THE BUDGET AND CUMBERLAND COUNTY

Budgetary items for Cumberland County in this session's budget passed several weeks ago. The Cumberland County Delegation worked hard together to make this happen. Here's a recap of how we fared:

• $15 M for the creation of the North Carolina Veteran's Park in downtown Fayetteville
• $1.5 M for continued operation of the Defense Security Technology Accelerator in Fayetteville
• $1.25 M for continuation of the North Carolina Military Business Center in Fayetteville.
• $400,000 for construction of a fire tower for the FSU Fire Sciences Program to be used as well for training by all local fire departments
• $400,000 to FTCC for development of critically-needed 3-D global technology
• Additional money for Cumberland County Schools for academically gifted students, exceptional children's programs, disadvantaged students, for the successful Communities in Schools Program, for the very successful PTA initiative, for school transportation, and for all of the district in low wealth funds
• Full enrollment growth money for  FTCC and FSU
• $50,000 for the Texfi water monitoring site
• $16,000 to the Child Advocacy Center to assist children who have been abused
• Additional funds for our local Public Health Center and for several rural community health centers in the area
• Additional funds for patient quality, allied health workforce development and primary residencies at SRAHEC
• Additional positions and a nurse for the Juvenile Detention Center in Cumberland County
• Focused Growth funds and additional scholarships for FSU
• $1M for Military Family Morale and Support at Ft. Bragg as well as other military installations throughout the state
• Funds for traumatic brain injured citizens, including returning war veterans
• Additional funds to the NC Department of Public Instruction to maintain in reserve for BRAC enrollment growth in the CCS

LEGISLATION IMPACTING CUMBERLAND COUNTY

Legislation passed allowing for the annexation of parts of Ft Bragg by the Town of Spring Lake and the City of Fayetteville, which will significantly enhance the ability of both communities to seek and obtain federal and state grants and funds for infrastructure projects as well as attracting far greater private investment and capital.

Legislation passed providing critical and extensive Federal funds for the renovation of the locks and dams along the Cape Fear River which will allow for  tremendously expanded fishing and recreational use of the River in Cumberland and Bladen Counties in the future.

Legislation was passed allowing for an expanded capacity of citizens to pay certain tax assessments over a longer period of time.

OTHER LEGISLATION

The General Assembly approved changes this week to how driver's licenses are made and distributed. One bill would allow the state Division of Motor Vehicles to use new laser-engraving technology that would embed photos into the licenses and help reduce fraud. The bill (S1799) also allows driver's licenses to be mailed to people's homes or a post office box if they don't have a street address.

The change is part of new process for how licenses are made and distributed. The revised procedure is designed to make it more difficult to fraudulently obtain licenses. Licenses will now be centrally distributed out of Raleigh and there will be a 20-day waiting period. During this time, drivers will be issued a temporary permit and can use their existing license for identification. The mailing provision is expected to make the waiting period more convenient by eliminating the need for applicants to return to their DMV offices to pick up their licenses.

CRIME

The General Assembly has given approval to anti-gang legislation that would create several felonies for those who take part in gang activity. Those who commit drive-by shootings, solicit people to join gangs or threaten those who try to leave a gang would be subject to felonies under the bill (H274). Property acquired for gangs or resulting from gang activity could be taken. The bill provides the state's first legal definitions of gang activity. Gov. Mike Easley has already signed a separate bill (S1358) that addresses gang intervention and prevention programs. The state budget includes $10 million for gang prevention grants.

The General Assembly this week gave final approval to a bill titled "Jessica's Law." The bill is named for Jessica Lunsford, a former North Carolina resident who was raped and murdered in Florida at the age of 9 by a convicted sex offender. The (H933) would make the rape or a sexual offense committed on a child punishable by life in prison without parole or a mandatory 25-year sentence with lifetime GPS monitoring. This bill also increases penalties associated with the exploitation/prostitution of a minor, strengthens sex offender registry requirements and limits contact offenders have with victims and on what premises. This bill requires sex offenders to be 300 feet or more away from places where minors are prevalent.  Any sex offender not on the registry for a life term will be on the list for 30 years. The bill was signed into law on July 28, 2008.

DROUGHT

A bill to improve the state's response to droughts was approved this week in the House. The bill (H2499) would give the governor more authority during a drought to work with local governments to help them address water shortages and makes other changes to improve how we manage droughts. The bill also would require public water providers to develop drought and water shortage plans while heavy water users would be subject to stricter reporting requirements. The bill was the result of collaboration between many different interests, including municipalities, business, farmers and private residents. The bill must now be signed by the governor.

MORTGAGES

The General Assembly has approved a bill that will give mortgage holders more time to work out a plan with their banks before losing their homes. The bill (H2623) requires lenders to give homeowners 45 days notice before starting foreclosure proceedings  and  gives the state bank commissioner authority to delay foreclosures for 30 days in hopes of coming up with a new payment plan. The bill is one of several we have approved recently to help cope with the ongoing mortgage crisis.

JUSTICE

A Senate judiciary committee has approved a bill that will give people who are wrongfully convicted $50,000 for every year they spent in jail if they were exonerated. Existing law allows only $20,000 a year and caps the total award at $500,000. The bill (H2105) would increase the cap to $750,000 and allow free job training and tuition for community colleges and public universities.

BILL SIGNING

Governor Easley signed 26 bills into law on Monday, July 28, 2008, day ten of 30 days for gubernatorial action. This leaves 87 bills pending on the Governor's desk.

The 26 new laws are:

• 2008-117 H933 Jessica Lunsford Act for NC.
• 2008-118 H2438 2008 Budget Technical Corrections.
• 2008-119 S4 Report Race and Ethnicity Data-Public Health.  
• 2008-120 S175 Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.
• 2008-121 H93 Transport of Indiv. in Wheelchair Study.
• 2008-122 S180 Prohibit Certain Game Promotion.
• 2008-123 H685 Allow Smart Start to Retain Unexpended Funds.
• 2008-124 H738 Insurance Changes.
• 2008-125 H821 Specify Out-of-State Areas For IBT Notice.
• 2008-126 S212 Local Park and Rec Participant Records.
• 2008-127 H964 Expand Definition of Home Care Services.
• 2008-128 S944 Change Penalty for Hit and Run Violations.
• 2008-129 H1003 Probation Violation Changes.
2008-130 S2117 Amend Substance Abuse Professionals Act.
• 2008-131 S1770 Expand Medical Examiner Jurisdiction/Funds.
• 2008-132 H2728 Supplemental Retirement Bd Trustees/Inv Emp.
• 2008-133 H1624 Frequency of Parole Reviews.
• 2008-134 S1704 Rev Laws Tech., Clarifying, & Admin Changes.
• 2008-135 H1076 Fee Waiver/UNC & Community Colleges.
• 2008-136 H1134 Cleanup of Abandoned Manufactured Homes.
• 2008-137 S1046 Yadkin Project Study.
• 2008-138 H1549 Amend Appt. Process for Auctioneers Comm/n.
• 2008-139 H1284 Breach/Construction Contract Accrual Date
• 2008-140 S1259 Public Water Service Warranties.
• 2008-141 S1340 Sale of Blocks of Ten-Day CRFLs.
• 2008-142 S1100 SHP Funeral Expenses.

Under Article II, Section 22 of the Constitution, the Governor has 30 days after adjournment to act on all pending bills, with July 19 being day one.   The 30-day period concludes at midnight, Sunday, August 17, 2008.  Any bills not acted on by the deadline become law on Monday, August 18, 2008. Bills sent to the Governor prior to adjournment where the 10-day limit had not run out at adjournment have a new 30-day clock.

Thanks again for taking the time to read this newsletter and please accept my best wishes for a wonderful and relaxing remainder of the summer.  

Take care --see you soon!