Last Slow Week at the Legislature: Gaining Momentum++ | Eastern North Carolina Now

News Release:

    GAINING MOMENTUM

    Today ends the last "slow week" at the Legislature. Many of us attended services for Congressman Walter B. Jones, Jr. in Greenville, NC.

    Next week, the schedule will be busier. A full complement of House and Senate committee meetings are scheduled for next week. Some of these committees will hear bills that have been filed. Other committees will hear presentations from various state agencies to provide information on issues, including but not limited to budget issues.

    The deadline for requesting local bills is Wednesday, 2/27/19. Local bills must be filed by 3/14/19. Public bills and Resolutions must be requested by 3/13/19 and filed by 4/2/19.

    SCHOOL CALENDAR FLEXIBILITY ISSUE

    The Rules of the House (Rule 35) and the Rules of the Senate (Rule 39.1) provide that if a bill affects fifteen or more counties, it is a Public Bill and cannot be a Local Bill. At this time, 17 House Local Bills and 4 Senate Local Bills have been filed regarding the school calendar flexibility issue. Not all the bills are identical, but most are very similar. A total of 29 counties have been named in the House bills and 19 counties in the Senate bills.

    One Public Bill, "Academic Alignment/Boards of Education and CC" House Bill 79 addresses the school calendar issue from a different angle, specifically recognizing the frequent conflicts between high school and community college calendars.

    We know the Republican and Democrat caucuses are discussing this issue (behind closed doors). No clear consensus has been reached to date. There seems to be a recognition that the conflict between school calendars and the Community College System calendars need to be addressed. This is especially true since many students are now attending Community Colleges and earning college credits prior to graduation from High School.

    ABC ISSUES

    "ABC Regulation and Reform" Senate Bill #11 has passed two Senate committees, and is scheduled for a floor vote in the Senate on Monday evening, 2/18/19. Although this bill bears an expansive title, it is actually a bill that tightens existing regulations to allow for more effective law enforcement against problem bars and related issues. There continues to be much conversation (and gossip) about privatizing liquor sales in NC, but no such bills have yet been filed. We expect privatization bills to be filed soon.

    APPROPRIATIONS

    On Wednesday, 2/20/19 at 8:30 am, the "Consensus Revenue Forecast/Budget Outlook" presentation will be delivered to the Joint Appropriations/Base Budget Committee. Click here to listen to this Committee meeting in Room 643 to hear projections on how much money the Legislature will have to spend.

    If you have questions, please email or call at any time. If you hear of any bill and have questions, we will be happy to provide lots of information! As always, we look forward to working with you.

    Contact: Joe McClees & Henri McClees
      McClees Consulting, Inc.

      Post Office Box 430
      Oriental, NC 28571

      Office (252) 249-1097
      Fax (252) 249-3275
      www.mccleesconsulting.com
      Joe McClees's mobile (252) 671-1585
      Henri's mobile (252) 671-1559