Minutes 03-21-2022 Virtual Legislative Breakfast

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7 in the type of role we want to play in these developments. He requested that the county have a larger economic development discussion with people from the state. He said that he usually doesn't hear from county economic development staff when they are working on projects that has state involvement. He said he would be open to helping staff develop projects. Chair Price said that the county could set up meetings for Representative Meyer with the Economic Development Director, Steve Brantley. She said that the Economic Development department staff, Chair Price and Deputy County Manager Travis Myren met with representatives from the Research Triangle Regional Partnership. She said there may be opportunities for partnerships to take advantage of everything happening in the Triangle. She said the push right now is with biotech and life sciences. Commissioner Hamilton said she was passionate about #18 on the list of priorities, which is related to school capital funding. She said there are 15 schools in the county which are more than 50 years old, which is ineffective for meeting the needs of children and inefficient environmentally. She said they will be looking to the state for help renovating and replacing schools. She said the time is now to plan for the future. Senator Foushee said that previous school capital needs legislation she's introduced has not moved in the General Assembly. She said this kind of legislation needs the force of support from the NCACC and other groups to push legislators. She said this should not be a partisan issue; it is an issue across the state. She said there has not been the will to move forward from the leadership. She said the perception from leadership is that schools are flush with federal funds, but those funds are designated for specific uses. Representative Insko said that it is important to elect officials who put funding of school funding as a priority in their campaigns. She said it would also be helpful to encourage other counties to push for increased school capital funds from the state. Chair Price said that the state association has prioritized releasing more of the state lottery funds for school capital needs. Commissioner Hamilton said it sounds like there has not been talk of a bond, because lottery funds will not be enough to meet the cost of school capital needs. Chair Price said the lottery funds were intended to go to schools, but only about 50% actually does. Representative Insko that would be important to emphasize, that this was an educational lottery fund. Commissioner Amy Fowler left the meeting at 9:47 a.m. Commissioner Greene said the Chapel Hill Carrboro Chamber of Commerce's Big Bold Ideas is bringing forward a report to build 1,600 affordable homes in the next few years. She said one of the recommendations is that local governments pass ordinances prohibiting landlords from discriminating on the basis of income. She said it would prevent landlords from refusing housing choice vouchers. She said that unfortunately, it's not something local governments can do, and it must be done at the state level. She asked the legislative delegation about the possibility of pursuing this at the General Assembly. Senator Foushee said it was not something that could be brought forward in a short session, as it would be considered controversial. She said that preparations should be made in order to introduce that kind of legislation in the long session. She said the more partners that are involved, the better off they'll be. She said there are members of both caucuses that share the same values as the county. She said the pandemic showed us that most of us are in the same boat. She said a collective effort is needed to get positive results. Commissioner Bedford referenced #49 on the legislative issues list, regarding dangerous dog determinations. She said that in Orange County, a dog owner can appeal a