North Carolina Legislative Report - April 1, 2016
April 1, 2016
Lawmakers will return to Raleigh for the short session April 25, 2016.
The MVA Public Affairs Legislative Report on North Carolina will be distributed
on a bi-weekly basis during the interim to keep you up to date on the latest
legislative issues facing the state.
Committee Meetings
Blue Ribbon Commission to Study the Building and Infrastructure Needs of the State
The Commission met on Monday, March 28. The Committee began with Jennifer Haygood, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the North Carolina Community College System, giving a presentation on how the system is funded - emphasizing the shared local/State efforts with respect to both governance and funding for various expenses. Dr. Dennis Massey, President of Pitt Community College, and Dr. Bob Shackleford, President of Randolph Community College, then provided additional insights on community college capital needs from a local perspective. Finally, William Johnson, Associate Vice President for Finance and Capital Planning, described the capital planning process for The University of North Carolina System, discussed projects in the current six-year plan, gave a history of recently completed projects, and discussed funding sources along with funding needs for repairs and renovations of current infrastructure in the system.
House Select Committee on Achievement School Districts
The Committee met on Wednesday, March 30, to look at the Tennessee Achievement School District (ASD) program and review changes to the draft legislation. Malika Anderson, Superintendent of the Tennessee ASD, gave an overview of the structure of their program, progress to date and things they would do differently. Ms. Anderson was followed by Dr. Gary Henry from Vanderbilt University and Dr. Joshua Glazer, a professor at George Washington University. Each reviewed their research on the Tennessee ASD and its impact on student achievement in the first four years of the program.
Representative Rob Bryan (R-Mecklenburg) concluded the meeting by reviewing the changes to draft legislation that would create a pilot ASD in North Carolina. This pilot would take up to five of the State's lowest performing schools and place them in an ASD. These schools would be operated by a charter management organization. The Committee will hold its next meeting on April 13 and will vote on the draft legislation, which if approved will go to the House Education Committee in the upcoming short session.
Legislative Research Committee - Committee on Municipal Service Districts
The Committee met on Thursday, March 31. Legislative Analysis Division staff reviewed the Committee's charge. Kara Millonzi with the UNC School of Government gave the Committee an overview of how municipal services districts and how they function. Greg Gaskins, Deputy Treasurer for State and Local Government Finance with the Department of the State Treasurer's office, went into more detail and gave examples on how municipalities have utilized municipal service districts throughout the state. Tom McKormick, City of Raleigh Attorney; John Connet, Hendersonville City Manager; Lew Holloway, Hendersonville Downtown Development Director; and Ken Jones, Mayor of Pine Knoll Shores; all gave presentations on how municipal service districts have been a helpful tool to have at the local level and have assisted with a variety of issues ranging from downtown revitalization to assisting with beach renourishment efforts. Finally, the Committee allowed for a public comment period on these issues. The Committee will convene for a follow up meeting to discuss these issues on Wednesday, April 6.
Special Session
The General Assembly convened for a special legislative session Wednesday, March 23, to address one bill. In response to Charlotte's recently passed non-discrimination ordinance, State lawmakers met to consider H2, Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act. Legislators passed the bill; it was signed into law by Governor McCrory.
In The News
- Raleigh News & Observer: New president named for NC community college system
- Associated Press: State economists predict $237M more revenues than expected
- Raleigh News & Observer: Lawmakers see pitfalls and promise in state school takeover
- Associated Press: Johnston now McCrory's permanent administration secretary
- Associated Press: Atlantic drilling off table but survey permits pending
- Raleigh News & Observer: New look for NC congressional races