Covenant Membership News

Originally Submitted by Rob Thompson, Executive Director of the Covenant with North Carolina's Children


Hi Folks,

The House Appropriations Committee approved a budget proposal this afternoon after hearing around 70 amendments. While there were no huge changes in how money would be allocated, the Committee did make some significant revisions to the budget bill. Below is a brief summary of some of those changes (and some of the changes that weren't made).

The budget bill (S897) will be heard by the full House tomorrow and Friday.

Child Care Subsidy - Last year, the Legislature included a special provision that allows recipients of child care subsidies to maintain their eligibility for six months after a job loss to allow them to find new employment or receive job training. The Senate proposal eliminates this expanded eligibility in its budget proposal and the House eliminates most of the expanded eligibility it its proposal.

Rep. Alma Adams ran an amendment to restore the expanded eligibility, but that provision failed on a voice vote. Rep. Angela Bryant ran an amendment that would have allowed those currently receiving subsidy under the expanded eligibility to continue receiving subsidy, but that amendment failed as well.

Early Childhood Task Force - Rep. Rapp ran an amendment that will include all stakeholders on the Early Childhood Consolidation Task Force that will continue to meet next year. The Task Force was originally proposed to include only legislators, so it's definitely a good thing that early childhood experts will be at the table. However, only legislators will have a vote on official recommendations.

Reinstate Woodson Wilderness Camp - The Committee voted in favor of an amendment run by Rep. Susan Fisher that restores funding for the Woodson Wilderness Camp, and transfers the reduction to the cut in DJJDP's continuation budget. Funding for Woodson was included in the Senate budget, so it will be included in the conference report.

ECU High Risk Clinic - Rep. William Wainwright ran a successful amendment to restore funding for the ECU High Risk clinic, which provides support for rural doctors treating at-risk, pregnant women. This is great, because this is the only infant mortality program not included in the Senate budget, which means that all infant mortality programs are eligible for consideration in conference committee.

Universal Vaccine Program - Rep. Bob England ran an amendment that would restore $5 million to the universal vaccine program on a non-recurring basis, so that doctors can buy sufficient amounts of vaccines in advance of the school year. This is one-time money that is meant to help the state transition away from the state-funded vaccine program in favor of a program that relies on the private insurance industry.