Category: Falling Behind in NC

Falling Behind in North Carolina: Community Colleges

April 25, 2011 at 1:15 pmCategory:Falling Behind in NC

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Sources: NCGA Fiscal Research Division, Presentation to Joint Education Approps Subcommittee; NC OSBM Post-Legislative Summary Reports; NC House Budget Subcommittee on Education, FY11-13 Budget Recommendations

As job opportunities became scarce for working North Carolinians over the Great Recession, many decided to pursue education as a strategy to improve their economic outlook. As a result, enrollment at North Carolina community colleges skyrocketed.

While enrollment for community colleges is funded in the House budget proposal, Read More…

Falling Behind in North Carolina: Child Development

April 25, 2011 at 11:00 amCategory:Falling Behind in NC

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Sources: N.C. State Demographer, July of each year; NC OSBM Post-Legislative Summary Reports; NC House Budget Appropriations Subcommittee on Health & Human Services, FY2011-13 Budget Recommendations

During the Great Recession, the number of North Carolina children under the age of five increased by more than 40,000, but state spending on child development programs and services via the NC Department of Health and Human services would contract dramatically under the House’s FY11-13 budget proposal. Read More…

Falling Behind in North Carolina: Medical Assistance

April 25, 2011 at 8:30 amCategory:Falling Behind in NC

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Sources: NC DHHS Division of Medical Assistance: NC OSBM Post-Legislative Summary Reports; NC House Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, FY11-13 Budget Recommendations

State spending on medical assistance for children and disabled and elderly individuals has trailed far behind the growth in individuals who have become eligible for Medicaid services. Read More…

Falling Behind in North Carolina: Public Health

April 21, 2011 at 5:00 pmCategory:Falling Behind in NC

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State Public Health Spending v. NC Population Growth

Sources: NC OSBM, State Population Estimates for July; NC OSBM Post-Legislative Summary Reports; NC House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services FY2011-13 Budget Recommendations

State spending on public health has been actively outpaced by the growth of the North Carolina population, shifting the responsibility for providing core health services and support to counties and other local governments. Read More…

Falling Behind in North Carolina: Public Education

April 21, 2011 at 3:29 pmCategory:Falling Behind in NC

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As the Budget and Tax Center has written elsewhere, the legislative targets sent to each subcommittee on appropriations represent the single largest year-to-year decline in nearly 30 years.  This week we have seen the impacts of these targets line item-by-line item.

But what do these cuts mean for the state’s ability to meet the needs of North Carolina’s growing and changing population?

Addressing this shortfall with cuts alone and no consideration of revenue will fail to support North Carolina’s nascent economic recovery.  The resulting shortfall of services will translate into very real challenges for North Carolina families and communities.  It will also reduce the state’s ability to meet key long-term promises, like educating our children for the jobs of the future and ensuring health and economic opportunity for all North Carolina communities.

Below are some details from the latest House Budget recommendations that contrast the decline in state appropriations since the Great Recession with the growth in the affected population.  It doesn’t have to be this way.  North Carolina policymakers can eliminate tax breaks and raise reform-minded revenue to close the budget gap, meeting the demand for services across the state.  North Carolinians should call for more responsible, bolder leadership.

Sources: NC DPI, Data Reports & Statistics, Facts and Figures; NC Office of State Budget and Management, Post-Legislative Reports; House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, FY2011-13 Subcommittee Recommendations

Read More…