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2003 News from the LegislatureNovember 4, 2003: The following excerpts and a summary of comments and from Gene Causby’s address regarding “The Legislative Study of Driver Education.” These comments were received from the recent DPI Driver Education Regional Meetings. “Good news! Driver Education received additional money for eligible students to boost the total allocation to $31.7 million. This is an actual increase of $.61 per student (the actual allotment is 250.67) over last year.” “The Study” We’ve heard the rumors and concerns expressed from DE teachers across the state. Gene’s comments were: “…you can’t fight a study…if you do, we send up a red flag…we should not be concerned with it.” “Some people have thought that this is a done-deal. The fact is that nothing is a done-deal that has to go through several committees, then to the state board, on to both the House and the Senate for approval.” Additionally, he (Gene) feels it highly unlikely that it would get through the board for the following reason. A decision, such as this, would go against the existing ABC Program and would not be in line with local site-base management and policy-making options dealt to the districts. However, the “real major concern is Reversions” (sending money back) from each LEA. “In no way,” says Gene, “am I telling you to spend money frivolously. I’m telling you to put money into your program…—for the students. If you’re not going to need all your funds, make them available back to DPI so that they may reallocate them to lower populated counties that could use the funds.” Several years ago, there was a proposed cut of $4 million that equaled the reversion of the previous year. A deal was cut and a compromise of only a $2 mil was agreed upon. “After several years, we still are reverting $2 million each year.” This makes it especially difficult to negotiate for an increase. According to the numbers released, there are a few counties that revert as much as half their funds. We believe that these counties are contracting to the low bidder and then revert the excess. This additionally sends up a red flag, especially in this day where everybody is being cut and other “grabbing for funds.” We realize that in many LEAs there is not individual that has DE as their primary focus. For assistance, those individuals may use the Driver Education Contact List, provide by DPI, to receive answers to questions regarding, “How to better your program?” July 22, 2003: From Phil McGirt -- I heard from Mr. Causby this morning and he was simply letting me know that the legislature had adjourned. He further stated that funds for driver education were in the final draft of the budget, including funds for growth in ninth grade enrollment. He emphasized once again that he was not worried about the study of privatizing the program as long as former Senator Howard Lee was chairman of the State Board of Education. Gene said that many times nothing is done with these studies and they simply die. He will let us know immediately if there is anything we need to do in preparation for the study, but feels at this point we should simply wait. July 7, 2003: From Phil McGirt -- I was informed by Gene Causby on Monday that the budget bill had passed and that Governor Easley would sign it. Gene stated that funding for driver education was in the budget just as it had been proposed, including money for growth in ninth grade enrollment. He further stated that he was not able to get the study of driver education funding out of the final bill but that he was not that concerned about the study and felt sure we could deal with it successfully when the time comes. May 9, 2003: The Senate has now passed their version of the Budget Act and conferees are being named to resolve the differences between the Senate and House budgets. I am pleased to report there are no differences in the two budgets that directly impact driver education relative to funding. Both have identical appropriations and both appropriate money for the additional 9th grade students eligible for the program. Some differences you will be interested in are:
April 29, 2003 Just heard from Gene Causby a few minutes ago and he has informed me that the Senate budget is on the floor of the Senate today. The Senate version contains exactly the same money for our program as the House including money for growth in ninth grade enrollment. Gene further stated that he had indeed asked Senator Rand to take the study of Driver Education out of the Senate version of the budget and he was able to do so. Gene hopes that this will hold true for the negotiated final budget. ONCE AGAIN GENE CAUSBY COMES THROUGH FOR DRIVER EDUCATION!
April 24, 2003 This is kind of old news now, but I received the following in the mail today from Gene Causby: At high noon on April 19, the N.C. House passed their version of the budget. That is the earliest date of passing the budget in 20 years. Following are the highlights: $31,822,636 for Driver Education. That is an increase of $1,202,241 over what was budgeted last year and an increase of $4,979,451 over last year's actual expenditures. This does include funding for the additional 9th grade students. In the report from the Transportation Committee they had the per pupil allotment at $205.06. When I pointed out to the chairman, Rep. Jim Crawford that our Allocation is $250.06, he said it was inadvertent and introduced an Amendment to the full Appropriation Committee that changed the $205.06To $250.06. Salary Pay increase for teachers and principals for 1 step on the salary schedule. This is an average of 1.81%. Other employees received an increase of 1.6%. Retirees received a COLA of 1.28%(Gov. Easley recommended 1.5%)1.28% is 80% of active state employees' increase. That's supposed to reflect the fact that COLA for retirees is not taxed by the state. Efforts will be made in the Senate to restore the original increase. The budget does appropriate 26.5 million to the Retirement Fund, which Represents the first installment of the payback to the fund. In order to provide the resources for the budget, the House did continue the ½ cent sales tax for an additional 2 years and also the ½ % increase in income tax for high income earners. The budget provision contains a study by the State Board of Education of the privatization of the Driver Education Program. This provision at one time required the privatization of the program. We were able to eliminate the requirement. We've been studied many times and this will be one more. I'll keep you advised on this matter! (as you know Gene got this taken out of the Senate version of the budget.) All things considered, we came out in pretty good shape. To give you some idea of how tough a budget year this is, the budget:
The Senate will start to work now on their budget I expect. I expect it will have a good number of differences with the House Budget. I hope it will be a better budget. We'll let you know! Respectfully submitted, Gene Causby April 9, 2003 -- This a late breaking news report from Phil McGirt (Executive Secretary NCDTSEA). The following is excerpts from a phone call received from Gene Causby on the afternoon of April 8, 2003. -Phil McGirt "They have just dropped a bombshell on us". I could not write down everything that he said, but in essence he said that the Transportation Committee had just passed a resolution that states that it is their intention that all driver education in NC be privatized by July 1, 2004. Gene further stated that he would fax me a copy of the exact proposal in the morning. I will fax or email it to you just as soon as I get it. Gene further stated that he thought it should be the position of our organization that we want LEA's to continue to have the option as to how they want to do the program. More information as it becomes available!
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