Taking a quick look at the NC House Budget I see two items left out of the House Budget which were in the Senate Budget. I know there there are good things in there but two not included are somewhat disturbing. Hopefully they are for negotiating purposes and will end up in the final budget:
Waters Of The US (WOTUS)
Senate budget (page H-29) included Supplemental Funding of $1,000,000 to provide the Department of Agriculture with funds to offset costs potentially incurred through intervention in federal litigation over the Environmental Protection Agency’s Waters of the United States rule. These funds may also be used for any other purpose deemed necessary by the Department. A corresponding special provision provides furthers guidance. – The House Budget did not include this funding. This funding is necessary as the new Environment Secretary Michael Regan (he of the Environmental Defense Fund) pulled North Carolina out of the case to contest the WOTUS regulations. These regulations have the potential to destroy farming in our state and severely impact economic growth over time.
If this is the true sentiment of the NC House, it would appear the only kind of farm the NC House likes is a “solar farm“
Personal Education Savings Accounts
The Senate Budget created Personal Education Savings Accounts (page F-36) with funding to establish the North Carolina Personal Education Savings Account Program. The program will create scholarship grants for eligible children with disabilities which may be used for qualifying educational expenses including nonpublic school tuition. Funds provided during the first year of the biennium will be used to establish the program, and funds provided in the second year of the biennium will be used for awards, with up to $250,000 available for administration. These type programs provide important help for children with disabilities and special needs – The House Budget did not include this funding.
Hopefully while busy funding corporate welfare for Hollywood fat-cats, the house will find a few dollars for these children.
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