Progressive Voices Archive

During the mad rush that was the last few weeks of the recently adjourned legislative session, one bill was passed easily and quietly that should have drawn dissent and jeers. Lawmakers quietly and overwhelmingly continued their policy of aggressive pursuing large corporations by offering them tens of millions of dollars to expand in or relocate to North Carolina. More specifically, in the last few days of the legislative session lawmakers significantly expanded the Job Development Investment Grant Program, or JDIG.

It’s official. The state budget bill has been signed by the governor. All things considered, the budget adopted this year is a reasonable plan for North Carolina. There was very little new money available to budget-writers because tax revenue growth, along with the economy, has slowed to a crawl.

The state budget just passed by the General Assembly and presumably to be signed by the Governor in short order commits every North Carolinian to an additional $100 in debt. Specifically, the final budget agreement includes $857 million in new debt, more than the Governor, House, or Senate had proposed. Divide that amount by the number of people that reside in the Old North State and that comes to an additional $100 per person, not including interest.

Kissing babies makes for a great photo op when politicians are on the campaign trail. Most legislators claim to care about children. But what happens when young people are beyond the age of a photo op, when their behavior is less than cherubic or when their needs run counter to a legislator’s personal beliefs?

Long before the recent decision by Senator Barack Obama to forego participation in public financing, there has been a growing consensus that our current system of Presidential public financing is in need of repair.

On June 3rd, the North Carolina Senate passed a bill that, if also passed by the House of Representatives and signed by the governor, would do away with North Carolina’s gift tax. Eliminating North Carolina’s gift tax would have implications for the state’s estate tax collections, the ability of the state to finance services now and in the future and the fairness of the state’s tax system.

We are faced with a fundamental challenge: How can we move to a low greenhouse gas emission economy that will stave off environmental catastrophe in a way that does not increase the ranks of the poor or make things worse for those already there? And how can the shift be made fairly, without creating winners and losers from the process? The path chosen to the new greener economy will have profound implications for North Carolina.

Transportation was once an engine of progress and an inspiration for the future. Railroads opened the West and automobiles gave mobility to a footloose generation after the Second World War. Nowadays, getting around has become a source of problems more than solutions.

A year ago, a new advocacy group for North Carolinians with disabilities was launched. Over the past 12 months, the staff of the new organization – Disability Rights North Carolina (DRNC) – has learned a lot. Not only did we learn mundane things like how to use the new database and fill out timesheets, we had to develop and then learn critical policies and protocols related to working with clients. In short, we had to become experts in the complexities of the systems designed to serve North Carolinians with disabilities.

When you walk into your favorite restaurant or fast food joint, the sanitation grade rating isn’t the only thing you should be paying attention to. An ‘A’ means that the counters are clean, the freezer is kept at an acceptable temperature, and that generally, rats aren’t lingering about. But it doesn’t say much about the sanitation ratings of another key ingredient in a kitchen—the people.

One penny. Of every new non-defense dollar spent by the federal government over the last five years, only one cent has gone to children’s programs. One cent to cover improvements in child welfare, health, education and training, housing, family income supports, nutrition and child safety. That one penny should make us think hard about our priorities and help us voice expectations for our next President.

Congress is embroiled in a debate over Medicare while older adults get ready to reach deeper and deeper into their pockets to pay for their health coverage. Medicare beneficiaries are willing to pay their fair share. They expect their premiums to go up, but they should not have to shoulder an extra hike that results from a flawed payment system for doctors.

There has been a great deal of conjecture and discussion in the press and at the state Legislative Building about a bond proposal for road construction being put to voters this November.

Governor Easley’s recommended state budget for the upcoming fiscal year is balanced — meaning that ongoing spending is paid for with ongoing revenues. That was no small task given the limited availability of “recurring” dollars and for it he deserves praise.

Recently, Governor Easley released his recommended budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. He has played his cards and his hand will be difficult to match – he wants the budget to balance, a large pay increase for teachers and, not surprisingly, more funding for his signature initiatives such as “Learn and Earn” and “More at Four.”