Minutes 03-16-2021 Virtual Business Meeting

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18 Commissioner Greene asked if this year's legislative agenda is different from the previous year. Chair Price said, since there was no breakfast meeting last year, some items from were continued to the new legislative agenda. Commissioner Fowler said some items were reprioritized and some language was changed from the previous list. Greg Wilder said several are similar, but some are new, such as training for law enforcement officers. He said a dangerous dogs item is listed, but has been revamped based on advice from the Animal Services Advisory Board. Commissioner Hamilton said some of the items describe the background of the issue and why it is included, but others do not have much information listed. She asked if there could be consistency in presenting the items with the rationale for why they are priorities. She said, for example, the Smart Start and NC Pre-K item, she would like the reason for including it on the list to be added. Commissioner Hamilton said she would not put the dangerous dogs issue as a priority, but rather would add it to the "other" interests, and, conversely she would add expansion of classes, school impact fee authority, state funding education capital, maternity leave for school employees to the priority list. She said she wants to support teachers in the County, and set the foundation for investing in our people. She said all school issues should be included as a priority. She said she does not have concerns about including items that are likely to get passed, but rather wants this document to communicate what is important to the BOCC. She said the politics of the state will ultimately win out, but it is important for the BOCC to be clear about its priorities. Chair Price said items were included that could have some movement, not that they would definitely get passed. Commissioner McKee said he is glad to see broadband at the top of the list. Commissioner Dorosin said he wanted to be specific on the minimum wage increase, and state that the goal is $15 an hour. Commissioner Dorosin said he does not consider restoring straight party ticket as a voting priority. He said expanding early voting, expanding weekend voting, making election day a holiday, automatic registration, eliminating felon disenfranchisement upon completion of incarceration, etc. are more important. He said if the BOCC is going to name specific things, there is many more that are far more important that straight party ticket voting. Commissioner Dorosin said he wanted to move up Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) funding as a priority, and asked for flexible billing systems in general, not just in an emergency. Commissioner Dorosin referred to the monument protection act, and said given the Board's commitment to racial equity, he thinks this should be at the top of the list. Commissioner Dorosin said he would add no expansion of funding for private school vouchers to the list. He said he would also like to include no expansion of the virtual charter school program, as it is the lowest performing charter school in the state. He said similar programs in other states have many issues such as fiscal misconduct. He said money should not be diverted out of the public school system. Chair Price asked for clarification of the school voucher bill. Commissioner Dorosin said there is already a voucher program, and the bill would expand eligibility, expand voucher availability, and increase advertisement for the program. Commissioner Dorosin said there was a previously listed issue about red flag legislation for gun owners, who are identified as a potential danger to themselves or others, could be made to surrender weapons. He said it is a public safety mechanism to keep weapons out of the hands of potentially dangerous people.