 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
S433 STALLS IN HOUSE A bill to allow counties greater flexibility in organizing human services was discussed throughout this week’s mini-session but was stymied on Tuesday due to a procedural issue. The House Health and Human Services Committee passed the Senate-approved version of S433 (Local Human Services Administration) on Tuesday morning, with the intent of sending it to the full House for its approval that afternoon. However, due to a procedural requirement, the House rules required a two-thirds vote for the bill to be heard on the floor. There were 74 votes in favor of hearing the bill, three shy of the two-thirds majority needed. As a result, the bill was not heard. It remains eligible for consideration when the House reconvenes for the 2012 Short Session on May 16. On a positive note, the vote does indicate strong support for the issue, which will be helpful when the bill is addressed in May 2012. Several members of the House advocated strongly for counties’ position on S433, including Rep. Carolyn Justice (Pender), who spoke in favor the bill during the committee meeting. NCACC Executive Director David F. Thompson also addressed the committee, saying that the bill would accomplish one of counties “high-priority” goals and that many counties had expressed an interest in the option. The Association thanks legislators who supported S433, as well as county commissioners and officials across the state who reached out to their House members this week asking for their support. HOUSE VOTES FOR TEMPORARY CAP ON GAS TAX The House voted Tuesday to institute a temporary cap on the gas tax from Jan. 1 through June 30, 2012. The cap would keep the gas tax at its current rate of 35 cents per gallon through June 30, 2012. It is currently scheduled for an increase to 39 cents on Jan. 1, 2012. The cap would cost the Department of Transportation roughly $120 million in revenue for the remainder of the 2011-12 fiscal year. The Senate adjourned Tuesday morning after an abbreviated session that began at 12:02 a.m. and did not take up the legislation. The Association remains strongly concerned about any reduction in transportation funding and the potential impacts of transportation construction and maintenance projects. MORE MINI-SESSIONS SCHEDULED The General Assembly is scheduled to return for two more mini-sessions on Feb. 16-18 and April 23-25. According to the adjournment resolutions, those sessions will be focused only on bills relating to elections, the new legislative and Congressional maps, and attempts to override bills vetoed by Governor Beverly Perdue. The General Assembly will return for the 2012 Short Session on May 16, 2012. The adjournment resolution adopted by the Legislature in early November establishes the bill filing deadlines for the session. Bills impacting the state budget must be submitted to Bill Drafting by 4 p.m. on Friday, May 18, and introduced in the House or Senate by May 29. Local bills must be submitted to Bill Drafting by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 23, and must be introduced in the House or Senate by May 30. In addition, local bills must be accompanied by a certificate from the bill sponsor that states the bill does not require a public hearing, is not controversial and that each member of the House or Senate whose district includes the area to which the bill applies has approved the bill. Bills affecting the state or local retirement system must be submitted to Bill Drafting by 4 p.m. on May 23 and introduced in the House or Senate by May 30. NEW PACT WITH CHEROKEES TO GENERATE MORE EDUCATION MONEY Governor Perdue and the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians announced this week that they had come to an agreement to bring table games with live dealers to the tribe's casino in western North Carolina. The deal would reportedly put millions into the state revenue stream. Perdue and Principal Chief Michell Hicks signed the 30-year agreement Monday morning. Perdue said much of the additional state revenues would go to public schools and that the deal could create as many as 400 additional jobs in western N.C. The General Assembly will need to pass legislation to adjust the state’s gambling laws to reconcile with the terms of the compact. Rumors are circulating that the General Assembly could come back for a special session to address the issue before its next scheduled session in February. LEGISLATIVE BULLETIN SCHEDULE The NCACC will publish an edition of the Legislative Bulletin each time the General Assembly returns for a mini-session. We will resume our weekly schedule when the General Assembly returns for the 2012 Short Session on May 16, 2012. – David F. Thompson, Executive Director |