DEQ-CFW_00081387

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Subject: Insider for August 3, 2017
* Today,_-, lnside�- (PDF)
NC1.NS1D.ER,.1--
STATE GO:VE.RNENT NEWS S:ERVICE
"Mr. Medvedev, the US has three co -equal branches of gov't, a concept you're clearly not
familiar with under the Putin dictatorship."
US Sen. Thom Tillis, on a tweet by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev that asserted that
Congress had "humiliated" the Trump administration.
Thursday Session
The North Carolina General Assembly is returning Thursday from a five -week hiatus, but don't
expect them to consider overriding Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's vetoes, their mandated reason
for coming back to Raleigh for at least one day. With numerous lawmakers expected to be absem
from the Legislative Building -- some apparently will be on vacation or busy with unrelated
business -- Republicans are likely to delay decisions on the vetoed bills for at least a month and
instead focus on tying up loose ends from the last session. Before going home, some lawmakers
also will talk more about redrawing legislative districts. The issue has more urgency now that
federal judges this week ordered new maps by September.
DEQ-CFW-00081387

MORE f - ' a Well- •'M91 go E a murml I I I I LeeiB
'Surviving' Governor
GOVERNING magazine is categorizing Gov. Roy Cooper's• office •
reviewedrecent article the early monthsof governors wh• took office this yearand put them in
three categories f f or no governors were list
"struggling," Cooper joined the governors of Delaware, Missouri, South Carolina and West Virginia
in the • category.
Here's how GOVERNING explained the choice: "The fact that the GOP continues to control the
legislature has madeCooper'sof harder than anyoneon ••f- big
accomplishment has been lifting HB 2, the so-called bathroom bill targeting transgender
individuals. ... Meanwhile, the GOP passed a state budget over Cooper's veto, ignoring his calls for
higher spending on education and social programs. Cooper has also been forced to wage court
battles against the legislature's efforts to strip his powers."(THE INSIDER, 8/03/17).
School
•
North•lina families using taxpayer moneyto attend private schoolsenjoying
educational opportunity but struggle to cover all the new financial costs, according to new studies
DEQ-CFW 00081390

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OBX Power
Electric power is expected to return to Hatteras and Ocracoke islandsby • d. possibly
Saturdayearly as - and renters could follow rightbehind. Dorothy Hester, for it
County,I the countyr•r power companyto determine r
Once power is restored and testing is completeto ensure everything is working properly,
N.C. 12 will be -•r -• to traffic. "Our goal is to get our a back as soonr• •
Hester. E. • tough. We're. • so many callsfrom r who are on pins andneedles
wanting to know whatto do. Our businesses down there need them to come r.We'regoing
allow•' • possibly
Wednesday • r CHEC announced on r••' page that• -' • - ' • have
trouble with water ep 1 in the area where the underground cable break • . ' I but . I
work on an overhead line is making progress. "The restoration timeframe from this point forward
is 3-5 days," the company said. "This includes the time required for testing after all construction
complete and before transmission service can begin. CHEC is also working with Dare County
officials to coordinate the safe return of irs as soon as possible. Quillin, THE NEWSOBSERVER, 8/02/17).
leavingN.C. FreeEnterprise Foundation executive director 3oe Stewart announced Wednesday that he'll
the 1I • s to take a new •r as vice president of governmental affairs fors penden
Insurance Agents of North Carolina,
stateStewart has led the pro -business group since 2013, and his last day will be Sept. 29. He's becom
a familiar face in politics,1 as . pundit • of media outlets,-f
speeches, and hosting . program thatlaunched earlier "Bottom Lir. -ar
..
alreadygearing up for the 2018- Ii and NCFEF will remain a ••-to source for
i updates throughoutthe coming • - in an email announcing his departure.
"The NCFEF Board will conduct. search to identify and select a new executive director,
information on how interested persons can apply to follow shortly."(THE INSIDER, 8/03/17).
DEQ-CFW 00081391

Electionr
schoolA temporary restraining order will remain in effect, allowing unaffiliated school board candidates t#
obtain signatures needed to appear on the November ballot. Attorney Paul Ditz, representing
#o. • member Kathy Falls, said the order was extended on Monday and will remain in
effect until Aug. 21. The Nov. 7 election marks the first y- - r County Board of
Education race is partisan. In 3une, the North• i' passed Senate Bill 253,
partisan.which changed school board elections in nine counties, including Cleveland, from nonpartisan to
change,The last-minute and subsequent temporaryorder, - f the filing deadline for all
elections in Cleveland County, extending it to Aug. 1. The deadlines were extended after the order
was signed, allowing unaffiliated voters to file for•r board using the same deadlines
municipali is registered as unaffiliated, has until Sept.to obtain percent,or
about 2,600 signatures forpetition.
The General Assembly returns to session on Thursday. House Speaker Tim Moore has said
previously that he expects- legislature will amend the bill to reflect the temporaryrestraining
order.
"Hopefully the legislature will cure the problem i • it Ditz said.
they •a we will dismiss the complaint.- be arguing o make this a preliminary
on Ditz said if the preliminary • becomes nec• r remain
in place until the matter is resolved. "For the purposes of this case, since the election is in
November /' the deadline forpetition signaturesSeptember, it would essentially resolve
said.matter," he election,• i become moot."(EliseFranco,
Z 1
Gun Mascot
Lawmakers will return to Raleighon •. and be greeted by • - Magic#
you fSquish,• 'd rhinoceros mascot,be out on
to drum up support forHouse Bill 746, which wouldloosen gun laws in the state. Gun rights
group Grass Roots• • bringing • • lawmakers to"hold N.C. Senate
Republicans accountable - to pass House'• bill would allow for
permitless carry for all U.S. citizens over the age of 18 in the state. The organization says some of
the Republican senatorsf up• their • beliefs, r "Republicans
r " abbreviation cr into play. Grass Roots•Carolina is
calling for lawmakers to bring the bill back up "during or before" the short session in 2018.
However, - - bill would come up before r i The adjournment
resolution, which outlined what the General Assembly can address when it returns Thursday and in
September, does not cover all bills introduced during the session. Instead, lawmakers can only act
on bills that are in conferencecommittees or bills •i f impeachment of elected
INSIDER,
Blue Cross Blue Shield of N.C. plans to lower its premium rate hike request for 2018 individual
Affordable Care Act insurance plans from . percent • 14.1 percent,_ insurer said
Wednesday. r a an adjustmentto the plan it submitted in May to
Insurance Department, approve, or f the rate increase. The department
typically90 days to review a rate request.be • open enrollmentperiod for
i between Nov. 1 and Dec.
By comparison, Blue Cross initially sought an 18.8 percent premium hike for 2017, but wound up
announcing a 24.3 percent increase after competitorsexited the individualmarketplace.
rate request for 2018 comes at a time of great uncertainty on whether the Trump administration
will agree • continue to pay for• f - . I • it subsidies that make more affordable
most of f L t A exchange plans.
subsidiesThe i lower -income individualsbuy plans • i • out-of-pocket
medical- such as lowerdeductibles andco-payments.- • r could make a decision
on i • day, according to administration officials.
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CrossBlue i May 25 that the 22.9 percent rate increase was based on - subsidies ending,
along data oquarter of 1 projected an :.8 percent rate increase
with the subsidies remaining in place. r•I Borman said the 8.8 percent rate increase
proposal from .: "basically goes away" amended request.
Blue • -d its plans to cover all 100
The state had the fourthf •' for 117 at 549,158, according
Department of - and Human Services.- Cross was the sole insurer in all but - counties
Lotteryin the Triangle. Blue Cross said in its request that it had 502,000 customers in 2017. It has not
•
North Carolina's state -run lottery has again exceeded its expectations for generating funds for
public f Ii although did not quite reach its record from a year .f•. The North Carolina
millionEducation Lottery announced Wednesday that net earnings for education programs totaled $622
•, the fiscal year• f 3une 30. That compares- • r net profits of . , million
the previous fiscal year. Lottery spokesman. - r attributes ^ downward r more
typical prize and administrative expenses and Powerball ticket sales compared to a year ago, wher
Powerball sales spiked with a $1.6 billion jackpot. Still, this past year's net profits exceeded what
lottery commissioners projected in its budget by $71 million. Overall ticket sales exceeded $2.4
billion. Sales have increased each year since sales began in 2006.(THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
1 __
Records Lawsuit
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Billboard Resolution
Polk Countyr • its appreciation tr state legislators for- i- in voting down . r i r i
that would have eased regulations on outdoor advertising and allowed companies to relocate sig
1 upgrade to digital 1 more easily. The bill,• - Bill 581,-r 48-67 in the state House
including 30 votes against from Republican representatives. After passing a resolution 3une 5
against the bill, Polk County commissioners unanimously decided 3uly 17 to send a letter to stat
legislators.
In - resolution,Polk County- • regulate signsplaced for public observance
its jurisdictional boundaries and provide an improved environmental setting. House Bill 581 will
eliminate • . of • .l control by allowing existing billboards on - and other
majorhighways to be upgraded to digital billboards."The resolution citesthe board's to
"protect the rural atmosphere and scenic highways, and the safety of traveling motorists." The
letter thanks "those membersit the House who voted .•.inst Hi 581 and for yourdiligence
Carolina.researching this issue and finding it not to be in the best interest of citizens in North
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DEQ-CFW 00081395

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Harassment Claims
former • • . • town clerk in Brunswick County-• to run for•council seats
councilmanagainst a -• them. Formera • • .rf-
a former Town•r quit, alleging Councilman Steve '- - '• them over
the payment of and time off taken by • r
• be honest with you,got sick of hearing the same thing over and over f over .f.
said Knappe,• is Colby'ssister.'• to work on town r,told WECT
their claims of harassment were simply his attempts to secure time sheets and public documents
he asked for •ugh a records r-fuest. "I feel like he lied when he said he get the things he
was • for because he was f fr- said.
Permenter gave WECT documents showing sick time marked on time sheets1 • and 2017
hoursafter the clerk's - - reduced from full time. The councilman• has presented •f •'
the • policy manual which stipulates- is forregular,- employees.
r - with the Brunswick County• Office confirmed the Brunswick
Sheriff'sCounty Office is investigating Colby's use of vacation• • D
i
DEQ-CFW 00081396

Owed
Ronnie Mitchell, lawyer for the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, and former Superior Court
Judge Coy Brewer owe more than $400,000 to four of their former law partners, including
Cumberland County CommissionersAdams,arth Carolina Courtof rr-
said Tuesday. The appeals court finding is the latest development in a fight over money among
some of - - more prominent lawyers. It dates back to 2005,Mitchell,
Brewer, Richardson, Adams, Burge and Boughman law firm broke up.
This was before -• to be the staff counselfor - Office and before Adams
electedwas to the Cumberland County Board of • •
Adams, Lee Boughman and Vickie Burge formed a new law firm in summer 2005, while Mitchell,
Brewer, state Rep. Billy Richardson, D-Cumberland (who was not in the legislature at the time)
and lawyer Charles Brittain continued with the old firm. Adams, Burge and Boughman contended
that after they quit the i • firm, they were due to receive money from- r payouts in
lawsuits that they r worked on prior • leaving. Mitchell and Brewer disputed •money
was due.
"In the aftermath of the break-up, numerous disagreements arose between the parties regarding
the ownership of •" including future profits •m unresolved contingent fee
cases brought into the PLLC before the break-up," the Court of Appeals ruling says. "PLLC" is short
for "professional limi-r liability company,"the format under which the law firm was incorporated.
Adams, Burge r Boughman filed suit a year after the • • firm broke .Ili beethe courts ever since. Richardson and Brittain settled privately with Adams, Burge and Boughman,
while Mitchell and Brewer continued the fight.(Paul Woolverton, THE FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER,
n in
Unemployment
The Triad's unemployment- dipped slightly to 4percent - reaching another
low in the process, the N.C. Commerce Department reported Wednesday. The rate was 4.4
percent r 5.2 percent • The previous l• of percent in April 00-
before the full effect of the Great Recession began to be felt locally in December 2007.
The Winston-Salem metropolitan .• a 4. 1 percent joblessdown from
percent r 5 percent f •. Forsyth County's- went from4.3 percent to 4.2
re
Economists traditionally have considered a jobless rate of 5 percent as full employment, meaning
that everyone who wants a job has one, employers have the skilled workers they need and there
is limited inflationary pressure on wages. Yet most economists say the job market remains
challenging for applicants lackinf technology and other specialized skills necessary to land
manufacturingadvanced jobs. Most• • agree • •lina's economy typically
rides on the coattails of the national economy, which had a 4.4 percent jobless rate for
The chairman of the Elkin Valley Trails Association Inc. (EVTA)said the N.C. Councilof
approved purchase of - Carter Falls property • of f it to Wilkes
Countygovernment as a countypark and a feature of - Mountains -to -Sea Trail. Dr. Bill Blackley
said State Treasurer Dale Folwell told him by phone that the council, of which Folwell is a member,
took the actionr. .id Folwell stated that it would take about a monthto complete
the purchase of the 41 acres, off Carter Mill Road in northeastern Wilkes, from owner Daniel J.
Pa rk.
Blackley r Park, an attorney in Elkin, agreed to donate a conservationon
adjoining 11 acres to Wilkes County government. Park would still own the 11 acres, but the
conservation easement protects it frr development.praised Park forpublic-spirited efforts
with the property • said he could have sold it for• - money but r • to see it
developed Blackley said EVTA Board member Bob Hillyer is working with County Attorney Tony
Triplett r County Manager•' on I of - • . r of agreement f for
countygovernment • lease the 41 acres from- for ° per r for the
DEQ-CFW 00081397

EVTA to maintain it as a public park at no charge to the county. N.C. Connect bond funds would be
used for the purchase.
EVTA volunteers have been building portions of a proposed 25-mile section of the Mountains to the
Sea Trail between Elkin and Stone Mountain State Park since 2013, mostly on donated easements
on private property. Much of the route is along Big Elkin Creek and Carter Falls is on that
Lake Norman Bass
The state on Wednesday tightened its recommendations on how much Lake Norman hybrid striped
bass people should eat, after elevated levels of PCBs showed up again in a review of fish tissue
data. Eat no more than two meals a week of hybrid striped bass from the lake, the N.C.
Department of Health and Human Services advised. The fish consumption advisory is based on an
increased risk for liver and immune system problems for people who eat hybrid striped bass
contaminated with PCBs. The advisory is for fish caught in all parts of the lake, including in
Catawba, Iredell, Lincoln and Mecklenburg counties.
PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, were used for decades to insulate and lubricate a vast range of
products -- from electrical transformers and capacitors to caulk and paint still found in old
buildings. They don't go away once the products do, leaving a long-lasting toxic impact. Ingested
in large doses, PCBs can hurt the neurological development of children, the reproductive and
immune systems, and may cause cancer. The chemicals can also put at risk brain development in
the unborn babies of pregnant women who eat contaminated fish.
The PCB fish contamination does not present a known health risk for people wading, swimming or
boating in the lake, handling the fish or touching the water, the state said.(Joe Marusak, THE
CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 8/02/17).
Thursday, August 3, 2017
Public Bills For Concurrence
CONFERENCE REPORT FOR ADOPTION -- THIRD READING -- ROLL CALL
o SB 552 (Tillman) OMNIBUS OCCUPANCY TAXES
11:30 a.m. I Rep. Bobbie Richardson -- Press Conference, Press Room LB.
1 p.m. I The North Carolina General Statutes Commission, Partition Task Force, 511
W. Williams St., Apex.
OEQ-CFVV_00081398

Government
:::.i.:'.. :.:A..:.:.:A: Meetings :: ::�::.'..: and Hearings
A::A': i ::::�::
0911116--is . •
Winston8:30 a.m. I The Golden LEAF Foundation committees meet followed by the Board of Directo
meeting, Kimpton Cardinal Hotel in the Lexington Conference Room, 401 N. Main St.,
• i . : 1'. i. i • 4i 0 4
• • f
! Board of Proprietary ••ls meets, North Carolina• • -•s.System Office, 200 W. Jones St., Raleigh.
;i a.m. I The Fund Development an• Communications Committeeof •
Carolina• for Children,11 Wake ForestRoad, Raleigh.
Contact:Yvonne
- Department of - holds public g on proposed changes, 1st
Floor Hearing Room, Room 131 (Albemarle Building) located at 325 N. Salisbury St.,
.r Division of - Fisheries hold. public hearing• . proposed shellfishlease in • rw County, North Topsail• 00ZLoggerhead Court,North
TopsailBeach.
19 • F. • 1'<
• r. Division of • . public hearing on proposed
lease in New Hanover County, N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Wilmington
Regional Office, 127 CardinalDrive Ext., Wilmington.
• 10 a.m. I The NC Trails Committee (NCTC) meets, DNCR Regional Office, 176 Riceville Road.
Asheville.
-
10:30 a.m. I The Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission holds public
hearing on proposed rule changes, Wake Technical Community College -Public Safety
Training Center, 321 Chapanoke Road, Raleigh.
Review Cr rmeets, Administrative Hearings office, Rules
Re • • Room,•pe Church Road, Raleigh.
DEQ-CFW 00081399

Mr. •
11 a.m I The Finance and Audit Committee of The North Carolina Partnership for
Children meets, 1100 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh. Contact: Yvonne Huntley: 919-
821-9573.
6:30 p.m. I N.C. State Board of Dental Examiners holds public hearing on proposed rul(.-
changes, 2000 Perimeter Park Drive, Suite 160, Morrisville.
* 9 a.m. I Environmental Management Commission meets, Ground Floor Hearing Room,
Archdale d • 512 N. SalisburyRaleigh.
* 10 a.m. I The N.C. Social Services Commission holds public hearing on proposed rule
changes,Division of Social820 SouthBoylan Ave., ConferenceRoom 151,
Raleigh.
• a.m. I Environmental. • • •meets,• i Floor Hearing Room,
Archdale Building, 512 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh.
• - ;■
10 a.m. I The N.C. Rules Review Commission meets, Administrative Hearings office, Rules
Review Commission Room, 1711 New Hope Church Road, Raleigh.
■
10:30 a.m. I The Standard Commercial Fishing License Eligibility Board to the N.C. Division
it Marine Fisheries meets,i of -Fisheries'Wilmington Office,
North•Extension,• •
•
• TBD I The Golden LEAF Foundation's board meets, TBD. Contact: Jenny Tinklepaugh, 888-
684-8404.
• TBD I The NC Wildlife Resources Commission meets, WRC Centennial Campus, 1751 Varsity
Dr., Raleigh.
Review• • Administrative Hearings
Review • • Room,• - Church Road, - •
9 a.m. I Environmental Management Commission meets, Ground Floor Hearing Room,
Archdale Building, 512 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh.
DEQ-CFW 00081400

9 a.m. I Environmental Management Commission meets, Ground Floor Hearing Room,
Archdale Building, 512 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh.
TBD I The Golden LEAF Foundation's board meets, TBD. Contact: 3enny Tinklepaugh, 888-
684-8404.
TBD I The NC Wildlife Resources Commission meets, 1751 Varsity Dr., Raleigh.
10 a.m. I The N.C. Rules Review Commission meets, Administrative Hearings office, Rules
Review Commission Room, 1711 New Hope Church Road, Raleigh.
9 a.m. I Environmental Management Commission meets, Ground Floor Hearing Room,
Archdale Building, 512 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh.
9 a.m. I Environmental Management Commission meets, Ground Floor Hearing Room,
Archdale Building, 512 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh.
5 p.m. I The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality hold public hearings on potential oil
and gas leasing program, New Hanover Government Center, 230 Government Center Drive,
Suite 135, Wilmington.
OEQ-CFVV_00081401

f. Department of Environmental Quality hold public • on potential oil
and gas leasing program, Dare County Government Complex, 954 Marshall Collins Drive,
Manteo.
4
• Staff Conference
16 •; • �' i`
• Staff Conference
• Staff Conference
• Staff Conference
Guidance,3 p.m. I The UNC Board of Governors' Campus Security Committee Subcommittee on
Training • - - - '••Spanglerf .r-' Hill. Contact:•
919-962-4629.
11 a.m. I The UNC Board of Governors' Campus Security Committee Subcommittee on Data
Collection Protocol, Conference Room B, Spangler Building, Chapel Hill. Contact: 3osh Ellis,
• • •6.6•
12 p.m. I The UNC Board of Governors' Campus Security Committee Subcommittee on
Safety and Security Conference, Conference Room B, Spangler Building, Chapel Hill.
Contact: 3osh Ellis, 919-962-4629.
DEQ-CFW 00081402

8 a.m. I Gov. Roy Cooper delivers remarks and tour Pfizer's expanded facility,
Pfizer, 3316 Hawkins Ave., Sanford.
No time given I U.S. Small Business Administration deadline for businesses, private nonprofit
organizations, homeowners, and renters in North Carolina to submit disaster loan
applications for damages caused by the severe storms on May 30.
No Time Given I The 77th Annual National Folk Festival opens in Downtown Greensboro for
its third year in the state. Contact: Kaitlin Smith, 336-373-7523, ext 246.
TBD I The NC Bankers Association hold Young Bankers Conference, Crowne Plaza Asheville
Resort, Asheville.
10 a.m. I The Carolinas Air Pollution Control Association hold Technical Workshop and Forum,
Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort, 10000 Beach Club Dr., Myrtle Beach.
TBD I The NC Bankers Association hold Women in Banking Conference, Renaissancz
Charlotte Southpark, 5501 Carnegie Blvd., Charlotte.
OEQ-CFVV_00081403

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DEQ-CFW-00081404