Category Archives: Gov Perdue

From the Office of Governor Bev Perdue

Interesting SPIN…

 

House sustains veto

Gov. Perdue vetoed House Bill 2, titled the “North Carolina Health Care Protection Act,” citing questions about the bill’s constitutionality, necessity and unintended consequences.

On Wednesday, the N.C. House sustained the veto.

“This is an ill-conceived piece of legislation that’s not good for the people of North Carolina,” Gov. Perdue said last week when she vetoed the bill.

Gov. Perdue’s priorities remain jobs, education and resetting state government. She said this week she looks forward to working with the General Assembly on those issues.

The constitutionality of the federal health care law is already going to be decided in the U.S. Supreme Court, which made House Bill 2 unnecessary, Gov. Perdue said. There were also serious questions about whether the bill itself would have been constitutional and whether it would have cost North Carolina federal Medicaid funding.

To see a short video clip about Gov. Perdue’s veto, click here.

veto still.jpg

Gov. Perdue announces accelerated start dates for road projects

Gov. Bev Perdue announced that several Urban Loop projects scheduled to begin between 2014 and 2019 will begin earlier, because of available cash and cost-savings from a favorable construction environment.

While no additional money exists to add new Loop projects to the construction schedule, the N.C. Department of Transportation expects to see additional savings of about $50 million by being able to take advantage of today’s lower real estate and construction costs, which could move forward other Loops in their priority order.

At a transportation roundtable event in Charlotte U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood praised Gov. Perdue’s aggressiveness and leadership on transportation issues. Watch a clip here.

lahood still.jpgThe accelerated projects are:

Charlotte I-485 widening:

Construction will begin in 2012, two years sooner.

Greensboro Western Loop:

Part C (Bryan Boulevard to Battleground Avenue) – Construction will begin in 2013, one year sooner.

Part D (Battleground Avenue to Lawndale Drive) – Buying right of way will begin in 2011, eight years sooner.

Greensboro Eastern Loop:

Part B (US 70 to US 29) – Buying right of way will begin in 2011, four years sooner and construction will begin in 2014, three years sooner.

Wilmington US 17 Bypass:

Part B (US 74/76 to US 421) – All grading and structures work will be consolidated into one contract in 2013. Paving work will be done under a separate contract in 2017, completing the overall project in 2018, two years sooner.

 

Medicaid initiative saves money

Fullscreen capture 3102011 100026 AM.jpgAn N.C. Medicaid initiative to better manage utilization of prescription pain relievers and other powerful drugs has produced significant savings and improvements in quality of care.

Only a few months old, the controlled substances “lock-in” program limits Medicaid recipients who have a medical need for those drugs to a single prescriber and to a single pharmacy. The heightened tracking that results helps ensure Medicaid recipients are receiving appropriate treatment, and in appropriate amounts. Around 950 of 3,000 eligible N.C. Medicaid recipients are currently “locked in.” Early analyses show the lock-in program could reduce Medicaid expenditures by $9 million annually — $3 million of which would be state tax dollars.

The lock-in serves as part of Governor Bev Perdue’s strategy to reduce waste, fraud and abuse in the Medicaid system.

“This is a perfect example of my priority of setting government straight,” Gov. Perdue said. “We’re providing better health care and saving taxpayer dollars.”

Governor’s schedule for the week

Monday, March 14

Office time, Raleigh

Visit Eaton Corporation, Arden

Speak to Governor’s Conference on Hospitality and Tourism, Asheville

Tuesday, March 15

Legislative meetings, Raleigh

Staff meetings, Raleigh

Press conference, Raleigh

Wednesday, March 15

Legislative meetings, Raleigh

Office time, Raleigh

Thursday, March 16

Office time, Raleigh

Sign proclamation for Wilmington’s Azalea Festival and greet Azalea Queen and Court at the Executive Mansion

Visit Northeast N.C.

Friday, March 17

Conference Call with weekly papers

NC Governor's Newletter -What a Crock!

 

Gov. Perdue vetoes bill that would have slowed job creation

Gov. Bev Perdue this week vetoed Senate Bill 13, her first veto of the legislative session and only the second of her administration.

The bill was widely criticized as harmful to the state’s efforts to attract businesses and grow jobs.

“This bill started out as a way to help North Carolina secure $400 million in additional savings from state government agencies during this difficult budget time,” said Gov. Perdue. “I suggested that bill to the General Assembly and was ready to sign that legislation. But the bill in its current form forces a one-time cash-grab from funds that are intended to create jobs and spur economic development. That’s not the right move for North Carolina, where jobs simply must be our No. 1 priority.”

Just last month, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell said in a televised town hall that Gov. Perdue had been a “staunch competitor” for jobs and that Virginia was aggressively competing for jobs with North Carolina. Among the tools at Gov. McDonnell’s disposal were incentive packages similar to the ones Senate Bill 13 would have raided.

The N.C. Department of Commerce has a dozen active projects in 14 counties that would bring more than 1,000 jobs and more than $300 million in investment. Those projects depend on the funds Senate Bill 13 would have raided.

Gov. Perdue announces two manufacturers expanding, creating jobs

Gov. Bev Perdue announced this week that two companies are expanding operations in North Carolina, creating 178 jobs and investing $27 million.

Eaton Corporation, a diversified industrial manufacturer will expand its Roxboro facility in Person County to meet the needs of its global automotive customers. The company plans to create 120 jobs over the next four years and will invest $23.3 million to build leading edge engine valvetrain components that will reduce emissions and help improve a vehicles overall performance, fuel economy and safety.

The Gates Corporation, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of automobile belts and hoses, will expand their facility in Ashe County.  The company plans to create 58 jobs and invest $4.6 million during the next three years in Jefferson.

The Eaton expansion was made possible in part by state grants from the Job Development Investment Grant program and One North Carolina Fund.

“Eaton has deep roots in North Carolina and has been a long-time employer in Person County. We are delighted they have chosen to create new jobs there,” said Gov. Perdue. “The company’s focus on sustainable transportation and helping to improve the fuel economy of cars and trucks fits comfortably with my focus on bringing green business to North Carolina.”

The project was made possible in part by a grant from the One North Carolina Fund.

“I want to congratulate Gates Corporation on their expansion,” Gov. Perdue said. “Their growth is terrific news for the workers in Ashe County and emphasizes that the steps we have taken to build a top rated business climate in North Carolina are paying off in jobs and an increasing share of the automotive parts industry.”

Governor’s schedule for the week

Monday, Feb. 28

Attend National Governor’s Association Winter Meeting, Washington, D.C.

Attend Governors-only meeting with President Obama, Washington. D.C.

Tuesday, March 1

Attend Council of Governors Meeting, Washington, D.C.

Visit Pentagon

Wednesday, March 2

Speak at NC Chamber Annual Meeting, Durham

Office Time

Thursday, March 3

Staff meetings

Speak to State Board of Education

Friday, March 4

Call Time

Staff meetings

Office Time


If this is your first time receiving this newsletter, welcome. We hope you find our weekly message interesting and informative. Please forward this message to your friends and family.

Subscribe: If anyone would like to subscribe to this email list click here.

We routinely add e-mail addresses from people we meet or who contact Gov. Perdue’s office. If you do not wish to receive this message, follow the directions below, and we will remove your name permanently from our list.

Unsubscribe: Send an email to gov.unsubscribe@nc.gov.  Please include any email addresses you would like to be taken off of this mailing list in the body of the email.

Office of the Governor – 20301 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699 Phone: (919)733-4240