Opportunity for NC Roundtable Highlights Key North Carolina Policies
Last Tuesday, Opportunity for NC, a nonprofit group that promotes a better North Carolina, held a round table with N.C. Rep. Brenden Jones and N.C. Sen. Michael Lee, who both serve as the majority leader for their respective chambers. The discussion was moderated by Opportunity for NC Chairman Woody White, a Raleigh-area attorney.
White started the discussion about why they believe CNBC named North Carolina the top state for business. Jones emphasized the decades-long work Republicans in the General Assembly have done to cut taxes and to rein in spending to keep the state on a sound fiscal footing. Lee added that in addition to the fiscal situation, the General Assembly continues to improve education, workforce development program, and infrastructure, giving North Carolina a competitive edge compared to other conservative states.
White asks the roundtable participants about what they wanted to do next for North Carolina’s public education system. Lee said he wanted to push for competency-based learning system instead of a time-based program. Competency education would unlock individual paths in education, instead of a one-size-fits-all system. Lee then highlighted the work he and Jones did on a bill to allow for competency-based hiring in State Government, which allows state agencies to higher for competency, even if an education requirement is not met.
Jones said we need to focus on workforce development and apprenticeship to help build the economy. He highlighted that HVAC technicians and plumbers are making six-figures, and workforce programs help connect people with these types of high paying jobs.
Both Jones and Lee said that the focus is not just on how much money but also on how the money is spent. Jones said that both chambers are committed to finding ways to invest in the future through classroom improvements and listed numerous examples of how the General Assembly is working to improve school districts.
White then asked for an update on the budget negotiations between the House and Senate. Jones said that the General Assembly was on track and that both chambers are having great conversations and debate. Jones said that both chambers have the same goal— to make North Carolina better. He said that most of the budget process is complete and that they are working out the final details. Lee highlighted that both the House and Senate worked together to passed several hundred million in additional funding for help with recovery from Helene. Lee acknowledges some philosophical differences between the chambers but affirmed that great process had been made in the budget process.
The final question White asked was what the biggest challenge and opportunity is that North Carolina faced over the next couple of years. Lee said that technology disruption, in particular generative AI, would provide both opportunities and challenge for North Carolina in the coming years. Jones said we need to be ready to legislate for the future, including the coming growth.
