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9 <br /> 1 the reduction of fines, fees and costs in criminal court, noting that such fines, <br /> 2 fees and costs disproportionately impact people of color and people of low <br /> 3 income. <br /> 4 <br /> 5 Full Fundin_a of the Leandro Remedial Action Plan— Support equity and racial justice by fully <br /> 6 funding the Leandro Remedial Action Plan, which details additional comprehensive, targeted <br /> 7 education funding over the next eight years, predominantly to low-wealth and minority <br /> 8 communities, in order for the State to come into compliance with its constitutional obligation to <br /> 9 provide every student a sound basic education. <br /> 10 <br /> 11 Broadban&Digital Infrastructure — Support legislation, funding, and other efforts that provide <br /> 12 counties with flexibility and opportunities to support options for increasing access to high-speed <br /> 13 internet connectivity and expanding digital infrastructure/broadband capability to the un-served <br /> 14 and under-served areas of the state. Access to high speed internet connections will reduce <br /> 15 disparities, enhance quality of life for all the State's residents, and broaden opportunities in <br /> 16 areas such as education, jobs creation, small business development, health care, civic <br /> 17 participation, and growth in farm enterprises. <br /> 18 <br /> 19 <br /> 20 2022 Orange County Legislative Interests <br /> 21 (Note: Italicized Items are Priority Legislative Issues) <br /> 22 <br /> 23 <br /> 24 HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES <br /> 25 <br /> 26 1) Mental Health— Seek legislation to develop and fund a plan to: <br /> 27 0 provide assistance to NC residents, especially youth, who are dealing with the <br /> 28 impacts of COVID; <br /> 29 0 reduce the number of people with mental health issues in county—detention <br /> 30 centers; <br /> 31 0 ensure that adequate State-funded mental health, developmental disability and <br /> 32 substance use disorder services and facilities are available at the local level, <br /> 33 accessible and affordable to all residents; <br /> 34 0 ensure that state resources fund service provision costs, inclusive of crisis <br /> 35 intervention and treatment; and <br /> 36 structure appropriate county participation in governance; <br /> 37 <br /> 38 2) Behavioral Health Services — Support increased state funding for behavioral health <br /> 39 services and facilities at the state and local level, including dedicated resources for <br /> 40 community para-medicine projects and enhanced mobile crisis response. Support <br /> 41 Medicaid reimbursement to EMS for behavioral health transport to crisis centers and <br /> 42 structure appropriate county participation in behavioral health program governance; <br /> 43 <br /> 44 3) Child Care - Seek legislation to reverse changes made to the childcare subsidy program <br /> 45 available to working families, including establishing eligibility for all children at 200% of <br /> 46 the federal poverty level and prorating fees to actual hours attended. This change will <br /> 47 help working parents to become financially self-sufficient while assisting employers to <br /> 48 maintain a stable workforce. Support legislation to increase and ensure stable funding <br /> 49 for enhanced quality early care and education through Smart Start and NC Pre-K; <br /> 50 <br />