Gov. Perdue Signs Bill to Increase Transparency in State Mental Health Facilities
Gov. Bev Perdue today signed Senate Bill 799 to increase the transparency of state mental health, developmental disability and substance abuse facilities by making more information in death records public. Perdue proposed this legislation in March with Attorney General Roy Cooper. It was sponsored by Sen. Rand (D-Bladen, Cumberland).
"This legislation puts the safety of our patients first by ensuring that important information in death records is available to the public," said Perdue. "By increasing transparency, we will make state facilities more accountable to the people in their care, restore public confidence and rebuild public trust."
Senate Bill 799 will require the following information regarding deaths in state facilities to be public information:
- The name, sex, age and date of birth of the deceased;
- The name of the facility providing the report;
- The date, time and location of the death;
- A brief description of the circumstances of death, including the manner of death if known; and
- A list of all entities to whom the event was reported.
"More disclosure can shine a light on problems and help ensure patients' safety. Our investigators and prosecutors will continue to enforce the law against those who abuse patients in state facilities," said Cooper.
"Transforming the state's facilities into a true system of care is foremost, and part of that transformation means operating in a climate of transparency." said DHHS Secretary Lanier Cansler. "While we want to make sure we protect the rights of the individuals we serve, we also want to make sure the public has access to information about our facilities and our plans to correct areas of deficiencies."
North Carolina to Receive $8.8 Million to Help Citizens Buy Energy-Efficient Appliances
Gov. Bev Perdue this week announced that North Carolina is in line to receive $8.8 million in federal funds to help homeowners purchase energy-efficient appliances, from furnaces and room air conditioners to refrigerators and dishwashers. The money for ENERGY STAR rated appliances would be distributed through a program to be developed by the Energy Office along with the N.C. Office of Economic Recovery and Investment.
The funds are part of nearly $300 million from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act being distributed nationwide by the U.S. Department of Energy.
"Affordable, energy efficient appliances are not only good for the environment, they cut energy costs for consumers and create more business for retailers," said Perdue. "These recovery funds will help boost our green economy, and make North Carolina a more environmentally friendly state."
The federal Energy Department is recommending that states focus the rebate program efforts on heating and cooling equipment, appliances and water heaters, since these products offer the greatest energy saving potential.
In addition, the state and federal government offer tax advantages on the purchase of some major home appliances. North Carolina also offers a sales tax free holiday weekend on the purchase of some ENERGY STAR products. This year it is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 6, through Sunday, Nov. 8.
For more information on the federal ENERGY STAR rebate program, visit www.energy.gov/recovery .
For more information on North Carolina's Recovery effort, visit www.NCRecovery.gov .
Gov. Perdue Calls for Closer Safety Oversight of Coal Ash Ponds
Gov. Perdue this week urged state lawmakers to pass legislation that would increase the safety oversight of coal ash ponds in North Carolina. The legislation would subject the dams that create coal ash ponds to direct inspection by the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
"Because of where some of the ponds are located, greater safety oversight and more frequent inspections will help reduce potential risks," said Perdue.
A "high hazard" designation was created in the 1980's for coal ash impoundments and other similar dams that are near densely populated areas or downstream water supplies because of the potential impact of a dam's failure. The designation does not reflect the structural condition of the dam.
Currently, power companies are only required to file reports every five years by private engineers on the structural conditions of the dams. The impoundments are exempt from regulation under the N.C. Dam Safety Act.
The proposal will be sponsored by Rep. Pricey Harrison of Greensboro and will subject coal ash dams to the Dam Safety Act, which would more closely regulate the impoundments and would require a state inspection every two years.
Video Q&A: Visiting the State Capitol
Watch Governor Perdue answer a question from Olivia, a student from Lexington who was visiting the State Capitol.
Click here for information about visiting the State Capitol and the Executive Mansion.
And click here for the State Capitol Interactive Website.
Anson County Manufacturer to Add 65 Jobs
Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that Yale Industrial Products Inc., a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of material-handling products, will expand operations in Wadesboro. The company plans to invest $3 million and create 65 jobs during the next three years. The announcement was made possible in part by a $116,300 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.
"North Carolina remains a strong, diverse industrial manufacturing region," Perdue said. "Our state is attractive to companies looking for opportunities provided by our skilled workforce, business-friendly climate and tremendous quality of life."
Yale Industrial Products Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Columbus McKinnon Corp. of New York (NASDAQ: CMCO), which makes powered and manual hoists, trolleys, cranes and other material-handling equipment for diverse applications worldwide. Columbus McKinnon also owns Duff-Norton, a separate manufacturing facility in Charlotte.
North Carolina continues to have a top ranked business climate. Through Gov. Perdue's JobsNOW initiative, the state will work aggressively to create jobs, train and retrain our workforce, and lay the foundation for a strong and sustainable economic future.
For more information about Yale Industrial Products and Columbus McKinnon, please visit www.cmworks.com .
As new employment positions are identified at Yale's Wadesboro facility, they will be posted at the N.C. Employment Security Commission/JobLink Center, 116 W. Wade St., Wadesboro. Applicants must apply at the center. For more information about the center, please visit www.centralinaworks.com/Website/JobLinks/Anson/index.asp .
Governor's schedule for the coming week
Monday, July 20
- Office Time
- Recovery Meeting
Tuesday, July 21
- Senior Staff Meeting
- Legislative Meetings
- Budget Meetings
- Office Time
Wednesday, July 22
- Senior Staff Meeting
- Legislative Meetings
- Budget Meetings
- Office Time
Thursday, July 23
- Senior Staff Meeting
- Legislative Meetings
- Budget Meetings
- Office Time
Friday, July 24
- Senior Staff Meeting
- Legislative Meetings
- Budget Meetings
- Office Time
Saturday, July 25
- Lee Institute for Women Political Leaders Conference, Washington, D.C.