Our seniors have helped make North Carolina a place that is growing and vibrant and have led us through many difficult times. During my past term in the General Assembly, I supported several initiatives that we hope will keep them healthy, safe and financially secure.

Below, I have included a few highlights of our work in the past two sessions, as well as some information from the 2010-11 budget. I hope you will find it useful.

Please contact me if I can be of any help. I look forward to continuing to serve you.

Planning

The General Assembly has directed several agencies to begin better preparing for the aging baby-boomer population. The law (SB 195 – SL2009-407) directs the University of North Carolina Institute on Aging and the Division of Aging and Adult Services to organize meetings of gerontologists, researchers and others to identify and prioritize issues the state will have to address. It also calls for the development of a website with information about how serve increasing numbers of adults.

Adult Care

The Division of Aging and Adult Services has been asked to study the issue of criminal history record checks for owners, operators, volunteers, and prospective owners, operators, and volunteers in adult day care programs and adult day health services programs. Among other things, the legislation (HB 1703 -SL2010-93) specifies that the study should identify which positions warrant a background check, develop a process for conducting the checks and designate who is responsible for requesting and paying for the check.

County Departments of Social Services have been directed to conduct follow-up monitoring of adult care homes (HB 1186 – SL2009-232). The law is meant to improve patient safety by improving oversight of adult-care homes.

Health

Legislation to establish a long-term care partnership program was passed (SB 1193 – SL2010-68).  Under a partnership program, a person who purchases a qualified long-term care insurance policy that provides a certain dollar amount of benefits will be allowed to disregard assets equal to the insurance payout when applying for Medicaid.  States that have initiated a partnership program have found that this encourages people to plan for their long-term needs and also results in savings to their state Medicaid programs.

Several recommendations made by the N.C. Study Commission on Aging to expand dental care services for older and disabled North Carolinians with special care needs were approved, including having state agencies look at Medicaid reimbursement for certain services and coordinating workforce efforts to increase the number of dental care providers serving persons with special care needs. (SB 188 – SL2009-100).

Automated calls to protect the public health, safety, or welfare are now allowed under a new state law(HB 1034 – SL2009-364). The system will be used to inform people that they have purchased products or medication that may be subject to a safety recall; that the person has not picked up a filled prescription drug or that one of their accounts may be subject to potential fraudulent activity. The calls cannot be used for any commercial purposes.

Safety

The Division of Emergency Management is establishing a voluntary registry that counties and municipalities can use to identify functionally and medically fragile people during a disaster under a new state law (SB 258 – SL2009-225). The law also authorizes counties and municipalities to operate similar registries.

We passed a new law to clarify that a Silver Alert may be issued for a person of any age (HB 1129 – SL2009-143). The Silver Alert System is a statewide system used to notify people about missing persons believed to be suffering from dementia or other cognitive impairments.

Housing

The Statutory Homestead Exemption has been increased under a new state law (HB 1058 – SL2009-417). Qualified people aged 65 or older qualify for the exemption, which increased from $37,000 to $60,000.

Budget

• $100,000 was approved to support Project C.A.R.E., the respite care and support program for families caring for persons with Alzheimer’s.

• Funding for optional services under Medicaid (such as dental care; eye care and eyeglasses; occupational, physical, and speech therapies; hospice; prosthetics and orthotics; community alternative program; and rehabilitation services) for aged, blind, and disabled adults was preserved for the most part. The one area in which there was a significant cut was to Medicaid personal care services which provides in-home help to disabled and frail older adults.  This program received a recurring cut of $50.7 million.  The program had been criticized for allegedly serving people who did not meet the specific disability criteria and for providing more hours of service for people than what they needed.

• No additional funding was appropriated for the Home and Community Care Block Grant, but no money was cut, either. The program helps older adults stay in their homes.

• $450,000 was appropriated for the operation of the Stroke Advisory Council, the continued implementation of the public awareness campaign and identification of stroke rehabilitation services throughout the State.

• $150,000 was authorized for a grant-in-aid to Prevent Blindness of North Carolina.

• $50,000 was provided for a non-recurring grant-in-aid to NC Arthritis Patient Services is provided for in the budget.

Notes

The latest US Bureau of Labor Statistics report shows that North Carolina led the nation in employment gains from July to August with the addition of 18,600 jobs. The report also points out that our state ranked fourth among the states in employment gains from August 2009 to August 2010 with 36,700 jobs. We were third in the nation in over the year jobless rate with a decline of 1.2 percentage points.

Cree Inc., a global leader in LED lighting technology and products, will expand its manufacturing operations in Durham. The company plans to create 244 jobs over the next two years and invest $135 million.

Empire Foods Inc., an advanced-technology food processing company, will bring 200 jobs to Halifax County. The company, using technology licensed from N.C. State University, plans to create 200 jobs and invest $2.5 million over the next five years.

Baltek Inc., a manufacturer of core materials for the wind energy, mass transit, marine and military markets, will relocate to a new manufacturing facility in Guilford County. The company plans to create 68 jobs and invest $3.25 million over the next three years.

DNP IMS America Corp., a printing-technology company, will expand in Concord. The company plans to create 37 jobs and invest $24.8 million during the next three years.

Please remember that you can listen to committee meetings and press conferences on the General Assembly’s website at www.ncleg.net. Once on the site, select “Audio,” and then make your selection – House Chamber, Senate Chamber, Appropriations Committee Room or Press Conference Room. A calendar of meetings is also available on the site.

North Carolina is getting tougher on criminals in this state, while also trying to assure that we are punishing the right people. In this past session, I helped pass several laws to help us better track criminals and to provide better education to our judicial officials. I am proud of the work we have done in this area and we will continue pressing for changes in the General Assembly and in our courts. The integrity of our court system should never be called into question.

If you have any questions or if I can be of service to you, please contact me. Thank you as always for your interest in North Carolina and state government.

Animal Abuse

Following the abuse case of a dog in Guilford County named Susie, the General Assembly toughened the animal cruelty laws in North Carolina. The new law (S.L. 2010-16, SB 254) increases from a misdemeanor to a felony the penalty for maliciously killing an animal by depriving it of food or drink. It also allows for stiffer punishment in cases of abuse. The law becomes effective December 1.

DNA Evidence

The DNA Database Act of 2010 requires law enforcement to take DNA sample from some criminal suspects upon their arrests. Currently, 23 other states and the federal government have DNA upon arrest statutes and North Carolina already permits collection of DNA from convicted felons. The new law (S.L. 2010-94, HB 1403) requires DNA collection for suspects accused of murder, manslaughter, rape or sex offenses, felony assaults with a deadly weapon or causing serious bodily injury, kidnapping or human trafficking, burglary offenses, arson, armed robbery, stalking, cyberstalking, and any offense which would require the person to register as a sex offender. The act applies to anyone arrested for attempting, soliciting, conspiring, or aiding and abetting another to commit a listed offense. The records and samples relating to a defendant’s DNA sample must be expunged by if the charge is dismissed, the defendant is acquitted of the charge, the charge is not filed within a designated time period, or if the defendant is found guilty of a lesser-included misdemeanor that is not on the list of offenses contained in the act.

The Joint Select Committee on Preservation of Biological Evidence has been extended. The committee is reviewing matters related to the preservation of DNA and biological evidence. (S.L. 2010-152, Sec. 24, SB 900).

Sex Offenders and Domestic Violence

All convicted sex offenders from other states still serving a sentence must now register with the state. The previous law only required people convicted since December 1, 2006 to register. The new law (S.L. 2010-174, HB 726) goes into place Oct. 1.

The state Supreme Court must now establish minimum education standards for district court judges handling domestic violence cases. The law (S.L. 2010-106, HB 1762) also encourages The University of North Carolina School of Government to provide domestic violence training for district court judges and magistrates.

Law enforcement or a prosecutor must now provide a defendant’s criminal history to a judicial official when the judge is considering pretrial release conditions for people accused of domestic violence. The law (S.L. 2010-135, HB 1812) requires judge to consider the record as part of their decision about possible limits on the defendants.

Gambling

North Carolina has once again banned the use of electronic machines or devices for conducting or promoting sweepstakes. The act (S.L. 2010-103, HB 80) makes it unlawful for any person to operate, or place into operation, an electronic machine or device to conduct a sweepstakes through the use of an entertaining display, or to promote a sweepstakes that is conducted through the use of an entertaining display. Violation of the law is misdemeanor for a first offense and a felony upon a second offense.

Please remember that you can listen to interim committee meetings and press conferences on the General Assembly’s website at www.ncleg.net. Once on the site, select “Audio,” and then make your selection – House Chamber, Senate Chamber, Appropriations Committee Room or Press Conference Room.

North Carolina suffered through a record-breaking drought in 2007 and the aftermath of that difficult time continues to influence our public policy. In addition to the immediate response to that crisis, we have made a number of changes that will improve our long-term approach to water planning. One of the decisions made in the House of Representatives was to establish a standing House Committee on Water Resources and Infrastructure so that we can examine water resource issues more closely and develop more expertise in the area. That committee has been busy and closely considered a number of measures.

This week, I want to share some highlights of the legislation we passed this year to improve our water systems and planning.

If you have any questions or if I can be of service to you, please contact me. Thank you as always for your interest in North Carolina and state government.

Public Water

A new law (S.L. 2010-150, HB 1747) directs large community water systems and local governments that provide public water service to revise their local water supply plans when 80 percent of the water system’s available water supply (based on calendar year average daily demand) has been allocated or when seasonal demand exceeds 90 percent. The plans must address foreseeable future water needs. Local governments must normally develop and submit such plans to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources at least once every five years.

Grants and Loans

The state has modified its criteria for which water and sewer projects receive priority when applying for grants and loans. The changes in the law (S.L. 2010-151, HB 1744):

• Clarify that the repair or replacement of leaking waterlines is a priority in situations where the line repair or replacement is being done to either improve water conservation and efficiency or to prevent contamination.

• Give priority to local governments with more than 1,000 service connections over similarly sized units if they have an asset management plan.

• Establish that a high-unit-cost project has priority over lower-cost projects.  In addition, the act establishes a sliding scale system for determining the priority given to projects that exceed the high-unit-cost threshold.

• Give priority to those projects that promote the consolidation, management, merger, or interconnection of water systems. If an applicant demonstrates it is not feasible for the project to include regionalization, the funding agency must assign the project the same priority as a project that includes regionalization.

• Direct each local government to develop and submit a local water supply plan to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources at least once every five years. The department must use the information in the plans to create a state water supply plan and must also identify potential conflicts among the various local plans and ways in which local water supply programs could be better coordinated.

• Require local governments to adopt minimum water conservation measures to respond to drought or other water shortage conditions, but allows local governments to adopt more stringent standards.  The act gives priority to those projects that adopt more stringent water conservation measures.

Studies

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has been directed to establish a task force to: (1) develop a statewide survey to assess the state’s water and wastewater infrastructure needs; (2) develop a plan for incorporating the information compiled from the United States Environmental Protection Agency surveys into the State Water Supply Plan; and (3) develop a plan for the creation and maintenance of a statewide water and wastewater infrastructure resource and funding database.

The act (S.L. 2010-144, HB 1746) also asks the department and the Local Government Commission to evaluate the costs and benefits of increasing the oversight of public water systems and wastewater. The agencies must report their findings and recommendations to the Legislative Study Commission on Water and Wastewater Infrastructure no later than November 1.

The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources have been asked to: (1) work with the North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation, other agricultural organizations, and farmers to develop a plan to identify and report on agricultural water infrastructure needs; (2) identify and encourage voluntary practices that conserve and protect water resources; and (3) design a cost-share program to assist farmers and agricultural landowners who implement best management practices to conserve and protect water resources related to agricultural use. The law (S.L. 2010-149, HB 1748) also requires that a report on their findings and recommendations be submitted to the Legislative Study Commission on Water and Wastewater Infrastructure no later than November 1.

Please remember that you can listen to interim committee meetings and press conferences on the General Assembly’s website at www.ncleg.net. Once on the site, select “Audio,” and then make your selection – House Chamber, Senate Chamber, Appropriations Committee Room or Press Conference Room.

One of the fastest growing parts of the state budget is Medicaid, the health plan for poor people who need extra help covering their medical costs. Since fiscal year 2000, the state’s budget for medical expenses associated with Medicaid, including federal dollars, has increased from $4.8 billion to $9.9 billion. The state and local share of those costs during that time has grown from roughly $1.8 billion to $2.3 billion. The original budget for this fiscal year called for an increase in this line item to $2.7 billion. The increased cost of Medicaid can be attributed to many things, including population growth, an aging population, rising medical costs and the recent economic downturn. Still, faced with balancing a budget without raising taxes, my colleagues and I identified several cost cutting measures this year that kept the budget essentially flat while still providing service to those who need some help getting through difficult times. This week, I wanted to share some of our recent work in this area with you.

If you have any questions or if I can be of service to you, please contact me. Thank you as always for your interest in North Carolina and state government.

Efficiencies

The state approved a number of measures this year intended to help trim Medicaid costs. These efficiency measures include:

• Authorizing the Department of Health and Human Services to require prior authorization for brand name drugs for which the phrase “medically necessary” is written on the prescription.
• Allowing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to prevent the substitution of generic drugs for brand name drugs if after consideration of all rebates the cost is less than the generic.
• Requiring that medications prescribed for mental illness are included on the Preferred Drug List. This measure, in addition to the previous two, is expected to save at least $10 million in drug costs.
• Limiting coverage to procedures recognized or approved by the National Institutes of Health.
• Directing the department to apply Medicaid medical policy to recipients who have primary insurance other than Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid.

The state also made several steps in the effort to combat Medicaid fraud. The anticipated savings from these measures is expected to reach $40 million this year. These efforts include:

• Authorizing the Department of Health and Human Services to create a fraud prevention program that uses information from state and private databases to develop a fraud risk analysis of Medicaid providers and recipients.
• Allowing the department to modify or extend existing contracts to achieve Medicaid fraud prevention savings in a timely manner.
• Establishing a Class I felony for knowingly and willfully soliciting or receiving kickbacks, bribes, or rebates in return for or to induce a person to engage in Medicaid fraud.
• Doubling the Medicaid Investigative Unit staff at the Attorney General’s Office to expand the prosecution of Medicaid fraud and abuse. Additional staff will ensure increased prosecution and additional Medicaid funds recovered from fraudulent providers.

Budget

The state’s budget also calls for saving $50 million in Medicaid costs by better case management. The initiatives:

• Expand efforts of the Community Care Network of North Carolina (CCNC). The Department of Health and Human Services contracts with the network to manage use of Medicaid services. Savings will be generated by expanding care management programs in hospital discharge, mental health; palliative care, and pharmacy. The improved system will enhance data integration, analytics, and reporting, increasing performance and save an estimated $45 million.

• Eliminate Medicaid reimbursement of ‘never events’ in hospital inpatient settings. ‘Never events’ are certain types of medical issues that develop or are acquired while a person is in a hospital, but should have been prevented. The policy change brings Medicaid in line with Medicare reimbursement. Estimated savings are $5 million.

Studies

Legislators have also asked for two studies related to Medicaid policies. The studies will examine:

• Provider rates - The Department of Health and Human Services or a contracted group will study reimbursement rates for Medicaid providers and program benefits.
• HIV waivers - The department will study the feasibility of reducing the waiting list for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program by expanding eligibility for Medicaid to HIV‑positive individuals with incomes at or below 133 percent of the federal poverty level.

Please remember that you can listen to interim committee meetings and press conferences on the General Assembly’s website at www.ncleg.net. Once on the site, select “Audio,” and then make your selection – House Chamber, Senate Chamber, Appropriations Committee Room or Press Conference Room.

While North Carolina has become a more urban state in the past 20 years, small and rural communities continue to make up a large part of our population. In fact, all or parts of at least 85 counties in North Carolina are considered rural. These communities are an important part of our state and their success helps ensure success for all of us. Fittingly, we have a number of important initiatives that are either in place or expanding to help serve the people who live in rural North Carolina. I have included some information this week for you about some of these programs. I hope you find it useful.

Thank you as always for your interest in North Carolina and state government. Please contact me if I can be of any service to you.

Jobs and Economy

The Rural Economic Development Center has almost $24 million in grant money to help create jobs through two important programs.

Nearly $13 million is available through the center’s Economic Infrastructure Water and Sewer Grants Program. The grants can be used to upgrade utilities to allow for new business locations or expansions. Up to $10,000 is available for each job to be created, with a maximum grant of $1 million or half the total project cost. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

The General Assembly expanded the Building Reuse and Restoration Grants Program by $3 million. The $11 million program helps communities restore and renovate vacant buildings for use by new and expanding businesses. Development grants of up to $480,000 are available for projects in Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties. Grants are capped at $240,000 for projects in Tier 3 counties. For most projects, at least one job must be created for each $8,000 in grant funding. The next application deadline is Sept. 3.

Since they were launched in 2004, the two programs combined have awarded more than $80 million to 378 projects, assisting 470 businesses and creating 11,200 jobs. The grants are awarded to local governments, which work with the businesses to ensure job creation.

The General Assembly expanded the Rural Center’s Small Business Assistance Fund from $500,000 to $1.5 million. The center is working with the Self-Help Credit Union to leverage the state’s investment into $7.5 million in small business loans. The additional $1 million in this fund is expected to result in loans to more than 150 small businesses that will create 550 jobs. The priority for these loans goes to businesses: in rural counties; owned by women or minorities; with less than 100 employees and $10 million in sales; that create new jobs that pay above their county’s average wage; and that leverage federal stimulus dollars.

The Rural Center received $1 million in additional money for the Family Farm Opportunity and Innovation Fund. The money will be distributed to farmers in grants of up to $20,000 to help improve energy efficiency on the farm, to develop new markets for their products and to develop new products. The total value of the fund from all sources is $18 million, including $1 million from the Tobacco Trust Fund to match the state’s contribution.

Agriculture

Agriculture remains the state’s top industry with an estimated annual value of $70 billion. Seventeen percent of all jobs in the state are related to agriculture or agribusiness. The industry is threatened by increasing urbanization. Since 2002, North Carolina has lost more than 6,000 farms and 600,000 acres of farmland. Legislators are trying to stem the losses through the work of the state’s Farmland Preservation Trust. The trust supports farming, forestry, and horticulture by buying agriculture and conservation easements and funding programs that help family farmers develop business and marketing plans. The General Assembly put $2 million into the trust this year.

The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources have been directed to help develop a plan and a report on agricultural water infrastructure needs. The new law (SL2010-149, H1748) instructs the departments to continue to work with the North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation, other agricultural groups, and farmers on the plan, as well as to identify and encourage voluntary water conservation and protection. The law also calls for the development of a cost-share program to help farmers and agricultural landowners who adopt best management practices for water conservation. The departments must report their findings to the Legislative Study Commission on Water and Wastewater Infrastructure by Nov. 1.

The state provided $250,000 for the Department of Agriculture “Got to Be NC” marketing campaign. This program promotes North Carolina farm products by helping to develop markets for North Carolina produce and products in grocery stores, restaurants, farmers markets, and other establishments.

The Department of Agriculture received $200,000 to augment its international trade efforts. The department’s International Trade Office helps connect farmers and North Carolina suppliers of agricultural commodities to international buyers. This money will help support additional international trade efforts and missions, especially in the growing export markets for pork, tobacco, and cotton to China and Central America.

Miscellaneous

The state Office of Rural Health has received $1 million to help small rural hospitals pay for operations and infrastructure maintenance. The office works collaboratively with the NC Hospital Association to distribute the money. Hospitals can typically request $75,000 to $125,000 for equipment or enhancements that will help improve their long-term fiscal stability.

A person who has been issued a permit to remove a coyote now has an additional option under legislation approved this year by the General Assembly. A new law (SL 2010 -156, H1824) allows the use of a humane, live capture collar trap. The trap works by throwing a cable loop over the animal’s head. The end of the loop is anchored in the ground. The law requires that the trap be checked daily and that a dog or any other animal not targeted by the trap be released unharmed. The law was recommended by the House Select Committee on Coyote Nuisance Control.

The Legislative Research Commission has been authorized to study the issue of whether the Wildlife Resources has carried out its mandate to increase its capability for studying foxes and other fur-bearing populations and then to implement plans that would produce “optimum” populations of the animals in the state. The study allows the commission to solicit input from hunters, trappers, public health authorities, agriculture officials and other interested parties. The studies bill (SL2010-152, S900) also allows for a study of the issue of adequate insurance coverage options for fresh produce growers.

Notes

Medicago will bring a new vaccine production facility to Durham, creating 85 jobs. The project was made possible in part by a $128,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.

Noranda Aluminum will expand its Norandal USA plant in Salisbury. The company plans to create 25 jobs and invest $7 million. The project was made possible in part by a $108,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.

Please remember that you can listen to interim committee meetings and press conferences on the General Assembly’s website at www.ncleg.net. Once on the site, select “Audio,” and then make your selection – House Chamber, Senate Chamber, Appropriations Committee Room or Press Conference Room.

While I have been busy in my district this week, it has also been a busy time in Raleigh with the governor signing several bills into law over the past few days. These laws will reform the state’s ethics rules, protect our coast from oil spill damage and spell out how we should dispose of our state flag, among other things. The governor also visited the National Guard Aviation Facility in Morrisville on Wednesday to sign four bills designed to assist members of our military. This week, I thought I would share some information with you about those bills, as well as some of the other ways we have tried to make North Carolina friendly to the members of the Armed Services.

I also want to take this chance to remind you about the sales-tax holiday, which will run Friday through Sunday. For more information about the tax holiday, and a complete list of tax-free items, please visit the Department of Revenue’s Web site.

Thank you as always for your interest in North Carolina and state government. I hope you will contact me if I can be of any service to you.

2010 Laws

Members of the military in North Carolina can now use the military’s emergency data form to set out their wishes for how their bodies are handled if they are killed in service. Previously, the law recognized only a will, a health care power of attorney or a document witnessed by two other adults as legally sufficient directions for how a soldier’s body should be handled after death. Some members of the military did not use these other instruments because they believed their wishes as stated to the military were sufficient. The law (SL2010-191) also officially recognizes the Honor and Remember flag as a symbol to honor and recognize fallen members of the Armed Services.

North Carolina built upon the significant reforms it made last year to military voting with a law that makes it easier for deployed service members to vote. The most recent change in the law (SL2010-192) considers a single application for an absentee ballot from a uniformed voter as an application for all absentee ballots for elections the voter is eligible for in that calendar year. The change is intended to make it easier for deployed soldiers to vote without having to file multiple requests for absentee ballots.

The courts-martial rules for the state National Guard have been updated to more closely follow the system used by United States military courts. The law (SL2010-193) will help ensure that military court proceedings are handled consistently and professionally for our National Guard members.

Banks and other lending institutions are now prohibited from foreclosing on the mortgage of a member of a military who is serving an active duty deployment. A new law (SL2010-190) requires the lender to give the member of the military at least 90 days after the end of the deployment before they can foreclose on the property. The exemption applies only to property purchased before the deployment. The additional time granted is intended to help members of the military find ways to save the property from foreclosure if possible.

2009 Accomplishments

Public university students called to active duty may soon be exempted from paying tuition penalties for not completing their degree on time. The University of North Carolina Board of Governors is working to establish a policy that excuses these students from paying the charge if their active duty is the reason for the extra time needed to complete their courses of study.

A new state law will make it easier for members of the military reserves to renew their drivers’ licenses after they receive deployment orders (H.B. 98 – S.L. 2009-274). The law allows members of the Armed Forces to renew their drivers’ licenses upon receipt of deployment orders and give them a 30-day grace period for an expired license after they are released from military duty outside of the United States.

Legislation meant to ensure that certain special license plates that are available to military veterans are issued to the right people has been signed into law (H.B. 1094 – S.L. 2009-121). The new law is intended to prevent impostors from purchasing military license plates, including plates that indicate the recipient of a Purple Heart, Distinguished Service Cross or Bronze Star. Applicants for these military plates would have to provide proof that they qualify for the plates.

We have helped pass a new law regarding unemployment insurance compensation for certain severely disabled veterans who have been discharged due to a service-connected disability (H.B. 1124 – S.L. 2009-101). Severely injured veterans will now receive unemployment benefits if they lose their job because of a disability incurred or aggravated during active military service or because of the veteran’s absence from work to obtain care and treatment for that disability.

A new state law directs the state’s occupational licensing to help deployed licensees waive or delay payment of fees and continuing education requirements (H.B. 1411 – S.L. 2009-458).This new law will help reservists who are sent off to war to keep from losing the licenses they need to keep their civilian jobs.

North Carolina’s absentee voting laws have been improved under a new state law (S.B. 253 – S.L. 2009-537). The law is specifically intended to improve the ability of military and overseas voters to cast timely ballots. This is incredibly important because it is vital that those defending democracy have the opportunity to participate in the democratic process.

Uniformed public safety officers will now be authorized to wear military service medals during the business week prior to Veterans Day and Memorial Day, the day of Veterans Day and Memorial Day, and the business day immediately following Veterans Day and Memorial Day under a new state law (H.B. 631 – S.L. 2009-240). Employers will maintain the right to prohibit the wearing of service medals if it’s determined they pose a safety hazard to the officer or to the public.

Notes

Heavy equipment maker Caterpillar announced in the past week that it would add more than 825 jobs at two sites in North Carolina. The company plans to build a $426 million plant in Winston-Salem that will eventually employ more than 500 people. It also has plans for a $30 million expansion at its plant in Sanford, where it will add 325 workers. Both projects received state economic development grants.

Furniture maker Ethan Allen Operations Inc. plans to create 90 jobs and invest $250,000 to expand its production capacity in Old Fort. The project was made possible in part by a $270,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.

Boral Composites Inc., a sister company to Boral Bricks in East Spencer, plans to open a plant in Rowan County to produce a new “green” product line for homebuilding. The company plans to create 25 jobs and invest $12.8 million. The project was made possible in part by a $50,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.

Please remember that you can listen to each day’s session, committee meetings and press conferences on the General Assembly’s website at www.ncleg.net. Once on the site, select “Audio,” and then make your selection – House Chamber, Senate Chamber, Appropriations Committee Room or Press Conference Room.

In recent years, North Carolina lawmakers have started to think more about our state’s energy policies. These efforts not only help us save money, but also help us conserve our resources and reduce our dependence on foreign oil and other energy sources from outside of our nation.

We made a number of important steps forward in this effort in this past session and I am pleased to share the highlights of our work with you.

Thank you as always for your interest in state government. If you have any questions about this information or anything else that I can help with, please contact me. I am always glad to be of service.

Energy

Legislation that will promote the use of renewable energy by extending the credit for constructing renewable fuel facilities and the credit for biodiesel producers has been ratified by the General Assembly and sent to Gov. Perdue to be signed into law (HB 1829). Among other things, the bill will also revise the tax credit for investing in renewable energy property and reinstate and expand the tax credit for a renewable energy property facility.

The sunset on some economic incentives would be extended under a bill that has been ratified by the General Assembly and sent to Gov. Perdue to be signed into law (HB 1973). These economic incentives include a credit for constructing renewable fuel facilities, a credit for small business employee health benefits, and a credit for biodiesel producers, among others. Once enacted, the legislation will also provide an enhanced incentive for jobs in high unemployment counties.

Environment

Certain environmental laws will be amended under a bill that has been ratified by the General Assembly and sent to Gov. Perdue to be signed into law (HB 1099). Among the changes are to (1) extend by one year the implementation of water system efficiency criteria for eligibility for state water infrastructure funds; (2) prohibit the use of high arsenic content glass beads when marking state or municipal roads or public vehicular areas; (3) modify the nutrient management strategy and adopt a sediments strategy for certain drinking water supply reservoirs; and (4) to protect and restore water quality and quantity in the Upper Neuse River Basin, Falls Lake, and other drinking water supply reservoirs by directing the environmental management commission to provide credit to local governments, land owners, and others who reduce water pollution in the Upper Neuse River Basin before permanent rules are adopted.

A bill that modifies the computer equipment recycling plan requirements and the associated fee on manufacturers has been ratified by the General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Perdue (SB 887 – S.L. 2010-67). The legislation also makes further substantive, clarifying, technical, and conforming changes to the laws governing the management of discarded computer equipment and discarded televisions, as recommended by the Environmental Review Commission. The law is intended to ensure that end-of-life computer equipment and televisions are responsibly recycled, to promote conservation, and to protect public health and the environment. It will also provide for a comprehensive and convenient system for recycling and reuse of certain electronic equipment would be established and responsibility would be shared among manufacturers, retailers, consumers, and the state.

Legislation to address oil spill liability, response and preparedness has been ratified by the General Assembly and sent to Gov. Perdue to be signed into law (SB 836). Among other things, the legislation will: (1) clarify liability for damages caused by the discharge of natural gas, oil, or drilling waste into state coastal fishing waters or offshore waters; (2) provide for the review of information related to proposed offshore fossil fuel facilities to determine whether they are consistent with state guidelines for the coastal area; (3) direct the Coastal Resources Commission to review existing laws and regulations that pertain to offshore energy exploration and production in light of the recent British Petroleum (BP) accident; (4) direct the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety to immediately review and update the oil spill contingency plan to prepare the state in the event that oil discharged from the BP leak comes to the North Carolina coast; and (5) direct the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to review limitations on recovery by the state for damage to public resources and for the cost of oil or other hazardous substance cleanup.

Legislation that will establish a task force to develop a plan for the establishment and maintenance of a statewide water and wastewater infrastructure resource and funding database has been ratified by the General Assembly and sent to Gov. Perdue to be signed into law (HB 1746).

Notes

C.M.I. Enterprises Inc., a national supplier of automotive soft-trim materials, will locate a new manufacturing facility in Rutherford County.  The company plans to move its Florida manufacturing plant to Rutherfordton, creating 53 jobs and investing $697,000 including lease payments.  The project was made possible in part by a $33,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.

Twenty-three private businesses, public agencies, and public and private universities will receive $5.6 million to create 400 jobs and internships to give students hands-on experience and training in North Carolina’s energy economy, the North Carolina Energy Office announced today.  The federal funds will be combined with other private and public dollars to create an internship program worth nearly $8.7 million.

Brunswick Corporation, a leading global manufacturer of recreational products and parent company of New Bern-based Hatteras Yachts, will expand in Craven County. The company plans to add 350 jobs over the next five years and invest $4.7 million. The expansion was made possible in part by state grants from the Job Development Investment Grant program and One North Carolina Fund.

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) will invest $38.4 million to build a warehouse and East Coast distribution center in Johnston County. The company plans to hire 187 workers to staff the facility over three years beginning in 2012. The project was made possible in part by a $600,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.

Please remember that you can listen to committee meetings and press conferences on the General Assembly’s website atwww.ncleg.net. Once on the site, select “Audio,” and then make your selection – House Chamber, Senate Chamber, Appropriations Committee Room or Press Conference Room.

We worked long hours this week as we move closer to adjourning this year’s legislative session. Our work has helped move to forward legislation on ethics, ban video gambling, extend economic incentives to business, and expand DNA testing in the criminal justice system. We still have a number of important bills to consider before session comes to a close, but I anticipate that we will remain here only a few more days before returning home.

Once the legislative session has come to an end, I will update you on the details of the major legislation that has been approved over the past few months. This week, I wanted to provide some additional information about the budget that Gov. Perdue signed into law last week. This information highlights items included in the budgets for Health and Human Services, the Judicial Branch, General Government, and Transportation. Figures in parentheses represent decreases in funding. Some of these are cuts in services, while others represent savings expected from more efficient operations.

Thank you as always for your interest in state government. If you have any questions about this information or anything else that I can help with, please contact me. I am always glad to be of service.

Health and Human Services

_ Provides funding for small rural hospitals for assistance with operations and infrastructure maintenance - $1 million.

_ Provides state funds to continue to serve people in the AIDS Drug Assistance program who are enrolled as of July 1, 2010. These funds will allow eligible individuals who are on the waiting list  as of July 1 to be enrolled. To the degree that funds are available, additional people will be enrolled in the program - $14.2 million.

_ Provides savings in overall Medicaid expenditures through the expanded efforts of the Community Care Network of North Carolina (CCNC). DHHS contracts with CCNC to manage use of Medicaid services. Savings will be generated by expanding CCNC’s care management programs in hospital discharge, mental health; palliative care, and pharmacy. The improved Informatics system will enhance data integration, analytics, and reporting, increasing performance and cost savings – ($45 million).

_ Generates savings by adding mental health drugs to the Preferred Drug List (PDL), which were previously not part of the PDL savings, and also requires prior authorization but only for off-label prescribing of mental health drugs – ($10 million).

_ Reforms the In-Home Personal Care Services program to provide care to those individuals at greatest risk of needing institutional care. Reform transitions eligible recipients into new program for adults needing extensive assistance with two or more activities of daily living – ($50.7 million).

_ Eliminates Medicaid reimbursement of ‘never events’ in hospital inpatient settings. ‘Never events’ are certain types of medical issues that develop or are acquired while a person is in a hospital, but should have been prevented. The policy change brings Medicaid in line with Medicare reimbursement – ($5 million).

_ Generates savings through new Program Integrity initiatives, including Medicaid SWAT teams for on-site investigations, strengthening Medicaid fraud laws, innovative technology to detect fraud and abuse, and prepayment reviews for questionable providers – ($40 million).

_ Generates savings by doubling the Medicaid Investigative Unit staff at the AGO to expand the prosecution of Medicaid fraud and abuse. Additional staff will ensure increased prosecution and additional Medicaid funds recovered from fraudulent providers – ($1 million).

_ Streamlines functions within the Child Support Section and reduces operating funds to coincide with the elimination of 16 state Child Support Enforcement offices - $1.3 million (20 filled positions, 13 vacant).

_Mental Health

_ Provides funding for community services administered by Local Management Entities, fully restoring cuts made last fiscal year - $40 million.

_ Increases funds available to purchase local hospital bed capacity for crisis response within communities, bringing total funding to $29 million - $9 million.

_ Increases funds available for training direct care staff and front line leaders in patient care - $534, 795.

_ Reduces state funds for the Whitaker School; the program will become a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility in which services are Medicaid reimbursable – ($1.9 million).

Judicial

_ Reduces the Administrative Office of the Courts central administration budget - $1.1 million.

_ Provides funds to expand the Medicaid Fraud Criminal Investigation Team. The expanded unit will consist of sworn investigators, attorneys, program assistants, financial investigators, and administrative support personnel. This investigative unit is responsible for obtaining convictions of community service providers that commit fraud, recovering restitution and civil penalties for the benefit of the Medicaid Program and the Civil Forfeiture Fund, and deterring fraud - $600,000.

_ Reduces the appropriation for medical services for inmates based on capping fees paid as a percentage of billed charges. This reduction applies to inpatient and outpatient hospital services as well as professional services – ($20.5 million).

_ Consolidates administrative functions between Brown Creek Correctional Center and Piedmont Correctional Institution and eliminates four duplicative positions – ($149,038).

_ Establishes an operating reserve and creates 554 positions to staff the Central Prison Hospital and Mental Health Facility -$5.3 million.

_ Establishes an operating reserve and creates 227 positions to staff the hospital and mental health facility at NC Correctional Institution for Women - $3.7 million.

_ Provides funds for community work crews at prisons throughout the state. These crews provide labor services for local governmental entities - $1.6 million (43 positions)

General Government

_ Appropriates funding as part of the Good Government package for four positions and operating expenses to ensure the State Ethics Commission has resources for design, implementation, training, and technological support for an online/electronic personal and financial disclosure system (Statement of Economic Interest, or SEI), and to meet the gift ban requirement -$492,702.

_ Provides funding for the Good Government package, including an attorney and software development - $421,000.

_ Reduces General Assembly operating budget – $2.2 million.

_ Provides funding for the Resolution Initiative II, which is estimated to collect an additional $110 million in revenue for FY 2010-11. The department has flexibility to apply these funds towards positions and/or operating expenses - $846,909.

_ Appropriates funding to sustain historical grants to military installations in order to provide community service and quality-of-life programs for military members and their families - $500,000.

Transportation

_ Eliminates 30 vacant positions - $1.9 million.

_ Provides funds to the Rail Division for grants to short line railroad companies for rehabilitation projects that strengthen North Carolina’s short line rail infrastructure - $2 million.

_ Adjusts funding in FY 2010-11 for the secondary road improvement program based on revised projections for motor fuels tax revenue - $3.8 million.

_ Provides funds to the Highway Patrol for matching funds for the Public Safety Interoperability Communications grant from the US Department of Commerce. The grant will assist in the further development of the Voice Interoperability Project for Emergency Responders (VIPER) network - $4.7 million.

_ Increases appropriation for the Intrastate System for FY 2010-11 consistent with new revenue estimates - $5 million.

_ Increases appropriation for the Urban Loops for FY 2010-11 consistent with new revenue estimates - $2 million.

Notes

AMARK Corp., an industrial contractor, will expand with a new fabrication facility in Pasquotank County.  The company plans to create 43 jobs and invest $1.9 million, including lease payments, during the next three years in Elizabeth City.  The project was made possible in part by a $126,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.

IBM Lender Business Process Services Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of International Business Machines Corp., will hire 600 workers during the next two years and invest $3.7 million to open a managed business process service center in Research Triangle Park. A state Job Development Investment Grant helped make the project possible.

On Wednesday, members of the House and Senate honored the life and memory of former Senator James R. Turner with a Senate Joint Resolution (SJR 1460). James Turner was appointed to fill a vacant seat in the State Senate in 1979 and served the General Assembly with honor and distinction for the remainder of the term. James Turner died on October 8, 2009, at the age of 75, and is survived by his wife of 42 years, Dr. Carolyn Simpkins Turner; a daughter, Susannah Turner Harvell; a son, William Joel Turner; and grandchildren, Blythe Turner, Will Turner, and Jack Turner.

Please remember that you can listen to each day’s session, committee meetings and press conferences on the General Assembly’s website at www.ncleg.net. Once on the site, select “Audio,” and then make your selection – House Chamber, Senate Chamber, Appropriations Committee Room or Press Conference Room.

Thank you for following the activity of the legislative short session over these past few months.   What you will be reading about with this week’s letter includes a focus on jobs and education and how the budget affects these important areas of concern to the people of our state.  Paraphrasing what one of my fellow House members stated as the final budget was being debated, if we had to have a bad budget, this is probably the best of the bad budgets we could have passed in this time of economic uncertainty.  It keeps as a priority the state’s attention to quality education, assistance for small businesses, and unwavering dedication to good government with regard to legislative ethics and transparency, among many other priorities.  Over the waning days of the short session, my office will bring you up to date on other budget decisions, the enactment of new laws as they are signed by the governor and other issues that arise during the interim once the 2009-10 session has adjourned.

I am grateful for your activism and attention to the issues of importance to you.  Please do not hesitate to let us know if we can be of assistance to you.

Natural and Economic Resources

_ Provides funding to attract businesses to locate operations in North Carolina and to increase the sale of North Carolina exports, including agricultural commodities - $875,000

_ Provides additional funding for the One NC Fund to enhance the competitive position of North Carolina when recruiting national and international business and industry projects. Three percent of these funds shall be used for small business expansion - $12.5 million.

_ Appropriates funding for Job Maintenance and Capital Development Fund - $6 million

_ Funds the One NC Small Business Fund program, which provides matching grants to businesses that qualify for federal incentives funds - $1.5 million.

_ Provides funding for the Main Street Solutions Program and the creation of one two-year time limited position to administer the program. This program provides grants to active Main Street Communities and designated micropolitans with populations between 10,000 and 50,000 people. Grants are to be used to support downtown economic development, historic preservation initiatives, and other public and private improvement projects that will support small businesses and job creation -$1.5 million.

_ Provides funds to help create additional export opportunities for NC companies in Asian and South American markets and to increase North Carolina investment interest from Asian and South American companies - $200,000.

_ Appropriates money for matching funds for US Department of Energy grants to support energy research and green jobs -$1 million.

_ Provides funding for marketing North Carolina as a tourist destination - $1 million.

_ Provides funding to support the seven Regional Economic Development Commissions - $5 million.

_ Provides funds for the Biofuels Center - $5 million.

_ Provides nonrecurring matching funds to the Research Triangle Institute for a US Department of Energy grant for energy research and green jobs - $500,000.

_ Provides funds for small business loans for those who have limited access to credit - $750,000.

_ Provides additional funding for the Rural Center’s Building Reuse and Restoration Program to strengthen the capacity of rural communities to compete for and attract new and expanding businesses. Funding for small-scale regional community development projects is also included - $3.13 million.

_ Provides funding to the Rural Center to continue the Small Business Assistance Fund - $1 million.

_ Provides money for the Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund - $2 million.

_ Provides funds to support international trade initiatives - $200,000.

_ Provides funds for Got to Be NC marketing. This program promotes North Carolina’s farmers by helping to develop markets for North Carolina produce and products in grocery stores, restaurants, farmers markets, and other establishments -$250,000.

_ Reduces personnel and operating expenses for aircraft operations. This reduction eliminates four pilot positions and two mechanic positions. The sale of 10 eliminated aircraft is expected to result in over $1.5 million in one-time revenue - $1.5 million.

_ Eliminates the Marine Fisheries Division’s three helicopters and associated operating expenses in accordance with the recommendations from the Program Evaluation Division’s Study of State Aircraft. The aircraft will be sold, generating one-time revenue of $35,000 - $60,218.

_ Provides nonrecurring funding for the Indian Economic Development Initiative - $100,000.

Education

_Public Schools

_ Prevents layoffs of any instructional personnel in K-12 by adjusting the lottery receipts budgeted for Classroom Teachers. Also redirects $16.8 million from the Lottery Reserve - $121 million.

_ Reduces the annual appropriation for the North Carolina Window on Student Education (NC WISE), as this project is deployed and is in operations and maintenance phase. Also there is a nonrecurring reduction of the cash balance – ($12 million).

_ Provides on a nonrecurring basis for the purchase of replacement textbooks for emergency situations. The State Board of Education shall develop rules and guidelines for the allocation of these funds - $2.5 million.

_ Provides funding to extend the Student Diagnostic Pilot program for a year in the existing 40 pilot schools. - $10 million

_ Eliminates end-of-grade test for geometry – ($585,459)

_Community Colleges

_ Fully funds enrollment growth to help pay for the 15 percent increase (33,013 students) in enrollment - $81 million.

_ Increases curriculum tuition from $50 to $56.50 for residents and from $241.30 to $248.50 for nonresidents. Tuition for full-time resident students will increase by a maximum of $208 per year, from $1,600 to $1,808 - $30 million.

_ Authorizes bonds for the purchase of instructional equipment and technology at all 58 colleges. - $33 million.

_ Restores the reduction made to the Small Business Center allotment in 2009. This funding will be added to each college’s base allocation. With this restoration, the total funding available for this program will be $5,756,853 -$402,861.

_ Provides funds to assist Minority Male Mentoring programs at community colleges. These programs provide such activities as academic and personal counseling, drug intervention, and personal growth and development. These funds will be distributed through a competitive application process - $900,000.

_UNC System

_ Mandates a management flexibility reduction for the UNC operating budget with a priority on non-teaching related budget cuts. This reduction is in addition to the $100 million management flexibility reduction authorized for the FY 2010-11 base budget – ($70 million).

_ Repeals the reimbursement to UNC institutions for their loss of revenue due to their compliance with a law that grants resident tuition to nonresident student athletes – ($9.4 million).

_ Reduces the General Fund advertising budgets of UNC campuses by 24 percent – ($2.5 million).

_ Reduces the $44 million annual appropriation to UNC Hospitals due to the entity’s $501.1 million in unrestricted reserves – ($8 million).

_ Increases UNC Need-Based Financial Aid - $8.2 million.

_ Continues the phase-in of funding for the additional faculty and operating needs of the new School of Dentistry at East Carolina University that will open with 50 students in the Fall of 2011. To date, $5.5 million has been appropriated for the school’s operating budget - $6 million. (36 positions)

_ Completes the staffing and operational needs of the Energy Production Infrastructure Center (EPIC) opening at UNC-Charlotte in the Fall of 2011. These funds will enable the hiring of research faculty in electrical power, power system infrastructure, and power plant engineering. These funds are in addition to the $2 million appropriated in 2009 - $3 million (23 positions).

_ Continues the phase-in of faculty and staff for the NC A&T/UNC-G Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering located at the Gateway University Research Park in Greensboro. The program will conduct research in areas such as drug design and delivery, nanobioengineering, and genetic screening. There has been $3.9 million appropriated to date for the operating budget for this program - $1 million. (23 positions)

_ Provides funds to North Carolina A&T State University’s College of Engineering for 1) enhancement of the research infrastructure, 2) faculty retention, 3) recruitment of high quality students, and 4) additional support staff - $1 million. (10 positions)

Notes

Edwards Wood Products Inc./Woodlawn will expand with a new saw mill in McDowell County.  The company plans to create 32 jobs and invest more than $1.96 million, including lease payments, during the next three years in Marion.  The project was made possible in part by a $96,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.

Please remember that you can listen to each day’s session, committee meetings and press conferences on the General Assembly’s website at www.ncleg.net. Once on the site, select “Audio,” and then make your selection – House Chamber, Senate Chamber, Appropriations Committee Room or Press Conference Room.

I continued working with my fellow members of the House this week to pass legislation that I believe will improve the lives of all North Carolina citizens. The following information highlights just some of the legislation that was passed by the House this week.

Thank you as always for your interest in state government. If you have any questions about this information or anything else that I can help with, please contact me. I am always glad to be of service.

Economy

The sunset on some economic incentives would be extended under a bill that passed the House this week (HB 1973). These economic incentives include a credit for constructing renewable fuel facilities, a credit for small business employee health benefits, and a credit for biodiesel producers, among others. If enacted, the legislation would also provide an enhanced incentive for jobs in high unemployment counties.

Energy/Environment

The Energy Policy Council would be directed to identify, study, and recommend policies to increase energy efficiency and conservation under a bill that passed the House this week (HB 1804). The legislation would also direct the Energy Policy Council to promote renewable energy resources and reduce carbon emissions.

Legislation to address oil spill liability, response and preparedness passed the House this week (SB 836). Among other things, the legislation will: (1) clarify liability for damages caused by the discharge of natural gas, oil, or drilling waste into state coastal fishing waters or offshore waters; (2) provide for the review of information related to proposed offshore fossil fuel facilities to determine whether they are consistent with state guidelines for the coastal area; (3) direct the Coastal Resources Commission to review existing laws and regulations that pertain to offshore energy exploration and production in light of the recent British Petroleum (BP) accident; (4) direct the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety to immediately review and update the oil spill contingency plan to prepare the state in the event that oil discharged from the BP leak comes to the North Carolina coast; and (5) direct the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to review limitations on recovery by the state for damage to public resources and for the cost of oil or other hazardous substance cleanup.

A bill that modifies the computer equipment recycling plan requirements and the associated fee on manufacturers passed the House this week (SB 887). The legislation also makes further substantive, clarifying, technical, and conforming changes to the laws governing the management of discarded computer equipment and discarded televisions, as recommended by the Environmental Review Commission. The legislation is intended to ensure that end-of-life computer equipment and televisions are responsibly recycled, to promote conservation, and to protect public health and the environment. If enacted, a comprehensive and convenient system for recycling and reuse of certain electronic equipment would be established and responsibility would be shared among manufacturers, retailers, consumers, and the state.

Miscellaneous

Legislation that provides an additional, safe method for trapping coyotes and increases the availability of permits to remove coyotes that threaten livestock or poultry passed the House this week (HB 1824). The bill is based on the recommendations of the House Select Committee on Coyote Nuisance Removal.

Legislation that would modernize the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control System passed the House this week (HB 1717). Among other things, the bill would prohibit local board members from accepting gifts from contractors doing business with their panel or stores and instruct them to avoid conflicts of interest that could financially benefit themselves or family members.

The North Carolina Supreme Court would be asked to establish minimum standards of domestic violence education and training for district court judges under a bill passed the House this week (HB 1762). If enacted, the legislation would also encourage the University of North Carolina School of Government to provide domestic violence education and training for judges and magistrates. The legislation is based on the recommendations of the Joint Legislative Committee on Domestic Violence.

Notes

Members of the House and Senate came together on Thursday for a joint legislative session to honor Coach Mike Krzyzewski and the Duke Blue Devil on their 2010 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship (SJR 1456).

On Thursday, members of the House honored the life and memory of former Representative George Milton Holmes with a House Joint Resolution (HJR 1901). George Holmes served for 16 terms in the North Carolina House of Representatives from 1975 to 1976 and from 1979 to 2008. He died on December 31, 2009, at the age of 80, and is survived by his wife, Barbara Ann Ireland Holmes; daughter and son-in-law and three grandchildren.

Members of the House honored the twentieth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act on Thursday with a House Joint Resolution (HJR 2076). This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, landmark legislation to protect the civil rights of individuals with disabilities and ensure that more than 54 million Americans receive the same basic freedoms – independence, equal access, freedom of choice and inclusion – afforded to every citizen in our country.

Please remember that you can listen to each day’s session, committee meetings and press conferences on the General Assembly’s website at www.ncleg.net. Once on the site, select “Audio,” and then make your selection – House Chamber, Senate Chamber, Appropriations Committee Room or Press Conference Room.