Tuesday Quick Hits: Hot Policy Topics for This Week

North Carolina:

Disability:
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
10:00am Room 544 LOB
Joint Study Committee on Autism Spectrum Disorder, Law Enforcement, Public Safety and First Responders.
This is the first meeting of this committee since the General Assembly adjourned the long session. An agenda for this meeting was not available at this time.

Transportation:
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
10:30 AM Charlotte Convention Center
21st Century Transportation Committee
The 21st Century Transportation Committee will be making several stops across our state as they continue to discuss the infrastructure needs of our state.

Education:
Thursday, January 17, 2008
10:00am 643 LOB
Public School Funding Formulas, Joint Legislative Study Committee
This is the second meeting of this committee.


Federal:
U. S. Congress:
The Second Session of the 110th Congress officially convenes this week as the House of Representatives returns to work tomorrow. The Senate will reconvene next week. Not much legislative work is anticipated in January until both parties in both Houses meet in retreat settings later this month to craft agendas, tactics and schedules and the President delivers his State of the Union message on January 28. The economic crisis and economic stimulus packages are expected to dominate the early days of this Session of Congress.

FY 2008 Appropriations:
There are strong rumors that the White House is considering an Executive Order that would eliminate thousands of earmarks in the FY 2008 Omnibus Appropriations Act. Funding from the earmarks could be reallocated for tax rebates to tax payers or to such programs as SCHIP or bridge replacement.

Medicaid:
On Wednesday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), will hold a hearing on “Medicaid’s Critical Role for Americans with Disabilities.” Celine Fortin, Associate Executive Director of The Arc of New Jersey, will testify. To view the live web cast of hearing, please visit http://energycommerce.house.gov/membios/schedule.shtml
at 10 a.m. EST on Wednesday, January 16.

Housing:
On Thursday, under Suspension of the Rules, the House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the Hope VI Improvements and Reauthorization Act of 2007 (H.R. 3524). This bill would reauthorize the HOPE VI program for revitalization of severely distressed public housing.


Election 2008:
North Carolina:
Two more people have announced their candidacy in state wide races.

Governor Race:
Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory will announce this week that he is going to run for Governor.
Read more:
http://www.patmccrory.com/

Lt. Governor Race:
Republican Senator Robert Pittenger announced on Monday that he will be running for lieutenant governor.
Read more:
http://www.robertpittenger.com/

National:
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Michigan GOP Primary
The Republican candidates are campaigning in Michigan for independent, Democratic and Republican votes. There are no Democratic Primaries happening in Michigan due to a ruling by the Democratic National Party. Michigan moved up its primary against the rules presented by the DNC.

The candidates for both parties are spread out between Michigan, Nevada and South Carolina.