Legislative Update from Rep. Frank Iler – July 6, 2015
Last week in the North Carolina House of Representatives was noted for our passing a continuing resolution to keep the state government running, passing an adjournment resolution authorizing a week off from the session, and July 4th celebrations many of us were involved in.
The continuing resolution (CR), Senate Bill 534 – Continuing Budget Authority, was passed almost unanimously in the House and Senate last week. The House vote came on Monday night and was 107 – 1. The Senate vote was Tuesday and was 43 – 0. The CR funds the NC government past the end of the fiscal year, which ended June 30th. This resolution allows agencies to continue operating at 100% of the spending level of the 2014 – 2015 budget. It also funds the enrollment growth in our public schools at 100% of Average Daily Membership (ADM) or attendance. This is an additional $100 million to the school systems to continue operating.
The CR does not decide the issues which are in contention in the House and Senate budgets. So, in education, for example, the issues of Teacher Assistant funding and pay for veteran teachers are not decided. This will come during budget negotiations for the next few weeks after we return. Since the expiration date on the CR is August 14th, this means we must decide these issues and have a budget by then, or pass a new CR. I was very concerned with these two issues, so I asked a lot of questions about them. I was assured that the continued funding at 100% and the $100 million additional would allow the districts to keep the Teacher Assistants until the budget is complete and the issue is resolved. I decided to vote for it, and not shut down the government. However, I remain skeptical and will be watching closely.
The adjournment for a summer break was agreed to weeks ago by leadership in both parties, but became a political “football” during the debate Wednesday in the House. The amount of debate over some issues is determined by how many television cameras are in the House chamber. All of the speakers that spoke against the adjournment resolution, Senate Joint Resolution 717, were from the triangle area, where their TV exposure would be greatest. However, the House voted 68 – 33 to pass the resolution, which adjourns both chambers until Monday, July 13th. The Senate on Thursday must have had fewer cameras, as it passed there by 43 – 5. We will return next Monday for weeks of intense budget negotiations.
Many of us left Thursday to celebrate the July 4th holiday with family and friends. I was very fortunate to have my Legislative Assistant, Carla Farmer, and her fiancé Ryan visiting for the weekend. They also assisted in the NC Fourth of July Festival in Southport by driving the car in which I was riding as a parade participant. Another friend came to my rescue, after I found out that the car dealership that loans me convertibles for parades did not have one. My friend loaned me a beautiful convertible that saved the day for us.
We were fortunate last week to have a student from West Brunswick High School that shadowed me for the day on Tuesday. Erik Cortese, a rising Senior, followed me to committee meetings and observed the floor session.
This week will be spent in the district and visiting with friends and family around the state. I will not have an article until two weeks from now, when we are back in session.