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43 <br /> BACKGROUND: Every two years, the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners <br /> (NCACC) organizes a process to develop a legislative goals package. The purpose of the <br /> package is to develop a consensus of broad support on legislative goals and issues for matters <br /> affecting North Carolina counties that may be addressed by the North Carolina General <br /> Assembly during the next two calendar years. The goals and issues included in the package, <br /> with their broad support, guide and strengthen NCACC representatives and staff as they <br /> converse with individual legislators and committees on legislative matters. <br /> NCACC initiated the process to develop its 2023-2024 Legislative Goals Package in May. <br /> North Carolina counties have been asked to submit proposed legislative goals for consideration <br /> for inclusion in the Package by a September 12, 2022 submittal deadline. <br /> The County's Legislative Issues Work Group (LIWG), including Commissioners Renee Price <br /> and Anna Richards, County Attorney John Roberts, and County Manager's Office staff, has <br /> developed a draft resolution for Board consideration that outlines several proposed legislative <br /> goals for inclusion in NCACC's 2023-2024 package. The LIWG's draft resolution is <br /> attached. The Board will likely want to discuss the draft resolution and possibly add to, delete <br /> from, and/or revise the language of the proposed goals included in the draft. <br /> Greg Wilder, Assistant to the County Attorney on Legislative Issues, reviewed the <br /> background information for the item. <br /> Commissioner Richards thanked those who worked on the committee for their work. <br /> Chair Price said the legislative goals committee takes recommendations from the policy <br /> steering committee and it gets whittled down to a smaller number anyway. <br /> Commissioner Fowler said it is difficult to pare it down because they are all very <br /> important. <br /> Chair Price said that this is going to the state association and other issues can go to the <br /> county's delegation when they meet with them in the spring. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton, to <br /> approve and authorize the Chair to sign the resolution as presented. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> d. Resolution Supporting Operation Green Light for Veterans <br /> The Board considered draft resolution expressing support for Operation Green Light for <br /> veterans. <br /> BACKGROUND: Operation Green Light is a new national collaborative initiative of the National <br /> Association of Counties (NACo) to support military veterans, as well as raise awareness about <br /> the unique challenges faced by many veterans and the resources available to assist them and <br /> their families. Approximately 200,000 members transition out of the armed services each year. <br /> In the period following separation from the military, service members face the challenge of <br /> transitioning to a post-military civilian life. Tragically, evidence suggests that transitioning <br /> veterans are at higher risk for suicide, yet they often do not receive adequate support and <br /> resources. Veteran suicides have claimed over 30,000 lives since 2001 alone — four times more <br /> than the number of U.S. military personnel who died in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. <br /> Veterans make up roughly 11% of adults experiencing homelessness. Of that group, 70% of <br /> homeless veterans also experience substance abuse, and 50% live with mental illnesses like <br />