Agenda - 09-16-2014 - 7b - Laserfiche WebLink

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adolescent substance abuse and domestic violence prevention, intervention and treatment. In past budget years, the state budget has included funds for these critical programs. These programs pay dividends because they help reduce criminal activity. Failure to fund these types of programs will result in significantly higher costs to the legal system. 15) Broadband — Support legislation, funding, and other efforts to expand broadband capability to the un- served and under - served areas of the State to enhance quality of life as well as expand opportunities for jobs creation, small business development, and growth in farm enterprises. Oppose legislation limiting local governments' efforts to provide broadband and supports legislation and regulations that would preserve local option and authority where needed to deploy community broadband systems and ensure community access to critical broadband services; 16) Agriculture /Solar Energy — Support legislation providing renewable energy initiatives to create a market for agricultural- sourced energy credits and provide incentives for farmers to produce renewable energy, which will become increasingly important to preserving and strengthening the agricultural economy and rural infrastructure as well as maintaining rural heritage and culture. The lack of continued effective solar energy incentives is a lost opportunity for all North Carolinians, but this is especially true for the agricultural sector. Farmers use a lot of electrical power and are uniquely positioned to become energy producers. Every south - facing barn roof is a candidate for a photo - voltaic (PV) array, and farms usually have open acreage that can support a stand -alone PV array. In addition, supports legislation keeping the amount of renewable energy certificates purchased from in -state and out -of -state facilities to meet the requirement of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standards at current levels or reducing them to fifteen percent (15 %); 17) E -911 Funds - Support legislation for permanent authorization to use E- 911 funds for all public safety disciplines. Support future initiatives to expand the uses for these funds within the public safety disciplines related to emergency communications and Emergency Medical Services. North Carolina General Statute (NCGS) 62A -47 Section 9 allowed local governments to use 50% of the funds in the Emergency Telephone System to provide for public safety needs, without limitations imposed under NCGS 62A -46. Public Safety expenditures authorized under Section 9 had to be completed by June 30, 2012; 18) Mental Health — Support legislation to ensure that State - funded mental health, developmental disability, and substance abuse services are available, accessible and affordable to all residents and that sufficient