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| Social Services Consortium Members, This is an update from the contract lobbyist, Lori Ann Harris , who will be lobbying for the consortium this legislative session. I have been working with her on our agenda items and providing her materials to support our legislative issues. Lori is a bright and engaging woman who is well known at the General Assembly. She will be providing you updates throughout the session on the work she is doing for the consortium. She is a great representative for you!! Thanks, Karen From: Lori Ann Harris [mailto:Lah@Lahassoc.com] 5/15/06
NC General Assembly convenes for Short Session! The General Assembly opened its new session at noon Tuesday, May 9. The atmosphere was light and friendly – just like the first day of school. The budget picture is very rosy this year and lawmakers have about $2 billion in extra money as they try to adjust the $17.4 billion state budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Among the major issues this session aside from the budget will be mental health reform, ethics and lobbying reform, water and school construction bonds, a cap on the gasoline tax and the minimum wage increase. NEW FACES Three new lawmakers - Rep. Tim Spear, D-Washington, and Senators Pete Bland, D-Craven, and William Miller, R-Forsyth were the new faces on Jones Street as they took their seats for the first time Tuesday. Spear replaced former Rep. Bill Culpepper who was appointed to the Utilities Commission by Gov. Easley. Bland replaced former Sen. Scott Thomas who resigned to become the district attorney for Craven, Pamlico and Carteret counties. Miller replaced longtime Sen. Hamilton Horton, R-Forsyth, who died in January. If you are from one of these counties with new representation, make sure that you get to know your new lawmakers. THREE TO CHAIR HOUSE RULES Speaker Black tapped three legislators to serve as co-chairs of the House Rules Committee following the departure of former Rep. Bill Culpepper. Those calling the shots this summer will be Rep. Nelson Cole (D-Rockingham), Rep. Marion McLawhorn (D-Pitt) and Rep. Mickey Michaux (D- Durham). EASLEY PRESENTS BUDGET Governor Easley presented his recommended adjustments to the budget on Tuesday just prior to the convening of the session. The $18.9 billion budget is heavy on education but seems to have a little of everything in it to keep most folks happy. Here are the budget highlights: Child and Family Support Teams Additional funds in the amount of $720,804 are recommended for the Governor's Child and Family Support Teams to connect at-risk students and families to appropriate behavioral social services. Local social services care coordinators will train school-based professionals to identify at-risk students and employ strategies to deal with behavioral health issues. Child Care Subsidy The Governor recommends $20 million to reduce the child care waiting list. The funds will be used to serve 2,939 more children than were served in 2005-2006, bringing the number of children served in 2006-07 to 99,444. This recommendation will not cover social worker costs in pertaining to unlicensed relative placements. Efforts are underway to secure additional funding for this item. OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST Public Awareness of Safe Surrender of Infants Funds in the amount $100,000 are requested by the Governor to provide for radio ads, billboards, print ad campaigns, posters, and brochures to inform the public of the Safe Surrender Act (S.L. 2001-291). Reserve for Utility and Fuel Costs The Governor has recommended that nonrecurring funds in the amount of $1,271,533 be provided to address increasing utility and fuel costs. Home and Community Care Block Grant Funds in the amount of $3 million are recommended to increase the Home and Community Care Block Grant to reduce the waiting list for services. The funds will be allocated to the Area Agencies on Aging. Smart Start The Governor recommends $10 million in recurring funds for local Smart Start initiatives, including subsidized child care. SENATE RUSHES TO COMPLETE BUDGET The Senate Appropriations Chairs are working hard to meet a self-imposed deadline of May 26 to complete their budget. Senate Budget leaders are working over-time in the back room to analyze the Governor's budget and to put their own special touches on the budget. It's exciting to see such hard work being done so early in the session, but the flurry of activity makes it hard to keep up with the budget too. Lori Ann Harris Contract Lobbyist __________________ Lori Ann Harris PO Box 26974 Raleigh , NC 27611 919-832-2648
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