Capital Tonight May 23: Debating the state budget
May 24th - 10:55 am
On Capital Tonight: Sarah Curry from the John Locke Foundation and Alexandra Sirota from the NC Budget and Tax Center debate the Senate’s proposed budget.
Watch the episode here.
Sen. Berger on House Dix Deal: Governor cedes more to Raleigh
May 23rd - 11:22 am
UPDATED: McCrory release below Berger release
Sen. Phil Berger, Senate president pro-tempore
Sen. Phil Berger just sent a release on the House bill that they believe resolves the lease deal between the City of Raleigh and lawmakers. McCrory supports it as well.
Check out that story here.
Sen. Berger doesn’t appear to be on board with the House plan. Below is from the news release.
Raleigh, N.C. – Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) issued the following statement Thursday in response to Gov. Pat McCrory’s press conference on his plan for the Dorothea Dix campus:
“We appreciate that the governor and Raleigh mayor are attempting to make things right for the taxpayers of North Carolina and the state’s mentally ill. But it is difficult to understand why they are extending an unlawful lease. This proposed agreement delays doing the right thing until 2014 – why not do the right thing today?”
Berger also questioned the logic of giving the City of Raleigh a preference to purchase the valuable Governor Morehead School property, saying “the purpose of the Senate’s bill was to put the state on equal negotiating footing with the City of Raleigh. Instead the executive branch has ceded more ground.”
Gov. Pat McCrory
Here is the release from Gov. Pat McCrory
Raleigh, N.C. – Governor Pat McCrory and Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane have asked the General Assembly to set the effective date of the Dorothea Dix lease bill to next year, in order to give the State of North Carolina and the City of Raleigh time to negotiate an improved deal.
“Mayor McFarlane and I strongly believe that we must move ahead to reach a mutual agreement,” said Governor Pat McCrory. “We look forward to working with the General Assembly to give us the time to come to an agreement that will allow us to create a destination park that will also accommodate the State’s needs.”
The two parties enter into the negotiations sharing the common goals of providing funds for mental health care and space for facilities for the Department of Health and Human Services consistent with a development of a destination park for the people of Raleigh and North Carolina.
“I appreciate the opportunity to work with the governor over the next year to come to an agreement that will result in the realization of a world-class park on the Dorothea Dix Campus,” said Mayor Nancy McFarlane. “While the Governor and I respectfully disagree on the validity of the existing lease, I believe that we will be able to come to an agreement that will be in the best interest of the citizens of Raleigh and the State of North Carolina.”
Governor McCrory and Mayor McFarlane have asked the effective date on SB334 be April 1, 2014 to allow the State and City of Raleigh time to execute a new agreement based on the following terms:
1. The City of Raleigh may lease or purchase, including by an installment sale, the Dorothea Dix property and other parcels subject to the December 28, 2012 Lease, less approximately thirty acres to be retained by the State of North Carolina for use by the NC Department of Health and Human Services.
2. The State of North Carolina will discuss the additional lease, sale or grant of an easement of other state property to the City of Raleigh, including the Governor Morehead School property.
3. The purchase price will be for the fair market value of the property based on a new independent appraisal, and subject to a survey, environmental inspection and other due diligence by the City of Raleigh.
4. The proceeds of the lease or purchase will be utilized by the State of North Carolina for providing mental health services to the people of North Carolina.
5. In order to provide time for the appraisal and execution of a definitive lease or purchase agreement, the State of North Carolina and the City of Raleigh will enter into a temporary “Standstill Agreement” which will preserve the legal rights of each party without prejudice.
If the State of North Carolina and the City of Raleigh come to a new agreement, the Council of State and Raleigh City Council would have to approve the deal.
Gov. McCrory, Raleigh mayor brief public on Dix property compromise bill
May 23rd - 10:00 am
Gov. Pat McCrory and Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane
RALEIGH—More details came to light Thursday about a compromise bill on the lease for the Dorothea Dix campus property.
Gov. Pat McCrory and Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane held a news conference about the proposal.
When the 75 year lease was originally signed by former Gov. Bev Perdue at the end of 2012 in order to transform the property into a park, the move was heavily criticized by Republicans.
However on Thursday there was more of a bi-partisan approach as McCrory and McFarlane said they are working together. A House Committee advanced a proposal on Tuesday that extends renegotiation until April 2014 to determine how the land can be used.
The bill could give the City of Raleigh more land to work with while allowing the state to hold on to some of the Dorothea Dix property. This will require more appraisals and environmental assessments to be conducted to determine how much the City of Raleigh will pay.
McCrory said the new negotiation is a step in the right direction.
“This gives both parties more opportunities to really develop a comprehensive, integrated plan which meets the needs of both the state and the city,” said McCrory.
The bill has only advanced out of the House committee. However, the Senate writers have said that the are not sure if they believe that they are in agreement with the renegotiation.
Foxx appears before Senate committee in confirmation hearing for cabinet post
May 22nd - 8:02 pm
WASHINGTON—Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx appeared before senators Wednesday for his confirmation hearing as the next transportation secretary.
Foxx appeared before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation as part of his confirmation hearings.
Foxx was introduced by Senators Kay Hagan and Richard Burr. And for more than two hours, he aimed to preserve that bipartisan tone by avoiding controversial questions and vowing to work with both Democrats and Republicans.
“My goal as transportation secretary, if confirmed, would be to be as open and transparent as possible,” said Foxx.
However Foxx will face some tough challenges if the Senate gives him the job, budget cuts are putting pressure on every government agency.
“We’re in a situation in sequester where there is going to be pain,” said Foxx.
At the same time, infrastructure is crumbling, and localities across the country are struggling to come up with new ways to pay for decent roads.
“Our rail lines are deteriorated, outdated and decrepit,” said Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal.
Foxx sounded open to new revenue solutions, and pointed to Charlotte as an example of how investing in infrastructure ends up benefiting the entire economy.
“Our transportation system at its best connects to jobs and a better quality of life,” said Foxx.
One senator asked him about his ability to balance a budget, especially as budgets were dramatically cut earlier this year.
“When I took the oath of office in Charlotte in 2009, our revenues were $200 million less than what they’d been the year before and we had to work within that. We didn’t raise taxes to get there, we actually had to work within the resources,” Foxx said.
The committee will vote on recommending him for the cabinet position at a later date. If approved, he could be confirmed by the full Senate in June.
- Michael Scotto
Racial Justice Act repeal heard by NC House panel
May 22nd - 7:33 pm
RALEIGH — The battle over North Carolina’s death penalty and whether or not to keep the Racial Justice Act defense against it was up for debate again.
Opponents of a measure that would repeal the Racial Justice Act, a appeal that let’s death row inmates say racial bias played a factor in their sentence, and seeks to restart executions after several years of legal battles say capital cases shouldn’t be rushed because a person’s life is on the line.
No vote was taken Wednesday, but the bill cleared the Senate last month along party lines.
Executions have been on-hold in North Carolina since 2006.
However supporters of the Senate bill heard in the House judiciary committee said justice for murder victims and their families have waited long enough.
For his part, Sen. Thom Goolsby is looking to help get executions started again once the court system clears the path.
“We have not had an execution in North Carolina since 2006 and we have the longest serving inmate on death row who has been there since August 21, 1985,” said Goolsby.
The Racial Justice Act has been considered in multiple cases already and has effectively moved murderers off death row to a life sentence.
Some of those present at Wednesday’s meeting were family members of victims who were murdered and the killer’s sentence was adjusted. They say the Racial Justice Act is preventing justice from being served.
“I am the only voice my brother has. I am the only one who can speak for him,” said brother of murder victim Al Lowery.
Supporters of the Racial Justice Act say they state shouldn’t be too hasty in repealing it because the cases that have been tried prove there is a need for it.
- Loretta Boniti
Foxx confirmation hearings for cabinet post begin today
May 22nd - 6:59 am
CHARLOTTE — Mayor Anthony Foxx will be on Capitol Hill Wednesday for his Senate confirmation hearing.
Foxx is a one step closer to becoming the next U.S. Secretary of Transportation.
People across the state are keeping a close eye on Foxx’s D.C. debut. President Barack Obama nominated Foxx in April to be his next transportation secretary.
This afternoon, Foxx will make his first appearance before the Senate commerce committee.
Foxx will be introduced to the committee by North Carolina Sens. Kay Hagan and Richard Burr.
He’s expected to answer questions about his background and views on transportation, including the administration’s commitment to high-speed rail.
The committee will vote on whether to recommend Foxx for the cabinet position at a later date.
If approved, he could be confirmed by the full Senate in June, and at age 42, would become the youngest member of the Cabinet.
- Erin Roberts
Capital Tonight May 21: Full Interview with Gov. Pat McCrory
May 21st - 5:37 pm
Capital Tonight anchor Tim Boyum sits down with Gov. Pat McCrory to discuss the Senate budget, Gov. McCrory’s legislative priorities, and what the governor sees as his role in state government.
Watch the clip here.
Capital Tonight May 20: Sen. Pete Brunstetter, on budget proposal
May 21st - 2:40 pm
On Capital Tonight: The Senate has released its proposed two-year budget. Sen. Pete Brunstetter joins Tim Boyum to discuss the details. Plus, the Greensboro News & Record’s Travis Fain and NC Health News’ Rose Hoban join the reporters roundtable. Watch the full episode here.
McCrory on Senate budget: Good on Medicaid; Let’s talk on eugenics, SBI
May 20th - 11:52 am
Gov. Pat McCrory
Gov. Pat McCrory said in statement that he agrees with the proposed Senate budget on “specific goals with jobs, energy, transportation and Medicaid,” but he disagrees on other areas. He wrote:
“However, there are several areas that need further dialogue as they differ from the budget and policies I have previously laid out.”
Several areas for further review include:
- Elimination of Special Superior Court judges
- Transfer of the SBI
- Exclusion of drug treatment courts
- No salary increases for state employees
- No expansion of pre-K
- No eugenics compensation
- Does not allow for routine legal services in each agency
“Today is the second step of a four-part budget process. These differences are still within the general parameters of our goals, and we look forward to working with the Senate and also reviewing the House budget proposal in the coming weeks.”
Senate releases $20 billion budget plan
May 19th - 9:47 pm
RALEIGH — The Senate is proposing a $20 billion budget that would increase spending by 2.3 percent and offers what senators are calling the largest tax cut in the state’s history.
The plan was released late Sunday evening.
It is almost identical to the bottom line of Gov. Pat McCrory’sbudget proposal on matters such as education reform and health care.
It includes more than $1 billion in additional state dollars to control Medicaid costs.
The proposal would provide $53.6 million dollars for education reform while eliminating a K-12 flex cut for local school districts.
The Senate plans to push the budget through committee and the Senate floor this week.
The current budget is set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on June 30.
Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger’s office said the budget will be made available to the public on the General Assembly’s website late Sunday night.
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