05/11/2008

Associated Press

A glance at some of the issues and questions before the North Carolina Legislature, which begins its "short session" on Tuesday.

HOW 'SHORT' WILL IT BE?

Even-numbered sessions of the General Assembly are called "short" because the primary job before lawmakers is to adjust the second year of the two-year state budget. There are restrictions on what non-budget bills can be considered. In recent years, the Legislature has typically adjourned sometime in July.

SO, HOW'S THE BUDGET?

North Carolina's state government coffers should have about $150 million more than projected when the fiscal year ends June 30 — a surplus, but much less than in the previous two years. The state also has about $420 million that it won't spend this year or was returned by state agencies. But there are plenty of high-priority items begging for money, including pay raises for teachers and state employees; teacher performance bonuses; and $42 million in additional fuel costs for school buses.

WHAT'S IN EASLEY'S BUDGET?

Gov. Mike Easley's proposed budget adjustments will include additional education spending, new money for the state's struggling mental health system, and money to increase staffing within the state's probation and parole offices. Easley budget adviser Dan Gerlach said the adjustments will also include "several hundred million dollars" in cuts, but overall state spending will grow by about 4 percent.

WILL THERE BE A TRANSPORTATION BOND?

A blue-ribbon panel is expected to propose a statewide referendum to approve more than $1.5 billion in transportation bonds. But legislative leaders in the Democratic majority are cautious. Republicans and some Democrats want to end the $172 million annual transfer from the state's Highway Trust Fund to the state's general fund, money that could be used to pay for the bond and other transportation projects.

ANY NEW FACES?

_ Rep. Sandra Spaulding Hughes, D-New Hanover, takes the place of former Rep. Thomas Wright, who was booted from office in March. There should be a replacement for Rep. Pete Cunningham, D-Mecklenburg, who retired. And the Senate will be full of members who want to move on to higher office. Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue, the Senate's presiding officer, won the Democratic nomination for governor. Sens. Walter Dalton, D-Rutherford, and Robert Pittenger, R-Mecklenburg, each won their respective primaries for lieutenant governor. Sen. Kay Hagan, D-Guilford, won the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. And Sen. Janet Cowell, D-Wake, is the Democrats' nominee for state treasurer.

WHAT ELSE IS UP FOR DISCUSSION?

_ THE DROUGHT: Easley wants lawmakers to give governors more authority to act quickly in a drought, including the ability to order a water system to provide water to a nearby community. The proposed legislation also would let local water systems impose mandatory conservation measures on everyone in their jurisdiction during extreme or exceptional droughts, including privately owned water utilities and communities that get water from private wells.

_ MUNICIPAL ANNEXATION: A House panel has recommended the state temporarily ban forcing annexations, giving lawmakers a chance to study the issue. Senate leader Marc Basnight, D-Dare, and House Speaker Joe Hackney, D-Orange, aren't fans of the idea. But Hackney said some substantive changes could be made to state law in order to better protect landowners.

_ UNFINISHED BUSINESS: House legislation that toughens penalties against people who participate in street gangs remains in the Senate. The House and Senate will consider working out a compromise on a bill aimed at schoolyard bullies, with whether gays and lesbians should be included in a list of potential targets the major sticking point. Lawmakers also are interested in how state lottery funds are distributed for school construction.