Carolina Journal’s Barry Smith reports here on issues that are likely to get a hearing in the legislative “short” session that begins today.
The primary focus will be adjusting the state’s $21 billion general fund budget for the 2014-15 fiscal year. Budget writers will take into account how tax collections match up with revenue projections, and will see whether expenses are meeting expectations. Included in the mix will be how to provide pay raises for state employees and teachers, and dealing with Medicaid cost overruns.
Rep. Nelson Dollar, R-Wake, senior chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said he doesn’t see the General Assembly going back to old tricks to balance the budget, such as using one-time revenues to pay for recurring expenses.
“Pay raises will be paid for with recurring dollars,” Dollar said. And pay raises will be a top priority, he said.
“There’s broad agreement about the No. 1 priority being compensation,” Dollar said.
Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, outlined a handful of non-budget issues he expects the General Assembly to take up during the short session.
“You’ll also see us move forward on the issue of coal ash,” Berger said. He said that he wants lawmakers to address not just the coal ash spill in then Dan River, but ensuring that Duke Energy makes sure such spills don’t happen again.
Berger also said that lawmakers could look further at addressing regulatory reform and move forward on an energy policy.
Berger said he didn’t think the ambitious agenda would keep lawmakers in town all that long.
“I think these priorities are going to be priorities in both chambers,” Berger said. “I don’t see our ability to move the session along in a business like fashion being a real problem.”
