The Raleigh Report

 

From the Office of Representative William Brisson

March 31, 2011

 

This was a busy week in the General Assembly as we considered changes to the state health plan for teachers and state employees and held an election for members of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors. We also continue to participate in bipartisan negotiations with the majority party to improve their potentially damaging proposals for charter schools and voter suppression.

 

On the House floor, I stood against a change in the State Health Plan that will increase costs for state employees and teachers by an average of $1,800 a year. Unfortunately, the plan was still approved by the majority party and will likely go into place at the start of the next fiscal year.

 

I also want to update you about a few other bills that we considered in the House this past week.

 

As always, please contact me if I can be of service to you.

 

 

Health

 

_ Over my objections, the state House approved a plan this week that increases co-payments, deductibles and premiums for state employees, teachers and retirees. The estimated average increase in costs under the new plan is $1,800 a year. The bill contained some good provisions, such as a measure to switch oversight of the plan to the office of the state treasurer instead of the General Assembly. I would have voted in favor of that measure in a separate bill, but I could not agree to pass on these higher costs that will in effect be a pay cut for public employees who are struggling right now. The bill (S265) must still be approved by the Senate before going to the governor for her signature.

 

The insurance rates also will affect all Bladen County employees, because Bladen County is on a pilot program with the State of North Carolina’s Health Plan.   The State Insurance will have a direct impact on Bladen County Employees.

 

 

Education

 

_ I joined with nearly 50 of my colleagues in the General Assembly this week to protest the lack of diversity and lack of openness in the election of our new members of the Board of Governors for the University of North Carolina system. The rules for the election require that House members receive a ballot of 16 candidates and then vote for eight. The majority party encouraged seven of the candidates to resign after telling them they were not on their list of preferred candidates. There were no African-Americans on the slate and only one woman. The Senate also selected eight members, with no blacks and only one woman. I chose to submit a blank ballot as a sign of protest and the lack of diversity in the candidates has been noted in several media outlets.

 

 

Crime

 

_ The House approved legislation this week that will make the job of law enforcement more difficult. The proposal bans state and local government officials from accepting any type of consular or embassy documents to verify someone's identity. Law enforcement officials did not support the bill and one of my colleagues, a former sheriff, said it will result in more people in jail who cannot be legally identified and who will become more difficult to prosecute. The bill (H33) now goes to the Senate.

 

_ I voted this week to increase the fine for speeding in school zones to $250 so that we can more severely punish those who endanger our children. The existing fine is $25. The bill (S49) now goes to the governor for her signature.

 

 

Notes

 

_ The House honored the memory this week of Deputy Charles Douglas “Charlie” Brown of Martin County. Deputy Brown was killed in December 2009 during a confrontation with a suspect. He was a 15-year veteran of law enforcement and a veteran of the US Marine Corps. Deputy Brown is survived by his wife and two daughters. (H258)

 

_ The General Assembly reconfirmed Joseph Smith as the state commissioner of banks this week. Smith has been the state’s banking commissioner since 2002. His term will expire in 2015. (S369)

 

 

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.