Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
2 <br /> The Board will need to discuss the materials as provided by the LIWG. <br /> The work of the Legislative Issues Work Group to this point is based on the current information <br /> available for the 2025 General Assembly Session. The issues addressed by the Group may <br /> evolve and change over the session and require additional attention by the Group and Board of <br /> Commissioners. New issues may also arise necessitating additional review. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with reviewing and approving <br /> Orange County's 2025 Priority Legislative Issues. <br /> ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports: <br /> • GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY <br /> OBJECTIVE 1. Improve harm reduction, prevention, and support services for adults and <br /> children experiencing behavioral health issues, substance use disorder, and intellectual <br /> or developmental disability. <br /> OBJECTIVE 2. Expand access to quality, affordable healthcare services. (e.g., Crisis <br /> Diversion facility, Medicaid expansion, crisis response, healthy living campaign). <br /> OBJECTIVE 3. Provide social safety net programming and the resources needed for our <br /> most vulnerable community members (e.g., veterans, unhoused people, foster children, <br /> older adults, etc.). <br /> OBJECTIVE 4. Reduce impacts and barriers for justice-involved children and adults <br /> through deflection, diversion, therapeutic interventions, and re-entry support, including <br /> housing. <br /> OBJECTIVE 5. Invest in, support, train, and retain our community safety, health, and <br /> emergency services employees and direct care workforce. <br /> • GOAL 5: PUBLIC EDUCATION/LEARNING COMMUNITY <br /> OBJECTIVE 2. Improve school readiness and educational outcomes by providing access, <br /> training, tools, technology, and other resources needed to thrive. <br /> OBJECTIVE 4. Improve learning environments by investing in facilities over a 10-year <br /> period that address repair, renovation, and educational adequacy needs. <br /> OBJECTIVE 5. Invest in and implement a plan that supports schools operational and <br /> facility funding needs. <br /> OBJECTIVE 6. Implement the recommendations of the Schools Safety Task Force. <br /> OBJECTIVE 7. Invest in and expand equitable behavioral health services for children <br /> and adolescents. <br /> OBJECTIVE 8. Invest in and expand equitable behavioral health services for teachers <br /> and staff. <br /> RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board: <br /> 1) Review and discuss the Orange County 2025 Priority Legislative Issues and any other <br /> potential items for the 2025 North Carolina General Assembly Session; and <br /> 2) Consider approval of the Orange County 2025 Priority Legislative Issues document for <br /> submittal to Orange County's legislative delegation. <br /> Pending action by the Board, staff will work with the Chair to draft a cover letter to be included <br /> with the attached document to be provided to Orange County's legislative delegation for the <br /> February 27, 2025 Legislative Breakfast. <br />