Minutes 09-16-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Rich said the Board needs to go back and review their goals and make sub-headings for each goal to include those issues that Commissioner porosin mentioned. She said this will allow some of these to go into the legislative goals the next time around. Commissioner Pelissier said she previously sat on the legislative goals committee. She said you have to find something that all counties agree upon, and many things do get dropped. She said resolutions are a good way to make values and goals known. Commissioner porosin said he understood this format and forum, but nothing is ever going to change unless these progressive priorities are put into these legislative goals. He said other counties are likely putting their priorities in, and it is important to stake out the moral high ground. Chair Jacobs referred to page 23, which includes a resolution to support funding for the Clean Water Management Trust Fund. He said if there are other issues that they feel strongly about, such as voting issues, it might be appropriate to have a resolution about them. Chair Jacobs said this process is self-censored. He said the Board needs to pay more attention next year and send items of interest to the legislative work group. He said tonight is the eleventh hour for this, but personally he would be willing to take a shot at voting rights. He asked if staff could put together a draft resolution to be voted on at the end of the Mebane City Council meeting. John Roberts noted that this meeting takes place in Orange County, and any action taken, must be voted on within Orange County. Commissioner Gordon referred to her earlier comments, and said she has looked at the order of these items and the school item would be better placed as item #5 instead of item #6. Commissioner Price said it is not too late to bring items to the NCACC. She said there is time to submit other items, and she will be attending that conference and is happy to present them. Commissioner Rich said she would like to remember to look at these items one time before voting on the package next year. She does feel that it is important to get the voter's rights issues in there this time. Commissioner Pelissier said she thought that in order to be included, items must be voted on by the full Board of County Commissioners. Commissioner Gordon these goals will go to NCACC and then on to the steering committees for review. She said the steering committees will hold meetings in the fall, so there is still time to send resolutions directly to these committees. Chair Jacobs said the Board could try that route. A motion was made by Commissioner porosin, seconded by Commissioner Price to add the following suggested language: Title: Restore Voting Rights Support legislation to: • Restore same day voter registration; • extend early voting periods and include Sundays during early voting periods • re-instate pre-registration for 16 and17 year olds • restore straight ticket voting • eliminate any photo identification requirements • restore validity of out of precincts provisional ballots • restore public financing of judicial elections Chair Jacobs suggested the addition of restoring public financing for judges.