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State of the State 2007
posted at 2007-02-20 03:06 | Last modified 2007-11-14 10:38
What he said:
You can hear my story here.
In a nutshell, more access to higher education - and more money to pay for it. Easley's proposing a new online system to deliver UNC early college courses to all high school students around the state. He's also proposing to offer low- and middle-income students two years of grants to cover college tuition so they can earn a degree without debt. If students start with a two-year degree from a Learn and Earn program, they could conceivably get a four-year degree for pretty close to free. That's assuming, of course, they complete their bachelor's degree in four years - many don't. But even so, if it happens, it'll be a huge leap for college access. (If you want more info on college access in NC, check out our recent NC Voices series, "Considering College.")
Easley's also proposing a slate of other progressive-ish reforms - cutting state income taxes for low-wage workers, state-subsidized children's health insurance for middle-income families, more money to dramatically expand the state's prescription drug assistance program for senior citizens. I won't go into all the details, but if you want to read the speech, it's here.
What he didn't say:
Anything about Jim Black, or scandals, or corruption, or campaign finance reform. I don't think anyone seriously expected Easley to openly repudiate his former political ally. But a lot of people expected Easley to at least address the large dark cloud currently hanging over the legislature - something more than three boilerplate lines about reform and integrity. Republican leaders said they were disappointed that Easley didn't take the opportunity to show a little more leadership on the subject. Some Democrats privately expressed the same sentiment.
He also didn't mention the high school dropout rate. Easley has said before he thinks expanding early college will help keep kids in school; but as grim as NC's rate is (some say it's about 30 percent), you could argue it merits an agenda item of its own.
How he said it:
Really well. The speech was bigger than the room he delivered it to. (With all the "nation" references, I was starting to wonder if NC had seceded this weekend and I'd missed it.) Easley was alternately tough and charming, inviting one of his young guests to blow a kiss to her parents watching live in Iraq, and joking with another - a Learn and Earn student - about taking over his job. At a number of key points, the Gov sounded like he was back on the campaign trail. So is he? Wake Dem and former speaker Dan Blue says it sounds like it.
What everyone else said:
Show me the money. Both House Speaker Hackney and Senate Pro Tem Basnight commended the focus on education - but in a budget year that's expected to be tight, if not downright short, coming up with the cash for all these initiatives will be a real feat. We'll know more about how Easley expects to pay for it all when his budget comes out, most likely Wed. or Thurs. of this week.
Comments? Drop me a line.
