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27 <br /> -7� �.: <br /> Z ya <br /> . Y <br /> mite <br /> ` Z <br /> ur r CnttraZi General vssemhhj <br /> cFlIltisE Of 6prrsentaitfies <br /> � t�#E � E�tsYttttflE � �xtlhtrr� <br /> � �xlEt ��t 27FII �. - 1LI � � <br /> REPRESENTATIVE VERLA C . INSKO COMMITTEES : <br /> 24TH DISTRICT - CHATHAM AND ORANGE <br /> AGING - CHAIR <br /> OFFICE ADDRESS : 1323 LEGISLATIVE BUILDING EDUCATION/UNIVERSITIES SUBCOMMITTEE - CHAIR <br /> RALEIGH , NC 27601 - 1 095 HEALTH - VICE - CHAIR <br /> TELEPHONE : ( 919 ) 733 -5775 STATE PERSONNEL - VICE - CHAIR <br /> 1 ( 919 ) 733 - 2599 FAx <br /> APPROPRIATIONS/ EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE <br /> E- MAIL : VERLAI@4 MS . NCGA . STATE . NC . US ELECTION LAW & CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM <br /> HOME ADDRESS : 610 SURRY ROAD JUDICIARY I <br /> CHAPEL HILL , NC 27514 MENTAL HEALTH <br /> August 15 , 200U <br /> Dear Friends , <br /> When the General Assembly convened in May for the short session , legislators had three <br /> primary goals—approve a higher education bond issue , adopt a budget before July 1 and <br /> finish the session by mid - July . I ' m happy to say we accomplished all three goals . <br /> We approved a $ 3 . 1 billion bond package for higher education in the first two weeks of <br /> the session . On June 30 , we passed a $ 14 billion budget—the first time in 20 years that <br /> legislators passed a budget on time two years in a row . And we adjourned on July 14th . <br /> Budget Highlights . <br /> The budget picture was not at all bright as we started the session . We faced a $ 450 <br /> million shortfall , and the Governor ' s proposed budget included no money for new <br /> construction , repairs of state buildings or the "rainy day " fund . In addition , he proposed <br /> borrowing $ 140 million to pay the intangibles settlement . <br /> Legislators were unhappy . So , we went to work and found money by tapping excess <br /> reserves in several trust funds and by shifting the budget year for some state employee <br /> paychecks . <br /> As a result , we were able to pass a $ 14 billion budget that gives teachers a 6 . 5 % pay raise <br /> and all other state employees a 4 . 2 % raise and a $ 500 bonus . It also refunds $ 240 million <br /> in intangibles taxes , provides $ 120 million to begin rebuilding the state ' s "rainy day " <br /> fund , and allocates $ 30 million to the Clean Water Trust Fund and $ 100 million for repair <br /> and renovation of state buildings . <br />