Monday Quick Hits: Hot Policy Topics for This Week

NORTH CAROLINA:

Election 2008:
Early Voting/Same Day Registration Sites are open across our state. Please take advantage of this option and vote.

Tuesday, April 29, 208

10 a.m. The Joint Legislative Commission on Dropout Prevention and High School Graduation meets, 544 LOB.

During the last meeting this commission proposed a series of legislative actions for the short session. We are expecting there to be more discussion regarding these proposals during this meeting.

12:30 p.m The House Select Committee on Rising Home Foreclosures meets, 643 LOB.

Last week the media reported on an 18% increase in Home Foreclosures in North Carolina. A significant increase in home foreclosures equates to a decrease in revenue collection. In a tight budget season this committee will have important measures to consider to slow down the foreclosure situation and stimulate the housing market.

1 p.m. The Joint Appropriations Education Subcommittee meets, 421 LOB.

This committee will be meeting to review the budget items for the short session. There have already been funding requests from the Public School Funding Committee. I would expect to see these discussed at some point in this committee.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

10 a.m. The Joint Select Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Management Recovery meets, 643 LOB.
No agenda at this time.

2 p.m. The Autism Subcommittee on Alternative Means of Testimony meets, 1228 LB.

This is one of the legislative proposals being considered by the committee. It would permit a person with a cognitive disability to give testimony outside of the court room utilizing technology such as remote TV.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

10 a.m. The Joint Study Committee on Autism, Spectrum Disorder, Law Enforcement, Public Safety and First Responders meets, 643 LOB.

This committee will be finalizing its proposals for the short session. In previous posts we reported these findings. Please go to this link to read about them again. Legislative Proposal for Autism Study Committee.

1 p.m. The 21st Century Transportation Committee meets, 643 LOB.

Will it be a bond referendum or an end to the Highway Trust Fund transfer to the General Fund. Will there be more funding for DOT projects? This committee has already put a lot of recommendations on the table. This meeting will find the members possibly narrowing down their options.

FEDERAL:

FY 2009 Budget Resolution

House and Senate leaders continue working in an attempt to create a compromise FY 2009 Budget Resolution that would garner sufficient votes for passage. Various factions in each party are insisting on provisions, such as PAYGO for any spending increase or tax increase, that make it practically impossible to attain the necessary votes for passage.

Genetic Discrimination

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2007 (GINA, H.R. 493) is slated for a revote in the House due to modest Senate revisions. GINA has received strong bipartisan support in the House in the past. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said the bill would get a vote this week, and champions of the bill say they’ve received assurances by the White House of the President’s signature.

Medicaid

The Senate may vote on the Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008 (H.R. 5613). Despite the strong vote in the House, there is considerable Republican opposition to the legislation in the Senate. Finance Committee Ranking Member Charles Grassley (R-IA) has stated that the Medicaid regulations should be implemented. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has also voiced strong opposition to the moratoria bill.

(Special thanks to DPC for the Federal Update)