Budget, jobs top state’s agenda (News and Record)
RALEIGH — In addition to budget tables and tax reports, lawmakers this summer may be reaching for a thesaurus to find new ways to say “bleak.”
The General Assembly returns to Raleigh on Wednesday with two majors goals: rebalancing the state budget and sparking job creation.
Although lawmakers mention other […]
NCDOT: Stimulus-funded construction payroll jumps 131% (Triangle Business Journal)
Transportation payroll funded by federal stimulus funds more than doubled in March, according to data compiled by the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
A total of $3.7 million in federal stimulus money was paid out to 4,740 workers in March. Those workers clocked 215,914 hours.
The payroll jumped […]
N.C. cities, cable still at odds on broadband entry (AP)
Wilson, N.C. — Big telecoms in North Carolina keep fretting about towns like Wilson and Salisbury getting into the broadband business.
Ever since a 2005 appeals court ruling upheld the right of towns and cities to offer high-speed Internet to their residents, large cable and phone companies […]
Sales Tax Hikes (The Insider)
Voters in Duplin, New Hanover and Onslow counties approved referendums to impose local-option quarter-cent sales tax hikes on Tuesday. The ballot measures had previously failed in Duplin and Onslow counties. David Thompson, executive director of the N.C. Association of County Commissioners, said the voter-approved initiatives will help those counties avoid property […]
ABC Recommendations (AP)
The Joint Study Committee on Alcoholic Beverage Control has recommended that the General Assembly give the state ABC Commission authority to set performance standards and training requirements for local ABC boards. However, the panel declined to recommend more drastic reforms to the state’s liquor system. The watered down legislation recommended by the panel […]
Jim Humphrey’s (CDOT) notes from the May 5-6 BOT meeting.
One change for the meeting….an ethics statement is read and all members are required to sign a sheet of paper indicating they will abide by the ethics policy.
Secretary’s Comments-Conti passed out a rail program pamphlet that will be produced periodically. Mentioned opening of I-40, award of […]
Below is a link to a calendar released today at the Senate Appropriations JPS Subcommittee meeting which outlines the timetable and dates for the budget process.
I attended the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Justice and Public Safety today where they heard a review of the Governor’s Budget adjustments, the agency response, and the Senate Target and Subcommittee 5% Reduction Option List.
The Senate Appropriations Chairs have given the Appropriations Subcommittees rules for budget process including a rule that […]
3 legislators propose $1 fee on interstates at borders (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
HARRISBURG — Gov. Ed Rendell has challenged state legislators to come up with ideas for solving the state’s $472 million transportation funding problem.
So three Democratic legislators, one from the Pittsburgh area, one from Philadelphia and one from State College, have come up with an idea […]
Highway Bill Delay Seen Stretching into 2011 (The Journal Of Commerce)
New multi-year bill may not pass until spring, Rep. Mica warns
It may be 2011 before Congress passes a surface transportation bill, says Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., ranking Republican on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
“I think we’re looking at spring, though I […]
