Quite Time

Things have been relatively quite in Raleigh as the legislature deals with a tremendous number of bills.  However, I have  run across a couple of interesting items.  It has been reported that there is some discussion about taking the next two years of tobacco settlement money and diverting it from the Golden LEAF Foundation to the general budget.  I have not seen any mention of this in a bill but there must be something to it.  I still maintain that this would put a damper on our economic development efforts.  Although the Foundation has an endowment for its use, and could continue to make grants from those funds, the incoming stream of funding allows the Foundation to provide up to 10 percent of the endowment every year in grants, rather than the 5 percent that a traditional foundation would provide.This means that some projects that would normally be funded would be rejected.  It's a thorny issue, and I will continue to monitor the situation

Another bill that has been introduced that deserves some attention is Senate Bill 658. This bill revises the tax structure of the state and on a quick overview it would make some dramatic changes.  Keep watching and I'll try to give you more information.  If you would like to read through the 65 page bill just click on the above hyperlink and enjoy yourself.  Let me know if you find anything of interest.

Redistricting is another hot topic in Raleigh.  There are a couple of proposed maps floating around but the Redistricting Committee is still holding public hearings to get input from concerned citizens. Lawmakers will host a public hearing on redistricting this coming Saturday, April 30th at Central Piedmont Community College and satellite sites in three surrounding counties. Live video hook-ups will allow people in Cabarrus, Cleveland and Catawba counties to have a say as well.  Here in Cleveland County you can participate at Cleveland Community College at the Rotary Center for Global Studies.  The three hour hearing begins at 9:30 am.