitions. When the group asked Rand's legislative assistant why she discarded the documents, they said she called security and had them removed. Evelyn Costello, Rand's assistant, denied throwing all the documents in the trash. She declined to provide detailed comments, but said she kept one copy from a number of documents she received. She also said the people who delivered the letters "were not very mannerly toward the staff."
The Wilmington residents were a part of a conservative rally last week sponsored by anti-tax group Americans for Prosperity. The rally focused on forced annexations, ending wasteful government spending and opening up government. Rand has said he supports current annexation law, which allows cities to annex land even if new residents object. The Wilmington residents sought to deliver the petitions to Rand because they suspect that -- as chairman of the Senate Rules Committee -- he would to block a bill that would temporarily ban involuntary annexations if it passes the House, said Russ Hauptman, who leads the Wilmington chapter of Americans for Prosperity. "We had premade petitions that we signed on the back to give to him, but they never even hit her desk," he said.
Rand said he stands by his staff. "It was my understanding that some sort of people came by, and it was some kind of problem," he said. Rand said he has no set routine for retaining correspondence, but added, "I have whatever comes in." State law says any letter or communication made or received in conjunction with public business is a public document. It is a misdemeanor to destroy a public document and the maximum penalty is a $500 fine. Efforts to confirm whether Attorney General Roy Cooper or the State Bureau of Investigation had received the complaint Monday were unsuccessful. (John Fuquay, THE FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER, 7/01/08).
A group of Wilmington residents has filed a complaint against Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand's legislative assistant, claiming she violated public records laws by throwing away petitions from people opposed to forced annexations. "It was astonishing that she threw them in the trash, and pretty stupid, too," said Lora Albachten, one of the residents who presented the petitions. When the group asked Rand's legislative assistant why she discarded the documents, they said she called security and had them removed. Evelyn Costello, Rand's assistant, denied throwing all the documents in the trash. She declined to provide detailed comments, but said she kept one copy from a number of documents she received. She also said the people who delivered the letters "were not very mannerly toward the staff."
The Wilmington residents were a part of a conservative rally last week sponsored by anti-tax group Americans for Prosperity. The rally focused on forced annexations, ending wasteful government spending and opening up government. Rand has said he supports current annexation law, which allows cities to annex land even if new residents object. The Wilmington residents sought to deliver the petitions to Rand because they suspect that -- as chairman of the Senate Rules Committee -- he would to block a bill that would temporarily ban involuntary annexations if it passes the House, said Russ Hauptman, who leads the Wilmington chapter of Americans for Prosperity. "We had premade petitions that we signed on the back to give to him, but they never even hit her desk," he said.
Rand said he stands by his staff. "It was my understanding that some sort of people came by, and it was some kind of problem," he said. Rand said he has no set routine for retaining correspondence, but added, "I have whatever comes in." State law says any letter or communication made or received in conjunction with public business is a public document. It is a misdemeanor to destroy a public document and the maximum penalty is a $500 fine. Efforts to confirm whether Attorney General Roy Cooper or the State Bureau of Investigation had received the complaint Monday were unsuccessful. (John Fuquay, THE FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER, 7/01/08).
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