Legislative Update from Rep. Frank Iler – June 3, 2013

I suppose every one noticed that Memorial Day Weekend at the Brunswick Beaches was one of the busiest on record.  At least, every time I left my house in Oak Island to go somewhere, the traffic seemed the busiest I can remember.  Once I even turned around and went back home.  I hope it was one of the best weekends for our local businesses.  I’ve heard good reports from many of them.

Well, in Raleigh it was one of the shortest weeks on record.  The NC House had no session on Monday, a no-vote session on Tuesday, and an early no-vote session on Thursday.  I was able to leave my house early Tuesday morning and return Thursday afternoon.  It was very unusual.  The Senate had more voting sessions than we did.

However, some of the most controversial issues were on our committee agendas.  Our budget subcommittees met Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, we heard about a huge shortfall in the state’s Medicaid funds, and a major education bill passed the House Education Committee.

In the House Transportation Committee Tuesday we took up House Bill 475 – Ferry Tolling Alternatives.  It would take all ferry fares or tolls to zero while DOT studies selling naming rights, concessions, and other ideas to raise funds for ferry operations.  Although I was a sponsor of this bill, I offered an amendment to keep the tolls on the three tolled routes the same as they are now while DOT does its study.  I felt that we have been jerking DOT around by passing different toll bills to raise or lower the tolls, and wanted to offer stability while they consider these new ideas.  The amendment passed and the bill now goes to the House Finance Committee.  I hope it moves fast.

Also on Tuesday, the House Education Committee, of which I am a member, heard House Bill 944 – Opportunity Scholarship Act.  It gives a scholarship up to $4200 per year to low income families to help them send their children to a non-public school if they choose and can make up the difference in tuition.  For me, it is clearly a fairness issue of educational freedom of choice for low income students and parents.  To many involved in the public education system, it is seen as a threat to their funding.  This has been shown to actually add to their funding, but the perception continues.  It will cost the state and our taxpayers $4,200 per student versus the normal $7,254 in the public system.  It was very controversial, but passed the committee on a recorded voice vote of 27 – 21.  We will hear it again in the House Appropriations Committee.

On Wednesday we had the Medicaid bill back from the Senate for us to concur (agree to). House Bill 980 – Medicaid/2012-2013 Additional Appropriations provides $333 million in emergency Medicaid funds to finish out the fiscal year, which ends June 30th.  The Medicaid program has been a constant drain on the state treasury. It is one of the programs the McCrory administration is trying to fix so that we will know more certainly what the expenses will be, as well as eliminate waste and abuse.

We expect a lot of work on the budget this week as well as many more controversial bills.  Our House Transportation Committee will be hearing Senate Bill 81 – Charlotte Regional Airport Authority, the bill that turns over the Charlotte – Douglas Airport from the city of Charlotte to a regional authority.  It was amended heavily in the Senate, and should be an interesting meeting, which I will be chairing Tuesday.  You can follow the audio of this meeting and information on other bills at www.ncleg.net .