Legislative Update from Rep. Frank Iler – May 12, 2014
The North Carolina General Assembly 2014 short session will convene at high noon, 12 o’clock, on Wednesday, May 14th. There are several reasons it’s called the short session. They include the length of approximately six to eight weeks as compared to the six month long session last year, the limited number of bills we can consider, and that we are adjusting the two – year budget rather than passing a new one. We have been assured by the Speaker that he plans to make it a “short” short session.
Many have been asking what we will be considering this session. The top priorities for the entire body will be education, energy, and the budget. Also of interest to our region and to me are the film incentives and coastal issues such as dredging, beach nourishment, and environmental concerns.
In education, as I have been saying, I will be advocating for restoring the advanced degree incentive pay, the Teaching Fellows program, as well as a pay increase for teachers. We cannot forget other state employees as well. The Governor’s proposals for a new teacher pay plan, as well as a large pay boost at the lower experience levels, will be considered, debated, and acted upon. The visits I have been making to Brunswick classrooms and my discussions with teachers will be very important during this process. This and the new teachers’ committee we formed to continue our conversations have provided me with valuable information and experience to participate well in these discussions. Common Core standards, the grading system for schools and other education issues will also be addressed.
Energy issues will include the future of hydraulic fracturing for natural gas extraction or “fracking”, and the current concern with coal ash ponds. Two years ago, during the 2012 session, we passed a bill directing the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to establish a mining commission to write the rules and regulations for natural gas extraction. They are near the completion of writing over 120 rules, and each rule can run to several pages. We will be asked to approve the permitting process once the rules are complete. The coal ash issue will require not only short term solutions, but also a long term plan.
The budget must be adjusted during the short session based on revised revenue and expense projections. It appears that there will be a shortfall, mainly due to increased Medicaid costs. Everyone has been led to believe that the federal government picks up the cost of Medicaid, but one third of the cost is provided by the state. This is a $3.5 billion expense in the state budget, and appears to be going higher. This represents 17% of the entire state budget. We will have challenges making the budget balance, as required by law.
The film incentives have been shown to be a net gain to the state and to the economy. I will be working hard with my colleagues to see that they are extended, hopefully to 2020, to give the production companies certainty as they plan new productions in our state. Environmental issues on our coast are always a high priority. Dredging our shallow draft inlets and protecting our beaches is always on my mind, as is protecting the rights of both our commercial and recreational fishermen.
I should know much more by next week as to the order in which we take up all these issues. As they say, “Stay tuned for further details.”