Monday Quick Hits: Hot Policy Topics for this Week

North Carolina

Monday, March 24, 2008

10:00 a.m. The 21st Century Transportation Committee, 643 LOB.
Today the 21st Century Transportation Committee will hear a presentation from NCTRAM (North Carolina Transportation Reform and Modernization). NCTRAM is a coalition of concerned public interest groups, including but not limited to AARP, MHA-NC, The Arc of North Carolina and NC Housing Coalition. NCTRAM would like to see future transportation needs addressed in a manner that address the needs of all segments of society, promotes sound economic development and contribute to a high quality of life for all North Carolinians. Smart growth.
The committee will also hear updates from all of the subcommittee groups. These subcommittee groups include; intermodal transportation, finance, prioritization and intergovernmental. On April 24th the full committee will meet to discuss all proposals from the subcommittees and begin the process of moving their short legislative session agenda forward.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

10:00am The Joint Legislative Commission on Dropout Prevention and High School Graduation, 643 LOB.

As reported last week, the Dropout Prevention Commission has been hearing a series of presentation regarding the state of our North Carolina education system. As reported on The Arc of North Carolina Policy blog, 4,050 students with disabilities dropped out of high school during the 2006-2007 academic year. This committee will continue to hear presentations addressing how to keep kids in high school. An agenda for this meeting is not available at this time.


Wednesday, March 26, 2008

10:00 a.m. The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse, 643 LOB.
This committee will meet to hear reports from the Department and staff. These reports will generate discussion regarding the direction of legislative proposals from this committee. There will also be a presentation on the Housing 400 Initiative.


12:30 p.m. The House Select Committee on Rising Home Foreclosures, 1027/1128 LB
Housing foreclosures are on the increase in North Carolina. This committee has been hearing information regarding how foreclosures affect the market rate for all home property sales. No agenda was available at this time.



Federal:

Congress is still on break. They will reconvene on March 31st.