It is only the second week of session but major bills were moving including action on balancing the State budget, allowing North Carolina to opt out of the federal health care law and eliminating the charter school cap. I cannot stress enough that the session is moving very fast.
SB13 Balanced Budget Act of 2011 passed out of committee and through second reading on the Senate floor today. Before the start of session the Governor and General Assembly leadership were discussing granting the Governor additional powers to balance the State budget with the goal of having the Governor hold back $400 million from the current budget to put towards the $3.7 billion hole in next year’s budget. But the bill was expand yesterday in Senate Appropriations to include intercepting millions from the State’s economic development funds including the Golden Leaf Trust Fund, the One North Carolina Fund and the JDIG (Jobs Development Investment Grants) program among other items. The Governor and Secretary of Commerce spoke out against the provisions relating to the economic development funds. The bill still has to get through third reading on the Senate floor next week. Some reporters are already speculating about a veto showdown.
The General Assembly heard presentations on the State’s fiscal health and tax policy in the Appropriations and Finance Committees this week. The General Assembly’s economist said the state’s economy appears to be improving and the State’s revenue forecast is scheduled to be out in the next few days.
The Governor has indicated she is considering including video poker in her budget rumored to be sent to the General Assembly in the next few weeks. Read more about that here. The Republican General Assembly leadership continues to move toward passing a budget by June 1 with the House planning to approve its version by April 22 and the Senate planning to pass their version three weeks later.
Bills were introduced in the House and Senate (H9 and S27) to place a moratorium on annexations. Read more about that here.
A bill supported by our Metro Police Chiefs, SB9 Make Synthetic Cannabinoids Illegal, successfully moved out of Senate J2 today. The City of Greensboro police spoke in favor of the bill.
Member Mayors and City Managers, if you have not already done so, be sure to register for our upcoming 2011 Winter Meeting in Greensboro. Confirmed guest speakers include Governor Perdue, President Pro Temp Berger and U.S. Senator Hagan. Other invited speakers include Speaker of the House Tillis and U.S. Senator Burr.
As always, call me if you have any questions.
