The Raleigh Report

 

From the Office of Representative William Brisson

April 21, 2011

 

 

After the tragic weekend we had in Bladen County past Saturday,  It as been a very busy week at the NC General Assembly.  Many of my fellow Legislators like myself are going home today, back to counties trying to recover from the devastating tragedy that went through our state last Saturday.  Again, I want to thank all the departments assisting in the clean up in Bladen County for the quick response and the hard work they have been doing this week to assist victims in our community that were affected from this disaster.   Our Governor acted quickly to secure federal emergency funds to assist in cleaning up the hardest hit areas in our state.   She has traveled to many of the impacted areas and seen first hand the devastation this storm did to our state.   

 

 

We have been spending a great deal of time examining the budget, we also continue working on policy matters that may be of great importance to you. I want to tell you about just a few of them today.

 

Please let me know if you have any questions or if I can be of any assistance.  

 

 

Education

 

_ The State Board of Education has been directed to plan for and administer the ACT test to all students in the 11th grade. Students who have taken a comparable test or scored at a level set by the state board would be exempt. The ACT is the only test designed around national common core standards and allows better comparison from state to state.  The ACT tests math, science, reading, and writing. Students will take pre-ACT tests in 8th and 10th grade. This will help teachers drive instructions based on students’ needs. (H766) 

 

 

Crime

 

_ People charged with a felony could have their vehicles seized if they speed to elude arrest. The bill (H427) would allow the vehicle to be sold with the proceeds going to reimburse law enforcement and then into the county school funds. People who are acquitted of their charges would have their vehicles returned.

 

_ A proposal that has cleared the House would allow authorities to be notified immediately when sex offenders move into zones around K-12 schools. The law (H857) would require a change in the electronic monitoring service by March 2012 and a report on the program to two joint legislative oversight committees by June 1.

 

 

Roads

 

_ Recycled asphalt could now be used in road construction under a bill approved in the House of Representatives this week. The proposal (H821) requires that the recycled asphalt meet the project’s standards before it can be used.

 

 

Notes

 

_ I am continuing to work with the governor to resolve the impasse on extended unemployment benefits for the 37,000 people in North Carolina who qualify. This is a federal program and would require no state money. The majority party has agreed to authorize the benefits only if the governor will give up her bargaining power on the state budget, which could mean that many more people would suffer under an unchecked spending plan. We are hopeful progress will be made next week.

 

In closing, Mrs. Brisson and I wish each and everyone a safe and joyous Easter weekend.

 

 

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.