KTS Strategies brings years of experience providing clients in a diverse range of industries with comprehensive policy and advocacy advice before federal, state, and local agencies. In North Carolina, we advise local municipalities, corporate transportation entities, nonprofit organizations, statewide associations, government vendors, and Fortune 500 companies before the North Carolina General Assembly and executive branch.
Below is an update on the activity at the NC General Assembly this week.
Lumbee Recognition
In conjunction with the inaugural Lumbee Day at the North Carolina General Assembly, hosted by the KTS Strategies team, the NC House passed HR499, Support Lumbee Fairness Act. The resolution requests Congress to grant the “benefits, privileges, and immunities that accompany” federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe. In February, bills identical to House Resolution 499 were introduced by Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd in the U.S. Senate and by a group of bi-partisan members of Congress in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Lumbee Tribe has been formally recognized in North Carolina since 1885 and has fought for full Federal recognition for over a century. Legislation passed by Congress in 1956 recognized the Tribe, but denied benefits that every other federally recognized Tribe receives. North Carolina House Representative Jarrod Lowery (R-Robeson), a member of the Tribe, spoke in support of the measure and called on his fellow members to support the resolution.
School Choice
On Wednesday, House and Senate leaders held a press conference announcing companion bills S406/H823, Choose Your School, Choose Your Future Act. The legislation would expand access to the Opportunity Scholarship Program to all North Carolina families. Grant amounts would be based on household income. It would also eliminate any requirement for recipients to have previously attended public schools. S406 received a favorable report from the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday and was referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee. The House bill is scheduled to be heard in the House Education Committee next Tuesday. Both bills are co-sponsored by all Republican members of each chamber.
Mental Health Initiative
This week, House members announced a bi-partisan plan to overhaul the State’s mental health system. H855, Strengthening Care for Families and Children, lays out a plan to invest $1 billion of the $1.75 billion bonus the state will receive from the American Rescue Plan for expanding Medicaid. The plan would invest significant dollars to three key areas:
- $225 million to improve access to behavioral health services;
- $200M to building a statewide behavioral health crisis system; and
- $50M for tele-health programs and a centralized bed registry.
The legislature passed Medicaid expansion last month. Implementation is contingent upon passage of the State budget.
