NC Rep. Carl Ford
♦ Eighth Week of the 2015 Long Session
The major news from Raleigh this week was the unveiling of the Senate’s economic development package, the release of the plan to allow Duke to purchase NC Eastern Municipal Power Agency (NCEMPA) assets, and the Board of Governors Elections. On Wednesday and then Thursday, the Senate and House both elected 8 members to the 32 member UNC Board of Governors, totaling half of all seats on that board. The UNC BOG is responsible for voting on policy decisions for the UNC system and electing that system’s president.
Also this week, I am pleased to report that I chaired my first committee, the House Committee on Local Government, and presided over the hearing of four bills. It was an exciting and educational experience. As a chair, I look forward to utilizing my perspective as a former county commissioner, and the opportunity to serve Cabarrus and Rowan from that leadership position.
Bill Updates
“Year-Round Funds for CC UGETC” - House Bill 15
In 2014, the UNC system and the NC Community Colleges entered into an agreement over which courses would be guaranteed full-credit transfer between those systems, focusing on general education courses. Those courses were then listed as “Universal General Education Transfer Courses.” This year, HB 15 proposes to provide additional funding to community colleges to teach these courses over the summer break. This will reward industrious students who want to get into the job market as fast as possible, and lessen the burden of general education on the UNC system, which teaches those courses at a higher rate than community colleges.
“Economic Development/Tax Modifications” - Senate Bill 338
On Thursday, the Senate filed its version of economic development legislation, which competes with the Governor and Houses’ gas tax modifications and NC Competes Act. The bill would lower corporate income taxes by 1% in 2016 and then again in 2017 and would limit the amount of funding that companies could receive for relocating to Wake, Mecklenburg, or Durham through the JDIG program. The bill would also implement “Single Sales Factor,” which is a formula used to determine the portion of income that might be allocated to each state in which multi-state companies does business for the purposes of charging an income tax. Single Sales Factor would make is so that a company’s NC income tax liability is entirely determined by the location in which their sales occur, which would incentivize capital investments.
“NCEMPA Asset Sale” – House Bill 265
This bill, filed by a bipartisan coalition in both the House and Senate would allow Duke Energy Progress to purchase stakes in power generation facilities currently owned by the NC Eastern Municipal Power Agency. Customers of the NCEMPA generally pay more than 35% more than customers in other parts of the state due to excessive and decades-old debt. The agreement would require that Duke spread the cost of purchase of the assets over the next 20 to 30 years and NCEMPA to reduce its debt by 70%. The plan is expected to generate $70 million in fuel savings per year and spur job growth and economic development in eastern North Carolina.
Thank you for taking the time to read about the work I was able to accomplish this week for Cabarrus and Rowan. Expect to hear big news as the 152nd resumes its legislative session and budget process.
Please share this newsletter with your friends and family in the district. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
God Bless,
Carl
Legislative Office: (919) 733-5881
District Office: (704) 305-3541
carl.ford@ncleg.net
