Wilson County's legislators all think the General Assembly's 2008 session, which begins today, could be brief but eventful for North Carolina's employees, students and residents.
The Legislature was set to convene at noon for its "short session." Its main goal will be to adjust the state's 2008-09 budget, but other issues, such as the failures of the mental health reform system, are sure to be discussed.
Gov. Mike Easley unveiled his $21.5 billion spending plan Monday, which would boost teacher pay but also raise taxes on cigarettes and alcohol.
N.C. House members will begin reviewing Easley's proposal today, said N.C. Rep. Joe Tolson of Pinetops, whose district includes half of Wilson County.
"We'll be looking into the details," Tolson said. "There are a lot of good things in there -- salary increases for teachers and state employees -- and we'll do as much as we possibly can."
Tolson said he also hopes to see money in the budget for technological improvements for schools.
He favors another Easley proposal, spending around $10 million to expand the N.C. Health Choice program to enroll another 10,000 children. Health Choice is subsidized health insurance for low-income families who make too much money to qualify for Medicaid.
Tolson said he expects the Legislature will also look at the rising number of school dropouts.
N.C. Sen. A.B. Swindell said he expects the session to last only until mid-July, not enough time to deal with some of the larger issues.
"A lot of the things the governor is talking about -- mental health reform, improving education -- these would take time," said Swindell of Nashville, whose district is Wilson and Nash counties. "I wouldn't be surprised to see some things held until January," the start of the 2009 "long session."
North Carolina is in better financial shape than many other states, some of which have laid off employees and cut services, he noted. In contrast, our state's revenues have been slightly better than projected last summer.
But even a 1 percent raise for state employees costs $130 million, he said.
Swindell said he wasn't sure how the public would react to Easley's proposed so-called "sin taxes."
Swindell has been part of a state committee that has been looking at school funding. That group is proposing a yearlong study by a consultant who would look at public school funding across North Carolina as compared to funding in other states.
Rep. Jean Farmer-Butterfield of Wilson said Monday that she would like to see the General Assembly look at aging issues.
A recent forum in Wilson showed senior citizens like many state-funded programs, including the Senior Tar Heel Legislature, senior centers and Senior Games, but they need to be even more readily available, Farmer-Butterfield said.
What she would like to see, she said, is a look at the numbers of 65-year-old and older residents in all 100 counties, both now and projecting into the future as compared to the services that are now available and that are expected to be needed.
"We have never done such a comprehensive study with a focus on our aging population," she said.
Farmer-Butterfield said she believes that the Legislature will also be looking at possible bills to combat the rising problem of gangs, to address the continuing drought in many parts of North Carolina and possibly to help communities damaged by the recent severe storms.
"It's going to be a real tough session -- not enough money to go around for all the real needs," she said. "But I'm excited about it and ready to get to work."
mshaw@wilsontimes.com | 265-7878