Governor Signs State Budget
Excerpts from Governor Perdue's Prepared Remarks Regarding the State Budget:
With North Carolina facing the toughest economic crisis since the Depression, there are no easy solutions to the budget crisis. I've made my priorities clear to the people and the General Assembly: 1) raise the revenue necessary to shield North Carolina's public school system and core services from massive cuts and 2) avoid raising across-the-board income taxes on working families in North Carolina.
The budget passed this week is far from perfect. In fact, it falls short in several areas that are critical to the future of our state:
- Although it no longer mandates class size increases, it regrettably still includes cuts to Local Education Agencies.
- Local agencies that provide mental health services face cuts, jeopardizing crucial services mental health services for patients across North Carolina.
- Our public safety system is not funded at an adequate level.
- And this budget does not include additional help for working families, such as an increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit.
But there are also some areas where we've made improvements to the budget.
- Children in grades K-3 won't see their class sizes increased, and K-3 teachers and teachers' assistants are protected.
- There are protections for at-risk students, especially those in low-performing schools.
- 87% of all North Carolina families are protected from an income tax surcharge.
- The budget adds contract acute care beds for mental health services in communities across North Carolina.
- There are investments for JobsNOW job training, more kids have access to health insurance, and there's some help for small businesses.
It's now several weeks beyond the budget deadline, and teachers go back to school in two weeks. And so, after this long difficult budget process, North Carolina must move forward. I signed this budget with reservation.
This year's budget battle is over, but the fight to protect and improve our schools does not end with a budget document. I will continue to do everything in my power to work with education leaders, the business community, and most importantly moms and dads to protect and strengthen our schools and give our children a brighter future.
Bev Perdue
More on Education Funding
As a result of the additional revenue and education funds that were included in the final version of the budget, many school districts have announced that they will be able to avoid widespread teacher layoffs. Additionally, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools announced they will be rehiring a substantial number of teachers who were laid off at the end of the last school year. Superintendent Peter Gorman said, "If we didn't have a billion dollar, approximately, revenue package, no one would be coming back and we'd be doing more layoffs."
Gov. Perdue Announces Investments in Green Economy and Strengthens Energy Policy Leadership
Gov. Bev Perdue today signed House Bill 1481 to strengthen state energy policy leadership and announced 14 Green Business Fund grants, significant steps forward in her JobsNOW Green Economy Plan.
The actions are part of a three-pronged strategy to make North Carolina a leader in green economy jobs by strengthening state leadership in energy policy, making smart investments to create jobs and foster innovation, and providing green-collar workforce training.
"Strong leadership and smart investments are essential to laying a foundation for North Carolina to create green jobs, support green innovation and promote a sustainable future for our state's economy and environment," Gov. Perdue said. "Turning green into gold is a central part of my JobsNOW initiative and of my vision to grow North Carolina's long-term economy."
Strong Leadership:
As part of the governor's plan to strengthen and focus leadership in state energy policymaking, HB 1481:
• moves the State Energy Office from the Department of Administration to the Department of Commerce, more closely linking the office's activities with economic development,
• transfers the Residential Energy Conservation Assistance Program from the Department of Health and Human Services to the relocated State Energy Office,
• strengthens the effectiveness of the Energy Policy Council by improving representation from environmental groups, alternative energy producers and energy services specialists. The council will be refocused on creating green jobs and protecting the environment.
Gov. Perdue is appointing Tim Toben chairman of the Energy Policy Council.
Toben serves on the N.C. Legislative Commission on Global Climate Change and is chairman of the Board of Visitors at the UNC-Chapel Hill Institute for the Environment. He also is a principal in green energy and green building ventures in North Carolina, and he and his wife Megan own and manage an educational farm in Orange County that operates on a hybrid solar and wind renewable energy system.
Green Business Fund Investments:
Gov. Perdue announced 14 awardees from across the state, who will receive up to $99,000 each from the N.C. Green Business Fund to support green innovation, job creation and economic development.
This is the second annual round of grants from the fund, which helps small businesses, nonprofits and other agencies develop and commercialize environmentally friendly and energy-related products and services. See the attachment for a list of grantees.
As lieutenant governor, Perdue proposed the legislation creating the Green Business Fund, which the General Assembly approved in 2007. The funding available each year so far has been $1 million.
Additionally, as part of the governor's plan, the recently passed state budget includes $5 million in federal recovery money for the Green Business Fund.
Other elements of the governor's JobsNOW Green Economy Plan include:
• Jump-starting North Carolina's green economy using more than $265 million in federal recovery funds for renewable energy, energy efficiency and weatherization. Those funds include seed money for innovative green energy projects through a new Energy Revolving Loan Fund, in addition to the expanded Green Business Fund.
• Investing in green-collar job training and education in North Carolina's community colleges and universities, including $7 million in federal recovery funds for green workforce development.
Gov. Perdue Announces Nearly $4 Million in AmeriCorps Grants for 2009-2010
Gov. Bev Perdue on Monday announced the North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service has awarded more than $3.8 million in grants to 12 AmeriCorps programs across the state for the 2009-2010 program year.
"The AmeriCorps programs and members mentor children, protect our environment and fight homelessness," Perdue said. "With these grants, North Carolina can keep giving back to its citizens and communities. I applaud the members and programs for their continued efforts and success."
AmeriCorps members serving with these organizations will assist in community outreach and education efforts, provide conservation services, participate in mentoring programs and work in other service activities.
For a complete list of grantees, click here.
AmeriCorps, a national service initiative funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service, is designed to increase volunteering and civic engagement in America. Since 1994, more than 5,000 individuals have participated in AmeriCorps programs in North Carolina.
The N.C. Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, a federally and state-funded agency housed in the Governor's Office, administered funding to 12 N.C. AmeriCorps programs for the 2009-2010 program year. For more information on the N.C. AmeriCorps programs, visit the Commission's Web site at www.volunteernc.org or call 1-800-820-4483 or 1-877-877-1765 (TTY).
Gov. Perdue Encourages North Carolinians to Nominate Volunteers for Governor's Service Awards
Governor Bev Perdue on Monday encouraged North Carolinians to nominate volunteers to receive the Governor's Volunteer Service Award by August 28.
"Countless North Carolinians dedicate their time to serving their communities, and too often their contributions go unrecognized," Perdue said. "If you know someone who has made a difference in the lives of others, I encourage you to nominate them for the Governor's Volunteer Service Award. Let them know how much you value their dedication to service."
Since 1979, the Governor's Volunteer Service Award program has honored individuals, groups, teams and businesses that make significant contributions to their communities through volunteer service. The awards program is administered by the North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service.
Volunteer awards nomination forms are due to the Commission by August 28. Please contact your county coordinator for local deadlines. A list of county coordinators can be found here: http://volunteernc.org/programs/awardMap.aspx . If you cannot find your local county coordinator, or are interested in becoming an awards coordinator in your county, please contact Tim Kelly at (919) 715-2279 or Tim.Kelly@nc.gov .
Calendar
Monday, August 10
-New Bern
Tuesday, August 11
-Bill signings, Raleigh
Wednesday-Friday, August 12
-New Bern