NCACC Legislative Update: Week of January 28, 2019 | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    Following a ceremonial and organizational session in early January, the General Assembly returned on Wednesday to begin the business of the 2019 long session. The primary goal for legislators and Governor Cooper during the session is to craft a budget for the next two fiscal years beginning July 2019.

    In addition to writing a budget, legislators and the Governor have expressed an interest in tackling a number of key county issues this session, including expanded broadband access and additional funding for school capital. For a full list of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners 2019-2020 legislative goals, please go to www.ncacc.org/legislativegoals.

    Senate Unveils School Construction Funding Plan

    Both the House and Senate kicked off the 2019 legislative session by announcing plans to provide additional revenue for school capital needs.

    This week, Senate leaders unveiled a plan to provide over $2 billion for K-12 school construction and repair over the next nine years. The plan also provides $2 billion for community college and university construction and repair over the same period. The total amount of funding received under the plan assumes a 3 percent annual growth in state revenue, and is in addition to lottery money already earmarked for school construction.

    Senate Bill 5 amends the state's Capital Infrastructure Fund to state that it is the legislature's intent to appropriate one-third of money in the fund each to local school administrative units, institutions of higher education, and state agencies annually through the 2027-28 fiscal year.

    The bill increases the state tax revenue contribution to the fund from 4 to 4.5 percent. The NC Department of Public Instruction would administer the funds and distribute to local school administrative units through an application process. The legislation gives priority to applicants with the greatest need, with higher priority given to applicants for capital projects that have not received a grant from the Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund in the previous five years. Any school district that receives funds under this proposal, and which is not in compliance with class size requirements, would be required to use the funds received to comply with the class size law.

    The Senate's funding plan follows House Speaker Moore's plan announced in December to approve legislation to put a statewide school bond on the ballot for voter approval later this year or next. While that legislation is not yet filed, statements from leadership indicate the bond would provide $1.9 billion for school construction and repair, with $1.5 billion directed to K-12 schools, and community colleges and universities each receiving $200 million.

    The NCACC appreciates both the House and the Senate prioritizing school capital funding as an issue for the 2019 legislative session and will continue working with both chambers on a plan that works best for all 100 counties.

    Contact: North Carolina Association of County Commissioners
        353 East Six Forks Road
        Suite 300
        Raleigh, NC 27609