In addition to the November elections, there have been recent transitions in key leadership roles of our local government.  County Commissioner Harold Cogdell was elected the new chair of the County Commission.  The four Republican members joined with Cogdell while the four Democrats voted for Jennifer Roberts.  Newly elected school board members Ericka Ellis-Stewart and Mary McCray were unanimously elected Chair and Vice Chair respectively.  Committee chairs will be named in the coming months and we will keep you posted.  City Councilman Patrick Cannon was re-elected by council members to serve as Mayor Pro Tem.  The lists of members of all three elected bodies are below. 

City
Mayor: Anthony Foxx
City Council At-Large members: Patrick Cannon, Claire Fallon, David Howard, Beth Pickering
City Council, District 1: Patsy Kinsey
City Council, District 2: James Mitchell, Jr.
City Council, District 3: LaWana Mayfield
City Council, District 4: Michael Barnes
City Council, District 5: John Autry
City Council, District 6: Andy Dulin
City Council, District 7: Warren Cooksey

County
County Commissioner: Harold Cogdell , Jr.
County Commission At-Large members:  Jennifer Roberts, Jim Pendergraph
District 1:  Karen Bentley
District 2:  George Dunlap
District 3:  Vilma Leake
District 4:  Dumont Clarke
District 5:  Neil Cooksey
District 6:  Bill James

School Board
Board of Education, Chairperson: Ericka Ellis-Stewart
Board of Education, Vice-Chairwoman: Mary McCray
Board of Education, At-Large member: Tim Morgan
Board of Education, District 6: Vacant, to be replaced in January 2012

The clout of the EPA remains hazy

For businesses in NC, the regulatory climate produced some victorious reforms this past year including the Regulatory Reform Act of 2011 which balanced job creation and environmental protection.  Yet, upcoming EPA regulation which could be detrimental to job growth and stability in NC still remains a pressing concern for the business community.  The Utility Maximum Achievement Control Technology rule (MACT) alone is estimated to have $10 billion in compliance costs and is being considered by the EPA.  Coupled with the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule,  47,000 NC jobs stand on the chopping block should both rules pass as legislation.  This uncertainty stemming from the EPA’s vast rulemaking will only hinder job creation and economic growth.  

Unemployment Insurance continues to affect NC employers

The state of NC is currently indebted to the federal government for a $2.6 billion loan used to  pay for the unemployment insurance program (UI) benefits.  Employers are responsible for paying the administrative costs and benefits of the UI program via the State Unemployment Tax (SUTA) and Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA), thus there is no effect on the workers.  Due to the non-repayment of the $2.6 billion loan after 2 years, employers will see a .3% reduction in their FUTA tax credit, effective January 2012 and will increase by .3% each year until the loan has been fully repaid.  Unless there is reform to the UI program, employers will continue to bear this burden which will result in reduced resources for job creation.

Scrutiny in Congress

NC delegation voted last week in Washington D.C. on the Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2011, which passed in the U.S. House in a 241-184 vote and has now been referred to the US Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs.  The Act requires congressional approval of major rules  of the Executive branch before they may take effect.  “Major rules” being defined as potentially resulting in: an estimated annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more, a major increase in costs or prices, or significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or U.S. competitiveness. Five members of the NC delegation voted in favor, five voted in opposition, and one member was not present to vote.  If the Act passes as legislation, this could mean a promising step on the path to checks and balances.    

Mobility Fund solicits transportation projects

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is accepting submissions for candidate transportation project for the Mobility Fund.  According to the North Carolina 2009-2010 Appropriations Act, the NCDOT will select projects of statewide and regional significance that will relieve congestion and enhance mobility across all modes of transportation.  Funding is provided by unused gap funds and reduced monetary amounts from the Highway Trust Fund to the General Fund.  The first project to be funded is the Yadkin River Bridge Phase II project which is still under construction.  There is approximately $45 million remaining in the Mobility Fund for qualifying projects in the State Fiscal Year 13 (July 1, 2012-June 30, 2013), and $58 million each year thereafter.  In order to be eligible, the minimum requirements are as follows:

1. Projects must be on Statewide or Regional Tier facilities, tier designated by NCDOT.  Tier descriptions and facilities
2. Projects must be ready to have funds obligated within 5 years
3. Projects must be consistent with MPO/RPO transportation planning efforts; included in a transportation plan; consistent with local land-use plans where available
4. Projects must be in a conforming transportation plan in non-attainment or maintenance areas
5. Only project capital costs (right-of-way and construction) are eligible for the Mobility Fund, not maintenance, operation or planning costs
6. No minimum project capital cost will be established as a threshold for funding

Deadline for submissions is February 29, 2012, and may be emailed to ncmobilityfund@ncdot.gov.  Project submissions will be reviewed, analyzed, and scored with an expected score release date of May 2012. Click here  to access the form on the Mobility Fund website.  More than one candidate can be submitted however only a maximum of 5 candidate projects will be evaluated from any one Agency, Organization, or Municipality, County or other form of local/regional government.  Questions can be directed to Don Voelker (919) 707-4740, Alpesh Patel (919) 707-4742 or David Wasserman (919) 707-4743.