>> THIS IS AN NC SPIN AND
UNREHEARSED DISCUSSION

ON ISSUES OF INTEREST
TO NORTH CAROLINIANS.

NOW HERE IS YOUR
MODERATOR TOM CAMPBELL.

>> IT'S BEEN ANOTHER
INTERESTING WEEK IN THE

TAR HEEL STATE.

WE OBSERVED THE MARTIN
LUTHER KING HOLIDAY, HAD

PARADES AND DEMONSTRATIONS
IN FREEZING COLD

TEMPERATURES, STAYED UP
LATE FOR THE BLOOD MOON

ECLIPSE AND SAW HEATED
ARGUMENTS BETWEEN

REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS
OVER THE 9TH CONGRESSIONAL

ELECTION OUTCOME.

THE PACE PICKED UP ON
JONES STREET AS WE READY

FOR THE NEW LEGISLATIVE
SESSION THAT BEGINS NEXT

WEDNESDAY, AND WE WANT OUR
PANEL TO COMMENT ON WHAT

WE CAN EXPECT.

PLUS WE ASK OUR ANALYSTS
TO TELL US SOMETHING WE

DON'T KNOW.

WE'VE GOT A GREAT PANEL
FOR YOU THIS WEEK.

THEY INCLUDE: BECKI GRAY, FROM
THE JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION

JOHN HOOD, SYNDICATED
COLUMNIST AND AUTHOR

CHRIS FITZSIMON,
DIRECTOR OF THE NEWSROOM

AND ROB SCHOFIELD,
OF NC POLICY WATCH.

WE BEGIN OUR UNINTERRUPTED
DEBATE AFTER THESE BRIEF

MESSAGES FROM OUR
UNDERWRITERS.

>> THEY ARE UP BEFORE DAWN, AND
WORK LATE INTO THE NIGHT.

>> THEY BELIEVE IN HARD
WORK, FAMILY,

AND DOING THE RIGHT THING.

THEY STAND UP FOR
THEIR COMMUNITIES

WHEN OTHERS WALK AWAY.

THEY ARE GOOD PEOPLE WHO JUST
WANT A FAIR SHAKE.

THEY ARE FARMERS.

AT NORTH CAROLINA
FARM BUREAU.

WE ARE PROUD TO STAND
WITH OUR FARMERS.

>> TODAY'S TOOLS MAKE
YOUR REAL DIYER,

AND AS A MEMBER
OF AN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

YOU HAVE LOTS OF VALUABLE TOOLS
TO HELP YOU DO IT YOURSELF

IN CONTROLLING YOUR HOME
ENERGY USE AND BUDGET

LEAVING YOU FREE TO BE DAD.

>> 12,000 NORTH CAROLINA
VETERANS ARE UNINSURED

WITH NO OPTIONS TO BUY
HEALTH INSURANCE.

THEY FOUGHT FOR US, NOW LET'S
FIGHT FOR THEM.

LET'S CREATE A NORTH
CAROLINA SOLUTION

FOR COVERING THE UNINSURED.

TO LEARN MORE, VISIT:

>> PRODUCTION UNDERWRITING
PROVIDED BY:

FAMILY PHYSICIANS, YOUR TRUSTED
HEALTHCARE ADVISOR FOR LIFE.

LET'S GET STARTED.

IT WAS A MADE FOR TV MOMENT.

DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS FACING
OFF IN COURT OVER THE 9TH

CONGRESSIONAL
DISTRICT ELECTION.

REPUBLICANS CLAIMED THAT
CERTIFYING MARK HARRIS AS

WINNER HAD TAKEN FAR
LONGER THAN WAS PRESCRIBED

BY LAW.

DEMOCRATS SAID THE BOARD
OF ELECTIONS WAS CORRECT

IN NOT CERTIFYING A WINNER
BECAUSE OF CLEAR EVIDENCE

OF VOTING IRREGULARITIES
AND FRAUD.

ROB, JUDGE
PAUL RIDGEWAY HEARD THE

CASE AND RULED ALMOST
IMMEDIATELY IN DENYING

MARK HARRIS BE CERTIFIED
AS THE WINNER.

WERE YOU SURPRISED HE
RULED SO QUICKLY?

>> NO ACTUALLY IT WASN'T.

AND I THINK WHEN HE TOOK A LOOK
AT SIX HUNDRED

AND TWENTY EIGHT PAGES
THAT HAVE BEEN FILED WITH HIM

BY MARK HARRIS
I THINK I'M SURPRISED

HE DIDN'T JUST DISMISS
THE CASE THAT AT THAT POINT

BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT
TO READ 628 PAGES.

BUT SERIOUSLY THIS WAS
A THIS WAS A HAIL MARY.

BY MARK HARRIS IT WAS A FOURTH
IN 20 YARDS TO GO

AND I DON'T THINK HE OR
OR DALLAS WOODHOUSE OR TOM BRADY

I DON'T THINK
THEY HAD A SHOT HERE.

>> GO WORK THE SUPER BOWL.

>> IT WAS A BIG LONG SHOT.

I MEAN I DON'T THINK
ANYBODY EXPECTED TO RULE

IT MAYBE YOU KNOW MAYBE
HE WOULD HAVE TAKEN A DAY

I SUPPOSE YOU MIGHT HAVE
EXPECTED IT

BUT HE KNEW THE JUDGE KNEW
THAT THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS

IS COMING TOGETHER IN THE COMING
DAYS, IN A FEW DAYS IT WAS

GOING TO BE DECIDED BY THEN WHY
WOULDN'T HE HAND IT OFF.

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN
AN EXTRAORDINARY ACTION.

>> YOU CAN UNDERSTAND MARK
HARRIS

BEING ANXIOUS TO GO IN
AND GET THIS THING BEHIND HIM.

SO WHERE ARE WE RIGHT NOW BECKI.

>> WELL WE'RE SORT OF WAITING
WE'RE IN A WAITING PATTERN.

THE LAW THAT THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY PASSED IN DECEMBER

SETS UP THE NEW STATE BOARD
OF ELECTIONS

TO TAKE OVER
ON JANUARY 30 FIRST.

WHAT WE EXPECT IS IN A COUPLE
OF WEEKS BEGINNING OF FEBRUARY

WE SHOULD HAVE
THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS

IN PLACE LOOKING AT THIS.
IN THE MEANTIME THE EMPLOYEES

AND THE STAFF
AT THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS

HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH A LOT
OF THIS INVESTIGATIVE DOCUMENTS

AND CATALOGING THINGS

AND YOU KNOW IT'S LIKE IT'S NOT
LIKE NOTHING HAS BEEN HAPPENING

BUT WE CAN'T TAKE ACTION ON IT

UNTIL THIS NEW BOARD
OF ELECTIONS IS SEATED.

>> ON THE OTHER HAND
THE REPUBLICANS

HAVE NOW NOMINATED PEOPLE
THAT IT APPEARS VIOLATE THE LAW

THAT'S GOING TO
GIVE ALLOW THEM TO BE HEARD.

>> SO THAT THROWS A WHOLE
NOTHER WRENCH INTO IT

AND IT'S SORT OF
THE LATEST EXAMPLE.

IT'S JUST IT'S INFURIATING
THAT WE KEEP PLAYING POLITICS

WITH THIS BOARD
AND NOT FOLLOWING THE LAW.

>> I WANT TO GET TO THAT
IN A SECOND.

BUT FOLLOWING UP ON THE POINT
THAT BECKI MADE.

SO WE'VE GOT
THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS

DOING THEIR INVESTIGATIONS
AND AT THE SAME TIME

WAKE COUNTY D.A.

LAUREN FREEMAN HERSELF
IS INVESTIGATING ALL THIS.

ARE THESE TWO WORKING TOGETHER
OR ARE THEY SEPARATE.

WHAT'S THE PURPOSE
OF HAVING BOTH OF THEM.

>> WELL THEY'RE SEPARATE
MATTERS,

ACTUALLY, BECAUSE WHAT
THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS

IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT
IS SHOULD THEY CERTIFY

OR SHOULD THEY NOT
CERTIFY SPECIFY

SPECIFYING THE REASONS WHY.

THAT'S NOT ACTUALLY THE D.A. JOB
THE D.A.

IS JOBS DETERMINE WHETHER CRIMES
HAVE BEEN COMMITTED

AND GO AFTER CRIMINALS
WHICH IS A DIFFERENT MATTER.

YOU COULD CERTIFY
AND ALSO GO AFTER PEOPLE

WHO'VE MISHANDLED BALLOTS

ARGUING THAT THERE AREN'T
ENOUGH MISHANDLED BALLOTS

TO TURN THE OUTCOME
OF THE ELECTION

OR COULD GO THE OTHER WAY.

YOU COULD END UP THROWING IT OUT
BUT THEY'RE NOT HAVE ENOUGH

EVIDENCE TO FILE
CRIMINAL CHARGES.

>> TALKING ABOUT
CRIMINAL CHARGES

ONE OF THE PERSONS OF INTEREST
IN ALL OF THIS IS A FELLOW MAN

IN BLATANT COUNTY
NAMED MCCRAY DALLAS

WHO IS BEEN CERTIFIED

AS A PERSON OF INTEREST
WHATEVER THAT MAY MEAN LEGALLY.

>> THE STATEMENT OF THE YEAR.

>> HOWEVER HE'S REFUSED
TO BE INTERVIEWED HERE.

CAN THEY SUBPOENA HIM?

>> OF COURSE THEY CAN
SUBPOENA HIM AND LAUREN FREEMAN

CAN SUBPOENA HIM
AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS

CAN INTERVIEW HIM, MCCRAY
DALLAS WILL TALK AT SOME POINT.

IT IS INTERESTING THAT WE CAN
NEVER HAVE SOMEBODY INVOLVED

IN THESE THINGS
IT HAS A NAME LIKE JIM SMITH.

>> I KNOW.

>> MCCRAY DALLAS ALONE OUGHT
TO BE A REASON TO INVESTIGATE.

>> WELL SPEAKING OF NAMES
WE'VE GOT JOSH MALCOLM

WHO WAS THE FORMER CHAIR
OF THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS

WHO SAYS HE'S NOT GOING TO SERVE

AT ALL NOT AS CHAIR
NOT AS A MEMBER.

RIGHT NOW REPUBLICANS ACCUSE HIM
OF BEING TOO COZY

WITH SOME OF THE PEOPLE
DOWN THERE IN BLADEN COUNTY.

>> I THINK HE HAD SOME SPECIAL
KNOWLEDGE ABOUT WHAT GOES ON

IN BLADEN COUNTY

WAS ONE OF THE REASONS
HE WAS VERY CONCERNED

ABOUT THE THESE TERRIBLE RESULTS
THAT WERE GOING ON DOWN THERE

WITH THAT
WITH THE VOTE TAMPERING.

I MEAN DON'T YOU THINK
THE BOTTOM LINE HERE IS THAT

EVEN IF WE SOMEHOW MIRACULOUSLY
THAT THE BOARD CERTIFIED IT

WHICH I THINK
IS A REMARKABLE LONGSHOT

STILL CONGRESS
HAS TO SEAT THIS PERSON.

I FIND IT HARD TO IMAGINE

UNLESS THERE'S JUST
SOME REMARKABLE TURN OF EVENTS

AND WE GET A TOTALLY CLEAN SLATE

THAT THE PEOPLE RUNNING
THE UNITED STATES HOUSE

ARE GOING TO SAY
OK COME ON MARK.

WE'LL SEE. IT JUST SEEMS LIKE
YOU KNOW VERY LONG SHOT.

>> I USED TO THINK THAT ROB, BUT
WHAT I'VE BEEN HEARING

FROM FOLKS LATELY ABOUT

IS THERE ARE SOME DEMOCRAT
STENY HOYER WAS VERY EXPLICIT.

HE SAID YOU KNOW FORGET
IT WE'RE NOT GOING TO SEE THEM.

BUT OTHER DEMOCRATS
AND REPUBLICANS

BOTH ARE A LITTLE NERVOUS
ABOUT THE PRECEDENT.

AGAIN THIS IS A QUESTION --

>> OF INTERFERING WITH STATE
ELECTIONS

>> IF YOU HAD A CLEAR SENSE
THAT THERE WERE ENOUGH BALLOTS

IT COULD HAVE BEEN
CAST ILLEGALLY

OR THROWN AWAY
HAD ENOUGH EVIDENCE

THAT IT WOULD TURN
THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTION.

THAT'S ONE THING.
BUT IF THEY END UP SAYING

WE'RE NOT QUITE SURE ABOUT
THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE

WE'RE GOING
TO REFUSE TO SEAT HIM ANYWAY

EVEN THOUGH THE STATE CORE

EVEN THOUGH THE STATE
HAS CERTIFIED HIM

THERE ARE SOME MEMBER INCUMBENT
MEMBERS OF THE U.S. HOUSE

IN BOTH PARTIES WHO MIGHT
BE NERVOUS ABOUT THAT.

>> OK. SO BECKI WE'VE GOT
A NEW STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS

WHICH IS DUE TO BE SEATED
JANUARY 30 FIRST NEXT.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE
THREE MEMBERS

OF THE GOVERNOR'S PARTY
MEETING THREE DEMOCRATS

TWO MEMBERS
OF THE OPPOSITION PARTY

MEANING TWO
REPUBLICANS SO FAR AS IT GOES.

CHRIS RAISED THE POINT

ABOUT THIS
WHETHER THEY'RE ELIGIBLE OR NOT.

>> AND IN READING THE LAW
IT SAYS

THAT THEY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED
IN ELECTIONEERING

WITHIN THE PAST 48 MONTHS.

>> WHAT DOES
ELECTIONEERING MEAN?

>> THAT MEANS THAT YOU'VE WORKED
TO GET PEOPLE ELECTED

AND SO WHAT I THINK THEY WANT
IS PEOPLE

WHO HAVE NOT ACTIVELY WORKED IT
THROUGH THE ELECTION PROCESS

TO GET PEOPLE ELECTED
BUT TOM HERE'S A SUGGESTION.

SO THE BOARD NEEDS
TO BE FIVE PEOPLE.

THEY'RE HAVING A REALLY HARD
TIME FINDING QUALIFIED PEOPLE

AS CHRIS POINTED OUT.

YOU KNOW REPUBLICANS HAVE
PROBLEMS WITH THE DEMOCRATS.

DEMOCRATS HAVE PROBLEMS
WITH THE REPUBLICANS

THEY'VE GOT A FIVE MEMBER BOARD

THERE'S FIVE OF US
SITTING AROUND THIS TABLE.

>> BRING IT OVER HERE.

WE'LL GET MORE STRAIGHTENED OUT
BEFORE WE HEAD OVER.

WE HAVE SOLVED ONE OF
THE STATE'S NAGGING PROBLEMS.

>> AND NONE OF US HAS ENGAGED
IN ELECTIONEERING

IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.
>> 48 HOURS!

[LAUGHTER]

>> ALL RIGHT.
SO LET'S LOOK AT HIM.

>> OK. THE REPUBLICANS HAVE
NAMED FRANCIS DELUCA

FORMER HEAD OF
CIVITAS STACY EGGERS.

WHO WAS A BOONE ATTORNEY
AND A FORMER MEMBER

OF THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS
BUCK NEWTON FROM WILSON

WHO IS A FORMER SENATOR
RAN FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL.

AND EDDIE WOODHOUSE

WHO'S A FORMER WHITE COUNTY
BOARD OF ELECTIONS MEMBER

BUT RAN FOR CITY COUNCIL
IN IN 2015.

DEMOCRATS SAY NONE OF THEM
ARE QUALIFIED.

[ALL TALKING]

>> EGGERS IS QUALIFIED.

>> WOODHOUSE WAS A CANDIDATE,
BUCK WAS A CANDIDATE

AND WORKED ON A CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENT EFFORT.

FRANCIS OF COURSE THERE'S A C4
THAT CIVITAS HAS.

THAT DOES SOME SOME WORK
IN ELECTION CYCLES.

SO THAT'S THE ARGUMENT.

>> SO WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.
ARE THEY RIGHT?

>> I THINK THEY ARE RIGHT
AND I THINK IT WOULD DO THEM

WELL TO COME UP
WITH SOME DIFFERENT NAMES.

MY GOODNESS.
ALL JOKING ASIDE

THERE ARE PLENTY OF QUALIFIED
PEOPLE WHO COULD BE FORTH

AND WE NEED TO POINT OUT THAT
ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE IN ADDITION

TO HAVING BEEN INVOLVED
IN ELECTIONEERING

ARE EXTREME PARTISANS.

THEY ARE NOT JUST RESPECTED
MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY

THEY ARE ALL VERY DEDICATED
POLITICAL POLITICIANS

IF YOU WILL

AND THAT WELL THAT'S NOT
WHO WE NEED TO HAVE ON THEM.

>> DON'T FORGET TOO, REPUBLICANS
HAVE SOME COMPLAINTS

WITH SOME OF THE IDEAS

THAT HAVE BEEN
GOING TO RUMINATED OR MENTIONED

BY THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
SO, THIS IS NOT EASY.

THIS IS THIS IS ONE OF THOSE
HIGHLY PARTISAN THINGS.

>> THE LAW SAYS YOU CAN'T BE
INVOLVED IN ELECTIONEERING.

HALF THE PEOPLE OR MORE
THAT YOU KNOW

HAVE BEEN IN ELECTIONEERING.

>> AND AS ROB SAID THERE'S
PLENTY OF OTHER PEOPLE OUT THERE

SO I EXPECT REPUBLICAN NAMES.

>> THEY DON'T SEEM TO HAVE

ANY QUALMS
ABOUT THE SPECIFIC PEOPLE

THAT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
NAMED SO MUCH AS THEY DO SAYING

THIS IS JUST ANOTHER EFFORT
BY GOVERNOR COOPER

TRYING TO STACK
THE ELECTION PROCESS.

>> THEY DID HAVE
SPECIFIC CONCERNS.

I DIDN'T HEAR THAT. WHO?

>> BUT AGAIN I WOULD SAY THAT
THE --

I SUSPECT THAT THAT RULE
THEY SIMPLY WEREN'T AWARE OF IT

OR MAYBE WEREN'T AWARE
OF THE TIME FRAME INVOLVED.

THEY HAVE AN ARGUMENT AGAINST IT

BUT I THINK IT WOULD BE SMARTER
FOR THEM TO JUST GO AHEAD

AND COME UP
WITH SOME DIFFERENT IDEAS.

>> ALL RIGHT. LET'S
PLAY WHAT IF.

OK WE GET THIS NEW
BOARD IN PLACE,

ASSUMING ALL FIVE OF US
ARE WILLING TO SERVE

AND ARE WILLING TO BE SWORN IN
INSTEAD OF SWORN AT.

WHICH WOULD BE SORT OF UNUSUAL.
WE GET THIS NEW BOARD IN PLACE.

THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LISTEN
TO THE EVIDENCE

THAT WAS ACCUMULATED

BY THE STATE BOARD
OF ELECTIONS INVESTIGATORS

AS WELL AS INTERVIEWS
THAT THEY DO IN PERSON.

HOW LONG IS THIS PROCESS
GOING TO TAKE BECKI?

>> HOPEFULLY NOT TOO LONG.
I MEAN AS I MENTIONED

EARLIER THE STAFF
AT THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS

UNDER KIM STRIKE'S DIRECTION
HAS BEEN DOING THIS

AND PUTTING THESE THINGS
IN ORDER

THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO START
AT SQUARE ONE

WHEN THEY ARE SWORN IN.

>> BUT THE TERM EXPIRES IN
MARCH. DOESN'T IT.

>> WELL THEY THIS BOARD
ALLEGEDLY HOPEFULLY WILL GO INTO

PLACE AT THE END OF JANUARY
BEGIN THEIR WORK IMMEDIATELY

AND START TO REVIEW THINGS

AND I'M SURE THEY'LL ASK
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

BUT HOPEFULLY IT'LL MOVE
ALONG PRETTY QUICKLY.

>> THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
IS A GUBERNATORIAL APPOINTMENT?

IS THAT CORRECT?

>> YOU KNOW HONESTLY
I DON'T KNOW.

>> I THINK THAT'S
THE CASE WHETHER IF IT IS

IF IT IS DE FACTO OR DE JURE
A THAT IS ESSENTIALLY CORRECT.

>> OK. SO SO LET'S ASSUME WE GET
OUT OF THIS FIVE MEMBER BOARD

LET'S ASSUME WE GET A A VERDICT
SO FAR

AS WHETHER TO CERTIFY
OR HOLD A NEW ELECTION.

COULD THAT DECISION
BE CHALLENGED IN COURT?

>> SURE. MARK HARRIS COULD -

I MEAN THAT'S WHAT JUDGE
RIDGEWAY SAID, RIGHT?

IT WOULD BE A QUESTION WHETHER
HE WANTS TO TAKE THAT STEP.

I THINK WHAT JUDGE RIDGWAY SAID
IS YOU KNOW

THAT'S WHEN YOU GO TO COURT
AT THAT POINT.

>> IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THIS
ELECTION WHAT DO YOU THINK

IT COULD BE THIS FALL.

>> YOU'D HOPE SOONER THAN THAT.
YOU'D HOPE FOR THE SPRING.

>> IF YOU COULD HAVE A PRIMARY
IN THE SPRING OR LATE SPRING

AND HAVING
A GENERAL ELECTION AFTER THAT --

IT'S ALSO WORTH POINTING OUT
THE REASON

WE HAVE SUCH A CONFUSING
BOARD OF ELECTIONS

IS THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
HAS TRIED 150 TIMES

NOT MUCH AN EXAGGERATION
TO RECONSTITUTE IT

IF THEY HADN'T TINKERED
AROUND WITH THIS

WE WOULD HAVE A SITTING BOARD
WHICH HAVE ALREADY HEARD IT

AND MADE A DECISION.

>> AND WE ARE CLEAR ABOUT THIS

IF THE STATE --
IF I THINK I'M RIGHT ABOUT THIS

BUT I'M SURE THE VIEWERS
WILL LET US KNOW IF I'M WRONG

WHICH IS - THEY NEVER
HESITATE TO DO.

BUT IF THE STATE ORDERS A NEW
ELECTION WE WOULDN'T START OVER

WITH PRIMARIES NECESSARILY
DEPENDS ON WHAT THEY FELT.

>> THE LEGISLATURE PASSED A LAW
SAYING THAT WE WOULD.

>> BUT IN THE MEANTIME

THAT DISTRICT HAS
NO REPRESENTATION IN CONGRESS

ALSO ACROSS THE STATE THE
INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTIONS --

>> THAT'S NOT ENTIRELY TRUE
BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE ITSELF

HAS APPOINTED A GROUP OF PEOPLE
TO SERVE THE CONSTITUENTS

>> CONSTITUENT SERVICES

BUT NOT CASTING THOSE VOTES
ON VERY IMPORTANT ISSUES.

>> BUT YOU WERE TALKING
ABOUT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WHO'S TO SAY THEY'RE NOT
GOING TO PASS

SOME MORE LEGISLATION
IN THIS SESSION

TO TINKER FURTHER WITH
THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS

IN NEXT WEDNESDAY.

THEY RETURNED TO RALLY
TO GET DOWN TO BUSINESS SO FAR

WE'VE HEARD THE TRADITIONAL
PLEDGES OF HARMONY

THE APPOINTMENTS
OF COMMITTEE CHAIRS

AND MEMBERS PROMISES
TO PASS THE BUDGET

AND ADJOURN BY JULY 4TH.

AND WE'VE HAD THE NORMAL
ENTERTAINING GAME

OF MUSICAL CHAIRS

BEING PLAYED AS LAWMAKERS
MOVE TO NEW OFFICES

BUT COME WEDNESDAY
THE REAL WORK BEGINS

AND WE WANT OUR PANEL
TO GIVE US A PREVIEW

OF WHAT TO EXPECT
IN THIS SESSION.

I WANT TO START WITH BECKI
WE HEARD PLEDGES OF HARMONY

AND BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

IT'S TRUE REPUBLICANS DON'T HAVE
THAT VETO PROOF MAJORITY

THAT THEY'VE HAD IN MANY YEARS.

YOU THINK REALLY WE'LL SEE
HARMONY IN THIS SESSION

OR ARE WE GOING TO GO BACK
TO THE SAME KIND OF CAT

FIGHTING WE'VE SEEN.

>> I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE
SOME OF BOTH.

TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, THEY'RE
GOING TO BE DISAGREEMENTS

THERE ALREADY ARE THINGS
LIKE MEDICAID EXPANSION

WHETHER TO SAVE MONEY OR SPEND
MORE MONEY ON REDISTRICTING

AND THE ELECTIONS YOU KNOW
THAT WE JUST TALKED ABOUT

THERE'S GOING TO BE PLENTY
TO FIGHT ABOUT.

BUT THERE'S ALSO PLENTY
THAT THERE IS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT

FOR THINGS

LIKE ALCOHOL BEVERAGE SYSTEM
REFORMS REMOVING REGULATIONS

SO THAT CRAFT BREWERIES
AND CRAFT DISTILLERIES CAN GROW

AND CREATE JOBS OF COURSE
ACROSS NORTH CAROLINA.

THE GOVERNOR THE SPEAKER
OF THE HOUSE

AND THE SUPERINTENDENT
OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

HAVE COME OUT IN SUPPORT
OF A TWO BILLION DOLLAR SCHOOL

CONSTRUCTION BOND.

I THINK EVERYBODY AGREES HEALTH
CARE COSTS ARE OUT OF CONTROL.

THE SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE
IS UNSUSTAINABLE.

LOOKING AT EXPANDING SCOPE
OF PRACTICE

REMOVING CERTIFICATE OF NEED

SOME OF THOSE KIND THINGS
OPENING UP THE INSURANCE MARKET

WHERE YOU'RE TAUGHT HEARING TALK
OF ASSOCIATION INSURANCE PLANS

TO OFFER MORE COMPETITION
WITH HEALTH INSURANCE.

>> SO I THINK THERE'S PLENTY
OF AREAS

>> YOU JUST CHECKED OFF ALL THE
BOXES I HAD

TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT.

I THINK FOR THE REST
OF THE PROGRAM

WE'LL JUST TAKE A BREAK.

ACTUALLY,

JOHN YOU WROTE AN INTERESTING
COLUMN THIS WEEK SAYING

THAT BETWEEN UNDERSPENDING
OF APPROPRIATED FUNDS

AND SURPLUSES IN REVENUE
FROM WHAT WAS FORECAST.

WE'VE GOT APPROXIMATELY
FIVE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS

IN AVAILABLE DOLLARS.
IS THAT CORRECT.

>> WELL, YEAH, I MEAN
ESSENTIALLY IT'S THE FIRST

SIX MONTHS OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

THE REVENUES RUN IN
A COUPLE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS

ABOVE THE PREVIOUS FORECAST.

YOU'VE ALSO GOT A CASH SURPLUS
FOR THE CURRENT YEAR MONEY

VERSUS SPENDING SHARES IN THE
400 MILLION DOLLAR RANGE OR SO.

SO IT'S A LITTLE HIGHER
THAN THAT NUMBER TOM

BUT WE ARE WE'VE BEEN AROUND
LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW

THAT THERE HAVE BEEN YEARS

WHEN THAT SURPLUS
WAS HEADED UP TOWARDS A BILLION

WHERE THE REVENUE OVERAGE
WOULD BE HALF OF THAT.

WE MIGHT GET THERE THROUGH
THE IN FISCAL YEAR

BUT IT'S STILL TOO EARLY

TO START
SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY.

WE HAVEN'T COLLECTED YET.

>> AND THESE
APPROPRIATIONS CHAIRS

ARE QUICK TO TELL US

THIS IS ONE TIME MONEY
YOU CAN'T GO --

>> SOME OF IT IS RECURRING.
>> GOVERNOR COOPER CHRIS,

HAS GOT A LONG LIST OF PROJECTS
THAT HE WANTS TO SEE

THE LEGISLATURE
SPENDING SOME MONEY ON.

NONE THE LEAST OF WHICH
IS TEACHER PAY INCREASES

BRINGING US UP

TO THE NATIONAL AVERAGE
AND PER PUPIL EXPENDITURE.

>> RIGHT. AND REMEMBER PER PUPIL
EXPENDITURES WERE STILL BELOW

WHERE WE WERE BEFORE THE
GREAT RECESSION HIT

WHICH IS NOT A BADGE OF HONOR.

I STILL THINK THERE ARE COUPLE
OVERRIDING THEMES OF THE SESSION

YOU HIT ON ONE OF THEM WHICH IS
THE VETO PROOF MAJORITY IS GONE.

SO THERE BE MUCH MORE
NEGOTIATION BEHIND THE SCENES.

I THINK MEDICAID EXPANSION
DESPITE WHAT BECKI SAID

THERE ARE A LOT OF REPUBLICANS
IN THE HOUSE.

DR. MURPHY GREGG MURPHY IN
THE HOUSE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE

DON'T BELIEVE
WE SHOULD EXPAND MEDICAID

NOT MAYBE THE WAY
THAT I WOULDN'T WANT.

THAT'S GOING TO BE A GIANT ISSUE
IT'S NOT JUST PARTISAN.

THERE ARE REPUBLICANS
WHO SUPPORT IT.

ONE THING WE HAVEN'T TALKED
ABOUT ONCE AGAIN THIS WEEK

SPEAKER MOORE ENTERS THE SESSION
UNDER AN ETHICAL CLOUD.

WE HEARD ANOTHER SCANDAL
BREAK THIS PAST WEEK

WHERE HE PAID
A FORMER EMPLOYEE NINETY

FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS

WHEN HE LEFT
FOR WORKING FOR YOU.

I THINK THIS IS THE FOURTH
OR FIFTH THING

THAT PEOPLE ARE UPSET
ABOUT SOME ACTIVE FEDERAL

AND STATE INVESTIGATIONS
HE'S HIRED A LAWYER.

THIS IS NOT A SMALL THING
ON JONES STREET

BECAUSE WHETHER THESE THINGS
COME TO FRUITION

THE SESSION MEMBERS ON CAUCUS

HAVE TO BE STARTING TO WONDER

WHAT'S GOING ON IN
THE SPEAKER'S OFFICE.

THAT IS A BIG DEAL.
>> IN THE CLOUDS OF LEADERSHIP

LET ME GO AROUND THE TABLE
VERY QUICKLY

BECAUSE CHRIS RAISED THIS ISSUE
ABOUT MEDICAID EXPANSION

RIGHT IN ASKING HIM

THE QUESTION: WHO THINKS THIS IS
GOING TO HAPPEN IN THIS SESSION?

>> I THINK IT'S
A GOOD SHOT AT IT.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE
VERY DIFFICULT

BUT I THINK THERE'S A SHOT.
>> JOHN?

>> I'D BE MORE LIKE 50/50 ON IT
AT BEST.

>> BECKI.

>> I DO NOT BELIEVE
THAT WILL HAPPEN.

I THINK THAT
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

LOOKING AT THE ENTIRE BUDGET.
YOU KNOW CHRIS MENTIONED TEACHER

PAY INCREASES
MORE MONEY TOWARDS EDUCATION.

THERE'S A LOT OF NEEDS
IN THE STATE

AND OR IN MEDICAID EXPANSION.
WE CAN'T DO EVERYTHING.

>> I THINK IT'LL PASS THE HOUSE
AND YOU BELIEVE

A LOT OF REPUBLICANS
LIKE DR. MURPHY

AND OTHERS
ARE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE.

MAYBE SO BUT I THINK IT'LL PASS
THE HOUSE WE'LL SEE

IN THE SENATE THE GOVERNOR
AND HOUSE WANT TO DO IT.

>> ROB WE'RE CERTAIN TO HAVE
MORE REQUESTS

AND MORE APPROPRIATION
FOR HURRICANE RECOVERY

ARE WE NOT
WE'VE SPENT EIGHT HUNDRED --

WE ALLOCATED $850
MILLION DOLLARS.

YOU THINK THERE'S GONNA BE MORE?

>> I DON'T DOUBT IT.

AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT
FOR US TO REMEMBER

THAT HAD WE LEFT TAXES
WHERE THEY WERE FIVE YEARS AGO

WHEN NORTH CAROLINA WAS ALREADY
RANKED HIGH IN THE STATES

AMONGST MOST DESIRABLE
FOR RELOCATING YOUR BUSINESS

WE'D HAVE FOUR BILLION DOLLARS

ACTUALLY IN RECURRING SPENDING
IN OUR BUDGET THIS YEAR.

WE'D HAVE ALL KINDS OF

WE'D HAVE THAT TEACHER
PAY PROBLEM ADDRESSED.

WE COULD HAVE EXPANDED MEDICAID
THERE'S SO MUCH

WE COULD HAVE DONE THERE WAS
TO BE A LOT OF PENT UP DEMAND

TO GET AFTER
THAT WE HAVE NEGLECTED

AND SYSTEMATICALLY UNDER
INVESTED IN SO MANY PROGRAM

NO DOUBT ANYBODY THAT CAN WALK
AND CHEW GUM

IS GOING TO BE WANT MORE MONEY.

>> BUT ONE
OF THE PHILOSOPHIES

OVER IN THIS LEGISLATURE
FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS

SINCE 2012 CERTAINLY HAS BEEN
A MORE CONSERVATIVE PHILOSOPHY

SO FAR AS SAVINGS ARE CONCERNED.

WE HAD A TWO BILLION DOLLAR
RAINY DAY FUND

FROM WHICH WE COULD DRAW

THESE FUNDS
FOR HURRICANE APPROPRIATIONS

ARE WE GOING TO SEE
MORE MOVEMENT

TO SOCK MORE MONEY
INTO RAINY DAY.

>> WE'VE SPENT OUT
OF THE RAINY DAY.

SO WE'RE DOWN TO ONE POINT TWO
PLUS YOU'VE GOT

SEVERAL HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS
IN OTHER ACCOUNTS.

IT'S A HEALTHY AMOUNT IT'S NOT
AS MUCH AS WE HAD TWO YEARS AGO.

I THINK THERE WILL BE
SIGNIFICANT PRESSURE

IN THE LEGISLATURE
AND I AGREE WITH IT

TO MAKE ONE OF THE PRIORITIES
BE RESTORE

SOME OF THE MONEY
THAT WAS TAKEN OUT.

>> I THINK ONE OF THE SLEEPER
ISSUES OF THIS SESSION

IS WE WILL ELECT MEMBERS
OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS

SOMETIME THIS SPRING
WE DO IT EVERY LONG SESSION

NORMALLY PEOPLE SORT OUT
A LITTLE BIT PAY ATTENTION TO IT

THAT GOES UNDER THE RADAR --
>> DID WE MAKE NOMINATIONS?

>> WELL IT'S NOT GOING TO BE
UNDER THE RADAR THIS YEAR.

>> WE'RE ALL ON THE BOARD
OF ELECTIONS.

WE CAN'T ALSO BE ON THE UNC
BOARD OF GOVERNORS.

>> TELL YOU WHAT - I'LL TRADE MY
PLACE ON THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS!

I'LL GET ON THE BOG!
>> THIS IS THE MOST ATTENTION

PAID TO THOSE ELECTIONS
IN A LONG TIME.

>> I THINK YOU'RE
RIGHT ABOUT THAT.

>> I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE
A LOT OF VETTING

OF THOSE CANDIDATES.

>> HOW ABOUT THIS READ TO
ACHIEVE PROGRAM.

WE JUST RECEIVED RESULTS
ABOUT THE FACT

THAT IT IS NOT ACCOMPLISHING
WHAT WE HAD INTENDED.

CERTAINLY SENATOR PHIL BERGER
INTENDED TO ACCOMPLISH.

YOU THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE
SOME EITHER MORE APPROPRIATIONS

OR SOME TWEAKING
OF THAT PROGRAM?

>> I THINK WE CERTAINLY NEED TO.

I THINK THAT THERE CLEARLY
IS A NEED.

I THINK EVERYBODY AGREES THAT WE
ARE KIDS COMING OUT OF SCHOOL

NEED TO KNOW HOW TO READ.

NOW IF WE DO THAT
AT THE THIRD GRADE LEVEL

OR MANY PEOPLE ARE ARGUING

THAT WE REALLY NEED TO TAKE
IT BACK TO PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS

AND PUT MORE MONEY
INTO THE PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS.

I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE
A LOT OF STUDIES DONE.

I THINK THAT WE NEED TO LOOK
AT WHAT OTHER STATES ARE DOING

AND THEY'RE DOING WELL
AND WHERE THE RESULTS ARE.

I THINK WE NEED TO PUT THE MONEY
WHERE WE KNOW

WE'RE GOING TO GET THE RESULTS

BECAUSE ULTIMATELY THE
RESPONSIBILITY IS TO THE KIDS.

>> THAT'S WHAT THE
BUSINESS LEADERS SAID THIS WEEK.

THEY'RE TELLING US BUSINESS
LEADERS IN NORTH CAROLINA

ARE SAYING INVEST IN PRE-K.

WE NEED TO BRING THIS NURTURING
APPROACH LET'S GROW OUR CHILDREN

LET'S HELP THEM EARLY
ON LET'S NOT JUST DEMAND RESULTS

WITH A TEST YOU KNOW LATER ON
IN THIRD GRADE

AND HOLD THEM BACK
IT'S THAT PUNITIVE APPROACH

AS OPPOSED TO HELPING THEM
ALONG APPROACH.

>> AND VERY QUICKLY

IS THE SCHOOL BOND
REFERENDUM IDEA

GOING TO GET PASSED

AND WILL WE BE VOTING
ON IT THIS YEAR

OR WILL IT BE 2020? QUICKLY.

>> IT'LL DEFINITELY PASS.

THE ARGUMENT WILL BE
WHAT'S IN IT.

I MEAN IT'S EASY TO SAY
EVERYBODY'S FOR IT.

WHEN YOU START DIVIDING IT UP
THERE'LL BE A BIG BATTLE

BETWEEN URBAN AND RURAL AREA

>> THIS YEAR OR NEXT YEAR?
>> I THINK 2020 PROBABLY

BUT THERE'S EIGHT BILLION
DOLLARS IN NEED NOT JUST TWO.

>> I THINK SO TOO BECAUSE --

>> NOT ONLY THAT, BUT
TRANSPORTATION BONDS

WE GOT WATER AND SEWER,

>> EXACTLY, BUT MORE VOTER
TURNOUT MORE PARTICIPATION

MORE PEOPLE BEING ABLE TO VOICE

WHETHER OR NOT THEY SUPPORT
A TWO BILLION DOLLAR BOND

>> PRIVATIZING ABC YES OR NO?
>> DO I THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA,

OR DO I THINK IT'S
GOING TO HAPPEN?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

>> NOT IT'S GONNA BE ONE
OF THE MOST HOTLY LOBBIED ISSUES

IN THIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY JOHN
PASSED

I HOPE IT PASSES I'M NOT GOING
TO BET ON IT THIS YEAR

I HOPE IT PASSES TOO

BUT THIS IS ONE OF THOSE ISSUES
THAT INCREMENTAL CHANGES

WILL GET US TO THE END GO
AND IT DOESN'T

ALL HAVE TO BE DONE IN ONE YEAR.

>> WE GOING TO SEE
PRISON REFORM?

>> I HOPE SO.

I THINK THAT'S THAT'S MORE
LIKELY THAN ABC PRIVATIZATION

BECAUSE IT'S A CONSERVATIVE
OR THE RELIGIOUS CONSERVATIVES

IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
WILL FIGHT THAT.

I MEAN THAT WOULD BE THEIR ONE
OF THEIR PRIORITIES

OF THE SESSION.
IT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT.

>> HOWEVER THEY ACTUALLY
AND OTHERS WILL BE ADVOCATES

OF PRISON REFORM.
THAT'S RIGHT.

>> THAT'S ONE AREA WHERE LEFT
AND RIGHT

TEND TO KIND OF COME TOGETHER.

>> WE'RE HEARING THERE MAY BE
A PUSH TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA.

>> I THINK THERE WILL BE A PUSH.

>> THERE'S ALWAYS A PUSH TO
LEGALIZE MARIJUANA.

THAT'S ANOTHER
EXAMPLE OF WHY WE NEED

TO REALLY TAKE A LOOK
AT THE ABC SYSTEM

AND GET BACK IN GOOD
WORKING ORDER

IF WE'RE GOING TO AT SOME POINT
LEGALIZE MARIJUANA IN THE STATE

BECAUSE THE TWO COULD REALLY BE
CONNECTED WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT

AND OVERSIGHT
IN THOSE KIND OF THINGS.

SO IT'S THOSE TWO THINGS
ARE CONNECTED IN MY MIND.

>> SENATOR HARRY BROWN,
JOHN, IS GOING TO WANT US

TO SPEND MORE MONEY ON BROADBAND
INTERNET INTERNET

CONNECTIVITY FOR RURAL AREAS.

>> THERE IS GONNA BE A PUSH
FOR THAT THIS YEAR.

YOU THINK IT'S GOING TO PASS?

>> I THINK IT'S SOMEWHAT TRADES

OFF OF THE SCHOOL
CONSTRUCTION BOND.

I MEAN THERE'S A CERTAIN
AMOUNT OF MONEY

YOU GO SPEND ON INFRASTRUCTURE

WHICH IS THAT WHICH IS
THE HIGHEST PRIORITY OF COURSE

YOU KNOW INVESTING
IN INFRASTRUCTURE COULD.

THERE ARE SOME PRIVATE
SECTOR INITIATIVES

THAT ARE SORT OF LEAPFROGGING
THE NEXT WAVE OF WIRES

THAT ARE GOING TO AFFECT RURAL
AREAS IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS

AND WE NEED TO BE THINKING
VERY CAREFULLY

ABOUT WHAT WE SPEND
PUBLIC DOLLARS ON.

>> ALL RIGHT.
REGULATORY REFORM.

BECKI MENTIONED THIS
PARTICULARLY LICENSING REFORM

SO FAR AS REGULATIONS ON SMALL
BUSINESSES AND BUSINESSES

IN NORTH CAROLINA.

>> ANYTHING THAT CERTIFICATE
OF NEED CERTAINLY?

>> THE CHALLENGE
WITH LICENSING REFORMS,

THE INDUSTRIES
THAT ARE CURRENTLY LICENSED

ARE ACTUALLY THE ADVOCATES
OF LICENSING REFORM.

THEY DON'T WANT TO DEREGULATE

THEIR INDUSTRY
AND FACE COMPETITION

AND SO THEY'RE GOING TO FIGHT
THAT.

>> ONE PERSON'S LICENSING REFORM
IS ONE PERSON'S ATTACK -

ANOTHER PERSON'S ATTACK
ON CONSUMER PROTECTION.

>> I WENT FOR THE LICENSES

WHY DON'T WE JUST HAVE
RECIPROCITY WITH OTHER STATES.

IF YOU OPEN THAT UP
AND ALLOW PEOPLE

TO HAVE A LICENSE IN ONE STATE
TO COME TO NORTH CAROLINA

>> ARE THEY GOING
TO ADJOURN JULY 4TH

LIKE THEY'RE SAYING?
>> [ALL] NO.

IT SEEMS LIKE A REAL LONG SHOT.

>> ARE THEY GOING TO PASS A
BUDGET IT'S IN

WITHOUT A WHOLE LOT OF ANGST?

>> NO.

>> THIS IS A DIFFERENT STORY NOW
BECAUSE OF THE VETO PROOF

MAJORITY
NO LONGER BEING IN PLACE.

>> IT'S ALSO A DIFFERENT STORY
BECAUSE IN 2016 THERE WAS A LAW

THAT PASSED THAT SAID
IF THEY CAN'T PASS A BUDGET

THEY CAN JUST REVERT
TO LAST YEAR'S BUDGET

SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO BUT
THEY CAN ALSO CHANGE THE LAW.

>> I GOT TWO MINUTES LEFT.

TELL US SOMETHING WE DON'T KNOW.

>> INTERESTING VOTES OR NON
VOTES

TO SHUT DOWN THE GOVERNMENT

THIS PAST
THIS PAST WEEK OR TODAY.

THIS THURSDAY THE ONLY U.S.
SENATOR

WHO VOTED ON ONE OF THE BILLS
VOTED FOR TRUMP'S BILL

AND DID NOT VOTE
ON THE DEMOCRATIC BILL

SENATOR RICHARD BURR
OF NORTH CAROLINA.

AND HE HAS YET TO EXPLAIN
WHY HE DIDN'T VOTE.

>> ALL RIGHT ROB TELL US
SOMETHING WE DON'T KNOW.

>> INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH
THE LOWER CAPE FEAR RIVER

WE HAD A STORY ON THIS WEEK
THIS WEEK ON NC POLICY

WATCH WE THINK OF IT AS A RIVER.

IT'S NOW BEING IT'S CLASSIFIED
AS A SWAMP BY SOME OFFICIALS

AND THE POLLUTERS
LIKE IT THAT WAY.

>> I DON'T THINK THE PEOPLE
IN SOUTHEASTERN CAROLINA

WOULD LIKE YOU TO
CONSIDER IT A SWAMP.

>> I DON'T THINK SO EITHER
BUT THAT'S HOW THE RULES --

THAT'S WHAT THEY SAY RIGHT NOW
WE NEED TO GET IT BACK.

>> THAT BECAUSE OF THE
POLLUTION?

>> YEAH.

IT'S BEEN CAUSED
BY HOG FARM POLLUTION

AND BY OTHER DISCHARGES.

>> BECKI TELL US SOMETHING
WE DON'T KNOW.

>> 12,000
DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

VICTIMS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE
ARE ON A WAITING LIST TO RECEIVE

MEDICAID SUPPORT SERVICES.
LAST YEAR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

ALLOCATED MONEY FOR ABOUT
40 OF 400 OF THOSE PEOPLE.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT THAT
INSTEAD OF EXPANDING MEDICAID.

>> ALL RIGHT, JOHN TELL US
SOMETHING WE DON'T --

>> SCHOOL CHOICE IS GOING TO BE
A HOT TOPIC IN THE LEGISLATURE

WE DIDN'T MENTION BOTH ATTEMPTS
TO EXPAND CURRENT PROGRAMS

AND ATTEMPT TO INCREASE
REGULATION ON THE EXISTING ONES.

>> WOW.

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ON THE ISSUES OF THE DAY.

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♪