US Senator Budd Introduces Bill to Reform Federal Aid, NCACC President Quoted
Last week, U.S. Senator Ted Budd, along with Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock, introduced the Disaster Recovery Improvement Act. The bill would establish a bipartisan interagency Disaster Recovery Improvement Task Force dedicated to expediting disaster relief funding. A senior FEMA official would serve as chair of the task force, which would include state governors, county commissioners, and senior officials from various federal agencies, including the EPA and the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Transportation, among others.
Members of the task force would work together to develop recommendations for program and policy reform aimed at improving disaster recovery efforts across federal, state, and local levels. In his press release, Senator Budd said, “For well over a year, I have worked with DHS to unlock FEMA funding for Western North Carolina that has been stuck in longstanding regulatory bottlenecks. This cannot continue. Reform is clearly needed to fix these programs.”
In a statement supporting the bill, NCACC President and Perquimans County Commissioner Wallace Nelson said, “The voice of county leaders is critical in disaster recovery. We appreciate Senator Budd’s recognition of that fact by including county-level input in his proposed legislation, which seeks to craft meaningful reforms for disaster recovery programs that span numerous federal agencies outside of FEMA. Disaster recovery begins and ends at the local level.”
Click here to read the proposed legislation.
Governor Releases Limited Budget Proposal
Governor Josh Stein released what he calls a “Critical Needs Budget” this week, highlighting the continued lack of an official FY 2025-26 state budget and calling for various funding increases in areas he deems critical. Examples of particular interest to counties include funding Medicaid through the remainder of the fiscal year, investing in childcare facilities, and funding increases for various state departments and systems. The proposal also includes salary increases for teachers, state law enforcement, nurses at state facilities, and other government employees.
Governor Stein, Senate Pro Tem Berger, and House Speaker Hall Announce the Formation of a Blue Ribbon Commission on Public Education
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein recently established a Blue Ribbon Commission on Public Education to examine key issues affecting the state’s public schools and recommend improvements. The commission brings together education leaders, policymakers, and community experts from across North Carolina to review topics such as teacher preparation, school leadership, accountability, and student outcomes.
Forsyth County Commissioner Dr. Don Martin was appointed co-chair. The commission will study the state’s education system and provide recommendations to strengthen North Carolina’s public schools. Read more here.