Heard on the Street Posted: Thursday, January 22nd, 2009 Not much buzzing
Between the snow and the inauguration in Washington, there isn’t much buzz this week and, as an old friend once advised, when there’s little to say don’t take a lot of time saying it.
Happy Birthday Bev
Governor Perdue will be the featured guest of the NC Democratic Party at a fundraiser-birthday party in her honor tonight. Our Governor celebrated her birthday earlier this month but the Party figured it a good way to raise a few bucks. We’re told the event will generate $300,000.
Cabinet feted at Mansion
Another sign of the difference between the Perdue and Easley administration will be seen tomorrow night as the Governor will host the cabinet (and spouses/guests) at an event at the Governor’s Mansion on Blount Street. We’re told the event is social and work-related. Not sure what that means but that’s what we heard.
Hiring Freeze
Governor Perdue has already indicated a hiring freeze. We hear the administration is hoping that the annual 11-13 percent turnover rate will help bring some real savings in personnel costs to the state.
Legislature getting ready
‘Twas the week before the Legislature came to town. Study committees are wrapping up their work, finalizing reports and preparing to present legislation in the upcoming session. Among some of the findings are a report indicating economic incentives are not working and should be reduced, a report showing the state’s treatment for drug and alcohol addicts needs more funding and is out of date (catch this week’s NC SPIN for more on this), no recommendations from the committee on beach insurance, proposed revisions in annexation laws, and proposals for reducing dropouts. Of course NC SPIN will keep you posted as legislation is introduced and considered.
One NC SPIN panelist remarks that most of these committees are recommending more state spending as solutions to problems, wondering if the committees are aware there is a recession and budget crisis. There should be some interesting discussion taking place when this new session begins next Wednesday at high noon.
For more about the new legislative session, be sure to read MY SPIN.
More on early childhood mergers
As we reported last week discussions are ongoing about merging Smart Start and More at Four. Last week’s newsletter article prompted comments from the head of Smart Start, Stephanie Fanjul.
“Disinvesting in early childhood programs is bad for children and bad for the state. The scenario rumored in the blog uses a merger as means to take money away from children. And using the economy as an excuse doesn’t cut it. Economists and other business leaders are advocating that investments in young children are one of the strongest investments not only for the short term but also for sustained growth and job creation.”
Stephanie Fanjul, President of the National Partnership for Children, Inc.
More next week…
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