Consider This...

January 25, 2007

 

The forecast for 2007 for progressives: partly cloudy due to a budget shortfall, but lots of sunshine, with a chance of some real legislative breakthroughs on some important issues.

That was the mood at today’s Legislative Preview Breakfast sponsored by the Common Sense Foundation. Sen. Janet Cowell and Rep. Alice Graham Underhill made presentations and answered questions from dozens of Common Sense members, advocates, and concerned citizens.

Both legislators cautioned that the looming shortfall would pose problems for those with ambitious agendas for state government. But each one spoke of optimism that real progress would be made in 2007 on a variety of issues, including environmental protection, equitable funding of education, and health care.

Sen. Cowell talked about an environmental agenda that includes electronics recycling programs, cleaning up old solid waste sites, and examination of the idea of charging statewide tipping fees at N.C. landfills.

Rep. Underhill was encouraged by the prevailing climate of ethics reform, saying that the issue often boils down to “golf and games. If you don’t play golf and you don’t go to games, you’re usually fine.” She also called attention to the substantial needs of rural counties, particularly those with smaller tax bases.

Both leaders talked about the state’s need for comprehensive reform of the revenue system.

With the session now underway, the weather is looking promising for positive change in North Carolina.