The Legislature was off last week, but now we're back to work. It is time for all of us to actually get to work and focus on what this state needs: 1) Medicaid Expansion, 2) Real Progress on Broadband, and 3) a Comprehensive, Balanced Budget.
Closing the Coverage Gap
As I mentioned at the beginning of this newsletter, we have a real opportunity in the House to pass
HB 655
to expand Medicaid and finally close the coverage gap. We can pass this bill and take a real step forward to insuring hundreds of thousands hard-working, low-wage workers while creating tens of thousands of new jobs to our state, securing our rural hospitals, and growing our economy.
Closing the Digital Divide
While we are still in session, our legislative leadership should also bring the
Fiber NC Bill
,
with 69 sponsors and co-sponsors, more than a majority of the House, to the floor for a vote. Passing this bill will be a real step forward to address the digital divide, and we can send it over to the Senate this week.
A Comprehensive, Balanced Budget
If we can pass Medicaid Expansion and the Fiber NC Act over to the Senate this week, these two important pieces of legislation can roll right into a true, comprehensive, balanced budget. One way or another, the Senate needs to take a budget veto vote soon and clear the way for a comprehensive state budget. We can't continue to nickel and dime with mini budgets. They simply don't get the job done.
Its been
104 days
since Gov. Cooper vetoed the budget, and the Republican Legislative Leadership still has yet to even show up at the negotiating table.
It is past time to stop the obstruction.
Governor Cooper's budget veto is sitting in the Senate, and Phil Berger needs to face reality, take a vote, and one way or another make sure we do our job before going home.
Governor Cooper has offered an Alternative Compromise Budget that is sensible and balanced,
invests in teacher pay
instead of more tax cuts for corporations, has a true
school and infrastructure bond
instead of a slush fund and
Expands Medicaid
for half a million North Carolinians, instead of wasting $4 billion each year, all while giving hard-working, low-wage workers a solid tax cut and saving money for our state's Rainy Day Fund. By my estimate, there's a $12 billion difference between the Republican Conference Budget and Governor Cooper's Proposed Compromise Budget. Check out my recent newsletter
"Billions Better"
for more details.
