May 12, 2000
Issue No. 1, the
2000 Short Session
Headlines
NCCBI stages its 15th annual Legislative
Conference, at which leading policymakers warn
that a tight state budget precludes spending on
any new programs. However, conference speakers
say continuing programs strongly endorsed by
NCCBI will make it into next year's budget. Complete story. List of sponsors.
Legislators have a full plate of issues to
wrestle with this session. As NCCBI sees it, the
hot topics will be higher education bonds, health
care, the Rural Prosperity Task Force
recommendations, the fourth installment in
raising teacher salaries to the national average,
Smart Start expansion, school to work and job
training, government regulatory reform, session
limits and environmental regulation. Complete analysis.
Lawmakers embrace NCCBI's proposal for seeking
voter approval of a $3.1 billion bond referendum
to provide much-needed construction and building
repair money for the UNC System and the Community
College System. Passage of the measure could come
in a few days. List of UNC System
projects.
List of community
college projects. Text of S. 912, the higher education
bonds bill.
Voters gave the May 2 primary election only
secondary attention, with a turnout that was as
low as 17 percent in many places. Runoff
elections will be necessary in the Republican
contests for Labor Commissioner and Agriculture
Commissioner. Complete story. Most local bond issues
pass.Results of House and
Senate primaries (pdf file download).
State government briefs:
BellSouth, Sprint and GTE sign a landmark
agreement with the state to bring high speed
Internet access to rural parts of the state
within three years.... The state's Unemployment
Insurance Trust Fund remains
healthy....Legislative leaders create a new
Appropriations subcommittee to focus on
information technology issues.... The
Environmental Review Commission approves Gov. Jim
Hunt's major environmental initiatives, and goes
him one better.
Departments
Names in the News
Washington Report: The showdown looms on
the China trade vote
|
