Agenda 02-20-24; 6-b - Orange County’s Proposed 2024 Priority Legislative Issues

Browse Search

4 Concealed Weapons in Parks and Red Flag Law — Support legislation authorizing counties to regulate the carrying of concealed weapons on county-owned playgrounds and in county-owned parklands, and allowing courts to prevent access to firearms for individuals who show signs of being a danger to themselves or to others. Mental illness, escalating threats, substance abuse and domestic violence are among the circumstances in which a judge should have the authority to order weapon restrictions or surrender. Full Funding of the Leandro Remedial Action Plan — Support equity and racial justice by fully funding the Leandro Remedial Action Plan, which details additional comprehensive, targeted education funding over the next eight years, predominantly to low-wealth and minority communities, in order for the State to come into compliance with its constitutional obligation to provide every student a sound basic education. Priority School Issues — Support legislation to address the following issues related to schools: • Provide local school systems with calendar flexibility; • Provide full funding for State allotments including Average Daily Membership (ADM) growth and infrastructure/capital, and support legislation to provide for an overall increase in funding based on ADM outside of the current formula system; • Provide a periodic accounting process for State per pupil funds so that funds and pro-rated funds follow students to their respective schools, as opposed to the current process that only considers State funding allocations based on students' attendance location on a single day during the school year; • Increase salary compensation for teachers and staff at all years of service; • Impose class size reductions commensurate with State funding for staffing; • Provide increased funding for school safety initiatives; and • Reduce funding and limit eligibility for/availability of private school vouchers, as vouchers constrain available funding for public education statewide, encourage students to leave public education, and limit services and educational opportunities for all remaining public school students. Non-Partisan Redistricting Process for Elections — Support legislation to establish a process for an independent, non-partisan redistricting process after each United States Census for the election of representatives from North Carolina to the United States House of Representatives, the North Carolina House, and the North Carolina Senate. Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Funding — Support legislation to remove the restriction on State funding for stand-alone bicycle and pedestrian projects imposed by the North Carolina Strategic Transportation Investment Law. The restriction limits the development of infrastructure for bicyclists, pedestrians, and users of personal mobility devices.