Minutes 04-19-2021 Virtual Legislative Breakfast Meeting

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2 legislature this year, and his mother told him he should run for County Commissioner as maybe he could get more done. He said they would all see as they went through the agenda what the Commissioners have the power to do and what the State Legislature has the power to do. He said he wished the latter made it easier for the Commissioners to get things done. Chair Price invited staff to introduce themselves. Senator Foushee arrived at 8:37 a.m. Bonnie Hammersley welcomed the Representatives and Senator, and extended thanks for being present today and their service to Orange County. Travis Myren introduced himself, and thanked the Representatives and Senator for their participation in the Broadband Task Force meeting last week. John Roberts introduced himself and welcomed the Representatives and Senator. Laura Jensen introduced herself and welcomed the Representatives and Senator. Tara May, Deputy Clerk to the Board introduced herself. Greg Wilder introduced himself and thanked the Representatives and Senator for their service to Orange County. Senator Valerie Foushee introduced herself, and said she served as a County Commissioner for two terms. She said she serves as the Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus, and in that role is trying to ensure bills are passed that benefit not only North Carolinians in general, but Orange County residents, in particular. She said she has been assigned to the Education Committee and the Commerce and Insurance Committee, and is part of nine committees. She said she is trying to be a voice for Orange County residents and while it is difficult, she continues to push forward the values and ideals the people want and in many cases need. Jim Northrup, Chief Information Officer, provided contact information in case those on the call have any technical issues. Chair Price said everyone should have received a packet with two lists: one is the list of priorities, and the other is a list of interests the Commissioners have accumulated over the past several years. She said many of the concerns are the same, have updates, or are new issues that have emerged with time. She said there would probably only be enough time this morning to discusses the priorities, and a couple of other discussion topics if the Commissioners chose. She said she will ask each Commissioner to introduce a priority issue and the group can discuss as they go. Commissioner Bedford introduced and read the priority on Mental Health: "Seek legislation to develop and fund a plan to reduce the number of people with mental health issues in county jails as well as ensure that adequate State-funded mental health, developmental disability and substance abuse services and facilities are available at the local level, accessible and affordable to all residents and that sufficient state resources fund service provision costs inclusive of sufficient crisis intervention and treatment, and to structure appropriate county participation in governance." She said this includes everything from Medicaid expansion, Medicaid transformation, MCOs, diversion facilities, the Governor's task force with the Criminal Justice System, schools. She said the pandemic has revealed more need, and said if there is something pending in the legislature the Commissioners would like to know the status. Representative Insko said this is a huge issue. She said the Legislature's biggest problem is that so much money has been cut out of the budget, and there are not many options for money to come in. She said President Biden's plan will send some money that may be able to be used for this. She said mental health is gaining more interest on both sides of the aisle,