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9 <br /> 1 <br /> 2 Broadband/Digital Infrastructure— Support legislation, funding, and other efforts that provide <br /> 3 counties with flexibility and opportunities to support options for increasing access to high-speed <br /> 4 internet connectivity and expanding digital infrastructure/broadband capability to the un-served <br /> 5 and under-served areas of the state. Access to high speed internet connections will reduce <br /> 6 disparities, enhance quality of life for all the State's residents, and broaden opportunities in <br /> 7 areas such as education,jobs creation, small business development, health care, civic <br /> 8 participation, and growth in farm enterprises. <br /> 9 <br /> 10 Protection of Civil Rights for Transgender Persons — Oppose any legislation that limits <br /> 11 equal rights for transgender persons or otherwise discriminates against them, including in the <br /> 12 areas of healthcare and sports. <br /> 13 <br /> 14 Minimum Wage Increase — Support legislation to raise the minimum wage to at least $15 per <br /> 15 hour for all, not just employees of the State of North Carolina, to enhance people's economic <br /> 16 security, improve access to safe and secure housing, boost the economy with increased <br /> 17 spending, decrease dependence on government assistance programs, and improve the lives of <br /> 18 families. <br /> 19 <br /> 20 Flexible Billing Options for Water& Sewer Utility Providers— Support legislation allowing <br /> 21 local governments and other water and sewer providers to implement flexible billing practices to <br /> 22 establish pricing policies, potential waivers and debt forgiveness opportunities to assist <br /> 23 impacted customers. <br /> 24 <br /> 25 Other 2021 Orange County Legislative Interests (italics denote priority issues) <br /> 26 <br /> 27 Health and Human Services <br /> 28 <br /> 29 1) Mental Health— Seek legislation to develop and fund a plan to reduce the <br /> 30 number of people with mental health issues in county jails as well as ensure that <br /> 31 adequate State-funded mental health, developmental disability and substance <br /> 32 abuse services and facilities are available at the local level, accessible and <br /> 33 affordable to all residents and that sufficient state resources fund service provision <br /> 34 costs inclusive of sufficient crisis intervention and treatment, and to structure <br /> 35 appropriate county participation in governance; <br /> 36 <br /> 37 2) Behavioral Health Services — Support increased state funding for behavioral health <br /> 38 services and facilities at the state and local level, including dedicated resources <br /> 39 for community paramedicine projects. Support Medicaid reimbursement to EMS for <br /> 40 behavioral health transport to crisis centers and structure appropriate county <br /> 41 participation in behavioral health program governance; <br /> 42 <br /> 43 3) Child Care— Seek legislation to reverse changes made to the childcare subsidy <br /> 44 program available to working families, including establishing eligibility for all children at <br /> 45 200% of the federal poverty level, to help many working parents who are trying to <br /> 46 become more financial self-sufficient, and to prorate fees for children attending based <br /> 47 on the hours attended; <br /> 48 <br /> 49 4) OOpioid Epidemic Efforts — Support adequate funding for diversionary facilities and <br /> 50 programs to provide and expand access for individuals with opioid use disorder <br />