Where Things Stand
NCCBI Assesses Major Issues Facing the Legislative Short Session

“It is difficult to anticipate the tone of this year's short session because it will begin immediately after a primary that is the first step to determining a new governor, many cabinet level positions and key legislative seats,” said NCCBI President Phil Kirk. “Even though North Carolina's economy remains strong, previous commitments made by the General Assembly leaves this year's budget with little flexibility and it is anticipated that the General Assembly will try to move quickly on the budget and not address any issues that are politically divisive.”

Many of the legislative study commissions have not met - or have met infrequently - since the long session last year and consequently will not make their final reports and recommendations until the 2001 session. A major distraction was Hurricane Floyd and the devastating flood in eastern North Carolina. A special session to address this flooding disaster, along with a special session to address the potential impact of a Florida tobacco settlement on North Carolina tobacco companies, has occupied the time and attention of legislators since the 1999 session.

Included in the list of commissions that did not meet was the Legislative Study Commission on Occupational Musculoskeletal Disorders. NCCBI has expressed major concerns over the state imposing an ergonomics standard and has been working at the administrative level with the Rules Review Commission to block the Department of Labor's efforts to move forward on a state-mandated standard. The Rules Review Commission affirmed NCCBI's position that the Department of Labor does not have the statutory authority to move forward with a standard based on language in last year's study commission bill which was proposed by NCCBI and passed by the General Assembly.

Of particular interest to NCCBI is the report that has been presented by the Study Commission on Higher Education Facilities Needs. Consensus was not reached between the Senate and House last year on this issue. NCCBI has taken an active role in recent months to bring together the business community with top leadership from the UNC system and Community College System to determine their top facility needs.

“We feel strongly that the state must address the critical facility needs of the state's universities and community colleges,” Kirk said. “If we are going to remain competitive, our labs need to be upgraded, critical repairs and renovations need to be addressed and we need to plan for the projected growth of students at both the state's universities and community colleges. It is imperative that business leaders, educators and the citizens of North Carolina step up to the plate.” NCCBI's chairman Mac Everett and immediate past chairman Phil Phillips have been instrumental in pulling together stakeholders and working to develop a shared strategy.”

Here is a brief overviews of issues that are potential hot topics for the business community:

Higher Education Facilities Needs
NCCBI Supports a $3 billion to $3.4 billion bond issue being placed on the November general election ballot to provide much-needed funding for capital improvements for our state's public universities and community colleges. We will urge the General Assembly to move quickly on this matter.

Health Care Issues
NCCBI will continue to oppose legislative initiatives that have the potential for driving up health care costs. We encourage employers to provide health care coverage for their employees, and we do not want to see mandates imposed or other legislation enacted that will drive up costs and make health care prohibitive for employers.

Rural Prosperity Task Force Recommendations
NCCBI will closely follow recommendations of the Rural Prosperity Task Force, which include issues such as extending Internet access to rural areas, education/training/retraining of the work force, changes for agriculture and infrastructure improvements. No specific legislation has been proposed, but is expected during the short session.

Education: Full Funding of Smart Start, the Excellent Schools Act and Raising Teacher Pay to the National Average
North Carolina's improved student achievement continues to be recognized nationwide, and NCCBI will recommend that the General Assembly “stay the course” on funding these education initiatives.

School-to-work and Job Ready Initiatives
NCCBI will continue to support these efforts that prepare our students for the world of work. Federal funding will end for Job Ready soon, and we believe the state should continue funding for these initiatives on a shared basis with local communities.

Administrative Procedures Act
NCCBI will continue to support proposed changes in the Act to make decisions of Administrative Law Judges final.

Session Limits
NCCBI will continue to support session limits to ensure that the process of government is handled efficiently and productively. The “short session” should be limited to budget matters, unless legislation is needed to address a justifiable emergency situation. Memories of the 1998 “short” session, which lasted from May until late October, still linger, and will, hopefully, not be repeated.

Four-Year Terms for State Legislators
NCCBI will continue to support a constitutional amendment allowing four-year terms for all legislators.

Environmental Legislation
NCCBI supports legislative initiatives that encourage responsible use of our natural resources and that are scientifically based, cost-justified and risk-managed. We encourage the General Assembly to enact Environmental Excellence Legislation that will create a voluntary program to support and encourage business and industry to use innovative environmental measures or strategies not recognized under existing laws but achieve overall environmental results that are equal to or better than those under existing law.

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