Common Core Study Committee Members Delaying Substantial Action?

February 1, 2014 by Nicole Revels

Did you know that legislation from the North Carolina Common Core Study Committee will not be heard this year if the committee continues their pattern of meeting only every 2 months? Per Committee Rule 7B, the deadline for submitting a piece of legislation for NCGA consideration is April 25; if the committee fails to do so, they will have effectively kicked the can down the road, preventing legislators from having to address Common Core anytime this year.

If the NCGA takes years to determine what you and I already know about Common Core, what happens to the children of North Carolina in the meantime? They will have been used as guinea pigs, with years of their education wasted.

A recent Pundit House article outlines the undesirable aspects of the Common Core standards and their detrimental impact on education in North Carolina. I ask that Common Core opponents continue to send this information to legislators; however, it seems that no matter how much information is provided to the committee members, some members continue to give excuses for their failure to denounce and repeal Common Core from the NC General Statutes.

CONTINUE READING.  AND DEMAND ANSWERS FROM THE STUDY COMMITTEE!

The NC General Assembly Holds Its First Public Meeting on Common Core

COMMON CORE: The NC General Assembly Holds Its First Public Meeting on Common Core (Dec. 17, 2013)

Diane Rufino, December 22, 2013

 

On Tuesday, December 17th, the NC General Assembly Common Core Study Committee held its first public hearing to address Common Core. I attended, as well as other activists and Tea Party leaders all across the state.   Opponents of Common Core who attended were advised to dress in red to make a visual statement to the NC General Assembly of the growing movement against North Carolina’s adoption and implementation of the controversial education standards.  I proudly wore an oversized red sweater and a sticker that announced my opposition to Common Core – as did so many others.  Indeed, the public arena was a sea of red and opposition was palpable.

Those who spoke in favor of Common Core were Dr. June Atkinson, head of the NC Board of Education, and Michael Brickman, the national policy director at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, where he promotes education reform. Prior to his position with the Fordham Institute, Brickman was recruited by Governor Scott Walker to lead his education-reform efforts in Wisconsin.

Brickman has publicly characterized Common Core opponents as a “small but vocal minority of conservatives” coupled with a bit of “the far left.”  In front of the Study Committee and the audience in red, he stated that opponents are caught up in conspiracy theories and unfounded and baseless talking points.  Dr. Atkinson spent a good part of her presentation echoing the same sentiment.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, arguably Common Core’s greatest champion, also has accused its opponents of employing conspiracy theories.

Michael Brickman gave a presentation that was essentially broken down in three parts:  (i) The poor Report Card that Fordham gave North Carolina for its state Education Standards; (ii)  Why Common Core addresses NC’s education shortcomings (and poor standards); and (iii) Why opposition to Common Core is based on Myths and not facts.

Read the entire article!

http://northcarolina.tenthamendmentcenter.com/2013/12/common-core-the-nc-general-assembly-holds-its-first-public-meeting-on-common-core-dec-17-2013/?doing_wp_cron=1387694786.9900209903717041015625

CCTA Members Attend Legislative Committee Hearing in Raleigh

Public Service Announcement / Press Release

December 19, 2013

CCTA Members Attend Legislative Committee Hearing in Raleigh

Nine members of the Coastal Carolina Taxpayers Association (CCTA) attended the joint Study Committee on Common Core State Standards held in the Legislative Office Building in Raleigh on December 17th.  There are 7 North Carolina Senators and 7 North Carolina House members, including Michael Speciale who represents much of Craven County, on the Committee.  Senator Soucek presided.

Staff members made presentations about what the committee has been charged with doing, what is and will be on the committee's website, and reviewed what North Carolina law says about "standards," "curriculum," and "Common Core."

Several people made opening statements.  The committee asked short-answer questions during the presentations, but reserved their more probing questions for after the presentations were completed.  The two presenters with the longest, most detailed content were Michael Brickman and June Atkinson.  Mr. Brickman is a former educational policy advisor to Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin, and is currently a policy director with the Fordham Institute.  Dr. Atkinson is North Carolina's Superintendent of the Department of Public Instruction.

Of the 9 CCTA members in attendance, 7 are members of CCTA's Common Core Committee which is chaired by Kim Fink.  That committee met with Dr. Atkinson for 2 hours the preceding week and thus were aware of some of Dr. Atkinson's vast knowledge about Common Core.  As a matter of fact, Dr. Atkinson quoted things said at that meeting by 3 of our members (Nancy Murdoch, Kim Fink, and Glenn Fink) during her presentation.  Surprisingly, some of Dr. Atkinson's answers to questions asked by Senators and Representatives shocked CCTA members. 

For example, when she was asked if there were more testing or less testing of students under Common Core, Dr. Atkinson said that there is less testing in high schools, then went into a long statement about testing, but failed to acknowledge the increased testing for kindergarten through third grade.  Pre Common Core, North Carolina had no comparable testing in grades K-3 except for a recently instituted "pre-test" in the third grade.  The stress caused young children by testing is one of the areas in which Common Core has been criticized, and Dr. Atkinson is well aware of that.  One wonders why she avoided sharing that information with the legislative study committee.

At another time, Dr. Atkinson was asked about what data will be collected under Common Core, and Dr. Atkinson mentioned only those items of data that are currently being collected, and those items sounded relatively harmless.  However, Dr. Atkinson failed to add that the chain of documents bringing North Carolina into Common Core and related U.S. Department of Education regulation changes will force North Carolina to submit ever more intrusive information that is personally identifiable by name of student without the necessity to obtain that student's parents' permission to the U.S. Department of Education.  Further, the U.S. Department of Education has made it plain that they will release that information to third parties.  There is even a requirement that North Carolina change any state law which is in conflict with Common Core implementation.  Again, Dr. Atkinson is well aware of these things.  Why did she not see fit to mention them?

The joint legislative Study Committee on Common Core State Standards plans to have 3 more public meetings at which it will receive information.  CCTA's Common Core Committee will be happy to share in depth information with the legislative study committee and show them the government documents which make the veracity of the information provided clear.

CCTA members in attendance were Kim Fink (CCTA Common Core Committee Chairman), Glenn Fink, Rick Hopkins (CCTA Chairman), Kathryn Blankley, Nancy Murdoch, Terrie Winter, Ryan Meadows, Hal James, and Raynor James. 

Info provided by:

Raynor James, PR Chair, Coastal Carolina Taxpayers Association (CCTA)

An angle for the NCGA to save us from ObamaCare?

The Daily Haymaker

The recently completed Nullify Now gathering in Raleigh caused some people to sit up and take notice.  The mainstream media, of course, has been mocking it for all it’s worth.  But many folks have seen the concept of nullification as a valid tactic for fighting federal government overreach. 

A movement is afoot in the country to compel state governments — in cases where it is believed that the federal government has overreached and exceeded its constitutional authority — to simply ignore decrees from Washington.   South Carolina has already been pushing the idea in resisting ObamaCare. 

Now, some grassroots leaders North Carolina are making overtures to Republicans in Raleigh to utilize the concept of nullification in blocking the implementation of ObamaCare in North Carolina.  Craven County Republicans got the ball rolling with this recent resolution:

A Resolution to the North Carolina General Assembly to Declare the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act (Obamacare) Null and Void and Unenforceable in the State of North Carolina

Whereas; The Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act bill originated in the US Senate.

Whereas; The United States Supreme Court Ruled the PPACA constitutional as a tax in the case of National Federation of Independent Business vs Sebelius.

CONTINUED AS:  http://dailyhaymaker.com/?p=6428

McCrory calls veto session for Sept. 3

By Mark Binker

RALEIGH, N.C. — The General Assembly will be back on Sept. 3.

Gov. Pat McCrory has called to legislature back to examine two bills he vetoed earlier this month. 

“The veto should be used for two reasons,” McCrory said in a news release. “The first is to stop legislation about which I have strong reservations of being in the best interest of North Carolina. The second is to ensure the public is made aware of legislation that is not fully scrutinized. These bills meet both criteria.”

House Bill 392 would require drug testing of applicants for certain welfare programs, something McCrory has said is unfair and could open the state up to legal challenges.

House Bill 786 would exempt certain foreign workers from undergoing E-verify background checks for up to nine months, something the governor said would create loopholes for those here illegally. 

Both bills passed with more than the three-fifths majorities needed to override a gubernatorial veto. 

When a governor issues a veto, the state constitution requires him to recall the legislature so they may have a chance to override and pass the law not withstanding his objections. 

"I'll tell you what I told the governor's office," House Majority Whip Mike Hager said. "We have the ability to override both vetoes if we choose to, and I think we are going to choose to."

As whip, Hager, R-Rutherford, is responsible for assessing how members will vote in high-profile situations. He called both measures "good bills."

Sen. Jerry Tillman, R-Randolph, the Senate Majority Whip, said he did not have a formal vote count, but believed his chamber would also vote to override McCrory’s vetoes.

"The people that I have talked to are pretty firm on overriding, Tillman said.

The veto override sessions will begin at noon, although it's unclear what the exact timing for votes will be.

MORE:  http://www.wral.com/mccrory-calls-veto-session-for-sept-3/12807126/

Newsletter from NC Senator Norman Sanderson

July 2013

News from the NC Senate 

This past Friday ended the 2013 NC Legislative Session, and I think you will be pleased with the results! You sent us to Raleigh to help rebuild our state's economy, lower taxes, right-size government, pass Voter ID laws, and protect personal freedoms, and we have accomplished these things. Please see some of the highlights below.

  

I have learned that in order for our form of government to work, there must be a system of checks and balances - there is often give and take. It's not easy nor do we always get everything we want, but the system serves the citizens of our great state well.    

  

I will now be spending more time in our district these next few months talking to groups and individuals, so please contact me to schedule a meeting via email atNorman.Sanderson@ncleg.net or by phone (252) 249-3749.

  

Norman

2013 Legislative Accomplishments    Tax Reform We passed a tax reform plan that simplifies the state's 1930s Depression-era tax code, provides major tax relief to ALL North Carolinians and makes the state far more attractive to job-creating businesses. It cuts taxes by more than $1 billion in the first three years alone.    We cut the personal income tax rate, the corporate income tax rate, capped the gas tax, eliminated the death tax and ended dozens of loopholes for special interests. These reforms immediately moved our state from 47th in national rankings to the 17th best business tax climate in America. Budget We passed a $20.6 billion state budget that invests in core services, streamlines state government, strengthens public education and grows North Carolina's economy. Our budget safeguards NC's long-term fiscal health while cutting taxes for all citizens.

Photo ID for Voters We passed a common-sense provision that requires North Carolinians to show photo ID when they vote. An Elon University poll from earlier this year showed that 72% of North Carolina residents support requiring voters to show photo ID before voting. Our action brought NC in line with the majority of other states. Education Reform  We passed major education reforms to strengthen student literacy, improve graduation rates and increase accountability.  We continued our commitment to implementing a pay for excellence system by including $10.2 million to fund annual pay raises for the most effective teachers.  Unemployment Insurance Reform We reformed our broken unemployment insurance program and set a pathway for repaying NC's $2.5 billion debt to the federal government. Under our plan, NC will be out of debt by 2016 and our unemployment system will be solvent and no longer a hindrance to economic growth.

Preserving Justice and Public Safety

We passed a bill to restart the death penalty in NC to ensure justice for more than 100 NC families whose loved ones' lives were brutally taken.

Second Amendment Rights

We continued our commitment to protection of our Second Amendment rights by expanding the number of places that people with a concealed carry permit can carry firearms. We strengthened safety measures for the public and penalties for criminals who violate our gun laws.

Holding Abortion Clinics Accountable

We passed common-sense provisions to ensure patient safety by requiring abortion clinics to adhere to similar standards as other surgical facilities. We protected all healthcare workers from being compelled to perform abortions that are against their moral, ethical and religious objections. We defended taxpayers against being forced to pay for abortions.

  

LOCAL ISSUES

In Senate District 2, we were able to place another stay on ferry tolls and completely revamp the way decisions are made on whether to toll ferries or not. This decision will now be made on a more local level within our Rural Planning Organization, not on a state legislative level. Also, Tryon Palace received critical funding for the coming year that will allow them to prepare for becoming more self-sufficient.

NC General Assembly

Tax Reform Bolsters Budgets of Families & Businesses

Governor Pat McCrory signed comprehensive tax reform into law on Tuesday, July 23.

“I came to the governor’s office a few short months ago with a sense of urgency and resolve to put North Carolinians back to work," said Governor McCrory. "I firmly believe that this reform package will prove to be critical to growing North Carolina's economy and getting people back to work.  This tax reform package puts more money in families’ budgets and will restore confidence for North Carolina businesses. Because of this package, job creators will think about relocating to our great state."

"I would like to once again commend and thank Senate Pro Tempore Phil Berger, Speaker Thom Tillis, Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker, Secretary of Revenue Lyons Gray and my Budget Director Art Pope for their hard work in getting this tax deal done. This historic tax reform package is a win-win for our state and the working families who live here,” concluded Governor McCrory.

This plan provides fiscally-responsible tax relief to all North Carolina taxpayers.  Income tax rates for all taxpayers will be lowered to a uniform rate of 5.8% in 2014. The corporate tax will be reduced to 6% in 2014, making North Carolina more attractive to job-creators.

http://governor.nc.gov/newsroom/press-releases/20130723/governor-mccrory-signs-tax-reform-law

North Carolina Tax Reform at a Glance:

· The plan is uniform for all North Carolinians across the board.

· It broadens the tax base, lowers income tax rates and reduces taxes for North Carolina working families.

· It is also fiscally responsible and ensures appropriate revenue for state government services.

Personal Income Tax:

· Reduces and simplifies the 3-tiered state personal income tax from the current maximum rate of 7.75% and minimum rate of 6% to 5.8% in 2014 and 5.75% in 2015.  

· Increases the standard deduction for all taxpayers, applied to the:  

                First $15,000 of income for those married filing jointly 

                First $12,000 of income for heads of household 

                First $7,500 of income for single filers; 

· ​Retains the state child tax credit and increases it for families making less than $40,000; 

· Offers a $20,000 combined maximum deduction for mortgage interest and property taxes; 

· Makes charitable contributions fully deductible; 

· Protects all Social Security income from state taxes. 

Corporate Income Tax:

· Reduces the corporate income tax from 6.9% to 6% in 2014 and then to 5% in 2015; a 29% rate reduction. 

· If the state meets revenue targets (i.e. if there is additional tax revenue growth due to a growing economy), the corporate income tax will drop to 4% in 2016 and 3% in 2017. 

Other Highlights:

· Caps the state gas tax;  

· Eliminates North Carolina’s death tax; 

· Preserves the sales tax refund for nonprofits.

What they are saying about tax reform: "Showing Lawmakers on Capitol Hill How it's Done," "Definitely Pro-Business" 

http://governor.nc.gov/newsroom/press-releases/20130724/what-they-are-saying-tax-reform-showingcapitol-hill-how-its-done

A Fiscally Responsible Budget Signed

Governor Pat McCrory signed a $20.6 billion budget on Friday, July 26, that increases K-12 education funding, incorporates fiscally-responsible tax reform and lays the foundation for economic growth and job creation. The budget reflects a 2.5 percent spending increase compared to the previous fiscal year.

“This budget is about job creation,” Governor McCrory said.  “It maintains public investments in education, transportation and health care while at the same time encouraging job creation investments by the private sector. This is the formula that will unleash North Carolina’s economic potential.” 

In 2013-14, funding for K-12 education is increased to $ 7.86 billion, up from $7.44 billion in 2012-13. The increase funds more teachers for North Carolina schools. Teacher assistants for kindergarten and first grade are also provided. Pre-K seats are increased to accommodate 2,500 more children. Lottery funds will now also be used for digital learning improvements. 

Overall, 56 percent of the state budget will go to fund K-12, the 58 community colleges and 17 universities of the University of North Carolina System. That reflects a one percent increase from the previous budget.

The fiscally responsible tax reform package Governor McCrory signed into law is incorporated in this budget.  As a result, North Carolina working families will have more money in their paychecks during the next two years.

Governor McCrory’s budget provision to compensate victims of North Carolina’s Eugenics (Sterilization) Program was also included in this legislation. 

Other budget provisions include:

Education 

· Funds Center for Safer Schools which will  provide training, technical support, and serve as a clearinghouse of information on school safety to educators, law enforcement agencies and parents statewide.

· Allocates an additional $12.4 million to fund services for an additional 2,500 at-risk four year olds, to serve a total of 27,500 NC Pre-K children.

· Provides for opportunity scholarships in the second year of the budget

· Provides $12 million for digital learning efforts.

Health and Human Services 

· Partnership for a Healthy North Carolina: This budget allows the Department of Health and Human Services to move to the second phase of Medicaid reform: develop a waiver consistent with the governor’s vision to create a more sustainable system while improving care for North Carolina's most vulnerable citizens.

· Provides $1.5 billion in additional Medicaid funding over two years.

· Invests nearly $30 million over two years to help open the new Broughton Psychiatric Hospital.

· Keeps North Carolina's three regional Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Centers (ADATC) open to treat substance abuse and dependency.

· Provides for 10 additional inspectors to monitor North Carolina abortion clinics and handle complaints.

Commerce 

· Partnership for Prosperity authorized to consolidate, streamline and modernize North Carolina’s economic development efforts. 

· Creates a new Rural Development Authority to boost job creation in rural North Carolina.

· Creates a competitive grant program for non-profit entities.

· Allocates $60 million for Job Development Investment Grants (JDIG) and $14 million for Job Maintenance and Capital Development Fund (JMAC) over two years. 

Transportation 

· Implements transportation reform through governor’s Strategic Mobility Fund. This reform will connect rural areas to the state’s economic centers. Population will also factor in more prominently into the location of future transportation infrastructure projects.  

· Upgrades Department of Motor Vehicle technology and funds extended, customer-friendly hours for offices that issue driver’s licenses.

· Caps the gasoline tax

Public Safety 

· Restore funding for Trooper positions - $2,505,713 to fund 69 vacant trooper positions. 

· Keep troopers on the road - The increasing cost of gasoline is taxing the State Highway Patrol's ability to keep troopers on the road and keep the public safe. $3,677,292 was appropriated to increase the gasoline budget to the prior year's actual expenditures.

· Expands funding for the juvenile justice community programs by $1.5 million in each year of the two-year budget. 

· Funds 175 new probation officer positions to protect North Carolina communities.  Probation and post-release supervision caseloads are rising as a result of the Justice Reinvestment Act

· Reinvests $4 million over the next two years in community-based substance abuse treatment services for moderate and high-risk offenders on community supervision. Provides increased treatment services in communities and helps address underlying drug dependency issues that often lead to criminal activity and prison.

· Funds 12 special Superior Court judges.

· Provides drug treatment funds through North Carolina’s courts.

Financial Responsibility 

· Fully funds state retirement system obligation and state health plan

· Invests $233 million in the first year in the rainy day fund bringing its balance to $650 million. An additional $37 million is invested in the budget’s second year. 

· Provides $163 million over two years for repair and renovation of state facilities.

· $1 million will go to Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) to protect North Carolina’s military bases and increase their operational capability

http://governor.nc.gov/newsroom/press-releases/20130726/governor-pat-mccrory-signs-fiscally-responsible-budget

Legislative Session Ends

Governor Pat McCrory signed 30 bills on July 23, including:

Breast Density Notification & Awareness (HB 467 - Reps. Faircloth, Adams, Harrison and Fulghum): ​The bill requires health care facilities that perform mammograms to inform patients about breast density findings.  It also corrects a statute involving the cancer registry and makes a correction to a statute involving the cancer registry.

http://governor.nc.gov/newsroom/press-releases/20130723/governor-mccrory-takes-action-legislation