North Carolina
North Carolina Legislature Passes $30 Billion Spending Plan: A Breakdown of Key Provisions for Bladen County – BladenOnline
By Charlotte Smith
In a late-night session, the North Carolina legislature made a significant move by approving a long-delayed $30 billion spending plan. The final vote in the House, which took place after midnight, was a close 70-40, with about five Democrats crossing party lines to join Republicans in support of the bill. Meanwhile, the Senate voted along party lines, with a 28-19 vote, demonstrating the partisan nature of this budget approval.
The approved budget encompasses a wide range of provisions aimed at addressing critical issues in the state and boosting economic growth. Here’s a closer look at some of the key elements of the budget and how they may impact the local economy.
Employee Raises: State employees will see a boost in their income with a 4% pay raise this year, followed by an additional 3% raise next year. For educators, the budget proposes an increase in starting pay for teachers by $2,000, raising it to $39,000. Overall, the plan includes an average pay increase of 7% for teachers.
Tax Rate Reduction: The budget outlines a plan to reduce the personal income tax rate to just under 4% by 2026. However, this reduction will be contingent on meeting revenue targets emphasizing fiscal responsibility.
Infrastructure Investments: Chuck Heustess, Bladen County Economic Development Director, expressed his optimism about the budget, highlighting significant investments in infrastructure projects. Among these projects is a $14 million allocation for the Bladenboro to Elizabethtown sewer infrastructure project. “The project has been a top priority for the County for decades. It is good that we ended up with a strong state budget that would finally allow this project to be funded.”
Heustess added, “It is exciting to see what we can start planning for in the future, having sewer capacity in the Bladenboro community.”
“We are thankful for the funding because we needed it. We appreciate Representative William Brisson working so hard to secure the funding to help our local community,” said Blake Proctor, Town of Bladenboro Interim Town Administrator and Town Commissioner.
Live-Work-Play Project: The budget also allocates $15 million for infrastructure development in the Live, Work, Play Project in Elizabethtown, NC. Heustess said, “We are excited about this investment because it addresses various critical needs in Bladen County, such as housing, healthcare, daycare, and professional services.”
Aviation Sector Advancement: Notably, the budget earmarks $6.5 million for investment in the aviation sector. Heustess, who read the hundreds of pages of budget documents, expects this significant allocation to spur advancements in the aviation industry, creating career growth and development opportunities in Bladen County, NC.
Support for Law Enforcement: The budget includes around $300,000 in funding for the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office for the training center.
Sheriff Jim McVicker says, “I appreciate the legislators, Representative William Brisson and Senator Brent Jackson, for emphasizing the importance of public safety in the region.”
Crisis Pregnancy Centers: Millions of dollars are allocated for “crisis pregnancy centers,” organizations that counsel women against abortion.
Megan Knight, Executive Director with the Mercy House in Elizabethtown, NC said, “We are going to apply for the LIFElink Carolina grant in January. We plan to use the funding to offer counseling and other services to pregnant women.”
Additionally, the budget includes several other noteworthy provisions:
– Introduction of free school lunches for children who qualify for reduced-price lunches.
– $20 million earmarked for research on PFAS contamination through the N.C. Policy Collaboratory.
– Establishment of “citizen review panels” to oversee child protective services agencies, alongside the creation of a state office of child fatality prevention.
– Restrictions on COVID-19 vaccine mandates for state workers.
– $700 million designated for highway maintenance projects.
– $1.2 million allocated for childcare grants.
With the budget now in the hands of Governor Roy Cooper, it is expected to pass without a veto. The approved spending plan reflects a comprehensive effort by North Carolina legislators to address critical issues, invest in infrastructure, and enhance the quality of life for local residents.
Heustess explained the budgeted funding will help the County meet goals that have been in place for years. He thanked legislators and representatives, stating, “We appreciate Representative Brisson and Senator Jackson. We are also fortunate to have neighboring Legislators Rabon and Britt and Representative Jones supporting our projects.”
These budgeted provisions may significantly impact North Carolina’s economy and the well-being of its citizens for years to come.
Related article:
Live, Work, Play Project: A Series on Growing a Community – Creating Jobs and Commercial Building
Correction: New Pregnancy Center Holds Open House in Elizabethtown
Town of Bladenboro Funded for Capital Improvement Program
DEQ Approves Permit To Reduce PFAS Contamination In Cape Fear River
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North Carolina
NC has some of the most dangerous roads in the US: See how Wilmington-area counties rank
With a recent study revealing North Carolina as one of the states with the riskiest roads to travel, some may wonder how safe the roads are here in the Cape Fear region.
MarketWatch Guides, a site that provides “reviews of consumer products and services to help readers make educated purchasing decisions,” focuses in part on car insurance comparisons, vehicle safety and more.
A recent study by the site analyzed factors including annual miles driven per 100,000 system miles, percentage of rough roads and fatal injuries per 100,000 licensed drivers. States were given a rating out of 10 points, with 10 being the most dangerous.
More: Distracted driving in Wilmington: How big of a problem is it?
North Carolina’s ranking among the most dangerous
According to the study, the states with the most dangerous drivers based on the factors studied are:
- Louisiana – 7.55/10
- California – 7.21/10
- New Mexico – 6.74/10
- Hawaii – 6.73/10
- Delaware – 6.67/10
- New Jersey – 6.53/10
- Mississippi – 6.47/10
- North Carolina – 6.39/10
- Massachusetts – 6.33/10
- Maryland and Texas – 6.26/10
According to the study, North Carolina had 32.5 fatal injuries per 100,000 licensed drivers, but only 2.1% of rough roads, which was the lowest percentage out of the other ranked states.
For a more localized perspective, the North Carolina Department of Transportation releases annual traffic crash facts data. The most recent 2022 report includes a ranking of counties based on several factors, including reported crashes, crash severity, crash rates based on population, registered vehicles and estimated vehicle miles traveled.
The most dangerous county for drivers, ranked at No. 1 for the past five years, was Robeson County. The county had 60 fatal crashes in 2022 with 1,136 non-fatal injury crashes. The rest of the total 4,056 crashes were property-damage-only. The county with the best ranking was Hyde County, coming in at No. 100. The county had one fatal crash in 2022 and 10 non-fatal injury crashes. The county had a total of 45 crashes, the rest of which were property damage only.
More: MyReporter: Which intersections see the most red-light camera violations in Wilmington?
Here’s where the Cape Fear region counties ranked.
Brunswick County
Ranked No. 76 in 2022, Brunswick County had 25 fatal crashes and 715 non-fatal injury crashes. The total crashes for that year were 3,146. The remainder of the crashes were property damage only.
New Hanover County
Ranked No. 58, New Hanover had 19 fatal crashes and 1,313 non-fatal injury crashes, both of which went down from 2021. The total crashes in New Hanover were 5,617. The remainder of the crashes were property damage only.
Pender County
Ranked No. 47, Pender County had the worst ranking despite having the lowest number of crashes. The county had 12 fatal crashes and 374 non-fatal injury crashes, and a total of 1,156 crashes. The rest of the crashes were property damage only.
Iris Seaton, USA Today Network, contributed to this report.
Tropical Storm Debby already has parts of Florida under tropical storm warnings. The Florida Big Bend is currently under a Hurricane Warning. Debby is forecast to briefly strengthen into a category 1 hurricane as it moves over the Gulf of Mexico where water temperatures are near 90 degrees.
As it continues its path over land it is expected to dial back to tropical storm strength as it reaches the Carolinas mid to late next week. Moderate rainfall is possible for northeast North Carolina and southern Virginia by the end of the week.
Higher amounts of rain are possible for southernmost portions of the Outer Banks but generally models show 2-4 inches for northeast North Carolina and 1-2 inches for southern Virginia through Thursday.
Stay with News 3’s First Warning Weather Team for the latest updates as the storm develops.
The National Hurricane Center continues to monitor a tropical depression over Cuba. It’s expected to become a tropical storm later Saturday, bringing impacts to the Carolinas around the middle of next week.
Heavy rainfall and flooding are the primary impacts expected, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.
“Gusty winds are also possible, but it is too early to predict specific impacts in great detail at this time,” the weather service said.
At the same time, there is the potential for heavy rainfall and some flooding associated with front expected to stall inland this weekend.
As of 11 a.m. Saturday, the center of the tropical depression, which would be name Debby if it becomes a tropical storm, was over Cuba and moving west-northwest near 15 mph. The hurricane center said a turn toward the northwest is forecast for Saturday, followed by a northward motion on Sunday and then a slower northeastwardmotion Sunday night and Monday.
Maximum sustained winds were near 35 mph. Slow strengthening is expected throughout the day Saturday. Faster strengthening is possible Sunday, with the storm nearing hurricane strength when it reaches the Florida Gulf Coast, the hurricane center said.
STORM TRACKER: Monitor the latest tropical developments here.
Here’s a look at what we can expect in the Wilmington area, according to the latest briefing from the National Weather Service in Wilmington.
Wind
The probability of tropical storm force winds has increased, especially for the South Carolina coast. The most likely time of arrival of for northeast South Carolina is Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, and for Southeastern North Carolina is during Wednesday morning.
Rain
The potential for significant rainfall exists with 8 to 12 inches possible from near Cape Fear to portions of thenortheast South Carolina coast. Flash flooding and urban flooding are possible. Some rivers, including the North Cape Fear River and the Waccamaw River, could exceed flood stage next week.
INTERACTIVE MAP: Enter your address to see hurricanes, tropical storms that have passed nearby
Marine impacts
Rough surf, including dangerous rip currents, and hazardous marine conditions are expected this weekend and will persist into the upcoming week.
Are you prepared for a hurricane?
Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. Even if this system won’t pose a threat to the NC coast, it’s never too early to be prepared.
GET READY: Are you prepared for a hurricane? Here’s what to know if you live in the Wilmington area.
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