The Raleigh Report
From the Office of Representative William Brisson
February 3, 2011
The pace of our work increased in the General Assembly this week, with committees beginning to meet and some bills reaching the House floor. We have also been attending briefings to understand the depth of the budget deficit the state faces. The governor has been asked to trim at least $400 million in spending over the next few months to help reduce the deficit in the coming fiscal year. We are also forced to make other cuts to budget, but I will be fighting to make sure we cut smartly and do the least amount of damage possible to education and job supporting programs.
The House voted Wednesday to pass a bill that would exempt North Carolina residents from a key requirement of the national health care reform law. House Bill 2 that passed by a 66-50 vote would block a provision that requires people to buy insurance beginning in 2014 or pay a penalty. It also aims to force the state’s attorney general to join a lawsuit filed by 26 other states to challenge the law. The bill will now move to the Senate.
Thank you for this chance to share information with you. I am including summaries below of some of the bills filed recently that I believe will help North Carolina and I hope you do, too.
Economic Development
_ A committee looking for ways to continue promoting economic growth and stimulating job creation would be re-established under legislation filed in the House this week. The legislation would authorize the Committee on Global Engagement to study: the state’s current international activity in the business, government and education sectors; barriers to international trade that could be addressed by state legislation; options for targeting and recruiting international business to North Carolina and means to increase foreign investment in the state, among other duties. (H23)
Crime
_ The state crime lab would work under the guidance of a forensic science advisory board and an ombudsman if the General Assembly approves legislation filed this week. The legislation is the result of a study committee put together after complaints about the quality and impartiality of the lab’s work. The bill (H27) would also rename the lab, require certification of forensic science professionals and clarify some of the state’s statutes on forensic evidence.
_ We have asked for the 23 fully certified child advocacy centers in North Carolina to get expanded capability to conduct forensic interviewing for children who may have been victims of crime. We have also asked for more resources to help these centers develop comprehensive community responses to child abuse and to better coordinate criminal and treatment efforts to address child abuse. (H16)
Please do not hesitate to contact my office, or me if I may be of service to you. As always it is an honor to represent the people of the 22nd district.
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.