Good Morning, May 16
General Assembly members don't show up at the legislative building in force until late on most Monday's of session, but it looks like at least some of your elected reps will be toting that barge and lifting that shovel (or whatever the parliamentary equivalent of all that is) right off the bat this week.
Alert Capital Beat reader Mary Johnson copied me on an e-mail that says the Guilford County delegation is going to be meeting with some of the pediatricians, nurse practitioners and other health types from our area at a shindig hosted by Moses Cone Health Systems. The e-mail doesn't list a time, but does say the docs and nurses will brief "the Guilford County legislative delegation on the most important issues affecting child/adolescent health in the current session of the NC General Assembly." I'm thinking the cuts to Medicaid in the Senate budget might come up. Anybody going to this shindig who wants to share any thoughts is welcome.
The Senate chambers will be buzzing first thing in the morning, but it will be a different branch of government in temporary residence. The N.C. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear STATE V. PHILIP MORRIS USA, ET AL at 9:30 a.m. The Supremes' usual digs are being redone, and this being a tobacco case, there is probably a lot of interest.
And of course, both houses are scheduled to meet in session starting at 7 p.m., which means if you tune in at 7:20 p.m. or so you should be in time to catch the opening prayer. Each has a pretty full agenda. On the Senate side, a lot of folks will be watching debate on Senate Bill 189, which would set age limits for who could drive one those off-road All Terrain Vehicles. No one younger than 12 would be able to if this law passes, and anyone 12-16 would not be allowed to drive one with a engine bigger than 90 cubic centimeters. The idea behind the bill is to prevent injuries to kids who are over-matched by their machines. The bill has met resistance from some Senators who have shown that Democrats and Republicans alike can have a Libertarian streak.
The rest of the week is looking pretty busy too. Politics fans will get some extra innings this weekend when the GOP holds its annual convention in Ashville (May 20 - 22).